Divided-light and older sashes
Multi-pane wood windows are cleaned pane by pane with soft tools. We avoid blades near glazing putty and painted muntins, and we take care with older glass, which can be thinner and more fragile than modern panes.

Window cleaning Sullivan’s Island homeowners appreciate is slow, careful handwork. Old sashes, divided lights and porch screens get detailed attention, and newer harbor-view glass gets a flawless, salt-free finish.
The island’s historic cottages were built to catch every breeze, so they have a lot of openings: tall double-hung windows, transoms over doors, side lights and porches lined with screens. Many still have original wood sashes with multiple panes held by glazing putty. Each small pane has four corners where salt and grime collect, and each one deserves to be cleaned without nicking the putty or scraping the paint on the muntins.
We do that work by hand. Our crews clean the glass with soft tools and appropriate solutions, wipe sills and frames, and treat older glass gently. The lead photo on this page comes from one of our own Sullivan’s Island visits. On newer homes near the beach or overlooking the harbor, the job shifts to larger panes, sliders and second-story glass that takes the brunt of the ocean spray. Our full window cleaning service covers both.
Clean, well-kept original windows also matter beyond appearance. On the island, changes to windows and doors on historic properties are generally reviewed by the town’s Design Review Board. Maintaining what you have is often the simpler path. If the sashes need paint, our painting crew can follow the cleaning, and an annual soft wash keeps the frames and siding around them fresh.

Every home on the island has a different mix of old and new glass.
Multi-pane wood windows are cleaned pane by pane with soft tools. We avoid blades near glazing putty and painted muntins, and we take care with older glass, which can be thinner and more fragile than modern panes.
Screened porches are central to island living, and their screens trap pollen, salt and sand. We rinse and gently brush screens, clean frames and doors, and leave your porch brighter and much easier to see out from.
Larger panes, sliders and upper-story windows facing the beach or harbor are pre-rinsed, cleaned and finished with a squeegee, so the salt haze is gone and the long view across the water is clear again.
Learn moreInside, we clean glass, wipe sills and frames, and detail the tracks on any newer sliders. Floors and furnishings are protected throughout, and we work quietly around family members who are at home that day.
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Sullivan’s Island blends century-old cottages, former military housing on I’on Avenue and Middle Street, mid-century homes and newer raised houses. That range means a single street can include wavy old glass, painted wood sashes and modern impact-rated sliders, each needing its own cleaning approach and a different level of care.
Homes near the beach catch ocean spray, while those near the harbor mouth catch wind off the water. Either way, salt film settles on glass within weeks and dulls the view.
Spring pollen coats screens and sills across the island. A post-pollen cleaning is one of the most noticeable visits of the year for porches and windows alike.
Under the town’s historic design guidelines, window and door changes on historic properties are treated as major work. Cleaning and upkeep are routine maintenance and do not change the exterior.
We note window types, pane counts, screens, upper-story access and any loose glazing or sash issues during a quick visit.
Most homes are done in a single visit. We pick a calm, dry day where possible, since wind quickly redeposits salt on fresh glass.
Exterior, interior, screens, then a final daylight check. We flag anything that needs repair, such as failing putty or cracked panes.
Reflections of Charleston has been cleaning windows on historic and coastal homes since 2008. We are locally owned from Mount Pleasant, licensed and insured, and trusted by more than 4,000 clients. Our crews are prompt and courteous, and they treat an older home’s windows as something to preserve.
Divided lights and older glass take time. We price and schedule for careful pane-by-pane cleaning instead of rushing the job.
Regular cleaning lets us spot failing putty, paint or sash cords early, so original windows can be maintained instead of replaced.
Seasonal or twice-yearly visits keep glass and screens clear for full-time residents and part-time owners alike, without you needing reminders.
Yes, with care. Older glass can be thinner and may have small imperfections, so we use soft tools, avoid scraping blades and apply only light pressure. We also take care around glazing putty and painted muntins. If we see a cracked pane or loose glazing, we point it out before cleaning.
Yes. Porch screens on Sullivan’s Island collect pollen, salt and sand, which dims the porch and the view. We gently rinse and brush screens in place where possible, clean frames and screen doors, and remove removable window screens for washing.
Two visits a year suit most homes: one once the spring pollen has settled, another as autumn begins. Windows facing the beach or harbor may need exterior cleaning more often. We can set up a recurring schedule based on how quickly your glass hazes over.
That is your decision, but keep in mind that window changes on historic island properties are generally subject to the town’s design review. Many original windows perform well with cleaning, paint and glazing repair. We can tell you what condition yours are in.
The number of windows and panes, divided lights, screens, upper-story access, interior cleaning and the time since the last visit all factor in. Older multi-pane sashes take more time than single large panes. You get a clear, free estimate before booking.
Tell us about your windows and porch screens, and we will recommend a schedule. Call (843) 926-6554 to arrange a visit.