ServicesWindow Care
Exterior Window Care in Scotia
We wash exterior glass, frames, sills and screens with methods chosen for what your windows are made of. Coated glass, older wood sashes and vinyl tracks each need a different touch, and we treat them that way so the glass dries clear without scratches or residue.
Clear glass starts with knowing the window
Most streaks and haze come from the wrong method on the wrong surface. A razor that is fine on plain glass can mark tempered panes, and strong household cleaners can cloud the low-E coatings found on many replacement windows. Before we start, we look at what your windows are made of and choose the water, the tools and the pace to match.
The work happens outside, around the whole home exterior, so you do not need to clear rooms or stay home all day. Frames and sills get wiped, screens get washed, and the glass is finished so it dries clear. If you have been thinking about permanent lighting along the roofline, we are glad to talk through that on the same visit.
After a long upstate winter, road salt film and spring pollen settle on glass quickly. A careful wash lets the light back in and keeps those deposits from etching into the surface over time.
What each visit includes
Glass washed by hand or pure water
On windows we can reach safely, we wash with a strip applicator and finish with a squeegee. On upper floors we can use a water-fed pole with purified water, which dries without spots and keeps ladders off your siding.
Frames, sills and tracks
Vinyl gets a mild cleaner that will not leave it chalky. Painted wood is wiped gently so we do not lift loose paint. Aluminum frames are cleared of the oxidation that otherwise rubs off as gray streaks.
Screens washed and dried
We remove screens, wash them on a padded surface and let them dry before they go back. Torn or bent screens are pointed out to you, not quietly reinstalled.
Care for coated and specialty glass
Low-E, tinted and tempered glass is washed without razor blades or abrasive pads. If we find paint overspray or stubborn deposits, we tell you what removal involves before we try it.
Mineral spot treatment
Sprinkler overspray leaves rings that ordinary washing will not move. We test a small corner first and tell you honestly whether a mineral treatment is safe for that glass.
Protection and cleanup
Ladder mitts protect siding and gutters, and drop cloths go down over beds and decks where we work. We finish with a walk-around so nothing is left behind.
Signs your windows are due for attention
- Haze that returns after you wipe
- A film that smears instead of lifting is usually salt, pollen or residue from a cleaner reacting with the glass coating. Proper rinsing and the right solution take it off.
- White rings near the bottom of panes
- These are mineral deposits from sprinklers or roof runoff. The longer they sit, the harder they are to remove without risk to the glass.
- Gray streaks running down from the frame
- Oxidized aluminum and aging vinyl shed fine residue every time it rains. Washing the frame is what stops the streaks, not just the glass.
- Screens that look dark from inside
- Pollen and dust pack into the mesh and cut both light and airflow. A rinse with the window open will not clear it.
- Upper windows no one has reached
- If second-story glass has gone a few seasons untouched, it is often the one job worth handing off for safety alone.
How a visit runs
- 1
A free quote by phone
Give us a sense of the house on the call: about how many panes, one floor or two, and whether screens are part of the job. Most quotes are settled right there, and if the house needs a closer look, we stop by first.
- 2
A walk-around before we begin
We confirm the glass type and frame material on each side of the house. Existing scratches, cracked seals or damaged screens are noted and shown to you before any water goes on.
- 3
Working from the top down
Screens come off first, then frames and sills, then the glass. We start at the highest windows so drips never land on panes that are already finished.
- 4
A final look together
We check the glass from inside and out in daylight, touch up any spots, put screens back and clear our gear from your yard.
What shapes the cost of window care
Every quote is built from your actual windows, and we explain how we got there on the call. A few details move the number more than others.
- Number and style of panes
- Divided-lite and grid windows take longer than a single large pane of the same size. Bay and bow windows add corners and angles.
- Height and access
- Second- and third-story glass, sloped yards, decks and dense plantings all affect setup time and the equipment we bring.
- Screens and tracks
- Washing screens adds handling and drying time. Tracks packed with years of grit take longer to clear.
- Condition of the glass
- A first wash in several years, mineral spotting, or leftover paint and construction residue all add work compared with routine upkeep.
- How often we visit
- Regular visits keep build-up light, so each one goes faster than a once-in-a-while deep wash.
Questions about your windows
- Will washing harm my low-E or tinted windows?
- Not with the right method. We skip razor blades and abrasive pads on coated glass and use mild solutions that rinse fully. If something stubborn is stuck to the coating, we explain the options before touching it.
- Do I need to be home during the visit?
- No. Our work is outside the home, so we only need gates unlocked and access around the house. We do ask that screens can be reached, and we will walk through the results with you on the phone or in person afterward.
- How often should my windows be done?
- Twice a year suits most homes here, once in spring after the salt and pollen and once in fall before the weather turns. Houses near busy roads or with sprinklers hitting the glass may want more frequent visits.
- Can you remove hard water spots?
- Often, yes. Fresh spots usually come off with a mineral treatment, but deposits left for years can etch the surface. We test a small area first and tell you honestly what result to expect.
- What happens if it rains right after?
- Rain on clean glass dries far clearer than rain on dirty glass, because there is less grime for the water to carry. If heavy rain is forecast for the day of your visit, we will call to move it.
Let's talk about your windows
Tell us about your glass, frames and screens, and we will explain how we would care for them and what it will cost. There is no charge for the quote.