Many businesses choose to face their storefront with glass doors and windows. They’re attractive, and they let potential customers see what your business is about from the street. Having full-view glass and aluminum entry doors on your business also makes your storefront infinitely customizable, so it’s simple to change your storefront’s aesthetic as you please.
Customers’ first impressions of a business are important, and there’s nothing like dirty storefront doors and windows to drive potential customers away from your store. Passersby may view a business with dirty glass out front as being careless or slipshod, and decide to take a pass on entering your establishment in favor of a rival’s that sports a sparkling storefront.
Grimy Glass Entry Doors aren’t Just Gross
Here’s the thing – dirty, splotchy, fingerprint-covered glass isn’t just unattractive, it can cause real damage to exterior glass and aluminum doors.
Dirty entry doors and windows are at risk for:
- Permanent scratches from dirt and grime, which can compromise the glass’ strength over time.
- Damaged and brittle door and weather seals.
- Increased rates of corrosion in the metal frame.
- Increased cost and frequency of commercial glass door repair.
So, all in all, failing to take care of the glass on your facility’s exterior surfaces is failing to take care of your business. To keep that from happening, your best bet is probably to invest in a professional window cleaning service. But if the budget is tight and you or an employee have to step up to the cleaning duties, here’s a little primer on best practices.
Must-Have Supplies for DIY Glass Door & Window Cleaning
What You Need:
- Squeegee
- Scraper
- Large bucket
- Specialized window-cleaning fluid (you can also use white vinegar)
- Water
- Towels
- Microfiber cloth
You can get as fancy as you like with window cleaning supplies, including squeegee handles, strip washer sleeves, scraper holsters and buckets with sieves. So suit yourself, and purchase whatever your budget allows.
Note: The cleaning solution you use is important. There are cleaning solutions that are abrasive and will damage glass. Avoid any detergents or liquid soaps, as they can compromise any coatings that are on the glass.
Cleaning Procedure for Perfect Storefront Windows
Create your cleaning solution per the instructions of your glass-cleaning solution, or you can just spray the windows with a commercial glass cleaner. Wet the scraper or scrubber and scrub or scrape windows until they are clean. You can go in whatever direction works best, but some professional window washers like to start at the top and work down. Be systematic so you don’t miss any spots.
Once the grime is gone, use the squeegee to remove excess liquid. Start at the top and in one single motion wipe across the window. Stop every so often and wipe the blade clean to prevent smearing.
Give the window a once-over and wipe off any missed dirt or liquid. Use the microfiber cloth to polish the window to a shiny finish. But don’t go overboard with the microfiber cloth; wiping anything over dry glass can drive dust particles across the glass and cause scratches.
Do Your Regular Maintenance When You’re Cleaning Your Storefront’s Glass Door
Cleaning your storefront’s glass door is also a great time to perform general maintenance. Here are a few maintenance tips you can incorporate into your regular cleaning routine:
- Inspect your glass door’s hardware, such as hinges, handles, and locks, for any signs of wear, damage, or loose screws. Tighten or replace any loose or damaged door parts to ensure proper functionality and security.
- Apply a silicone-based lubricant to hinges, rollers, and tracks to keep them working. Lubrication helps prevent friction and wear, ensuring that the door opens and closes effortlessly.
- Check the weather-stripping around the glass door for signs of wear, cracking, or gaps. Replace any damaged or worn weather-stripping to maintain an airtight seal. This will prevent drafts, moisture, and debris from entering the premises.
- Wipe down the door seals with a mild detergent and water solution to remove dirt and debris. Inspect the seals for any cracks or gaps that may compromise insulation. Replace damaged seals to maintain energy efficiency and prevent air leaks.
- Test the functionality of your commercial door closer by opening and closing the door. Ensure that the door closes smoothly and securely. Adjust the tension if necessary or consult a professional if the door closer requires repair or replacement.
- If your storefront is in an area with hard water, you may notice mineral deposits on the glass. Use a commercial glass door cleaner. If you can’t find one a mixture of vinegar and water can remove these deposits and restore the clarity of the glass.
Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Coatings for Your Storefront
Depending on how much dust and wind there is in your business location, you may have to clean the windows every morning before you open up. But there are other solutions that can help you to avoid such constant maintenance. Commercial-grade hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings can keep your business’ glass doors and windows looking great for an extended time. After you thoroughly clean all your glass, you can apply one of these coatings.
Hydrophobic coatings are great for windows; they repel water, so the droplets bead up and run down the window, eliminating cloudy residue left from rainy days. Oleophobic coatings are great for storefront doors; they repel oils like those on your hands, preventing unsightly finger and palm prints commercial glass entry doors tend to collect.
At SACS DOOR & GATE, our business is making sure your business appears and functions as smoothly as possible. If dirty glass doors and windows are a constant fight at your facility, give us a call! We’re always available for advice over the phone, or for on-site consultations.