Self-cleaning Glass: Double Glazed Magic

If you’re suddenly noticing your neighbours have dazzling, bright glass in their windows and yet seem to be making minimal effort cleaning,  they could be benefiting from a modern window technology – self-cleaning glass.

If you too want to save time and resources on maintaining the windows in your home, self-cleaning glass may be an attractive option for you.

Self-cleaning glass is a fascinating process, as it utilises natural sunlight and rainwater to break down the dirt and grime on the surface of your windows.

Helping keep windows cleaner as well as adding a valuable low-maintenance quality to the aesthetics of your home may be well worth considering.

Why not explore the benefits of using self-cleaning glass and find out how this technology can improve the functionality and appeal of double glazed windows in your home?

Self-Cleaning Glass Technology – how does it work?

Self-cleaning glass technology is an innovative solution for homeowners seeking low-maintenance windows.

The science is pretty straight-forwards.  This type of glass is specially coated with a thin layer of titanium dioxide, which has photocatalytic and hydrophilic properties; properties that enable the glass to break down organic dirt and grime then allowing it to wash away with the next rainfall.

Sounds almost too good to be true.  But, by using the sun’s ultraviolet light, the photocatalytic coating causes a process where dirt breaks down and particles are loosened on the surface of the glass.

When it rains or when water comes into contact with the self-cleaning glass, this special coating allows water to form a thin, uniform sheet rather than droplets. This sheeting leaves the glass clean and streak-free.

Choosing self-cleaning glass for your windows, doors and conservatories means you won’t be daunted by the prospect of endless hours cleaning.

Will self-cleaning glass completely eliminate my need to clean it?

Whilst this revolutionary technology will significantly reduce the need for you to regularly clean your windows yourself, it may not entirely eliminate it.

If you live in an area with heavy pollution for instance, or minimal rainfall you may still need to get your hands dirty occasionally.

Benefits of Low-Maintenance Windows

So, what are the main benefits of this product?  Self-cleaning glass is a groundbreaking design if you’re seeking low-maintenance windows.

The utilisation of a special coating that harnesses natural sunlight and rain will keep them effortlessly clean, reducing the need for regular hose-downs.

By considerably reducing time spent on cleaning by up to 90% compared to untreated glass, this system allows the savvy homeowner spare time away from window maintenance.  Don’t forget, this will also minimise the use of potentially harmful cleaning chemicals in your home.

There’s nothing quite as unattractive as spotting left on glass surfaces after rainfall or poor attempts at cleaning.  Self-cleaning glass helps to maintain the outward appearance of your home, ensuring your windows look cleaner for longer periods of time, giving your home a higher level of curb-appeal.

Additionally, self-cleaning glass has durable properties thanks to its titanium dioxide coating. Unlike traditional repellent products that degrade over time, the titanium dioxide remains effective, providing long-lasting benefits to your purchase.

Even if you have made the decision to invest in self-cleaning window, you may not have considered how this will contribute to overall energy efficiency in your home.

By reducing the need for air conditioning or heating adjustments due to dirty windows obstructing sunlight, your  choice to have self-cleaning windows installed can even result in lower energy bills, making it an environmentally friendly choice too.

Where can I have self-cleaning windows?

There really are no limits.

Self-cleaning windows will benefit any room in your home within any structure.  Take a look at some ideas:

Large windows or glass walls

These areas are traditionally difficult to access for regular cleaning. Installing self-cleaning glass in these areas, such as atriums, conservatories, or even large bay windows, will greatly assist you in reducing the need for frequent manual cleaning.

Skylights

Skylights are another great nominee for self-cleaning glass. They win awards when it comes to the amount of direct sunlight they receive, so to activate the self-cleaning properties is of great benefit.  Being positioned on the roof means a challenge when it comes to cleaning. Incorporating self-cleaning glass into skylights ensures clarity when it comes to your room-with-a-view.

Bathroom windows and shower screens

Bathroom windows and shower screens can profit from self-cleaning glass to alleviate your burden of regular cleaning. 

These areas are often prone to soap marks, water spots, and mould growth.  Self-cleaning properties of this glass type can much improve the appearance in these humid environments.

External patio doors, such as French, sliding and bi-fold doors

External patio doors, such as French, sliding and bi-fold doors which you evidently picked to ensure you enjoy the outdoor and garden views, are always exposed to external environments.  Choosing self-cleaning glass for these doors will save you huge amounts of cleaning time and aid your enjoyment of unobstructed views.

