Why Feature Windows Deserve Special Care

Are you fortunate enough to have stunning windows? Scottish architecture has long been generous with gorgeous building features, be they period sash and case windows, or contemporary designed glass structures. Sometimes they can be a challenge to maintain though. This is where it’s well worth calling in the professionals. Feature windows are usually more expensive to replace than standard ones. So regular cleaning is vital to protect against damage, erosion and weathering. Not only because beautiful windows deserve to look great, but because it’ll cost you far more in the long run, should you neglect them.

Feature windows with detail

Perhaps you have intricate and unique window designs. Tudor or New York loft style grids look great and add a lot of character to your home. But it’s especially time consuming and fiddly to clean them. Dirt gathers at the edges and with many more edges in compex designs, chances are your windows may look dirtier than standard ones. Having them professionally cleaned by a company with the right tools and know how for the job, is far quicker and may be less expensive than you think.

Expansive glass structures

Especially in Scotland where sunshine and light can be lacking, glass based extensions and annexes are increasing in popularity. So too are full width bifold doors. These make for stunning spaces, providing improved functionality. They impress visitors and add significant value to your property. However, you can be sure that streaks left after cleaning will stand out. With that much glass, if your technique isn’t spot on, you’ll have a whole lot of streaks. Clean and clear glass on the other hand will really enhance your experience of these contemporary features.

Tall and high windows

Period windows are a mainstay of Edinburgh and Glasgow buildings, found in grand townhouses and historic tenements. The height of these buildings usually precludes owners and tenants from cleaning the outside themselves. This is particularly so with sash and case styles, which prove tricky to access. They’re also some of the most expensive window types to replace. So, not only is it well worth keeping these beauties looking fantastic from an aesthetic perspective, but maintenance with experienced, careful, cleaning methods and purified water, will increase their lifespan.

Chances are, if you have a property with feature windows, you’ve paid more than one with standard structures. It’s an investment. Not only are they a daily delight, but they add kerb appeal to your home, and create an impressive image for your business premise. So give these features the special care they deserve.

 

Money Saving Property Maintenance

Whether you let out properties, rent your home, or own it, there are certain responsibilities with which you should – or must – adhere. It can seem like cutting corners is a great way to keep costs down. But this can be a false economy for a number of reasons. Spending more on preventitive and proactive maintenance is actually the smart way to avoid big bills in the log run. Here’s some of the factors you might want to consider..

If you’re a tenant

Particularly if you’ve never rented a property in your own right, you might be oblivious to the rules around moving out. The beauty of a rental is that you start out with a clean slate. Literally. Lettings agents and even private landlords will usually employ professionals to make your new place spotless. This takes care of anything that has been left in a poor state by the previous occupants.

It seems wonderful, until it’s your turn to move. You spend an age – and a whole lot of elbow grease – getting everything ship shape. But you still get a bill for something you’ve missed. Or something you’ve not cleaned well enough, like the windows (inside and out). Windows are easily forgotten in the flurry of moving and far harder to clean to a high standard than other surfaces. If the exteriors are difficult to access, or the weather conditions make it tough to see streaks, it makes far more sense to get professional window cleaners in. Chances are the cost will be much less than the subtraction from your deposit will be, if you leave it to the agent or landlord to call someone in after you’ve left.

If you’re a landlord

Most landlords in Edinburgh and Glasgow deal with flats – and flats mean common stairways. These can be the cause of many headaches, especially when you’re not around to take care of your share of the cleaning. Avoid disputes with neighbours and tenants, by using a stair cleaning service.

If you have serviced apartments, airbnbs, festival or short term holiday lets, you’ll need to be on top of every aspect of cleaning and maintenance. Professional cleaning solutions for your windows, patios, driveways, stairs and building exteriors will ensure your property looks immaculate. Higher standards equals considerably higher prices. Especially in Edinburgh in August, when the sky’s the limit.

If you’re a homeowner

Much like a landlord, your home is an investment. When it comes to selling, power washed outdoor areas, sparkling windows and decluttered gutters make a big difference to prospective buyers. They all add to your kerb appeal and asking price. Ongoing window maintenance protects against oxidation and stainage. Prevention is far cheaper than cure – rather extend the life of your current windows than foot the large bill for replacement (not to mention the hassle).

As we’re now into peak moving season for buyers and renters alike, there’s no better time to take stock and take action. What do you need to do today, to prevent costly and time consuming problems tomorrow? Let us help.

 

Five Tips for Keeping Your Windows Clean in Winter

Winter is back, bringing with it the usual trials and tribulations that are commensurate with this time of year. There’s rain, sleet and snow to contend with, coupled with increased grime kicked up by road gritters, muddy puddles and falling leaves. At the same time though, winter is also one of the most beautiful times of year when the early morning frost and low setting sun, burnished in brilliant oranges and pinks, can be spectacular.

