Architectural glass products play a major role in the comfort of living and working environment of today's homes and commercial office spaces. By providing natural daylight, views of the surroundings, thermal comfort and design aesthetics, glass usage and condition often affect our selection of where we live, work, shop, play and seek education.
Architectural glass products must be properly cleaned during construction activities and as a part of routine maintenance in order to maintain visual and aesthetic clarity. Since glass products can be permanently damaged if improperly cleaned, glass producers and fabricators recommend strict ompliance with the following procedures for properly cleaning glass surfaces.
As dirt and residue appear, interior and exterior glass surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned. Concrete or ortar slurry which runs down (or is splashed on) glass can be especially damaging and should be washed off as soon as possible. Before proceeding with cleaning, determine whether the glass is clear, tinted or reflective. Surface damage is more noticeable on reflective glass as compared with the other glass products. If the reflective surface is exposed, either on the exterior or interior, special care must be
taken when cleaning, as scratches to the reflective glass surface can result in coating removal and a visiblechange in light transmittance. Cleaning tinted and reflective glass surfaces in direct sunlight should be avoided, as the surface temperature may be excessively hot for optimum cleaning. Cleaning should begin at the top of the building and continue to the lower levels to reduce the risk of leaving residue and cleaning solutions on glass at the lower levels. Cleaning procedures should also ensure that the wind is
not blowing the cleaning solution and residue onto already cleaned glass.
Cleaning during construction activities should begin with soaking the glass surfaces with clean water and soap solution to loosen dirt or debris. Using a mild, non-abrasive commercial window washing solution, uniformly apply the solution to the glass surfaces with a brush, strip washer or other non-abrasive applicator. Immediately following the application of the cleaning solution, a squeegee should be used to remove all of the cleaning solution from the glass surface. Care should be taken to ensure that no metal parts of the cleaning equipment touch the glass surface and that no abrasive particles are trapped between the glass and the cleaning materials. All water and cleaning solution residue should be dried from window gaskets, sealants and frames to avoid the potential for deterioration of these materials as the result of the cleaning process.
Architectural glass products must be properly cleaned during construction activities and as a part of routine maintenance in order to maintain visual and aesthetic clarity. Since glass products can be permanently damaged if improperly cleaned, glass producers and fabricators recommend strict ompliance with the following procedures for properly cleaning glass surfaces.
As dirt and residue appear, interior and exterior glass surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned. Concrete or ortar slurry which runs down (or is splashed on) glass can be especially damaging and should be washed off as soon as possible. Before proceeding with cleaning, determine whether the glass is clear, tinted or reflective. Surface damage is more noticeable on reflective glass as compared with the other glass products. If the reflective surface is exposed, either on the exterior or interior, special care must be
taken when cleaning, as scratches to the reflective glass surface can result in coating removal and a visiblechange in light transmittance. Cleaning tinted and reflective glass surfaces in direct sunlight should be avoided, as the surface temperature may be excessively hot for optimum cleaning. Cleaning should begin at the top of the building and continue to the lower levels to reduce the risk of leaving residue and cleaning solutions on glass at the lower levels. Cleaning procedures should also ensure that the wind is
not blowing the cleaning solution and residue onto already cleaned glass.
Cleaning during construction activities should begin with soaking the glass surfaces with clean water and soap solution to loosen dirt or debris. Using a mild, non-abrasive commercial window washing solution, uniformly apply the solution to the glass surfaces with a brush, strip washer or other non-abrasive applicator. Immediately following the application of the cleaning solution, a squeegee should be used to remove all of the cleaning solution from the glass surface. Care should be taken to ensure that no metal parts of the cleaning equipment touch the glass surface and that no abrasive particles are trapped between the glass and the cleaning materials. All water and cleaning solution residue should be dried from window gaskets, sealants and frames to avoid the potential for deterioration of these materials as the result of the cleaning process.
It is strongly recommended that window washers clean a small area or one window, then stop and
examine the surface for any damage to the glass and/or reflective coating. The ability to detect certain
surface damage, i.e. light scratches, may vary greatly with the lighting conditions. Direct sunlight is
needed to properly evaluate a glass surface for damage. Scratches that are not easily seen with a dark or
gray sky may be very noticeable when the sun is at a certain angle in the sky or when the sun is low in the
sky.
surface damage, i.e. light scratches, may vary greatly with the lighting conditions. Direct sunlight is
needed to properly evaluate a glass surface for damage. Scratches that are not easily seen with a dark or
gray sky may be very noticeable when the sun is at a certain angle in the sky or when the sun is low in the
sky.
