Most windows forgive rough treatment. Some do not — and the difference between the two is not obvious until something is damaged. These are the three types of glass we treat differently on every job, and what you should know about each before anyone cleans them.
Tinted Glass: Say It Before the Clean Starts
The critical one. We will not use a scraper blade on tinted glass, ever — tint is a film, and a blade that lifts baked-on dirt will lift the tint with it, permanently. Most companies do not offer tint work at all, and plenty have learned this the expensive way. Our advice to every owner of tinted windows: flag the tint to your cleaner before they start, whoever they are. Said in advance, it changes the method; discovered halfway through, it is already too late.
Single-Pane and Older Glass
Original single glazing — standard in Dublin’s older housing stock — flexes in a way modern double and triple glazing does not. We apply much less pressure on single panes, letting the purified water and soft brush do the work rather than force. Old glass is usually in better condition than it looks; it simply needs a cleaner who is not treating it like a 2015 uPVC unit.
Frames With History
Chipped or flaking paint on timber frames gets brushed far more gently, because aggressive brushing takes loose paint with it and leaves the frame worse than it arrived. The aim on older properties is always the same: the glass restored, the frames left exactly as found. It is part of the walk-around conversation at the start of every visit — see what to expect when we call.
Stained Glass and Leaded Panels
Dublin’s older doors and landings often carry original stained glass or leaded panels, and owners are rightly nervous about them. These are cleaned by hand only, with soft cloths and light pressure, never with scrapers, abrasives or heavy brushing. The lead came holding the panels is softer than it looks, so the rule is patience over force. Tell us the panels exist when booking and they get treated as the heritage pieces they are.
The Takeaway
Delicate windows are cleanable; they are just not shortcut-able. Tell us what the property has — tint, sashes, original glazing — in the quick quote form and the method arrives adjusted. Tall older houses get the same care, priced in our tall buildings guide.