How Pilkington Activ ™ Works

Figure 1 : Coating is activated by UV light

After installation the special coating needs 5 to 7 days exposure to daylight to activate fully.

Figure 2 : Organic dirt is broken down

The coating breaks down organic dirt and by doing so, reduces the adherence of inorganic dirt.

Figure 3 : Rain washes dirt away

Water droplets spread out to form a " sheet " , dirt particles on the surface are picked up by the water and washed off glass - a remarkable difference you can actually see

What do you mean by "dual action"?

The secret of Pilkington Activ ™ lies in its special coating, which works in two stages:
1: Breaking down organic dirt
Firstly, the coating reacts with ultra-violet (UV) rays from natural daylight to break down and disintegrate organic dirt (see figures 1 & 2). Organic dirt generally comes 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.
2: Washing dirt away
The second part of the process happens when water hits the glass. Rain water runs down the glass to wash the loosened dirt (both organic and inorganic) away. Inorganic dirt will only be removed by water (see figure 3). Compared with conventional glass, the water dries very quickly, reducing unsightly streaks or marks.

How long does the self-cleaning operation take?

Pilkington Activ ™ works continuously, with 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 fully.

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

The coating will eventually break down even heavy deposits of organic dirt. 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 process will have re-activated.

What happens if it does not rain for some time?

Normally, rainfall 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 or hosed down.

What about cloudy days and at night?

Pilkington Activ ™ needs only a small amount of UV radiation to keep the coating activated so it works even on overcast days.

NEXT Frequently Asked Questions about Pilkington Activ ™