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  • How it works
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    Back to Self Cleaning

    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 precisely what you need.

    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.  

    Watch the video

    Our Range

    The Pilkington Activ™ range includes wide range of products which benefit from self-cleaning and other properties. 

    Pilkington Activ™ Blue and Pilkington Activ™ Bronze combine both self-cleaning glass and medium solar control properties, in an attractive blue or bronze coloured glass, to help keep the inside cooler.

    Pilkington Activ SunShade™ Neutral and Pilkington Activ SunShade™ Blue offer enhanced solar control through the addition of the Pilkington SunShade™ coating on the inner pane of the glass.

    Pilkington Activ Suncool™ combines excellent solar control with a range of optical performances options offering various levels of light transmission, solar radiation transmission and alternative colours for the ultimate in design freedom.

    Pilkington Activ Optitherm™ offers improved thermal insulation.

    Pilkington Activ Optiphon™ sound insulating laminated safety glass provides acoustic performance and safety.

    Pilkington Activ Optilam™ laminated safety glass can offer impact resistance or increased security.

     Apart from the above-mentioned combinations, other configurations are possible (e.g. Pilkington Activ Suncool Optilam™).  

    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 home owners 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 natural cleaning effect of Pilkington Activ™ is also sustainable, as it cuts down on the damage to the environment caused by use of cleaning products, drinking water or energy.

    The special Pilkington Activ™ surface is photocatalytically active when exposed to light. It is known that photocatalyticallyactive 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, in a very real way.

    Technical Information

    The following document contains flow charts which are designed to provide you with up-to-date information about the technical aspects of Pilkington Activ™. It includes a list of gaskets that have passed NSG Group's compatibility tests and are approved for use with Pilkington Activ™ glass.

    Click here for details on sealants and compatibile materials

    Click here for Technical Tips

     

    Pilkington Activ™ Glass Coating Detector

    Pilkington Activ™ glass coating detectors are now available to purchase direct from the supplier, Norcott Instrumentation Limited.

    Click here for further details.