You notice it on a sunny afternoon. The light comes in hazy, there's a yellow-gray film on the glass, and the bottom corners have spots that won't wipe away. In Statesville, spring pine pollen and summer storms leave their mark on windows just like they do on siding.
Exterior window cleaning covers the outside of your windows, along with the screens, frames, sills and tracks, so the glass looks clear and stays that way longer.
What builds up on Statesville windows
- Pollen film. The yellow pine pollen that coats cars every April also settles on glass. When it rains, it turns into a sticky haze that dries in streaks.
- Hard-water spots. Sprinklers, splash from downspouts and rain that dries on the glass leave mineral spots. Fresh spots come off with normal cleaning. Spots left for years can etch into the glass.
- Red clay splash. Ground-floor windows and basement windows pick up clay every time it rains hard.
- Mildew and dirt on frames. Shaded windows, especially on the north side, grow green film on frames and sills in our humid summers.
- Packed tracks. Pollen, dead bugs and grit collect in sliding window and door tracks and make them hard to open.
How exterior windows get cleaned
Screens first
Screens come off and get cleaned separately. A dirty screen puts the dirt right back on clean glass the next time it rains, so a good crew doesn't skip them. If a screen is torn or bent, they'll let you know. Screen repair isn't part of this service.
Glass
The crew washes the glass with a window cleaning solution and a scrubber, then squeegees or rinses it with purified water that dries without spots. Purified water has the minerals filtered out, which is why it doesn't leave the same marks that tap water does. On upper floors, a water-fed pole lets the crew clean from the ground on many homes instead of leaning ladders against the siding.
Frames, sills and tracks
Frames and sills get wiped or rinsed so they match the clean glass. Tracks get vacuumed or brushed out and wiped down, which helps windows and sliding doors open more easily.
Hard-water stains
Light mineral spots come off with normal cleaning. Heavier deposits may need a specific treatment. Glass that has been etched over the years won't look brand new, and a good contractor will say so before starting rather than after.
Why it pairs well with a house wash
A house wash rinses the windows along the way, but rinsing isn't the same as cleaning. Once the siding is bright, dirty glass stands out more than it did before. Booking window cleaning on the same visit, after the siding is done, means the glass gets cleaned last and stays clean. The same logic applies to a roof cleaning, since runoff from the roof can land on lower windows.
Signs your windows need more than a rinse
- A haze you can see when the sun hits the glass at an angle.
- White or gray spots near the bottom of the pane that don't wipe off.
- Screens that look dark or fuzzy from a few feet away.
- Sliding windows or doors that stick or grind.
- Green or black film on the frames and sills.
Timing in Statesville
Late spring is a good time, right after the heavy pine pollen is done. Cleaning in early April usually means the glass gets coated again within a week. Many homeowners also like a fall cleaning, after summer storms and before the holidays. If you're selling your home, clean windows make a real difference in listing photos.
What a good window cleaner won't do
- They won't use a high-pressure wand on windows. It can break seals on insulated glass and force water past the frames.
- They won't use razor blades on glass that may be tempered or coated without checking first, since scraping can scratch it.
- Interior glass isn't included. This service is outside only.
Getting a quote
The price depends on how many windows you have, how many floors, whether there are screens and tracks to clean, and how heavy the hard-water spots are. Our pressure washing cost guide explains what sets the price on exterior work. Call (980) 223-3324 or request a free quote, and mention if you'd like it combined with a house wash or gutter cleaning.
Questions people ask
Do you clean the inside of the windows?
No. Window cleaning here covers the outside of the glass, the screens, the frames, the sills and the tracks. If you need interior glass cleaned, you'll want a separate interior cleaning service.
Can you remove hard-water spots from my windows?
Usually, if they're not too old. Fresh mineral spots come off with normal cleaning, and heavier deposits may need a stain treatment. Glass that has been etched over many years may not fully clear, and the crew should tell you before starting.
Should I book window cleaning with a house wash?
It's a good idea. A house wash rinses the glass but doesn't really clean it, and clean siding makes dirty windows more noticeable. Doing the windows on the same visit, after the siding, gives you the best result.
When is the best time to clean windows in Statesville?
Late spring, after the yellow pine pollen settles, is the most popular time. Fall works well too. Cleaning during peak pollen usually means the glass gets coated again within days.