A long view of windows. Image by Tim Sandle.
Nothing quite detracts from the look of a building like grubby windows. To help address the problem of time or ergonomics when it comes to cleaning windows, recent years have seen technological advances in window cleaning machinery: from autonomous robot cleaners to external drones and nanotechnology.
A review of current innovations has been provided to Digital Journal by The Heritage Window Company. These advances include pure water filtration systems and remote-controlled window cleaning drones.
Pure water
To obtain cleaner windows and also to reduce the use of cleaning compounds and use less water ‘pure water’ solutions can help. This is simply achieved by filtering standard tap water into pure water.
Exterior window cleaning drones
As with other advances with drone technology, window cleaning drones are here. Window cleaning drones are already being used for high-rise offices and awkwardly shaped buildings where human intervention might be dangerous. Completing projects at a fraction of the time and cost of human counterparts, window cleaning drones are poised to play a big part in the future of commercial window cleaning. Such technology is also set to support the home market as well.
Interior window cleaning robots
Drones might be able to tackle the outside of windows with ease, but more flexible robots are required for interior windows; these robots attach themselves to the inside of your window with super-strong suction and are programmed to take the most efficient path for maximum cleanliness.
Nanotech cleaners
The use of nanotechnology offers a means to reduce the frequency with which someone has to clean their windows. These types of cleaners utilise nanoparticles, which not only dissolve the dirt on your windows, but also “heal” the glass after cleaning it, forming a protective coating which negates the need for more regular cleaning.
With this coating, the user can expect up to 80 percent less dirt, oil or dust to attach itself to the window going forward.
Pressure washing
Pressure washing is particularly suited to newer, more robust window frames such as aluminium windows or vinyl windows.
