A WINDOW THAT CLEANS ITSELF?
NEW GLASS USES SUN'S RAYS TO MAKE WINDOWS SELF-CLEANING, FREEING UP TIME
BACKGROUND:
TOLEDO, Ohio, U.S.A., June 26, 2001 - Do you do windows? Now, you don't have to. This summer, Pilkington North America is introducing a new glass product that just might make washing windows a thing of the past.
"Your time is very valuable these days, and with Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass, you can spend less of it cleaning windows and more time with family, playing golf and other activities," said Rick Karcher, president of Pilkington Building Products North America.
Pilkington Activ™ glass is a new glass that uses the sun's UV rays to gradually and continuously break down and dissolve organic dirt through what's called a photocatalytic effect. After being installed, windows with Pilkington Activ™ glass will need to be exposed to UV rays for several days to activate the photocatalytic properties. Once activated, the photocatalytic process will continue to work at night and even on cloudy days.
At the same time, it reduces the surface tension of water to cause it to sheet down the surface and wash away dirt to leave windows clean. This is called a hydrophilic effect. Pilkington Activ™ glass is the first and only glass manufactured with these self-cleaning properties. It can be used in new and replacement windows and skylights in homes, apartments and condominiums. It can also be used in commercial and institutional buildings, such as offices, schools and universities, retail stores, etc.
INTERVIEW INCLUDES:
- Dr. Kevin Sanderson, Senior Project Manager Pilkington European Technical Centre
- Rick Karcher, President of Pilkington Building Products North America
- Bill Schoen, Custom Home Builder
B-ROLL INCLUDES:
- Homeowners commenting on cleaning windows and their reaction to Pilkington Activ™ glass properties
- Interview with, Dr. Kevin Sanderson, Senior Project Manager Pilkington European Technical Center
- Interview with, Rick Karcher, President of Pilkington Building Products North America
- Pilkington Activ™ glass animation demonstrating how self cleaning glass works
- Simulated side-by-side comparison showing how rain reacts to the surface of float glass and Pilkington Activ™ glass
Video Provided By: Pilkington North America