Not all windows nor all glass structures are constructed from the same types of glass. Glass comes in the form of many different styles, quality, and design. Cleaning windows and other glass structures might be something laypersons attempt on their own but in actuality doing so may actually do more harm than good. This is because different types of glass require not only different cleaning tools and chemicals but different styles as well. When working with some glass a simple damp cloth or some generic window cleaner is enough to do the trick. With the vast majority of windows and glass structures however these things might actually make the glass worse by scratching it, causing smears, or by doing nothing at all wasting an individual's time.
As professional window cleaners will tell you there are essentially five types of glass that they deal with and prefer you leave to them. These types of glass are known as annealed, heat strengthened, tempered, low-E, and insulating glass units. The easiest of these five to clean is annealed glass and a large majority of windows and glass structures are built from this type of glass. This type of glass is best known as the glass shatters into large pieces when it breaks. Annealed glass can be cleaned with a variety of chemicals and generally does not scratch.
Heat strengthened glass is glass that has been heat-treated to reduce surface compression. When this type of glass breaks it generally falls into small and sharp pieces. The glass itself is intermediate in strength. What this essentially means is that cleaning heat strengthened glass requires a special knowledge of glass and one that professional window cleaners always have. Laypersons should avoid cleaning heat strengthened glass on her own as the wrong chemicals and tools can not only damage this type of glass but breaking it as well.
As its name suggests, tempered glass is one of the strongest types of glass currently manufactured. In fact many professional window cleaners think of tempered glass as being four or five times stronger than even annealed glass. Laypersons will refer to tempered glass by its more common term "safety glass". This type of glass is often found in vehicles and around commercial structures. While it is one of the sturdiest types of glass available cleaning it can be somewhat problematic. When tempered glass is made poorly or is only mediocre at best only a professional window cleaner is capable of making this type of glass shine like new.
Low-E glass is made solely to cool down homes and buildings. Homeowners and those who own commercial structures often select this type of glass when they want insulated windows that help control the interior climates of their dwellings. Because this type of glass utilizes various types of UV film careful care needs to be taken in the cleaning of windows and glass structures made of this type of glass. Again this is where professional window cleaning services become extremely invaluable. Low-E glass isn't cheap and you don't want to damage it by trying to clean it yourself.
Lastly, insulating glass units are essentially two pieces of glass separated by some sort of space in between panes. This space are are often filled with air and gas in order to be create a seal between the separate panes which is excellent for homes that want better climate control, privacy, and even security. Due to the complexity of some insulating glass units professional window cleaners should be called in on a regular basis when these windows or glass structures become dirty or caked with debris. Not only is great care and cleaning of this type of glass required but experience is also needed to ensure that they are made properly clean.
Most people, even those that own commercial structures, would say that they'd rather not spend the money on professional window cleaning services. Once they learn that there are different types of glass however and that those types of glass all require different approaches to cleaning the majority of these people change their mind. Having windows cleaned professionally is a lot less expensive than replacing windows and people would do well to remember this before they hastily decide not to hire a professional.
Stanley Window Care specializes in window cleaning services and window cleaning in Huntington Beach.
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