Service Education
Two questions we hear every week: "What's the difference between a bug screen and a sun screen?" and "What does track cleaning actually cover?" This page answers both — clearly, with no surprises on your invoice.
Screen Types Explained
These two screen types look similar from a distance but serve completely different purposes. Here’s how to tell them apart and what to expect when we service them.
The standard screen found on nearly every Arizona home. Bug screens use a fine fiberglass or aluminum mesh designed to keep insects out while letting airflow through. They’re typically charcoal or black in color and have a light, open weave you can see through easily.
Sun screens (also called solar screens) are a heavier, denser mesh specifically engineered to block UV rays and reduce heat gain — a game-changer in Arizona’s brutal summers. They’re noticeably darker and denser than bug screens and significantly reduce the amount of light entering a room.
Why the add-on charge? Sun screens are heavier, denser, and require additional care and drying time to clean properly. Their tight weave traps more dust and debris than a standard bug screen — making them more labor-intensive to service without leaving water spots or streaks.
Quick Reference
Not sure which type of screen is on your window? Here are three fast ways to identify sun screens vs. bug screens before your appointment — so we can give you an accurate quote.
Track Cleaning Options
Window tracks are some of the dirtiest parts of any home — and most people don’t realize there are two distinct zones inside them. Here’s exactly what’s covered in each service level.
Every AZ Preferred service includes cleaning of all exposed tracks — the visible channel and groove you can see and reach without opening or removing your window. This covers the built-up dust, dead insects, and desert grit that accumulates in the outer track frame.
VIP Track Cleaning goes further by opening each window panel to access and clean the hidden inner track — the lower channel that sits beneath the window sash and is only reachable once the window is slid or lifted open. This is where the deepest buildup lives.
A window track has two distinct zones. Understanding which zone your service covers helps set the right expectations before we arrive.
The outer channel and frame visible without touching the window. You can see this area just by looking down at the sill. It collects surface dust, desert grit, and insect debris year-round — especially after monsoon season.
How we clean it: Brushed, vacuumed, and wiped clean. No window opening needed.
✅ Included in every serviceCommon Questions
❓ Do I need to pay the $10 sun screen fee for every window?
Only for windows that actually have sun screens installed. If a window has a standard bug screen, there’s no add-on charge. We’ll identify which screens are sun screens when we arrive and confirm the count with you before adding it to your invoice.
❓ What counts as a “big” sun screen?
A large sun screen is any screen that is significantly oversized compared to a standard window screen — typically found on wide picture windows, sliding glass doors, or extra-tall windows. These take roughly twice the time and effort to clean safely, so they count as 2 sun screens ($20). When in doubt, we’ll flag it before charging.
❓ My windows look clean from the outside. Do I still need VIP track cleaning?
Possibly. The hidden track zone isn’t visible from the outside — it only becomes apparent when the window is opened. Homes in dusty areas, near construction, or that haven’t had deep track cleaning in over a year typically have significant buildup in the hidden zone even when the glass looks clean.
❓ Can I add VIP track cleaning to any service package?
Yes — VIP track cleaning can be added to any residential service package. Just let us know when you book or mention it to your technician at the start of the appointment and we’ll work it into the schedule.
❓ How often should I get VIP track cleaning done?
For most Arizona homes, once a year is enough to stay on top of the hidden track buildup. Homes near construction zones, dirt roads, or in high-wind corridors may benefit from VIP track cleaning twice per year, especially after monsoon season.
Ready to Book? We’ll Walk You Through It.
Not sure which services you need? Request a quote and we’ll assess your screens and tracks on-site — no guesswork required.
AZ Preferred Window Cleaning
Serving Valley-Wide
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