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What one should know about the difference between the pyrolytic “self-cleaning” glass and any other easy-to-clean or hydrophobic glass:
The pyrolytic Self-cleaning glass consists of a hydrophilic coating with photocatalytic properties fused into the glass at high temperatures during the manufacturing process.
Does the contact angle define quality and durability of the coating for self cleaning glass?
This is probably the single most relevant question one can ask about any hydrophobic easy-to-clean coating and perhaps the MOST HIDDEN fact by most coating suppliers as it truly uncovers the truth behind the quality of the product. Yet, most coating suppliers will typically evade this critical issue with all sorts of misleading statements and false claims:
The difference between mediocre, good and excellent hydrophobic coatings »
How to measure the water-repellency or “hydrophobicity”
The measurement that defines how water-repellent a surface is after being treated with a hydrophobic coating is called “contact angle”, also called ‘wetting angle’, which is the angle formed by the material’s surface and the tangent of the interface between the fluid (i.e.: water) and the environment at the point of contact (the glass surface for example).
Visit this Wikipedia webpage or further “contact angle” information
This is the first in a series of posts on the subject of self cleaning glass surfaces or easy to clean glass coatings.
ABSTRACT
There are many companies around the world providing glass surface treatments today. Many of them simply sell a private labeled brand (someone else’s product) and only a few own their intellectual property, meaning that there are only a few companies that have truly done enough research and development to come up with their own product with distinct and valid claims, along with a solid track record, to support what they promote.
Property developer Paul Nash of Kooks Ltd in Hove, recently chose Juliette balconies from Balcony Systems to enhance his development of three luxury townhouses.
The properties, based in East Grinstead, are contemporary and Paul wanted to keep the clean lines and funky feel to the houses while maximising the use of light and space.
Balcony’s innovative products offer exciting opportunities for window companies looking for new revenue streams.
“Being a dealer for Balcony has added around £250,000 a year to our turnover.”
Property developer Paul Nash of Kooks Ltd in Hove specified Juliette balconies in his East Grinstead development.
The project is a luxury gated development of three mews houses in the centre of the town. Set back from the main street in a secluded position, each three bedroom house has a large (2.84m) standard Juliette balcony on the master bedroom at the rear of the property and a bespoke 15sq metre balcony with hand rails at the front to the second bedroom, which could also be used as a study or dining room.
In Leamington Spa homeowner Nick Tiffin recently completed an extensive extension to his detached five bedroom home.
Building on to the house at the side, the rear and the top was a major investment of money and time, costing in excess of £250,000 and taking about 10 months to complete. Nick used various contractors to carry out the work to the £700,000 property:
