How it works
The unique dual-action self-cleaning coating is located on the external glass pane.
It has got photo-catalytic and hydrophilic properties, and works in two stages:
Stage 1: The first stage of the cleaning process is "photocatalytic". In this stage the coating reacts with daylight to break down organic dirt.
Stage 2: The second stage is "hydrophilic". When it rains, instead of forming droplets, the water spreads evenly over the surface of the glass, forming a thin film and helping to wash away any loosened dirt, also drying quickly without leaving streaks.
During long dry spells the glass can be cleaned by simply hosing it down with clean water.
If the thought of spending endless hours cleaning windows puts you off building a new conservatory or installing skylights then self-cleaning glass is an excellent solution.
View this demonstration video to gain a better understanding of how self-cleaning glass works with the forces of nature to keep your glass cleaner.
Benefits
The Pilkington Activ™ range is comprised of wide range of products and each of them has its own unique and shared benefits.
Thanks to the latest technology, Pilkington Activ™ greatly reduces the maintenance normally associated with glass.
Saving time and money: The time and energy that goes into keeping windows looking great has encouraged many homeowners to make the change to self-cleaning glass. Whether you employ a window cleaning service or you spend hours cleaning them yourself could save a huge amount of time, energy and money.
Easy glass cleaning: All that's needed to ensure that self-cleaning glass performs at its peak are the natural forces of sunlight and rain (or, in dry spells, a garden hose). Besides giving you cleaner glass, Pilkington Activ™ is better for the environment as there is no need to use detergent.
Safety: According to research, the chore homeowners most detest is cleaning windows. Not only is it time consuming but balancing on a flimsy ladder with a bucket of soapy water in one hand and a cloth in the other can be a rather dangerous exercise as well. Less frequent access to windows is needed when using low maintenance glass like those in the Pilkington Activ™ range.
Sustainability
The special Pilkington Activ™ surface is photocatalytically active when exposed to light. It is known that photocatalytically active surfaces can be used not only on glass, but also other building materials such as roof tiles. They help to purify air and, among other things, have a measurable effect in breaking down nitrogen oxides.
In this way, Pilkington Activ™ also makes an active contribution to air pollution control and the breaking down of nitrogen oxide.
Technical Information
For up-to-date information about the technical aspects of Pilkington Activ™ please refer to our ATS bulletins.