If you like your home to have a classy and well-kept appearance, keeping your windows clean is probably on your chore list somewhere. Even if you only wash your windows once every month or so, you’re probably doing so more often than most households. The question is, how do you clean your windows without leaving those ugly streaks? If you keep leaving behind streaks no matter how well you wipe your windows, you’ll be pleased to learn a few tricks from the window experts of Toronto to get streak-free windows every time.

What Causes Streaks?

When it comes to what causes streaks, there are actually more than one correct answer. What cleaner you use, what type of cloth you’re using, as well as when you clean them can all affect the result of your window cleaning.

How to Clean Windows Without Leaving Streaks

So, the only way to get clear, streak-free windows is to tackle each problem one at a time.

Window Cleaner

You might not think it makes a difference, but what product you’re using to clean your windows can make a huge difference. Use a spray intended for cleaning glass, like Windex. These cleaners are made to remove grease and evaporate quickly. (That makes them great for cleaning many different household surfaces.)

Using something like soap and water may seem like a KISS solution (keep it simple, stupid), but soap suds don’t evaporate well. That means, if you don’t rinse your windows after washing them wish soapy water, they’ll likely have soap residue left on them. Even rinsing them might not be enough to remove soap all the way.

Cleaning Cloth

Next up, what you’re washing your windows with also makes a difference. Many people opt for using an old rag or a kitchen washcloth. However, these are both poor ideas.

If you want crystal clear windows when you’re through with washing them, you need something that isn’t going to leave behind tiny bits of lint. You may not be able to see much of it when you’re standing back and looking at your handiwork. However, if you take a closer look, you’ll see that soft, fluffy washcloths or old, worn out rags leave behind teeny tiny hair fibers that were left in them when they were washed. Fluffy materials hold on to lint in the dryer and this makes them poor for cleaning windows.

Instead, use paper towels. Or, if you want something reusable and more environmentally conscious, use an old t-shirt that isn’t so worn out that it’s fraying. T-shirts are flat and very absorbent, so they’re easier to get lint-free in the dryer and they’ll hold onto the cleaning spray.

The Secret to Streak-Free Windows

Finally, what you’ve been waiting for: the ultimate secret to clean windows without leaving streaks. It’s all about the temperature and time of day. That’s right: you need to stop doing the windows during your mid-morning cleaning spree.

The biggest reason why people struggle with streaks even when using window cleaner and paper towels is because the spray is evaporating too quickly. The second it goes onto the window, it begins to evaporate because the glass is warm from the daytime sun. By the time half a second has passed and you’ve wiped your paper towel over the spray, the partially dried spray doesn’t come right off. Instead, it drags a nice, ugly streak across the glass.

The solution is simple: clean your windows early in the morning, before the sun has brought the temperature up. Or, if you’re not an early riser, clean them in the evening, after the sun has set. The cool glass will allow the spray to remain liquid. That gives you long enough to wipe it up manually before the remaining moisture evaporates.

Do you have moisture inside your window? If your window keeps turning up damp, it’s because it’s gathering condensation. Condensation happens all the time – like when you shower and the mirror fogs up. Or, if you get a cold glass of water, it will get covered in condensation on a warm, summer day. But, what is it that’s making your windows covered in condensation all the time? How do you prevent it?

What is Condensation?

To start, let’s take a peek at what condensation really is. Condensation is caused when a material like glass has two different temperatures on either side. For example, when you get cold water during summer, there’s cold water on one side of the glass and hot air on the other. The moisture in the warm air is attracted to the cold glass. This moisture isn’t much at first, but it builds up until you can see big drops of water rolling down the side of the glass. It can even start pooling under your glass on whatever surface it’s sitting on.

Moisture Inside a Window

So, now that we understand condensation, what about the windows? The same principle applies. If it’s cold outside and it’s warm in your house, the windows are likely to collect moisture from inside until they’re dripping with water. This is especially unfortunate because we don’t usually think to wipe down windows. This can mean moisture collecting in the window track or on the sill, leading to mold or water damage.

How Window Quality Affects Condensation

The question is, why do some windows condensate and others don’t? It all comes down to window quality. A lot of older windows are only a single pane or are two panes with a bad seal. These windows do not insulate very well or at all. A single pane of glass can’t do much insulating, leaving the hot and cold directly against both of its sides.

High quality windows are made up of two panes, tightly sealed into their frames. In between the panes, a gas is injected. While the type of gas can vary slightly, it’s something denser than air. This helps insulate and keeps extreme temperatures from moving through the window as easily. Because the cold air and hot air aren’t both touching one pane of glass, there is minimal condensation. These quality windows almost never condensate to a point of dripping or collecting water.

