Low-E Membrane Care Guide
Cleaned properly, the membrane keeps its performance for 16 years and more. If you clean it the wrong way, you could damage it and shorten its service life.
The essentials in ten seconds
For most situations, this list is enough. The rest of the page covers special cases.
Do
- Wait 48 hours after installation before the first cleaning
- Use a clean, soft, non-abrasive microfiber cloth
- Use warm water, with a few drops of mild soap if needed
- Wipe in light circular motions
- Rinse with clean water after a strong solution, vinegar or alcohol
- Dry completely, with a squeegee or a dry microfiber cloth
Avoid
- Abrasive products and strong solvents
- Ammonia and bleach
- Blades, metal scrapers, steel wool, scouring pads
- Vigorous scrubbing and heavy pressure
- Pressure washers
The first few days after installation
The membrane cures before its first cleaning. Acting too early compromises adhesion and can leave permanent marks.
How long to wait before the first cleaning
During this period
Leave the windows alone: do not clean, do not scrub, do not touch the surface.
What is normal
Water bubbles for a few days, longer in winter on cold glass. They evaporate on their own, with no effect on performance.
How often to clean
Regular cleaning takes less effort than catching up. Ingrained dirt calls for stronger products, and those are what wear the membrane down.
Residential
2 to 4 times a yearCommercial and institutional
4 to 12 times a yearDepending on traffic.
High exposure
MonthlyRestaurants, retail, public spaces, storefronts at hand height.
The method and equipment
Two steps, no specialty products. Clean warm water is enough most of the time.
Clean
Spray the solution and wipe with a clean microfiber cloth in gentle circular motions. With warm water or a few drops of mild soap, no rinsing is needed.
Dry
Rubber squeegee or a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Leave no water marks.
Which solution
Clean warm water in offices and homes. In kitchens or greasy environments, 3 to 5 drops of mild dish soap per liter, or an ammonia-free glass cleaner.
Equipment
Microfiber as the first choice, otherwise a soft cotton cloth or a non-abrasive sponge. A rubber squeegee for drying.
The detail that matters: how clean the cloth is
The condition of the cloth matters more than its type. A microfiber that has wiped a floor or a concrete ledge carries grit, which scratches on the first pass. Keep cloths reserved for glass, washed without fabric softener.
The right moment
On an overcast day, early morning or late afternoon. In direct sunlight the solution dries before it can be wiped and leaves streaks.
Difficult cases
Two solutions cover almost every case. They are occasional, applied to the affected area only, and never part of routine care. Rinsing with clean water is not optional.
Diluted white vinegar
For: Mineral deposits (hard water), sticky residue Mix- Apply to the affected area.
- Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Spray with clean water, then wipe off the residue.
- Dry with a microfiber cloth.
Diluted 70% isopropyl alcohol
For: Grease stains, sticker or adhesive tape residue Mix- Apply to the affected area.
- Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes, then rub gently with microfiber.
- Spray with clean water, then wipe off the residue.
- Dry with a second microfiber cloth, clean and dry.
Three limits not to cross
- On the affected area only, never on the whole pane as a routine.
- Pure alcohol above 90% is prohibited. Only the dilution above is acceptable.
- Test on a discreet corner before treating a large surface, then check that there is no haze or discoloration.
Which solution for which stain
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Fingerprints, greasy film | Warm soapy water, or an ammonia-free glass cleaner. If the mark resists, use the alcohol solution above. |
| Sticky residue (tape, stickers) | Let it soak in soapy water for 5 to 10 minutes, then rub gently. If the residue holds on, use the alcohol solution. Never scrape. |
| Mineral deposits, hard water | The vinegar solution above. |
| Insects, bird droppings | Let it soak in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, until the deposit softens. Wipe without scraping. |
| Paint, cement, construction splatter | Do not attempt anything yourself. Scrapers and strong solvents solve the problem by damaging the membrane. Photograph it and call us. |
What damages the membrane, and puts the warranty at risk
Each of these products or practices can scratch, haze or lift the membrane. This is also what voids the warranty.
Abrasive products
Scouring powders and creams, any cleaner containing grit or particles.
Strong solvents
Acetone, paint thinner, mineral spirits, concentrated alcohol.
Strong acids and bases
Ammonia, bleach, strong acids, caustic industrial cleaners.
Other products
Oven cleaners, paint strippers, furniture waxes and polishes, petroleum-based products.
Prohibited tools
Razor blades, metal scrapers, steel wool, abrasive pads, stiff brushes, sandpaper.
Prohibited practices
Scrubbing vigorously, scraping with a hard object, cleaning with a pressure washer, applying excessive heat, pressing hard.
A problem with your membrane?
Do not repair it yourself: an attempt almost always makes the damage worse. Photograph it, note the date, call us. An inspection follows, then repair or replacement if the warranty applies.
Disinfection in sensitive settings
Hospitals, schools, food sector: when a disinfection protocol also applies to glass, here is what the membrane tolerates.
Compatible products
- 70% isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, light application and gentle wiping
- Bleach diluted to 0.1% (1:100), thorough rinsing required, no prolonged contact
- Commercial quaternary ammonium disinfectants, per the manufacturer's instructions
- Hydrogen peroxide at 3% maximum, diluted, with rinsing after application
Protocol
Clean first. Apply per the manufacturer's instructions. Respect the contact time without exceeding it. Rinse thoroughly, then dry.
An exception to this guide, and its effect on the warranty
These products are an exception: everywhere else in this guide, ammonia and bleach are to be avoided. Using them, and even more so disinfecting often, wears the membrane and can affect warranty coverage. In hospitals, laboratories or food processing, have the protocol validated with us before rolling it out.
Over time
With proper care. Installation, cleaning regularity, exposure and product choice all make the difference.
Preventive care
Avoid knocks and impacts, and maintain good indoor ventilation.
Do not stick anything on the glass
Stickers, adhesive tape and glued-on posters leave a sticky residue. To remove it, follow the difficult cases steps: soapy water, then the diluted alcohol if the residue holds on, never a scraper or a strong solvent. Static cling decorations hold without glue and come off without a trace: they are the only kind to put on the glass.
A question about your installation?
We answer care questions, validate protocols and can train the staff who look after the glass.
Write to usPhone: 1-866-985-8686
Email: [email protected]