What is Commercial Window Cleaning?
A window is one of the most important elements that shape the inside and the outside of buildings. Windows not only contribute to the beauty and aesthetics of our workplace but also pass the warm sunlight through and allow us to enjoy the unobstructed view. Therefore, commercial window cleaning, especially for high-rise commercial buildings, should be of the highest priority.
In this article, we will explain what commercial window cleaning is and will tell you everything you need to know, including its different types, benefits and more.
What is Commercial Window Cleaning?
Window cleaning by itself is self-explanatory. However, when we attach the commercial to it, it forms a whole new meaning. Commercial window cleaning is a professional commercial cleaning service for thoroughly cleaning the windows of a commercial building.
Types of Commercial Window Cleaning
Commercial window cleaning comes in different types that depend on the size and the setup of the building. In general, commercial cleaning companies divide commercial window cleaning into 4 types:
- Reach & Wash
- Abseil & Rope-Access
- Cherry Picket Window Cleaning
- Crane & Cradle Assisted Window Cleaning
Reach & Wash Window Cleaning
Reach & wash is the most basic form of commercial window cleaning dedicated to windows that are within reach by hand, ladder or telescopic window cleaning poles. Therefore, commercial window cleaners can easily wash and clean the windows without the need for any special equipment. The maximum height for reach & wash and pole window cleaning is 60 feet (~20 metres).
However, it should be mentioned that Reach & Wash is still a commercial cleaning service and requires experience and skill. You might think everyone can clean windows if it’s not at heights, but have you ever tried to clean a window using a squeegee on a 15-foot-long pole?
Abseil Window Cleaning
Abseil window cleaning, or rope access window cleaning, is a type of commercial window cleaning at heights where the window cleaner is abseiling to reach and clean the window. Generally, buildings higher than 60 feet with no BMU (Building Maintenance Unit) on the roof require abseiling window cleaners.
Abseiling window cleaners are not only highly experienced in abseiling and rappelling but also skilled in cleaning windows. They also use special equipment such as harnesses, heavy-duty climbing ropes, safety helmets, rope clips & carabiners and equipment belts with required cleaning tools attached to them.
Window Cleaning with Cherry Picker
A Cherry picker is a mechanical rising platform that is used for picking fruits, hence the name. Cherry pickers are either mounted at the back of a truck or propellered individually (also called a Boom Lift). Cherry pickers are perfect for working at heights. Therefore, window cleaning at heights can benefit from using a cherry picker platform to clean the windows of a high-rise building.
Cherry picker window cleaning is popular in London. Most commercial window cleaning jobs require working at 10 to 50 metres. Cherry pickers and boom lifts (MEWPs or Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) can extend up to 180 feet (55 metres), so they are the perfect choice for window cleaning at heights.
Crane & Cradle Window Cleaning
Crane and cradle window cleaning is specific for high-rise buildings and skyscrapers where cherry pickers and boom lifts can’t reach. Such structures often have cranes and cradles on the roof for work and maintenance at heights. These cranes, also called BMUs or Building Maintenance Units, are also used for window cleaning.
While window cleaning may seem easy on cranes and cradles, they require certain criteria, like wind speed, before being used. Window cleaners take extra precautions when cleaning windows on cradles.
Benefits of Commercial Cleaning Windows
Windows are always one of the neglected parts of our living and working environment when it comes to cleaning. But if we know about the impactful benefits of window cleaning, we might change our minds and pay more attention to keeping them spotless.
Enjoying The View
Windows are a means of connecting to the outdoors. The view through the window of an office in a skyscraper or an office space looking through the street with all of this hustle and bustle of life can be motivational and relaxing.
Studies show that the view through the window can positively affect our emotions and happiness. A clean window, therefore, provides us with a clean and unobstructed view over the window that impacts our feelings even better.
Sunlight & Heat
The window in the office and workplace is the main source of sunlight and heat during the day. A clean window allows the sunlight to pass through the window, bringing the heat inside and illuminating the room with natural light.
Then, a standard window traps the heat inside, reducing the cost of external heating during the colder seasons. Also, natural sunlight can improve employee’s mood around the office space, which leads to motivation and productivity as a result. Therefore, combined, clean windows not only help you reduce the cost of heating and lighting during the day but also provide a better working space for employees.
Property Aesthetics
Commercial window cleaning can help property managers improve their property by keeping the windows clean. This leads to increased demand for renting offices in the building, the rate of retention and the value of the property.
