Self Cleaning Windows – The No Effort Shine

Though the term self cleaning windows seems an oxymoron at first, but to the delight of many, everything is perfect about the window glass that sheds rain, dirt and grime like a duck shedding water off its back. The self cleaning capacity of these self clean windows are an attribute of the Pyrolytic (titanium dioxide applied to clear glass during manufacture) surface that imparts durability and tenacity to the window glass. This unique feature of a self clean window glass is a dire necessity in arid and dry places.

The self cleaning window uses its Photoactive properties to use the sun's UV rays to attack and dissolve dirt. A prolonged exposure to natural sunlight activates the Photoactive and hydrophilic properties, which then continue to work even at zero luminance. Upon contact with water, the titanium dioxide surface forces water to sheet down the self clean window glass and wash away any undissolved dirt, preventing streaks and spots(the hydrophilic or water sheeting effect).

Since its advent in June 2001, Pilkington Activ Glass has been used for both window replacements and new home construction across the U.S. and Canada, apart from their specified installations for numerous commercial and multi-family projects. While other glass window makers proclaimed that they would be introducing the self cleaning glass some time in 2002, they couldn't match the quality of Pilkington. The statistics, indeed, show that the window manufacturers and glass fabricators in agreement to purchase Activ Glass directly from Pilkington, North America, are reaching out beyond their usual customer base across Canada and the U.S.

Also used for new and replacement windows, sunrooms, transoms and skylights in homes, apartments and condominiums, along with commercial and institutional buildings, the availability for Pilkington Activ self cleaning glass is on the rise, keeping pace with the renown of Pilkington, North America.

Author Notes:

Michelle Norris contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.replacement-windows-n-shutters.com.  Find everything you need to know about replacement windows, shutters, tinting, basement, fiberglass windows and more.