Prepare Your Windows for Winter with Self Cleaning Glass

December 21st, 2006

Are you worried your wooden frames wont last the winter? Are your PVC-U frames beginning to discolour? Read this article if youre interested in preparing your windows for winter.

Now is the ideal time to carry out window replacement work before winter sets in, and with advances in plastics and glass technologies not only will you improve the look of your home but also the long term value.

Advances in window and door replacement materials mean that todays PVC-U frames are more environmentally robust, offer greater aesthetical benefit, heightened security and improved energy efficiency by preventing heat escaping from ill-fitting units. Window Energy Ratings is a new British government initiative to give windows an A-F rating in the same way you can see on white goods. Advancements have also been made with the windows themselves. Innovations in glass technology have meant that previously unheard of concepts like self-cleaning glass have become a reality.

The latest technological progression from Pilkington, the UKs leading glass manufacturer, means you can now install self-cleaning glass, Pilkington Activ?, which alleviates climbing ladders or forking out on window cleaners.

The secret behind Pilkington Activ? self-cleaning glass is a permanent, virtually invisible, dual-action coating that uses the weather to make the glass clean itself by reacting in two ways:

First, it is photocatalytic: UV rays, abundant on even the cloudiest of days, cause the glass to react chemically with dirt and organic deposits, breaking them down and loosening them from the surface of the glass.

Also, it is hydrophilic: it attracts water, which slides down and off the surface of the glass without forming into separate droplets. This ensures that loose particles of dust and dirt are easily washed off during normal rainy weather without leaving smears or rain marks.

As the photocatalytic activity is continuous, even stubborn deposits, such as bird droppings or tree resin will eventually be broken down and slide off the glass in a smear-free manner

Self cleaning glass can be combined in a double glazing unit with energy-saving glass like Pilkington K Glass ? or Pilkington Optitherm ?. It can be toughened or laminated for safety or security properties. In addition it is available in a brand new option – Pilkington Activ ГЇЖ’вЂќ Blue: a cool new option which combines self-cleaning and solar control – the optimum roof unit for your new conservatory.

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