Pilkington Activ™ - Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions most commonly asked by glass processors and window manufacturers regarding Pilkington Activ™. Please click on the qusetion number to go to the relevant answer.
1. What is Pilkington Activ™?
Pilkington Activ™ is the world's first dual action self-cleaning glass. It is a high performance coated glass that uses the forces of nature to help keep its surface free from dirt. The result is that it requires less cleaning than ordinary glass and gives clearer, better looking windows.
2. What does Pilkington Activ™ look like?
Pilkington Activ™ looks like normal clear glass, but is slightly more . It also has a faint blue tint that actually makes it appear cleaner and brighter than normal glass.
3. How does Pilkington Activ™ work?
Unlike some "self cleaning" products which only help wash the dirt away, the Pilkington Activ™ coating works in 2 stages, firstly breaking down organic dirt, then washing inorganic and organic dirt away.
Organic dirt comes from living animals or plants e.g. bird droppings, tree sap, fingerprints.
Inorganic dirt comes from minerals e.g. sand, salt, cement dust, plaster dust, chalky dust.
4. What are the two stages of the cleaning process?
Stage 1: "Dirt Eating". A chemical reaction occurs between the UV rays from natural daylight, oxygen and the Pilkington Activ™ coating. This reaction breaks down and detaches organic dirt particles from the glass
Stage 2: "Water Loving". The coating spreads the water evenly over the surface of the glass rather than the rain drops running down it individually. This washes both organic and inorganic dirt away, and helps the glass to dry very quickly so prevents the formation of drying spots or streaks. It also means that condensation is much less visible and evaporates quicker.
5. Does Pilkington Activ™ work all the time?
After Pilkington Activ™ has been fitted, it will take a maximum of 5-7 days for the coating to absorb enough UV to become activated. After this, the coating only needs a small amount of UV light, so it works on overcast days and the water loving action will work through the night.
6. Where can Pilkington Activ™ be used?
Pilkington Activ™ is for external use only, in situations where daylight and rain can both reach the glass.
It is ideal for windows, doors, conservatories and roof glazing, or any areas where access for cleaning is limited.
Avoid glazing with Pilkington Activ™ under an overhang or in a situation where daylight and/or rain cannot reach it.
The minimum recommended angle is 10° from horizontal, so that rainwater can flow over the glass properly.
7. What combination of products are available?
Pilkington Activ™ is available in 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10mm, and in annealed, laminated and toughened. Self-cleaning can now be combined with solar control by using either the Pilkington Activ Suncool™ products which have the Activ™ coating on one surface and a Suncool HP coating on the other surface, or Pilkington Activ™ Blue for a cooler internal environment .
For thermal insulation, Pilkington Activ™ can be incorporated into insulating glass units, with Pilkington K Glass™ or Pilkington Optitherm™ SN as the inner pane. If it's necessary to have another glass as the inner pane, Pilkington Activ Optitherm™ SN is also available for use as the outer pane.
Pilkington Activ is not available directly coated onto textured glasses but it is possible to have a textured laminate, Pilikngton Activ Stippolyte™.
Pilkington Activ™ is also available with approved leading or Georgian/cottage bars, although internal rather than external bars are recommended.
All Pilkington Activ™ products are offered at the discretion of your supplier.
8. What glazing systems can Pilkington Activ™ be used with?
Silicone has a hydrophobic effect on glass, i.e. rainwater sits on the surface in droplets, and this counteracts the water loving effect and functional benefits of Pilkington Activ™.
Gaskets - Pilkington can recommend suppliers of many non-siliconised gaskets that are compatible with Pilkington Activ™
Sealants - Pilkington can recommend MS Polymers that are compatible with Pilkington Activ™
See the Pilkington Activ™ Technical Update for a list of recommended products.
9. Are there any special handling requirements?
Pilkington Activ™ is a durable coating and is positioned on surface #1 on the outside of the building
It is a high value product so it is important that handling and processing is carried out in accordance with good practice
Pilkington recommends you read the "Handling and Processing Guidelines for Window Manufacturers" before glazing.