Self-cleaning windows can be installed anywhere in your home.  Versatile and practical, they will reduce maintenance and consistently give a clean appearance to your living space.

Traditional Glass V. Self-Cleaning Glass

Whilst traditional glass and self-cleaning glass serve the same basic purpose, self-cleaning products will offer you a unique advantage when it comes to maintenance and cleanliness. In this section, we will compare and contrast the features and benefits of both types of glass.

Traditional glass will provide great functionality and basic properties that help keep it clean but you will need to clean the windows on a regular basis to maintain their appearance.

With its distinctive cleaning quality, self-cleaning glass uses its special technology to maintain top-notch appearance without you having to get involved.  Time spent cleaning is reduced by 90% which will be of great importance to many homeowners, especially the elderly or those who are physically disadvantaged.

There are two primary benefits of self-cleaning glass:

• Reduced maintenance: By cutting down on the amount of cleaning needed, homeowners can save time, effort, and resources that would otherwise be spent on traditional glass cleaning methods.
• Improved appearance: Self-cleaning glass stays cleaner for longer, ensuring windows look better and provide an unobstructed view of the outside.

However, one potential drawback of self-cleaning glass is the inevitably higher initial cost compared to its traditional counterpart.

Whilst the cost of self-cleaning glass will be higher, the long-term benefits, such as reduced maintenance and a greatly improved appearance, may convince you it’s worthwhile.

Installation and Costs

Naturally, there will be higher initial costs for the installation of self-cleaning glass with its specific properties.  If your decision has led you to this innovative product to save you time and effort on window cleaning, then you may feel the extra costs pay for themselves in the long run.

Clearly, the higher price tag for self-cleaning windows compared to traditional windows will vary from one manufacturer to another.  Always shop around for quotes and compare prices, like for like, between traditional and self-cleaning products.

Check out reviews of the windows you like and follow up with credentials of your local companies.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions about previous installations and get a feel for how much they understand about the performance of self-cleaning windows.

If there is a need for additional cleaning due to stubborn or specific stains, a professional window cleaning service will be needed for this type of glass as you’ll want to make sure the coating isn’t damaged.  Therefore, consider this occasional extra outlay.

Essentially, you’ll want to evaluate the overall costs and the specific needs of your home before deciding whether this investment is right for you.

Maintenance Tips

Although self-cleaning glass significantly reduces the need for regular cleaning, some basic maintenance is still necessary to keep your windows in the best possible condition. Here’s how you can support the efficiency of your low-maintenance windows:

Regular Inspections

Always inspect your windows for signs of dirt, debris, or damage every few months. Catching potential issues early can really help prevent costly repairs in the future.

Light Cleaning

Even though self-cleaning glass has a special coating that breaks down dirt, a light cleaning with a soft cloth and mild soapy water may be required from time to time. Make sure, however, you check with the manufacturers’ guidelines before doing so.   If you happen to live in a high pollution or heavy rainfall area, you may need to carry out some basic cleaning on top of the self-functioning of this product.

Keep Frames and Seals Clean

To prevent dirt and grime from building up on window frames and seals, periodically clean them with your usual window frame cleaning solution. This not only helps to maintain the appearance of your home but also ensures the proper functioning of your windows.

Maintain Drainage Channels

Self-cleaning glass works best when water can easily flow down the glass surface, washing away dirt in the process. Make sure you keep drainage channels and surrounding areas clear of build-up and debris.

Round Up: On clear reflection…

Self-cleaning glass has emerged as an innovative solution for those who seeking low-maintenance windows.  Let’s face it…we all live busier lives that would benefit from less cleaning chores.

Making the most of these stunning technologies; cutting-edge products that significantly improve our lives and keep our windows looking pristine for longer, is a wise choice.

Convenient for the majority, life-changing for physically impaired individuals, self-cleaning glass also presents an eco-friendly alternative by decreasing the reliance on harsh cleaning chemicals and water usage.

Self-cleaning glass remains a valuable option for homeowners seeking a low-maintenance solution for residential window cleaning.  With its numerous benefits, this high-tech option is catching on quickly.

Self-cleaning glass could be right up your street and better still, in your property too!