Did you know that one of the main barriers to a beautiful view and natural light in a home is the maintenance? Large windows and sliding glass doors all need to be cleaned periodically in order to stay sparkling. However, it may seem impossible to clean windows or mirrors without getting streaks.
We’re here to tell you that it’s possible–and you don’t have to pay someone for it. Read on to learn all about how to achieve streak-free glass on your glass balcony, along with the benefits of glass balconies in the first place!
Why a Glass Balcony?
We’ll first go over why you would even want a glass balcony in the first place. The glass used for bannisters, partitions, and more is far more durable than you would first assume as well as more affordable. Here are a few more benefits you can enjoy:
Increased Home Value
Frameless glass balustrades for your balcony or even your indoor staircases can actually boost the value of your home. This is because the minimalistic look of glass will attract more contemporary home buyers. Glass has a high-end look that can make the exterior of your home look more modern as well as give the interior of your home a consistent, modern aesthetic.
Enhanced Space
If you want your home to appear larger, one of your best options is adding glass. People often hang mirrors in small spaces in order to reflect light, creating the illusion that the space is larger. The same method applies with clear glass on your balcony or even as portions within your home.
As more light floods your home, the space will appear larger. Of course, your view also won’t be as obstructed from inside or outside, creating a sense of spaciousness as you view the sky from one end of a home to another.
Easy Maintenance
You’ll find that when it comes to glass, maintenance is actually easier compared to materials such as wood or metal. This is because glass is corrosion-resistant and won’t decay over time. You don’t have to be afraid of water damage causing rust or warping the material.
Even better, maintenance is as simple as cleaning the glass until it sparkling again. You don’t need any special materials or harsh chemicals in order to clean the glass effectively.
Safety First
Last but not least, glass balustrades for balconies ensure that they’re safe to access for people of all ages. Glass has been used for decades to protect balconies and staircases in places like malls, airports, and other public areas.
The reason for this is because the modified, tempered glass exceeds safety railings, especially once it’s properly installed. Unlike other materials, there are also no gaps that children can slip through, climb, or get stuck in-between.
How to Clean Your Glass Balcony
Now that we’ve piqued your interest in glass balconies, you may be wondering if the maintenance is still worth the investment. You’ll be pleased to learn that maintenance is easy and doesn’t require the help of a professional if you follow some of our tips.
Inspect the Balcony
When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your balcony, you’ll first want to take five or ten minutes to inspect it. This is a brief inspection to ensure that there aren’t any signs of damage or problems. Take a look at the brackets and supports by the glass to ensure that they aren’t loose and there aren’t any signs of corrosion.
You’ll also want to make sure that there isn’t water pooling near the brackets and glass at the bottom, as this can cause issues later on. By visually inspecting your balcony at least once a month, you’ll be able to spot any issues before they get worse. Cleaning also becomes safer!
Create a DIY Cleaner
Although you don’t have to make your own cleaner, this is one of the most effective and affordable ways to clean your glass balustrades. If you have pets or children, this first DIY recipe is completely non-toxic. All you’ll need is a spray bottle, white vinegar, and water.
Fill the spray bottle with equal parts of the white vinegar and water. After you shake it up, spray it on the glass and leave it on for a few minutes before wiping it away. This concoction is perfect if you find that the glass is marred by water spots.
If you find that your balustrades are covered in dirt and grime, we recommend using a more tough DIY recipe. In a bucket, combine two gallons of warm water and a half cup of dishwasher rinse aid, rubbing alcohol, ammonia, and dishwasher detergent. This combination will quickly make efficient work of grimy glass windows and outdoor balustrades.
Purchase Glass Cleaner
If you’re not a fan of making your own glass cleaner, there are plenty of store bought options that are effective and affordable. Windex Outdoor is one of the best options because the formation is tough enough for stubborn grime. However, the main benefit of this product is that it comes with a nozzle that can attach easily to your garden hose, making it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas of your home.
After it’s attached to your garden hose, turn the dial to “rinse” in order to fully rinse your window and balustrade surfaces. Then you’ll turn the dial to “clean” in order to spray the product on all the surfaces you previously rinsed off. Once they’re sufficiently soaked, wait for 15 seconds.
All you need to do is rinse off the product in order to get a shiny and streak-free surface–no other manual labour required!
Scrubbing the Glass
Whether you purchase a cleaning product or make your own, you may find that sometimes there are some stubborn areas that require a little more elbow grease. For that, we recommend purchasing a long-handled brush or mop. This can be a microfiber mop that you would normally use for cleaning floors or a car wash mop.
After spraying down the glass surface, dip the mop in the cleaning solution and begin brushing the surface. A long handle will make it easy for you to reach high places or even reach down a balcony balustrade from the balcony itself. Once you’ve applied the product thoroughly, rinse it off with a hose.
Clean at the Right Time
Cleaning your glass balcony is far more straightforward than you probably predicted. All you need is the right product and a long-handled mop if necessary. However, since you’ll be cleaning outdoors, you’ll also need to make sure to check the weather.
It’s important that once you rinse off the glass they’re allowed to air dry. This will ensure that they dry streak-free. With this in mind, make sure you’re cleaning them on sunny days when there’s a low chance of rain. If you can, you’ll also want to avoid days with high wind gusts.
This is because the wind might kick up dirt and debris that will stick to the wet surface of the glass as its drying!
Dealing With Streaks
Even if you clean your balustrades at the right time and with the right products, you still find that there are streaks leftover. Streaks are often formed when there’s residual water left on the surface of the glass as its drying. To combat this, use a squeegee on the glass after you’re done cleaning.
Start from the top and work your way to the bottom in even strokes in order to achieve a streak-free surface. If you can’t reach your balcony from a ladder, consider attaching your squeegee to a long handle and push the water from the top down. Keep your feet flat on the surface of the balcony and make sure someone is with you to ensure you’re working safely!
Beautiful Glass Balconies for Your Home
When it comes to your glass balcony, one of the main hesitations homeowners have is the quandary of keeping up with clean glass. Compared to other materials, glass is inexpensive and easy to maintain. All you’ll need to do is purchase or make a reliable glass cleaner and aim to clean the glass once a month–or even quarterly.
Just like with any habit, it may take a while for you to comfortably adapt it to your schedule. If you have a large balcony or multiple ones throughout your home, consider stretching out the cleaning process over a span of days so that you’re not burnt out.
Do you want to achieve the high-end look of frameless glass without the hassle? Contact us today for a free custom frameless glass quote–our team can also answer any questions you may have.
