Self Cleaning Glass
Self-Cleaning Glass
Cleaning glass can be one of the most tedious chores in life as every fingerprint needs wiping down along with any build-up of dust, grime and general muck - so surely self-cleaning glass is worth the extra money.
You heard right, self-cleaning glass……..’WOW’ we hear you exclaim, ‘the answer to all my cleaning problems’- well, let’s discuss that in a little more detail.
What is self-cleaning glass?
Not so fast smart alec, it’s not quite as simple as ‘glass that cleans itself’ as that’s not technically correct and it is perhaps therefore better described as glass that requires less cleaning.
The vast majority of self-cleaning glass on the market is actually a coating applied to the surface of the glass that helps it stay cleaner for longer and resists discolouration and staining. The principle of the glass coating is similar to that of Teflon used on frying pans; it produces a non-stick type surface that water will run off freely, and not stick to, taking away the majority of any dirt with it.
Where is the coating used?
In terms of the products we offer here at Dio-Met, the most popular use of the self-clean coating is on toughened glass panels that are used in shower enclosures and on external balconies and balustrades. Shower screens often get a lot of use (daily we hope) and soap sudds / shampoos can soon build up into an unpleasant streak or glass grime whereas external balconies are often battered by rain, wind, dust and airbourne particles that can be a pain to keep clean.
How long does the coating last?
Glass is used in many different applications, all environments are different, cleaning methods and products vary but as a general rule of thumb you can expect a self-cleaning coating to last 10-15 years.
So, do I still need to clean the glass?
We’re afraid so, yes. The glass requires considerably less cleaning or maintenance with the self-clean coating but it will still require periodical cleaning to maintain the best possible finish.
The reality?
We would love to say that a ‘self-cleaning’ coating is exactly that however the reality is that, as with most other things in life, there is usually a compromise. As we mentioned before, the glass is better described as ‘glass that requires less cleaning’ and with that in mind, you would be very happy with the product. If however you wanted to wake up every morning to see your glass panels with a squeegee and cleaning spray, giving themselves a good wipe down and final buffing…….you may well be disappointed.
Contact us to see how we can assist with your architectural metalwork and glazing requirements on 0114 243 9009 or email sales@diometonline.co.uk
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