The  new website is solely focused on the new BalcoNano® self-application glass coating process that transforms ordinary glass into self-cleaning glass.

The introduction of this easy-to-apply DIY sachet solution follows the huge success of our unique, patented factory-applied coating across our entire range of modern glass balconies, glass Juliet balconies and curved patio doors.

Protecting glass, keeping it new and clean

BalcoNano® works at a nano-scale level – a nanometre is one millionth of a millimetre – to form a hard, clear coating that leaves a super-smooth surface on the glass. It transforms the dirt-trapping microscopic pits, peaks and valleys of the underlying glass surface into one that is water-repellent or hydrophobic.

Water that comes in contact with the coated glass curls into droplets that quickly roll away, so any dirt, grime or deposits wash off easily to keep the glass surface looking new and cleaner for longer.

“Having achieved tremendous success and high levels of customer satisfaction with our pre-applied revolutionary coating, it was clear there was a demand from our customers, dealers and installers for an answer to protecting already-installed glass,” explains Balcony Managing Director, Effi Wolff.

“As customers started to recognise the immense benefit of our self-cleaning glass coating that dramatically reduces cleaning cycles, we rose to the challenge in creating the BalcoNano® sachets system. It meets this obvious market need for a convenient on-site application, which also works for other glass products and elements so these too can enjoy the protective advantages of the coating,” he continues.

Applied in minutes

Intensive research and effort was placed on creating a retro fit solution as we adapted our factory-applied coating so that BalcoNano® can now be applied to glass that is already installed using a two-part sachet process – a special glass cleaner and the BalcoNano® coating. Each sachet contains a pre-soaked towelette ready for immediate use.

Designed for use by the homeowner or professionals alike, the unique coating can be applied in minutes to existing glass in doors and windows, conservatories, shower enclosures and much more.

Because the coating chemistry works just as well on other silica-based products such as ceramics, porcelain, marble and stone, the sachets can be used to apply the coating to kitchen tops, sinks, ceramic tiles and many other areas.

Effi adds: “The BalcoNano® glass coating offers an eco-friendly and durable solution that literally pays for itself; both in saved cleaning frequency and time, plus in eliminating the need for use of expensive chemical cleaners.”

Positive customer feedback

Customer feedback on the BalcoNano® glass coating has been extremely positive, with many homeowners commenting on much lower maintenance needed. Bryan and Melanie Heslop from Tyne and Wear, said: “Our Juliette balcony overlooks the sea, so the self-cleaning glass means lower maintenance and less cleaning because of the salt air.”

Adrian and Catrin Hughes from West Wales, reported: “We have noticed a difference with the self-cleaning glass coating. Our Juliette balcony keeps a lot cleaner compared to the windows and we keep the countryside views.”

Brett and Helena James from Margate, Kent, said: “Despite being close to the sea, we’ve not had to clean the self-cleaning glass panels in the eight months since the balcony was installed.”

Paul and Margaret Ratcliffe from Sheffield, commented: “We specified self-cleaning coated glass as it really does work; there’s a noticeable difference compared to normal glass. It stays much cleaner as the water runs off it quickly. Being glass, the balcony lets in plenty of light and keeps the garden views.”

Peter Morley from Taunton, Somerset, reported: “The self-cleaning glass does stay very clean. In the four months since the Juliette balcony was installed, I’ve not had to clean it.”

Initially it is important to stress to never use harsh cleaners or chemicals on your treated/coated surfaces as it may damage the coating and the underlying surface.

How does the coating work?

When viewed under a microscope, standard glass actually has a pitted surface to which water, lime scale and soap scum can latch to. This builds up with everyday weather and environmental elements. The glass will then require regular cleaning and scrubbing just to keep them clear, clean and hygienic.

Taking its inspiration from plants, our coating forms an invisible and smooth Nano (measured in nano-metres) shield. This shield prevents the collection and building up of dirt and grime.

The hydrophobic (water repelling) properties of the coating cause water to run off freely, washing away residue and dirt as it goes.

Better for the environment

This coating is truly eco-friendly. In a manner of speaking, water and rain does the cleaning for you, so it’s more hygienic and with fewer bacteria there’s NO need for harsh chemical cleaners – which is a viable way to stop this horrid chemical pollution and is kind to the environment

Similar to the way Teflon®-coated cooking pans make cleaning easier, our coating dramatically reduces the cleaning required, making it less of a burden and less frequent.

If you follow the maintenance tips below will ensure many years of satisfaction from this wonderful coating.

Care and maintenance

Cleaning method: Wet the surface and use a nylon sponge to wipe it down, rubbing in a circular motion. You should feel any ‘sticky’ places becoming smooth again. Then rinse or spray the surface with clean water, let the water drain off and wipe dry.

