Europe · Glass Manufacturer
Şişecam
🇹🇷 Turkey · Last reviewed by Justin Orloff
Quick Facts
Founded
1935
HQ
Istanbul, Turkey
Materials
Float glass, Low-E glass, laminated glass, tempered glass, automotive glass
Specialty
Large-scale flat glass production; Trakya Glass brand; 150+ country export
Market
Global - construction, automotive, packaging, specialty glass
Brand at a Glance
- One of Europe's largest flat glass manufacturers by capacity, operating since 1935
- Trakya Glass brand supplies architectural glass to construction projects across Europe and 150+ countries
- Full glass product range: float, Low-E, laminated, tempered, and specialty glass
Product Range
- Float glass base product for downstream processing
- Trakya Low-E coated glass for insulated glazing unit energy performance
- Laminated safety glass for structural, overhead, and security applications
- Tempered glass for facades, balustrades, shopfronts, and entrance systems
- Automotive glass for original equipment and replacement markets
Why This System
Şişecam operates at a scale that makes their glass a near-invisible component in many European buildings - specified by a glass processor or glazing contractor without the end client knowing the manufacturer. For window cleaners, the relevant fact is the glass specification: if Low-E or coated Trakya Glass is in the unit, the cleaning requirements are the same as for any high-performance coated architectural glass. No abrasives, no acid-based cleaners, no dry scrubbing.
Turkish buildings where Şişecam glass is installed face the full range of Turkish climate challenges: Mediterranean UV and salt air on coastal projects, Anatolian dust and temperature cycling on inland projects, and Istanbul pollution on urban facades. In European export markets, Trakya Glass in facade systems faces local climate demands. The glass coating and unit integrity are the priority: every cleaning decision should protect, not compromise, the performance of the glass unit.
Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations
Official Care Guidance
Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol
The Orloffs Protocol
This is how I clean Şişecam windows. The tools and technique below come from 25 years of daily professional work on the glass. Every step has been tested on real installations and adapted specifically for Şişecam systems.
Pro Tools
My daily tool list. This is what I carry to every job.
Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last. This is the same sequence I use on every Şişecam installation.
- 1
1. Pre-rinse the glass with clean water. On coated Trakya Glass, never start mechanical cleaning on a dry or dust-loaded surface.
- 2
2. Apply pH-neutral detergent. Allow brief dwell time on construction residue, pollution film, or salt deposits.
- 3
3. Squeegee top to bottom with a fresh, nick-free blade. One nick in the blade edge will track across a Low-E pane and leave a permanent scratch.
- 4
4. Inspect glazing unit edges after cleaning. Discolouration of the spacer bar or internal fogging are signs of failed unit seals - log and report.
- 5
5. Wipe the frame perimeter and sill to prevent cleaning solution run-off from streaking the glass on the next rain.
Pro Tips
- Şişecam tempered glass cannot be cut or modified after toughening - if a tempered pane is damaged, the full unit must be replaced. Handle with care around edges during cleaning access on scaffold or platform.
- On Istanbul facades, Şişecam glass on south and west elevations accumulates a complex pollution film combining diesel particulate, mineral dust, and moisture. Allow extra dwell time and use a clean applicator rather than a worn sleeve.
- Trakya Low-E glass has a specific coating orientation - the coating is always on an inner surface of the insulated unit. Clean the external face only; never attempt to clean inside the unit.
What NOT To Do
- Do not use acid-based or alkaline cleaners on Trakya Low-E coated glass.
- Do not use abrasive pads or razor scrapers on Şişecam coated or laminated glass.
- Do not clean dry - always pre-rinse or apply solution before any mechanical cleaning action.
Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations
Bundle Kit
Tool Recommendations
pH-neutral architectural glass cleaning detergent
View on Amazon [coming soon]14-inch squeegee with new, nick-free rubber
View on Amazon [coming soon]Pure water for pre-rinse
View on Amazon [coming soon]Cleaning Frequency
Every 6-8 weeks in Turkish urban environments. Monthly on coastal and high-pollution facades. Trakya Glass on European export projects: follow local environmental cleaning frequency guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Field Notes
“On large commercial projects in Turkey, the glass processor or glazing subcontractor may not document which specific Şişecam product is installed. If coating type is unknown, treat all architectural glass as potentially coated Low-E and apply the strictest cleaning standards. The cost of using the wrong product on uncoated glass is zero; the cost of using the wrong product on a coated unit is an irreversible scratch or coating damage.”
Justin Orloff
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