Washing Exterior Windows: Key Tips for Beach Homes

Living by the Wilmington coast certainly has its perks! Breathtaking views, fresh sea breezes, and a sense of calm that only ocean waves can bring are all great reasons to own property around the Port City. But maintaining a coastal home comes with unique challenges – especially when it comes to washing exterior windows.

Saltwater, sand, and wind can quickly turn sparkling window glass into a grimy mess, lower your home’s curb appeal, and make it tough to see out to your street or yard. On the bright side, the right approach can help you keep your outside windows clean and clear for those perfect beachside sunsets. Let's explore step-by-step how to clean exterior windows on your coastal home.

How coastal home windows degrade

Coastal home windows (and doors) face unique wear and tear due to their environment. Salt-laden air, sandy winds, and moisture in the atmosphere combine to take a serious toll on both the glass and the window frames. Specifically, you might notice these damages accumulating on your windows as time goes on:

• Glass pitting: Coastal winds often carry tiny sand particles that hit the glass surface at high speed. Over time, this causes small pits, scratches, and dull spots that make windows look cloudy, not to mention warp their shapes and surfaces.
• Frame corrosion: Salty air is highly corrosive, especially to aluminum window frames. This can cause rust, deterioration, and other long-term damage if not properly maintained. But even non-aluminum materials, like glass, can be worn down by salt.
• Salt and grime buildup: When salty water sprays onto windows, it evaporates and leaves behind salt deposits. These deposits attract more dirt and grime, creating a stubborn layer of muck that dulls the glass and obstructs views.

Regular window cleaning can minimize these effects, keeping them in stellar condition and helping them last longer.

How to clean your coastal home’s outside windows

Whether you’ve started to notice salt building up on your windows or are trying to clean them before your curb appeal suffers, washing windows on the exterior of your Port City home won’t take too long. Here’s the best way to clean exterior windows with just a handful of tools and steps.

Gather important materials

Before you begin, make sure you have the proper tools and cleaning supplies on hand and ready to go. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A bucket
• A mop
• Microfiber cloths (we recommend 1-3)
• A garden hose
• A rubber squeegee
• A cleaning solution made of equal parts white vinegar and water
• Gloves (optional, but helpful for comfort and grip)

Use a hose to remove large debris

Start by rinsing your windows with a garden hose to remove loose dirt, sand, and debris. This step prevents you from accidentally scratching the glass when you begin scrubbing. Be thorough as you spray, and pay close attention to corners and edges where salt and grime buildup often occurs.

If your exterior windows are high up, consider using a hose attachment or an extendable brush to reach them safely. Don’t use a ladder – if you have trouble reaching a specific window inside or outside, call contractors or professional window cleaners to do it for you.

Apply your vinegar solution to the window

Next, create a water mixture with vinegar in the bucket you brought along for your cleaning session. Dip a mop or a clean cloth into your solution, then apply it generously across the entire window surface, working from top to bottom. The vinegar works better than just soapy water because it acts as a natural degreaser, cutting through salt deposits and grime without leaving streaks.

Let the solution sit on the glass for a minute or two to break down stubborn buildup. But don’t let it dry completely, as this can create new streaks!

Use the squeegee to dry the windows

Once the cleaning solution has loosened the grime, it’s time to clean and dry your windows using a rubber squeegee. Proper drying technique is key to achieving a streak-free finish:

1. Start at the top of the window.
2. Pull the squeegee down in straight, vertical rows, overlapping each pass slightly.
3. Wipe the squeegee blade clean with a cloth after every row to avoid spreading dirty water around.

When you’ve finished the glass, use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess water from the bottom of the window frame. This prevents water from pooling, which can cause stains or contribute to further frame corrosion.

Don’t forget the screens

If you open your windows often, your screens are probably coated with salt and dust as well. Dirty screens can reintroduce grime to your windows, so it’s important to clean them regularly. Here’s how:

1. Remove the screens carefully from their housings.
2. Rinse the window screens thoroughly with a garden hose to remove dirt and debris.
3. Apply the same window-cleaning solution to the screens using a clean cloth or sponge.
4. Rinse them again to remove any remaining solution.
5. Let the screens dry completely in the sun for an hour or two before reinstalling them.

Clean screens not only improve the air quality in your home but also ensure your newly washed exterior windows stay cleaner for longer.

Replacing damaged windows

When you're cleaning windows outside your home, you might notice that some of them look a little worse for wear, even after your cleaning session has concluded. In certain cases, they might be too damaged – such as corroded or grimy – to be worth keeping around.

New energy-efficient windows could be the best choice. For example, if you painstakingly clean an exterior window with a warped frame or large cracks in its surface, it might be liable to break in the future or let cold air in come winter. A new window, on the other hand, lets you start with a clean slate. Get the right window, and it may even be a flat upgrade (if your current window isn’t energy efficient).

On top of that, new windows give you the chance to pick durable, long-lasting windows for your coastal home. Vinyl windows might last longer compared to windows with aluminum frames, for instance, or you could swap out an old window for a newer, more eco-friendly model that lets in more natural light.

The bottom line? As you clean your exterior windows, think about whether some of them ought to be replaced sooner rather than later, and consider the benefits you might enjoy after they’re installed by expert contractors.

Find new windows for your coastal home

The best exterior windows for your coastal home should fit its aesthetic, your style preferences, and your budget. At Window World of the Port City, we have a wide selection of windows that can meet all three needs, plus skilled contractors to handle installation from start to finish.

Picture windows, double-hung windows, and everything in between, all with sturdy vinyl frames and custom-made for the ideal fit for your home. Get in touch with us today to request a quote, explore your options, or schedule a consultation!