Window Cleaning at Salerno at Bay Colony. Gulf views, zero streaks.

Salerno sits at 8930 Bay Colony Drive, one of three Bay Colony towers that overlook Clam Bay rather than standing on the sand. Of the three, which also include Toscana and Marquesa, it is the westernmost and the closest to the beach. Its residences are a little larger than in most Bay Colony towers, from about 2,600 square feet to more than 5,200 square feet, and they face southwest toward the Gulf, Clam Pass and the city lights. The building’s two-story penthouse has 20-foot ceilings. For window cleaning, Salerno combines bay-side conditions on the lower floors with Gulf exposure higher up.

Views change with the floor

From the fourth floor upward, residents see a ribbon of the Gulf beyond Clam Pass; below that, the view is mostly mangroves. The difference shows up on the glass. Lower floors get more pollen, moisture from the mangroves and the occasional bird visitor, while upper floors pick up more airborne salt. We look at the glass first and choose a cleaning method to match what has built up.

End units with wrap-around lanais

The 01 and 04 stacks are slightly larger than the interior units and have wrap-around lanais at both the front and back of the residence. That means two long runs of sliding doors and plenty of railing to clean. The 04 stack is the most popular because it sits nearest the Gulf, with no other high-rises close by to block the view. The interior 02 and 03 stacks are a little darker, and their glass is mostly on one face. Tell us your stack, and we can price the visit accurately before we arrive.

Two-story penthouse glass

A residence with 20-foot ceilings usually has window walls that extend well above arm’s reach. We clean high interior glass with extension poles and pure-water brushes, and set up ladders only where floors can be protected. Any pane that cannot be reached safely from inside or from the lanai is noted and left for the association’s exterior contractor.

Private elevators and a staffed desk

Private elevators open directly into each residence, and a doorman staffs the front desk around the clock to greet guests and accept packages. We check in at the desk with our certificate of insurance already on file with management, and we lay protective runners from the elevator into your home.

Amenities and poolside cabanas

The building has a fitness room, a social room, a pool and spa, a grill area, and three guest suites, two of which can be reserved on the amenity floor. Eleven poolside cabanas were sold with the original residences and are deeded to those homes. If you own a cabana, we can clean its glass on the same visit; just let us know when you book.

Leasing and pets

Salerno allows leases up to three times a year, each for at least 90 days, which is more flexible than many Bay Colony buildings. When a residence changes tenants, a cleaning between leases helps the next arrival see the view at its best. Owners may keep up to two dogs or cats, each no more than 25 pounds and 15 inches at the shoulder.

Off the beach, but not out of the salt

Because Salerno stands back from the sand on the Clam Bay side, some owners expect their glass to stay clean longer than it would in a beachfront tower. It often does on the lower floors, yet the upper levels still catch the onshore breeze, and the southwest-facing doors take the full afternoon sun. A light film that would be invisible at noon becomes obvious at sunset, which is when most Salerno residents are looking out.

What we clean

We clean every pane reachable from within the residence and from your lanais: interior windows, both faces of the sliding doors, railing glass, frames, tracks and sills. Exterior faces of fixed windows that can only be reached from outside are the association’s contractor’s responsibility.

Parking and arrival

Residences usually include two parking spaces under the building and a storage locker. We park only where management directs and use the service entrance when the building asks contractors to.

Keeping the view clear

Close the lanai doors on windy afternoons, rinse sand from the tracks with a cup of fresh water, and wipe the lower glass where pets press against it. Small steps between visits keep salt and pollen from setting into the glass.