If you’re to appreciate those majestic winter landscapes in all their glory, you’ll want to take measures to ensure your windows stay clean for as long as possible. Here’s how to prevent the winter weather from tarnishing your view.

  1. Use cold water

Heat causes glass to expand whereas cold causes it to contract. There’s a slender chance that using extremely hot water on frozen windows may cause them to crack. Thus, stick to cold water – no matter how chilly your hands.

  1. Choose the warmest part of the day

‘Warmest’ is a relative term in winter, when temperatures often barely rise above zero all day. Nevertheless, try to avoid cleaning windows early in the morning when temperatures are freezing.

  1. Be extra careful with ladders

It shouldn’t need stated that pavements and driveways can become treacherous in wintertime. Ice isn’t always visible, so be especially cautious when positioning ladders to access first-floor windows. Have someone on the ground to hold the ladder and eliminate the possibility of slippage.

  1. Clean windows on an overcast day

Why would you want to choose an overcast day to clean windows? Because these conditions are when it’s easiest to spot streaks. Using a microfibre cloth is another tip to heed, one which will help you in your quest to avoid leaving streaky windows. There’s nothing more frustrating than stowing the ladder and walking inside the house only to discover that you’ve left glaring streaks all across an upper floor window.

  1. Ask the experts

If you don’t fancy getting your extremities cold or are averse of heights, there is another option – call in the experts. At SPM, we work all the year round and while it would be stretching the truth to say the cold never bothers us, we’re accustomed to it at least. Working as we do in Edinburgh and Glasgow, we endure more cold days than warm. Thus, be it in times of hail, sleet or snow, you can count on us to be out there doing the rounds. Those windows aren’t gonna clean themselves.

Edinburgh Window Cleaners: What to Look for When Choosing a Local Contractor

From the shore of Leith to Kings Know on the other side of the city and from Musselburgh in the east to Kirkliston in the west, Edinburgh is a sprawling metropolis that incorporates 32 council areas and a population of over half a million. For many Edinburgh window cleaners, servicing the city is a full-time job in its own right. While some window cleaning specialists, including SPM, also rove further afield (we cover Glasgow for example), many elect to stick with Scotland’s capital.

If you’re considering hiring a window cleaner, Edinburgh presents no shortage of options. For both domestic and commercial situations, there is a number of companies to choose from, all of whom will doubtless be only too willing to take your business. Before you reach for the phone or click any further, take a moment to peruse the following checklist. If your prospective Edinburgh window cleaner ticks all of these boxes, you can then proceed with complete peace of mind, knowing you’ll be hiring a reputable and capable company.

  1. Does your window cleaner apply quality control?

Quality control simply means that your commercial or domestic window cleaner cares about the performance of its staff and takes steps to ensure their work is up to scratch. This isn’t simply about their ability to buff a pane of glass till every speck of dirt has been vanquished: it also means checking that staff comport themselves in a manner that is befitting of professional tradespeople while on the job. Reputable Edinburgh window cleaners won’t just pay lip service to quality control – it’s something they’ll perform on-site on a regular basis.

  1. Does your window cleaner offer a range of cleaning techniques?

While a traditional bucket and ladder will suffice in many situations, not all buildings are suited to such an approach. For high or hard to reach windows, a waterfed pole system will be required or possibly even a scissor lift and hydraulic platform. For commercial window cleaning jobs especially – plus high-rise apartments – such equipment is often the only way to clean windows. You’ll want to ascertain this sort of stuff now to avoid the disappointment of calling out a window cleaner only to learn that they’re unable to service your windows.

  1. Can your window cleaner offer a range of additional services?

While they’re up there, how about getting them to clean your gutters? And what about your solar panels, stone surfaces and timber decking? While some Edinburgh window cleaners focus solely on windows, others offer a complete cleaning and maintenance service. Although you might not require these services on a monthly basis, having a trusted contractor you can call upon once a year to perform general maintenance and cleaning tasks is extremely convenient. Some window cleaning firms also offer stair cleaning, including communal areas, enabling a crew to tick off a range of tasks in a single site visit.

  1. Is the Edinburgh window cleaner you’re contemplating fully insured?

The answer to this question should almost certainly be “Yes” but don’t assume as much – ask them. Local window cleaners should be fully insured against damages and be trained to adhere to window cleaning regulations. After all it’s not just about getting the job done competently: it’s also about getting it done safely. Accredited Edinburgh window cleaners should have public liability insurance and staff should be kitted out with protective equipment and clothing, to protect their own health and safety as well as that of the general public.

If the Edinburgh window cleaning company you’re considering ticks off all of the foregoing boxes, go ahead and get in touch. They’ve clearly got the right skills and qualities for the job. Now all that’s left to negotiate is the price.

National Window Cleaning Contractor