Replace Old Windows

If you have windows covered in condensation, they may be old and need to be replaced. It’s best to get this done sooner rather than later so that they don’t allow your home to get water damage or mold. Aluplex provides high quality windows that are properly insulated to prevent condensation and heat transference. If you live in the GTA, give us a call and we’ll help you with the window replacement process.

If you’re remodeling your home, now is the time to replace your windows. Windows older than 10 years are likely to be missing part of their insulation. Furthermore, windows older than 20 years may not be insulating at all anymore. Take the opportunity, while you’re investing in the future of your home, to invest in some new windows for your home remodel.

Do I Need New Windows?

If your windows seem to gather a lot of moisture on their panes, or ‘sweat’, you may have an insulation problem. Windows that gather condensation are not doing their job. When quality windows are made, they’re made with two panes. These panes have a space between them that’s filled with a clear gas. That gas is heavier than air, which makes it an insulator.

Windows that are single-pane or that are old enough to have leaked out their insulating gasses, will lose their insulating abilities. This leads to condensation collecting. It works the same way as your cold glass of water when it gathers moisture from hot, summer air.

Collected condensation will run down the window and collect in the window frame. This can lead to mold issues. If you find your windows are often damp, drafty, or moldy, it’s a sign they’re ready to be replaced.

What Is the Point of Replacing Old Windows?

Replacing old windows is a great idea for a multitude of reasons, starting and ending with insulation.

First, the insulatory properties of your windows are the weakest link in your home’s temperature regulation. If your windows aren’t doing their job, your AC or heater have to pick up the slack, and that means paying more.

Second, if your windows are outright drafty, even the heater won’t keep that from being a bother. Sitting in a room in winter when there’s a cold breeze blowing through is nobody’s idea of comfortable. Plus, if there’s enough of a gap in the frame for a breeze to get in, there’s enough space for pests to get in.

And, finally, a window that collects moisture or allows it inside will lead to mold issues. Even if you only see the mold in the window frame, that doesn’t mean it isn’t starting to grow elsewhere. A piece of furniture nearby, like a couch, could be getting damp and collecting mold spores. All in all, a window that encourages mold growth is no good and should be replaced.

How Do I Buy and Install New Windows?

If you’re looking for quality glass in Toronto, Aluplex is your only stop. We’ve got custom windows of all sizes, shapes, and styles. Get new windows for your home remodel that last, from a brand that cares. We’ll also help out with the professional replacement, ensuring you don’t have to spend all evening looking at DIY window tutorials. 

Getting a big bay window for your living room is something a lot of people have always wanted. There’s nothing that can beat the dreamy nature of sitting on a window seat and being able to see so much of the surrounding neighborhood. The limits of a single, flat pane of glass just aren’t there. If you want to get a bay window, Aluplex wants to help you take that next step. Here’s some great info on the benefits and on how to get a bay window for your living room.

Save Money

Let’s start with considering how you can save money by getting a new bay window. While you may not have a bay window currently, you almost certainly have some kind of large front window. If this window is more than 10 years old, it’s likely not at its best. Dual-pane windows are filled with a heavy, clear gas between the panes. This acts as insulation, since it’s denser than regular air. After many years, this gas slowly escapes a window, leaving it to become a weak link in your home’s insulation. If you get a new bay window, you’re not just upgrading your home, you’re investing in it. The better your insulation, the less work your AC or heater have to do and the more money you save.

Custom Bay Windows

There are plenty of standard bay windows, but you can also order them in custom sizes. This is a great choice if the space it will be installed in is slightly more narrow or wide than is typical.

Bay windows can also come in different shapes than you know them for. They may not be classic with alterations but, if you’re interested in them more for their visibility rather than appearance, you may be interested. Instead of rectangular windows, why not go for a rhombus? Any window that’s set out past the walls of the house and connected with more panes could be considered a bay window. Get creative with your window needs. We look forward to the challenge.

You can also order glass with odd dimensions from us. Want to get an unusually-shaped bay window for your living room? You could get multiple windows that are tall and narrow, allowing one person to sit in them. That’s easy! You could also get an extra wide bay window. We could even do a floor to ceiling bay window. Even with tall ceilings, this is possible, and would look amazing. 

Buy Quality

When it comes time for you to get a bay window for your living room, just remember to buy quality windows. You’re likely to be stuck with them for the rest of your stay in your current home. Aluplex is Toronto’s highest quality window manufacturer. If you want a crystal clear view, good insulation, and highly durable glass, buy Aluplex.

Give us a call when you’re ready to put in your order. Or, if you have questions about our windows, let us know. We’re more than happy to clear up any questions or concerns you may have.