When spring has sprung outdoors, a house full of smudged, untidy windows takes your home lifestyle down a notch. If your windows are covered in a film of dirt, dust and bugs, you can’t fully enjoy that wonderful feeling of a beautiful, sunny day outside streaming comfortably into your home.
Clean windows brighten up your indoors with natural springtime light. They make your house feel newer and more comfortable. To truly enjoy the wonderful change of seasons, all while in the comfort of your home, clean windows should be at the top of your list of spring-cleaning chores.
But not all windows are created equal. Some are much harder to keep clean. Windows with exterior grids or grilles, for example, can be more difficult to care for than those with internal ones. Here’s how Pella’s internal grids make cleaning a breeze year-round.
What Are Windows with Grids or Grilles?
For decades, the narrow strips of wood that divide the individual panes of glass into a grid on a traditional window sash have been a sign of wealth and style. They were once highly coveted, but they sure can make a window hard to clean. Frustratingly hard-to-reach windows with grids in the way make spring tidying a real chore and much more time-consuming than those without.
Internal Grids Are a Game-Changer
This is where internal window grids are truly a benefit!
Internal window grids are strips of material that simulate the classic wood grids. The key difference is that these grids are placed inside the window’s glass panes—making it much easier to keep your windows neat and sparkling.
Cleaning windows was once a chore—but Pella windows with internal grids make this job much easier and more convenient. Now, a homeowner can enjoy the look of windowpanes with stylish grids, without having to work around them during springtime cleaning.
Internal Window Grids vs. Exterior Grids or Grilles
A window grid located between the glass simply makes it easier to clean, because you’re eliminating the grid’s exposure to the elements. They can’t get dirty.
Other brands have grids that snap onto the window’s glass, but these must be removed to clean the window. Unless you are a professional, it is easy to break them while trying to remove them, leaving you with annoying repair or replacement needs.
This significant difference makes windows with internal grids, like Pella, an obvious improvement worth investing in.
Does your home need new windows? Learn what you need to know in our “Replacement Window Buying Guide.”
What to Use to Get Sparkling-Clean Windows
It’s a breeze cleaning your home’s windows, especially when they have Pella windows with internal grids.
Gather Your Equipment
Collect two buckets, a clean sponge, a rubber squeegee, one or two lint-free cloths, a chamois cloth, and cleanser.
If You Prefer, Make a DIY Cleaning Solution
There are plenty of reliable commercial cleaning solutions out there, but you can easily make your own. A solution of one gallon of water with a cup and a half of white vinegar works wonders on a window.
How to Clean Your Windows
Follow these steps for consistent, attractive results:
- Apply your damp sponge with a cleaning solution to the window
- Remove smudges and grime, cleaning the window from top to bottom
- Use your squeegee to wipe the cleaning solution off your window and repeat if needed
- After applying the cleaning solution, wipe your windows horizontally with a damp squeegee blade to avoid streaking
- Throughout the process, keep the squeegee clean to keep it effective
- Give the window a quick rinse with clean water before polishing it with a dry cloth
- Use a dry chamois cloth and polish the window surface if you want to remove any amount of water left behind
Three Benefits of Clean Windows
1. Easier Cleaning Next Time
Not cleaning windows on a yearly basis allows fingerprints and water spots, as well as residue from candles, cooking, and smoking to build up. Caring for your home’s windows once or twice a year prevents the thick film of grime that can set into your windows over many years, making them difficult to clean.
2. Boost Curb Appeal and First Impressions
Enhance your home’s special style and leave a greater impression on guests and neighbors by making sure windows are free from filmy residue. Your Pella windows with internal grids will make regular cleaning and upkeep of your windows so much more convenient.
3. Let in More Light
Your home is a brighter, happier place when your windows let in the light of the sun. Dark and dingy days are easier to leave behind when keeping your home’s windows clean.
Love Every Inch of Your Home Exterior for Years to Come
You deserve a gorgeous home that makes you proud and fits your lifestyle. So, as you do your spring cleaning and care for your lovely new windows, take a look at every part of your home.
If you notice areas of the exterior that need an upgrade, such as siding or doors, let our team at Siding & Windows Group know. We’re here to make your Chicago home as beautiful and satisfying as you’ve always dreamed it could be. Get a free quote today!
