Building Contractors Beware of Tempered Glass

BELFAST, MAINE, USA: There is an on going issue regarding tempered glass which can be very costly to your business. 80-90% of all tempered glass being produced today has fabricating debris fused to the surface. This debris consists of glass fines produced when the glass is cut. The glass fines are not being washed off before the glass is tempered and they become fused to the surface. This debris is microscopic, however razor blades used in the cleaning process will dislodge them and the glass fines then scratch the glass. The glass industry recommends not using razors to clean the glass. Razors are an industry standard tool for removing paint, silicon, and general debris that will inevitably get on windows during the construction phase. Asking window cleanings not the use razors is like asking carpenters not to use a hammer. There are ways to avoid the use of a razor in the final cleaning phase of construction if certain precautions are taken. A lot of window companys are now applying protective film to the glass. This film must be left on until all construction is complete to minimize the amount of paint, etc that gets on the glass during building. If windows do not have this film it is highly recommended to mask the glass as soon as the windows are installed. While this issue is with tempered glass, it is a good idea to treat all the glass at your jobsite the same.

This news report comes on the heal of recent postings after Jack Nelson of MWCoA interviewed GANA Board Chairman Cliff Monro & of Arch glass. The interview can be read here. And more information from MWCoA can be read here.

More fabricating debris info here.

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Pilkington Activ™ Self-Cleaning Glass

Pilkington Activ, the World's first self cleaning glass uses the forces of nature to maintain its clear appearance without leaving unsightly streaks. In a dual-action process organic dirt is broken down by daylight and is then washed away by rain, thus making it environmentally friendly and very easy to maintain. The benefits of self-cleaning glass are numerous. If you clean your own windows you will save time and energy as cleaning windows will be a thing of the past; if you currently employ a window cleaner, you'll save money to spend on things you really enjoy. Managing director Karl commented "I'm very pleased to announce the availability of Pilkington Activ glass in our range of conservatories. I have this glass throughout my own home and I haven't had to clean them since the day it was installed, it gives me more time to do other things." Trade Price Conservatories are a leading supplier of DIY conservatories nationwide in the UK. To see their range of conservatories available with Pilkington Activ self cleaning glass, see the company website.

Comment: And "very easy to maintain" - You mean; clean, don't you? I thought it was self cleaning? And another thing - I thought the name was changed to "low maintenance glass?" Some very dirty Pilkington Activ glass (pictured above, courtesy of John at Majestic Window Cleaning, Blackpool, UK). INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLEANING THE GLASS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

More Fabricating Debris

Alex Lambrinides of window cleaning resource tests a piece of 'Arch' tempered glass in his workshop & shows again what fabricating debris sounds like. See more video's from GANA on the float glass manufacturing processes by clicking on the pictures below.

Its interesting to note that ARCH admit that contaminating debris will possibly be present on one or both sides of the glass & dimpling or marking could be present. And that these surface conditions do not threaten the visual integrity of the product! Download the pdf here.