Better First Impression
First impression is a crucial factor that turns visitors into customers and clients. One of the benefits of daily office cleaning is providing a better first impression for walk-in clients. Clean windows are also a part of office cleaning.
When the clients enter your office or when they are waiting in the reception area, they can enjoy the view through a clean window. This will correspond to their first impression of your office environment and brand. Therefore, make sure to hire commercial window cleaning companies regularly so your clients never see dirty windows.
Prevent Degradation
Although windows are tough for withstanding many conditions other than a direct impact, they will degrade over time if they are not properly cleaned and maintained. Windows are constantly exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV), changes in temperature, grime & pollutants and rain.
Hard-to-remove stains caused by rain and a yellowish, greenish hue on the glass caused by UV are just two examples you see on neglected windows. Such issues can easily be prevented by regular window cleaning. The result isn’t limited to the window itself but also prevents the window frame degradation as well.
Reducing Dust
One of the signs that office spaces require commercial cleaning is dust. The first place where dust enters the office environment is the window. Therefore, an effective way to reduce the dust in the office is to clean and maintain windows properly.
Who Needs Commercial Window Cleaning?
The easy answer to the question of who or what businesses require commercial window cleaning is easy. Every space with a window requires window cleaning at some point. If the building has a commercial or similar purpose, it is the job of commercial window cleaners.
To be more specific, the list below will show you exactly what type of businesses and establishments require commercial window cleaning the most:
- High-rise buildings and skyscrapers
- Office spaces & shared workplaces
- Retail stores and shopping centres
- Schools and other educational facilities
- Car dealerships
There might be other places where commercial window cleaning is needed, but most sectors, whether private or public, can be categorised into one of the above.
The Right Window Cleaning Company?
If you have decided to hire professional window cleaners to clean the windows on your premises, there are some factors you should consider during the vetting process. This process is fairly similar to the process of choosing the right commercial office cleaning company, which we have a comprehensive article about.
However, for the sake of clarity, pay attention to or ask about the following items:
Experienced Window Cleaners
Window cleaning at heights isn’t the job of regular commercial cleaning staff. Window cleaning requires skills on top of professional cleaning practices. Skills like abseiling, handling window cleaning poles, operating cherry pickers, cradles and other MEWPs and BMUs are a must for window cleaners for commercial buildings.
Standard Equipment
Utilising standard equipment is as important as hiring skilled window cleaners. You should make sure the company you are about to hire has all the standard equipment for its window cleaners to work at heights. This could be the personal safety gear for abseiling window cleaners, cherry pickers, boom lifts or other required equipment for high-level access window cleaning.
Health & Safety Compliance
Window cleaning at heights, especially when the cleaning staff are abseiling or using rope, is a dangerous job. Therefore, make sure the commercial window cleaning company has the relevant accreditations for health and safety and has provided training for its staff to follow the health and safety regulations when cleaning windows at heights.
Previous Clients & References
You expect the window cleaning company to excel at its job. To make sure it happens, the best is to see their business history. Commercial cleaning companies operating for more than 10 years are the perfect choice. Also, you can ask the company to provide you with a few references from their previous clients to make sure they are satisfied with the company’s window cleaning service.
Time Flexibility
A professional and reliable window cleaning company always provide its cleaning plans based on its client’s requirements. Most commercial window cleaners are flexible in the time of cleaning to make sure your normal business operations aren’t disrupted by window cleaning services. Many commercial cleaners start the work very early in the morning (like 3 or 4 AM) to make sure the work is finished before employees arrive.
Environmentally Aware
Cleaning windows, especially the outside of the window, requires special cleaning chemicals and solutions that might pose a danger to the environment if not properly handled. Ask the company if they follow any specific environmental regulations and how they dispose of the excess chemicals after their work is done. You can also ask them to only use eco-friendly window cleaning supplies to make sure your window cleaning doesn’t harm the environment.
Conclusion
Commercial window cleaning is cleaning the windows of commercial buildings, offices, schools and other establishments with similar purposes. There are 4 main types of commercial window cleaning, which are reach & wash, abseiling, cherry picker and crane & cradle window cleaning.
In this article, we also covered the benefits of window cleaning in commercial buildings and what types of businesses require commercial window cleaning at their premises. Towards the end, we showed you what sort of factors you should consider when vetting and hiring commercial window cleaning companies.
This article, in general, will provide you with valuable information about commercial window cleaning and show you which type of commercial window cleaning you need and how to select the best company to do the job.
