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Pilkington Activ™ FAQs

Benefits of Pilkington Activ™, the world's first self-cleaning glass.

Saves you time and money, and is safer than cleaning your own windows. Unique coating breaks down and loosens even heavy soiling.
Works on cloudy days and during the night.
Can be used in almost any external domestic application.
Will not be worn away or rubbed off - lasts the lifetime of the glazing itself.
Easily cleaned during dry spells by hosing down or wiping with a soft cloth and warm soapy water.
Can be used in conjunction with other Pilkington glass products to provide increased energy efficiency and save on heating bills.

How Does It Work?

Pilkington Activ™ is effectively the same as conventional glass but with a specially developed coating on the outside that has a unique dual action. Once exposed to daylight, the coating chemically reacts in two stages:

Breaking down organic dirt

Firstly, the coating reacts with ultra-violet (UV) rays from natural daylight to break down and disintegrate organic dirt. Organic dirt is defined as having come from living plants and animals (e.g. bird droppings or tree sap), while inorganic dirt comes from other, non-living sources (e.g. cement or plaster).

Washing dirt away

The second part of the process happens when rainwater hits the glass. Because of the special coating, instead of forming droplets the water spreads evenly over the surface and as it runs off takes any leftover dirt with it. Compared with conventional glass, the water also dries off very quickly without leaving unsightly "drying spots". Pilkington Activ™ works continuously, with the dirt being washed away whenever it rains.

Does Pilkington Activ™ work straight away?

After fitting, the coating on the glass takes about five days to activate itself. For the best results, after installation the windows should be left until the coating has activated before any cleaning is undertaken.

Will this process work even when the glass is very dirty?

The coating will eventually break down even heavy deposits. However, if the surface is so dirty that UV light cannot reach the glass, the self-cleaning action will not take effect. In such cases, clean the glass with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, and in a few days the coating will have re-activated.

What happens if it does not rain for a long time?

Normally, rainfall or hosing with water will be enough to keep your windows clean. In dry spells though, your windows can be washed with a soft cloth and warm soapy water.

What about cloudy days and at night?

Pilkington Activ™ needs only a small amount of UV radiation to activate the coating - so it works even on overcast days and the water sheeting effect will last through the night.

Can the Pilkington Activ™ coating be scratched or rubbed off?

The coating on Pilkington Activ™ is securely bonded to the glass - so it can only be affected if the surface itself is damaged; for example, by pointed objects, abrasive cleaners or steel wool. Our tests have also shown that it will not flake off or discolour, either.

How long will the coating last? Can it be replaced?

The coating has been proven to last as long as the glass itself, so there should never be a need for a fresh coating.

Is it environmentally friendly?

Yes. The coating contains harmless chemical substances already found in the home, in such things as bath oils and toothpaste. In fact, with only small amounts of cleaning agents needed, Pilkington Activ™ is kinder to the environment than ordinary glass.

How do I know I have Pilkington Activ™ in my windows?

Pilkington Activ™ can be identified using a unique hand-held detector on the coated surface, which your installer should have available. Pilkington Activ™ also has a slightly blue tint compared with ordinary glass, giving it a clearer, brighter appearance.

Where can Pilkington Activ™ be used?

Almost any exterior application, such as windows, conservatories, façades and glass roofs. It can be installed vertically or at an angle, and is especially useful for inaccessible windows where organic dirt normally collects, such as skylights. It has been designed for exterior use only.

Can it be combined with other types of glass?

Pilkington Activ™ can be combined with other Pilkington glass products in insulating glass units to provide benefits such as thermal insulation, noise reduction, solar control and fire protection. Additionally, Pilkington Activ™ is available in toughened or laminated form for increased safety.

Will my windows ever need cleaning?

Pilkington Activ™ is designed to reduce the amount of maintenance required. If cleaning is necessary, it will be much less frequent and will be much easier than with conventional glass. This may occur during long dry spells or if your windows are heavily soiled.

How easy is it to clean Pilkington Activ™

Normally a simple hosing down with water will suffice, but you can also use a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. No special cleaners are required, and the coating will naturally re-activate after a few days.

What do silver-coloured areas or grease stains on the surface mean?

This happens occasionally when the organic particles are broken down on the surface. It is simply an indication that the coating is working well, and the oil-like stains will be washed away next time it rains.

I can see rainbow colours on the glass. What's that?

This occurs during the accelerated drying process and will disappear once the glass is dry.

What if dust collects on the surface during dry weather?

Pilkington Activ™ will remove organic deposits, such as fingerprints or tree sap, but dust generally contains chemicals that will not fully decompose. To remove it before the next rainfall, simply spray the glass with water.

Can ink or paint be removed?

The coating cannot break down ink or paint, so these will have to be carefully removed from the glass using a soft cloth and methylated spirits. Never use scouring agents, steel wool, razor blades or other hard objects on the surface.