If you are deeply involved in the logistics and management of a commercial office building, property or co-working space, this blog is for you. As pristine and premium a glass building appears, its maintenance and protection is just as important for both aesthetic and longevity reasons.
What is Glass Corrosion?
Glass corrosion is the process through which clear glass surfaces turn cloudy and rough with time through reacting with moisture and pollutants like dust in the air. It is especially relevant for high-rise commercial offices, malls and hotels in urban spaces since pollution is at an all-time high. If ignored or not maintained properly, it can lead to costly and frequent glass replacements. To maximise the looks and lifespan of the glass, industry experts suggest chemically inert coatings like our ClearShield® solution which reduces the rate at which glass needs to be cleaned and keeps it looking as good as new.
What Causes Glass Corrosion in Commercial Buildings?
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Moisture in the Air: If your commercial space is located near the coastal region or it is monsoon season, the process of dust and moisture deposit on the glass surface hastens the rate of corrosion.
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Frequent Changes in Temperature: Just like rusting in metal, the corrosion in glass surfaces accelerates as more heat in the surroundings allow for moisture to eat up the silica in the glass faster. Thus, proper maintenance and coating are essential to prevent this.
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Sunlight Exposure: Parts of the glass building exposed to direct sunlight can trigger chemical reactions unevenly, causing micro-cracks within the glass surface. Usually, sunlight isn’t the direct contributor but rather a catalyst which speeds up the corrosion.
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Improper Maintenance: If your domestic operations partner helps with wiping your glass surfaces, chances are that it may be doing more harm than good. It is crucial to use proper materials like microfiber cloths and non-alkaline based solutions to clean unprotected glass in a way which does not leave streaks. It is recommended you hire a team of experts just for regular glass maintenance. Don’t worry, with good glass protection like our ClearShield® Solution, the requirements for weekly cleaning will drastically reduce and can be taken up by your in-house team.
Where Glass Corrosion Commonly Occurs in Commercial Properties
Unfortunately, commercial glass buildings are not the only ones affected by glass corrosion. Commercial properties like hotels, malls, apartment buildings, and skyscrapers with glass partitions, glass doors and shower walls get hit just as hard by:
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Minerals in hard water
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Pollutants carried by the wind through windows
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Moisture in the air after rain or during winter.
Open spaces like glass roofs or skylights especially tend to accumulate condensation, trapping water against the glass and leading to damage, no matter how sunny it is after a rain shower. Glass surfaces placed near entrances and building lobbies frequently invite dust from the outside due to high foot traffic. This causes glass surfaces to wear down or develop a mix of scraping and etching effects.
The Hidden Costs of Glass Corrosion
Unprotected glass, which corrodes due to many reasons, demands 3x the regular cleaning labour. The swapping of sodium ions with hydrogen ions during the corrosion process stains the glass permanently, increases your maintenance budget by up to 50% in large properties. By chance you miss the regular maintenance of your glass surfaces, the aesthetic downgrade your buildings or properties take cuts the appeal for tenants or companies renting the space. Through any basic comparison of protectant solutions and glass replacements, it is obvious that regular maintenance and application of appropriate protectants like our ClearShield® Solution is significantly better, both financially and in terms of glass lifespan (up to 10 years).
Early Warning Signs of Glass Corrosion
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If the surface appears blurry or rainbow-like when you flash torch light on it, it indicates that the glass is etched and that there are some thin layers preventing light from completely passing through the glass surface.
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Take a dropper with water and let it run its course down the glass surface. If it’s still protected, it should bead up and run its course smoothly. If it sticks to the surface and doesn’t roll as easily, then the surface is no longer smooth and requires maintenance.
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During your weekly cleaning, it takes much more effort than normal to clean with the microfiber cloth. This is when we need to check for tiny cracks on the surface. You can check with a gloss measurement test. If it drops below 90 GU, it confirms the deterioration of the glass surface.
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The edges of the glass, especially near the frame, are cloudy. Cleaning with hard water (like water in cities like Bengaluru) can also turn these spots into permanent crusts.
How to Prevent Glass Corrosion in Commercial Buildings
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For existing buildings, we first use the ClearShield Eco-System™ to restore existing glass to its original clarity.
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We then apply a specialized polymeric resin that cross-links with the glass lattice to create ClearShield Eco-Glass™. Now, you no longer have to worry about corrosion or staining for the next 10 years.
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Always ensure to seal the glass edges with a neutral silicone sealant to avoid making it vulnerable to glass corrosion from the outside in.
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Use only pH-neutral, non-alkaline and ammonia-free cleaning products for weekly maintenance.
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In large open areas like your reception, use dehumidifiers to keep humidity below 50%.
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Have professionals check the coating's thickness regularly to ensure its effectiveness.
Long-Term Benefits of Preventive Glass Protection
In short, by investing in glass protective solutions, you will get the following long-term benefits:
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Typically halves the frequency of normal glass cleaning.
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Protects from staining for up to 10 years.
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Preserves the clarity and sparkle of glass.
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Eliminates the sticky feeling moisture and dust build-up on unprotective glasses give.
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Health gains from less bacteria on an easy-clean surface.
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Cuts down your glass replacement costs by at least 50%.
Final Thoughts
Preventing glass corrosion in commercial buildings like coworking spaces, and commercial properties like malls, apartment complexes and skyscrapers, demands annual gloss measurement tests and pre-planned cleaning to avoid moisture and dust traps. Acting on warning signs like described in the earlier section of this blog can reduce your operational costs and protect the aesthetic look of your properties in the long run.
If you ask us, we recommend you consult professional teams like Roshnak Systems who tailor customised solutions and maintenance check-ins according to the environmental exposure in your properties.
