Curtain Wall & Glass Facade Cleaning
The single best substrate for drone cleaning — flat, continuous and fast to cover. Deionised water at calibrated low pressure, safe for structural silicone and gaskets.
Drone curtain wall cleaning starts from S$1.00 per square metre of glazed elevation. Glass curtain wall is the most efficient surface a cleaning drone works on: flat, uninterrupted, and free of the recesses that slow coverage elsewhere. A 3,000 sqm glazed elevation typically starts from S$3,000 in one to two days.
Key takeaways
- Best substrate for drone work - continuous flat glass covers fastest.
- Low pressure only. High pressure damages structural silicone; we do not use it on glazed systems.
- DI water below 5 ppm dries clear with no squeegee, which is what makes aerial glass cleaning work.
- Cycle: every 6-12 months - glazing shows soiling sooner than opaque cladding.
- Etched staining is not a cleaning problem - it needs glass restoration.
On this page
Why glass suits drone cleaning
A curtain wall system presents the drone with the conditions it handles best: a continuous plane, predictable geometry, and no overhangs to work beneath. Coverage rates on glazed towers sit at the top of our range, which is why the per-square-metre price on a glass elevation is usually at the lower end of the band.
Glass is also where the deionised water method matters most. Any washing system that leaves mineral residue on glass makes the elevation look worse, not better — the deposits are visible against the light from inside the building as well as outside.
Structural silicone and gaskets
Modern curtain wall relies on structural silicone glazing and EPDM gaskets to hold and seal the units. Both degrade under sustained high-pressure water, and a failed perimeter seal is a water ingress problem that costs far more than any cleaning contract.
This is why pressure matters more than power. We clean glazed systems with deionised water at low pressure, relying on the water chemistry rather than force. Anyone offering high-PSI pressure washing on a structurally glazed facade is proposing to damage the sealant system. See soft washing for how the method works.
Soiling versus etching
Two things that look identical from the ground behave completely differently:
- Surface soiling — atmospheric particulates, biological film, bird deposits, and mineral scale sitting on top of the glass. This washes off.
- Etched staining — mineral deposits that have chemically bonded with and pitted the glass surface, typically from years of runoff over concrete or from construction contamination. This does not wash off at any pressure.
Because our parent business is a glass restoration specialist, we identify which you have at survey stage. If it is etching, cleaning will not fix it and we will say so — Lion City Glass handles restoration as separate mechanical work.
Curtain wall cleaning cost
| Glazed elevation | Approx. area | Typical price (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Small commercial frontage | ~1,200 sqm | S$1,800 |
| Mid-rise glazed elevation | ~2,000 sqm | From S$1,800 |
| Glazed tower elevation | ~3,000 sqm | From S$3,000 |
| Atrium or feature glazing | varies | From S$1,800 |
Cleaning frequency
Glazed commercial facades in Singapore generally need attention every six to twelve months. That is shorter than opaque cladding for a simple reason: soiling on glass is visible from both sides, so tenants notice it long before it would register on a painted wall. Elevations facing main roads or active construction sit at the shorter end.
Frequently asked questions
How much does curtain wall cleaning cost in Singapore?
Drone curtain wall cleaning starts from S$1.00 per square metre of glazed elevation. A 3,000 sqm glazed tower elevation typically starts from S$3,000.
Is drone cleaning safe for structural silicone glazing?
Yes at calibrated pressure. Deionised water at low pressure lifts atmospheric soiling without stressing structural silicone joints or gaskets. High-pressure washing is what damages sealant lines, which is why we do not use it on glazed systems.
Can drone cleaning remove water staining on glass?
It removes surface mineral deposits. Staining that has chemically etched into the glass surface cannot be washed off at any pressure and requires mechanical glass restoration, which is a separate service from cleaning.
How often should a glazed facade be cleaned?
Every six to twelve months for a commercial curtain wall in Singapore. Glazed elevations show soiling faster than opaque cladding because light transmission makes deposits visible from inside as well as outside.
Glazed facade needing attention?
Send the address and approximate glazed area. Curtain wall is the fastest surface we quote.