A neighbor of ours who owns a local retail store, knows that I own a professional window cleaning company, so he asked me why his store windows seem to get dirty faster than his home.
This inspired me to write in greater detail, what I explained to my neighbor.
Let me begin by saying that there are numerous reasons why this happens. Here are a few of those reasons.
The Urban Environmental Factor
Even in smaller cities like Old Town Scottsdale, generally more grit and grime tend to accumulate at a greater pace than the less densely populated suburbs. That’s because most retail storefronts seem to get greater exposure to more frequent blasts of dirt, car and truck tailpipe emissions and increased oil and other airborne contaminants from the high traffic streets surrounding them. Residential neighborhoods are often better protected behind yards or block fencing.
Tire dust kicks up too, mixing with brake pad dust and residue. This grit lands on windows like fine sand from a storm. Some studies have shown that urban windows can collect up to twice as many pollutants as their suburban counterparts during the same timeframe.
Wind Patterns and Airflow Dynamics
Retail and commercial office buildings tend to squeeze wind into fast gusts near the ground. This speeds up how dirt particles slam into windows.
For example, have you ever noticed how leaves swirl in city alleys? The same thing happens with dust on glass. This urban wind setup makes storefront windows get dirty faster.
Commercial Construction Areas
New construction in commercial areas can create dust from concrete and drywall floats on the air like invisible fog. It settles on vertical surfaces, coating windows in a hazy film.
HVAC units on nearby roofs blow out more junk. Industrial spots add metal shavings or chemical vapors. These cling to glass and are tough to wipe off.
Residential areas rarely deal with this close-up chaos. Your home window might get a light dusting, but not like commercial storefronts.
Increased Foot Traffic
In commercial retail areas, you can expect there to be much more pedestrian foot traffic than around a residential neighborhood. This can result in significantly more kicking up of dirt and other debris.
Greater Direct Contact/Exposure
Retail storefronts invite touches from kids who may press noses and hands up against the glass. Residue left from finger oils and smudges build up fast.
Glass Coatings and Treatments
Many retail storefronts use low-E coatings to block heat. These can trap pollutants if not cleaned correctly, making dirt bond tighter. Tinted panels attract certain smokes more than plain home glass.
Impact of Hard Water
Here in Scottsdale, we have hard water which adds mineral spots after drying. Squeegees drag these across big storefronts, worsening the look. That’s why its important to hire a local pro who has the experience, knowledge and skills to clean your storefront windows properly.
If you would like to learn more about why storefront windows get dirty faster than residential windows, contact our window cleaning team at ClearPro today.