Doing a pane count before calling for a window cleaning quote takes about 10 minutes and gives you a much clearer picture of what to expect. It also lets you verify that the quote you receive is accurate — and catch it if someone quotes you for fewer panes than you actually have.
Step 1: Walk the Exterior First
Start outside and walk the perimeter of your home, counting all glass panels visible from the outside. Work systematically — front, right side, back, left side.
Count each individual pane of glass separately. For a double-hung window, that's 2 panes. For a casement, 1 pane. For a bay window, count each individual glass panel.
Include: all window panes on all floors, glass panels in doors (French doors, sidelights, transoms), glass in garage doors (if applicable), and any fixed glass panels.
Don't count: storm doors with removable glass (typically not included in standard window cleaning), mirrors, or glass block.
Pro Tip: Use a notepad or the notes app on your phone. Write the pane count for each side of the house separately — front: 14, right: 8, back: 10, left: 6 — so you can verify later.
Example: counting panes on a typical home front elevation
Step 2: Add Interior Panes if Requesting Interior Cleaning
For interior cleaning, the pane count is the same — every pane on the exterior has a corresponding interior surface. So interior pane count = exterior pane count.
The exception: some panes may be interior-only (skylights in conditioned space, interior glass partitions). Count these separately if applicable.
Handling Double-Hung Windows
Each double-hung = 2 panes. The upper sash is 1 pane, the lower sash is 1 pane.
Don't count the muntin bars (the dividers between the upper and lower sash) as separate panes — they're part of the frame, not the glass.
If your double-hung has a grid overlay (simulated divided lites), it's still 2 panes. Count the sashes, not the decorative grid squares.
Handling French Doors and Doors with Glass
French doors with 8 glass panels each: 8 panes per door leaf × 2 door leaves = 16 panes for the pair.
Standard front door with a small glass insert: count the glass panels in the door itself. A single glass rectangle = 1 pane. Three stacked rectangles = 3 panes.
Sidelights (the narrow windows flanking a door): each sidelight panel is a separate pane. A pair of sidelights = 2 panes.
Sliding patio door: 2 panes (one fixed, one sliding). If there's a sliding screen, screens are typically cleaned and counted separately.
French door and sidelight pane counting
Handling Bay and Bow Windows
Bay window: count each individual glass panel. The large center section = 1 pane (if a picture window). Each side section = 1–2 panes depending on whether it's a casement or double-hung.
Bow window: count each panel in the curve. A 5-panel bow = 5+ panes depending on each panel's configuration.
Don't count the roof section of a bay or bow window (the soffit above the projection) — that's trim, not glass.
Pro Tip: Bay and bow windows often have more panes than people expect. A bay window that looks like 'one window' from outside might be 5–7 panes when counted carefully.
Your Total and What to Do With It
Add up all sides and all floors. This is your total pane count.
When you receive a window cleaning quote, ask how many panes the company counted. Compare to your number. Small differences (1–2 panes) may be due to different counting conventions (e.g., whether garage door glass is included). Larger differences warrant a conversation.
At Foxy's, we always share our pane count with you as part of the estimate so you can verify it's correct before any work begins.
Foxy's Window Cleaning · Geneva, IL
Done counting? Give us a call or request an estimate online — your pane count makes the quote conversation fast and straightforward.