London’s skyline continues to undergo dramatic transformations, with an ever-increasing number of tall buildings sprouting up. For those in the London window cleaning business it’s an exciting prospect – no sooner have they finished cleaning one building than another requires their services.

With so much glass adorning modern architecture and plenty more skyscrapers heading to London’s horizon, window cleaners are sure to be kept on their toes for some time yet.
But one question that comes up time and time again, is: How are these buildings cleaned?
Below we’ll be covering some of the tallest buildings in London, with insights as to how the best commercial window cleaners London has to offer are able to complete these cleans.

Commercial window cleaning of high rise buildings

Before we take a closer look at London’s tallest buildings, it’s important to understand the detail in which commercial window cleaners carry out each professional window clean.

Cleaning the immense number of windows of London’s landmarks is no easy feat. It can take up to two weeks with a team of window cleaners working diligently. So, next time you see these structures gleaming in their full glory, consider the hard work put in behind the scenes.

The Shard

Architect Renzo Piano’s genius is evident in the Shard – a towering structure made from 95% recycled materials that stand 310m tall as Western Europe’s highest building. The design was first sketched on a napkin when it was created back in 2000, making this an enduring symbol of eco-friendly innovation for future generations to come.

The building itself holds a whopping 11,000 glass panels and depending on the size of the team, it could take around two weeks for up to 10 window cleaners per day on site.

Method of window cleaning:

The Shard’s angled design makes this window cleaning project quite a complicated one, however, experienced London commercial window cleaners would be up to the task. For this style of building, brave cleaners would need a head for heights and plenty of abseiling experience. This building also has multiple BMUs in place,  giving window cleaning teams the option to reach every level via a Building Maintenance Unit.

The Gherkin

The incredible Gherkin is one of London’s skyline’s most recognisable icons. Designed by renowned architect Norman Foster, this stunning 40-storey building has been proudly awarded prestigious international architecture awards and was voted the most admired structure in the world back in 2006. Its swirling/striped pattern isn’t just a design aesthetic, however, as it forms a part of the Gherkin’s energy-saving system, allowing air to flow up in spirals.

To clean such an impressive building takes up to 10 professional window cleaners per day and takes around two weeks to complete.

Method of window cleaning:

Due to the curved nature of the building, special measures must be taken during cradle cleaning and abseil cleaning. However, due to its height (180 metres), a cradle cannot be used during extreme weather and winds. With more than 7,400 glass panes in the external skin of the Gherkin, it’s an extensive project for any professional window cleaning team.

The London Eye

Having only been cleaned once since 1999, the London Eye is a difficult project for even the most experienced window cleaners. Since the attraction is open during the day to visitors, the attraction’s only set of cleaners had to work at night, with technicians cleaning no more than three capsules per night due to the difficulty and extensiveness of the work.

Method of window cleaning:

Although each capsule is kept stationary during cleaning, in order to reach every angle, abseil window cleaning needs to be executed, alongside power washing. This allows a window cleaning team to safely navigate each capsule while being able to reach and clean all areas. For this type of window cleaning project, it would take around a week for two window cleaners to clean.

One Canada Square

With a height spanning 235 metres and with 50 storeys, One Canada Square was London’s highest skyscraper from 1990 until 2012, when it surrendered its title to The Shard. This skyscraper is one of the UK’s greatest achievements and stands proudly in third place as Britain’s tallest structure.

Method of window cleaning:

To clean all the windows of this mammoth building requires the expert use of a cradle, allowing window cleaners to suspend themselves at huge heights. In order to clean the entire building, it has been said to take around a month.

Commercial window cleaners London – Aquamark

Our experienced commercial window cleaning London team is dedicated to delivering a seamless experience on every commercial window cleaning project. Every job starts with an expert assessment of the site, ensuring that each client receives only the highest quality service and results.
No matter how tall your building is, our commercial window cleaning services have got you covered – contact us today for a quote or site assessment.