Divided-pane windows, the ones split into a grid of smaller panes, give a home a classic look. They are common on lake homes and older homes around the west metro. They also take more time to clean than a single sheet of glass, and how much more depends on what kind of grids you have. Here is how to tell.
The four types of divided-pane windows
- Grids between the glass. The grid sits inside the sealed space between two panes (if that space ever fogs up, see failed window seals). From the outside and inside you are cleaning one flat sheet of glass. These clean like a regular window.
- Removable grilles. A wood or vinyl grid that pops in and out on the room side. The glass behind it is one sheet, but the grille has to come off to clean the inside, and it has to go back on correctly.
- Simulated divided lites. Grids permanently attached to both faces of the glass. Every small pane has four edges and four corners to detail, on both sides.
- True divided lites. Real individual panes of glass set into a wood frame, like the original French windows on older homes. Every pane is a separate piece of glass to clean, inside and out.
Why they take longer
A squeegee clears a large single pane in a couple of passes. On a divided window, every small pane needs its own detail work around the muntins (the bars between panes), and that is where dirt and water like to sit. A window with 12 small panes per side can take several times as long as a picture window of the same size.
How it affects price
Grids between the glass do not change the price. Simulated and true divided lites do, because the time goes up with the number of panes. Removable grilles add a little time for removing and replacing them. When you request a quote, mentioning your window style helps us give you an accurate number the first time. You can see our typical prices in what window cleaning costs.
Tips if you clean them yourself
- Use a small squeegee or a microfiber cloth sized to the panes.
- Work top to bottom, and dry along the muntins last, since water runs and collects there.
- On removable grilles, handle them gently, lay them flat, and note which goes where.
- On older true divided lites, check the glazing putty. If it is cracked or missing, go easy on that pane.
Have Pella windows? Our Pella cleaning tips have a few more pointers.
Related questions
- How much does window cleaning cost?
- Hard water stains on windows: what comes off and what does not
- Foggy windows between the panes: what a failed seal means
- Low-E windows: how to clean them without damaging the coating
Want us to take a look?
We clean windows across Lake Minnetonka and the west metro. Get an instant estimate, call (612) 770-8221, or see our window cleaning packages and prices.