Self-cleaning glass sounds like something from a science fiction movie, but it’s a very real product that’s been in use for many years. It’s designed for use in hard-to-reach places, but it can be installed pretty much anywhere, if your budget allows.
There are two different technologies that allow the glass to ‘clean itself’. It has a special coating that breaks down organic waste, and it also helps water to run down a window rather than simply collecting on its surface. Combined, these two features ensure that dirt doesn’t cling, which is handy if you want to reduce window cleaning visits.
The drawbacks of self-cleaning glass
Self-cleaning glass is certainly helpful in some situations. For example, on a conservatory roof, it can help to prevent dirt build-up in areas that are difficult to hose down.
However, there are two key things to be aware of before you spend the extra money on self-cleaning glass.
Firstly, the glass has a special coating (a little like solar panels) that makes cleaning potentially quite risky. If the coating is scratched, it will quickly wear away, which means you have to be very careful in checking the tools your window cleaner is using. Any slight abrasion on the pane could take the coating clean off, which means heavy marks like splashes of paint can be difficult to remove. An accidental bump from a pole or ladder can also mark the coating.
Secondly, and most importantly, self-cleaning glass is not totally failsafe. The coating is activated by sunlight, and the dirt is then washed away by rainwater. So ideally, you need a mixture of both for the glass to work. While self-cleaning glass will theoretically function in a north-facing window, it probably won’t get enough sunlight to work really well. Likewise, in summer, there will be periods of several weeks where you don’t get enough rain for the dirt to be washed away.
The importance of cleaning windows
If you’re thinking about buying self-cleaning glass, weigh up the cost carefully against the benefits. You’re probably still going to need a window cleaner. Over the summer, you’ll need to hose down the glass to get rid of the dirty marks.
Self-cleaning glass takes a long time to break down organic matter. If your kids push a glass door open and leave a print, you might be stuck with that print on the glass for a couple of months. Even worse, the oils from the skin could actually prevent the coating from working properly.
Self-cleaning glass does have very valid uses, but in some cases, you’ll experience cleaner windows day-to-day simply by hiring an experienced window cleaner.
Contact us for advice
While we don’t have a negative view of self-cleaning glass, it’s important to weigh up the benefits against the price. If you already have self-cleaning glass and you’d like us to clean your windows, we’ll use techniques that don’t damage the coating so that you get the best of both worlds.
Contact us today to find out more about our commercial window cleaning services.