What Are French Style Windows?
French style windows — also called divided-light or true/simulated divided-lite windows — split one large opening into a grid of small panes using slim wooden or vinyl bars called muntins (or grilles). You'll see them on Colonials, Tudors, Victorians, and modern farmhouse builds all over Chicagoland, along with French doors that use the same paned design.
They look stunning — but every one of those little panes has four edges and four corners where dirt, dust, and hard-water film love to hide. A single French window can hold 6, 9, 12, or more individual panes, so cleaning them properly takes patience and the right hand technique, not a quick pole-and-go.
This page covers exactly how we clean French style windows and doors, our per-window pricing, and what to expect. For our full glass-cleaning service, see our main window washing page.
Why French Windows Need Extra Care
All those beautiful little panes are exactly what makes them tricky — here's the challenge, and how we handle it.
The Challenge
Detail work- Many small panes mean far more edges and corners per window
- Grime and hard-water film collect where glass meets the muntins
- Wood and painted grilles can streak or spot if cleaned carelessly
- Removable grilles and true divided-lites need a gentle hand
- French doors add high-traffic fingerprints and smudges
Why the pole-and-go doesn't work: a quick water-fed pole skips the corners and leaves haze along every muntin — French windows have to be detailed by hand.
Our Approach
Pane by pane- Each pane washed and squeegeed individually, corner to corner
- Muntins and grilles wiped clean and dried, no streaks left behind
- Detailing cloths for the tight edges a squeegee can't reach
- Gentle, glass-safe solution around wood and painted bars
- Fully guaranteed — we re-clean anything that isn't perfect
The payoff: every little pane matches the next, so the whole window reads crisp and bright from across the room.
What We Clean on Your French Windows
From the glass to the grilles, here's everything included when we clean French style windows and doors.
The Glass & Panes
- Wash and squeegee every individual pane streak-free
- Detail all four corners of each pane by hand
- Treat hard-water spots and mineral film on the glass
- Clean inside and outside, or outside-only if you prefer
- Reach upper-story glass safely — no ladders on your siding
Muntins, Frames & Doors
- Wipe down muntins, grilles, and glazing bars
- Clean French door glass and remove high-traffic fingerprints
- Dust and detail frames and sills
- Clear dusty tracks on operable French windows
- Handle picture windows and oversized French-style units on request
What We Remove From Every Pane
All the build-up that hides in the corners and along the muntins of divided-light glass.
- Hard-water spots
- Winter salt film
- Pollen & dust
- Fingerprints on French doors
- Pet nose prints
- Grime along muntins
- Bug debris & spiderwebs
- Dusty sills & tracks
French Style Window Pricing
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| French Style Windows — Inside and Outside | $6 per window |
| French Style Windows — Outside Only | $3 per window |
| French Style Doors & Picture Windows | $8 to $25 per window |
French style panes are priced per window because each one takes extra hand-detailing. These rates are part of our standard window washing service — see the full pane-count chart and every add-on on our window washing page.
Example Estimate (inside & out)
- Standard windows — 16–25 panes$170
- 8 French-style windows × $6$48
- 1 set of French doors$15
Estimated total$233
Uses our real rates: $170 base from the pane-count chart, $6 per French-style window, and a French door in the $8–$25 range. Your final price depends on your exact counts — call for a fast, free estimate.
Get a free estimateHow We Clean French Style Windows
A careful, pane-by-pane routine that protects your home and leaves every little pane crystal clear.
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1
Walkthrough & window count
We count your French windows and doors, note the pane layout and any grille type, and confirm inside-and-out or outside-only before we start.
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2
Protect the interior
For interior work we lay down drop cloths and carefully move small items off sills, keeping your floors and furnishings safe.
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3
Clean each pane by hand
We wash and squeegee every individual pane, then detail the corners and edges a squeegee can't reach with a clean microfiber cloth — using extension poles for upper stories.
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4
Detail muntins, frames & doors
We wipe down and dry the muntins, grilles, frames, and sills, and remove fingerprints and smudges from French door glass.
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5
Final inspection & guarantee
We check every pane in good light and touch up anything missed. Not happy? We'll re-clean at no charge — our work is fully guaranteed.
Ready for crystal-clear French windows?
Tell us roughly how many French windows and doors you have and whether you'd like inside-and-out or outside-only, and we'll send a free, no-obligation quote — with our streak-free guarantee on every job.
Get My Free QuoteRefreshing the whole exterior?
Many homeowners pair window washing with power washing and gutter cleaning to save a trip.
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French Style Window Cleaning FAQs
What counts as a French style window?
Any window or door where one opening is divided into a grid of smaller panes by muntins or grille bars — whether they're true divided-lites, simulated divided-lites, or removable grilles. That includes classic 6-over-6 Colonial windows, Tudor and Victorian divided-light sashes, and French doors. If your glass has a grid pattern, it's priced as a French style window. See all pricing on our window washing page.
Why do French windows cost more to clean?
A single large pane takes seconds to squeegee, but a French window splits that same area into many small panes — each with four edges and four corners to detail by hand. That extra time is why French style panes are priced per window: $6 inside-and-out or $3 outside-only, with French doors and picture windows running $8 to $25 depending on size and pane count.
Do you clean the muntins and grilles too?
Yes. Cleaning French windows properly means detailing the muntins, grilles, and glazing bars, not just the glass. We wipe them down and dry them so there's no streaking or residue where the bars meet the panes. For removable grilles and true divided-lites we work gently to protect the wood or painted finish.
Can you clean French doors and picture windows?
Absolutely. French doors get a lot of hands-on traffic, so we remove fingerprints and smudges and leave both sides of the glass streak-free. Large French-style picture windows and oversized units are priced individually ($8 to $25 each) based on their size and how many panes they contain. Just point them out during the walkthrough and we'll fold them into your quote.
How do you get streak-free results on so many panes?
We clean French windows pane by pane using professional squeegee technique and a glass-safe solution, then hand-detail every corner and edge with a clean microfiber cloth. For upper-story exterior glass we use extension poles to reach safely — no ladders leaning on your siding. Every job is backed by our re-clean guarantee, so if any pane isn't perfect we'll make it right.
Can I bundle French window cleaning with other services?
Yes. French style window cleaning is part of our standard window washing, and we can add screens, storm windows, skylights, and hard-water removal too — see the full list on our window washing page. Many homeowners also bundle window washing with power washing and gutter cleaning for a complete exterior refresh. Call (224) 386-4836 or contact us to build a package. Schedule Window Cleaning →