Winter Garden Windows offers professional window cleaning, soft washing, pressure washing, and screen cleaning services throughout Downtown Orlando, West Orange County and South Lake County. Owner Shamar Henderson answers questions and provides insights for maintaining windows and home exteriors below:
Shamar Henderson, owner of Winter Garden Windows
WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES FLORIDA HOMEOWNERS FACE WHEN MAINTAINING THEIR WINDOWS?
One of the challenges is irrigation systems spraying water onto windows. Hard water deposits get onto the window, which damages it over time. When they initially get on the glass, you can clean it off. But over time, with the sun baking that water onto the glass, you get a weird whitewash or a ring. It will fog up the glass until it’s not clear, and you can’t get it off just by washing it—you have to polish it. At the end of the day, it will get back on there, and if you don’t take care of it, you won’t have a crystal clear glass.
WHAT ARE SOME MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN INSTALLING OR REPAIRING WINDOWS?
You don’t want to pressure wash your windows because it could damage their efficiency. It can also void your warranty. A lot of new homes have double-pane windows, and you don’t want to pressure wash those because it can damage the seal. If your seal breaks on a double-pane window, it will completely fog up until you can’t see out of it. That’s because there’s a gas in between the window [panes] that dissipates the heat from coming into your home.
If you’re renovating, not protecting the windows during construction is another mistake. Construction materials get on the windows, and one of the only ways to get those materials off is to use a scraper, like a razor blade. With newer windows nowadays, you’re not supposed to use a scraper because it’s more susceptible to scratches. You can’t get it off without damaging the paint or scratching the glass.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL WINDOW WASHING AND DIY-ING IT?
There are two ways to clean a window on your own. You can either use deionized purified water or a detergent with a squeegee. Once a homeowner tries to go and clean their windows, they usually take a rag and some water, which just pushes the dirt all around. You just don’t get a crystal clear clean that way. A professional window cleaner can create that crystal clear clean by washing with pure water, detergents, & abrasives specifically designed for window cleaning. This will clean the home without damaging it.
HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR WINDOWS LONG TERM?
Having them cleaned regularly is the best way to protect your windows. If you don’t, you’ll get algae, and the paint [around the window] can oxidize, which makes the window dirty. I recommend getting your windows cleaned every six months. The second and fourth quarters are the best times to get your windows cleaned. So, around the springtime and before the holidays.
HOW CAN CLEAN WINDOWS IMPACT HOME VALUE?
I can only describe it as a feeling. You sit down, and everything’s clean. The house is clean. You’re in a better mood in a clean environment, and it boosts your morale. It’s also more inviting and gives you better curb appeal. It gives you a sense that “This place is clean.”
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE WINTER GARDEN AREA?
I love the downtown area city life. Whether you’re going out to the farmer’s market or going out to have a drink, there are many different things you can do in the downtown area. I was born in Orlando, so I’ve been here my whole life. I went to Lakeview Middle School and graduated from West Orange High School. I live in the area with my wife and infant son. We’re a small family business!
To schedule a consultation with Shamar, contact Winter Garden Windows at 407.614.7592 or visit their website: WinterGardenWindows.com.
“A professional window cleaner can create that crystal clear clean by washing with pure water, detergents, & abrasives specifically designed for window cleaning.”
“I can only describe it as a feeling. You sit down, and everything’s clean. You’re in a better mood in a clean environment, and it boosts your morale. It’s also more inviting and gives you better curb appeal.”