Maintenance and care vary substantially according to the type of application (treated surface type and location/exposure) and the abrasion which the treated material is exposed to. Abrasion means any mechanical (such as windshield wiper on an automobile) or non-mechanical force (such as wind or dust) affecting the treated product. Thus, an exterior architectural glass structure exposed to all kinds of weather conditions will require much different maintenance and care than an interior application.

While our coating does make treated surfaces water and oil repellent, stain and scratch resistant, among other properties, and lasts for a long period of time (years in most cases), maintenance time is guaranteed to be reduced, depending on the application, by as much as 50% and up to 90% AND eliminates the need for any harsh, expensive and toxic chemical cleaning sprays.

Once treated with the coating, will I still need to clean the surface?

Our coating reduces cleaning time but it does not eliminate it entirely. It is similar to the development of non-stick cooking pans. While you can cook food in uncoated pans, it is so much easier to clean if you cook with non-stick pans. While you still must maintain your glass with a coated surface, the time and effort required are significantly reduced.

The subject of self-cleaning glass in the building industry and on balconies in particular has become a most interesting topic for self builders and architects alike.

Mr. Effi Wolff, Balcony’s MD was asked to bring some like on this topic by the editor of Refurb & Renew magazine.

This article is featured on page 20 and 21 of  the March/April edition of Refurb & Renew magazine.

This can be viewed online at: http://www.wavcoms.co.uk/emags/RRmagazine/2011/RR8926_2011MAR/pageflip.html

Refurb & Renew magazine  is printed with a circulation of 10,900 and it also appears on-line and is emailed to 22,000 named on-line specifiers.

Speaking after the popular Excel 2011 event, General Manager Lesley Woodcraft said: “We had a great response to our stand, securing new orders and closing a number of deals at the show. These included some visitors who purchased more products from us while they were on the stand.”

Property developers, architects and prospective customers thronged the stand, along with current private customers who gave feedback and expressed their satisfaction with existing installations.

“One customer who had ordered one curved patio door and a fixed curved window wanted a quote for three curved patio doors instead. Inquiries also included a Scottish builder wishing to become a Balcony Systems dealer and an architect seeking balustrading. It was a very positive show for us,” added Lesley.

Balcony Systems’ products are innovative and simple to install, opening up limitless design possibilities for all types of new build and refurbishment projects. An optional self-cleaning glass coating is also available across the entire product range of curved patio doors, glass balustrading and Juliette balconies to greatly reduce maintenance.

Applied on both sides of the glass, the patented self clean coating creates a smooth surface that quickly repels water, dirt and grime to help keep it looking clean for longer.

This maintenance-reducing benefit was the key reason why Rhian and John Powell Jones chose the Balcony Systems Juliette balcony for their new-build home at Harlech, North Wales.

“The self-cleaning glass definitely influenced our choice of balustrading as our house is in an elevated position overlooking the sea,” comments Rhian. “It’s very windy so we often get fine salty and grainy deposits carried in the air. This glass certainly helps to reduce the amount of cleaning we have to do – leaving us more time to enjoy the view.”

She adds: “Not only does the Juliette balcony look great from the inside and outside, it’s easy to look after too.”

Low maintenanca, crystal clear glass

Applied using a special ‘vapour chamber’ process, this unique patented double-sided coating creates a smooth surface that quickly repels water, dirt and grime. Protected from the elements on both sides, glass stays looking clean for longer; requiring just the occasional wipe down with a wet cloth.

The innovative coating can also be applied on all colours of glass, including tinted panels, providing an affordable, readily available and convenient extra benefit for architects, specifiers and designers to offer their clients.

Available now across Balcony Systems’ entire product range, including curved patio doors, the self-cleaning glass coating can be specified at the design stage for bespoke projects or supplied on off-the-shelf Juliette balconies.

Fantastic customer feedback

Managing Director Effi Wolff comments: “Introducing this self-cleaning glass coating option has put Balcony Systems firmly at the forefront of innovative and practical balcony solutions. It has generated fantastic customer feedback, as well as growing demand from architects for a distinctive feature to offer their clients.”

Mr Wilkie comments: “I looked for a balustrade that would complement the modern look and style of the property but also didn’t obstruct the fantastic views. I went along to Grand Designs Live and there I came across Balcony Systems. Immediately I could see their products were different from competing brands. Visually their balustrade is more appealing. I was particular drawn to the clean, sharp finish of their products and the fact there are no ugly clamps in between each pane of glass. Their balustrade is the perfect finish to the terrace.

“An additional benefit,” Mr Wilkie continues, “is that Balcony’s products are simple, quick and straightforward to install. I completed the installation myself with the help of my carpenter and it was done in no time at all. I’m really pleased with the product and the value it adds to my home.”

Balcony’s complete range of balustrades are now available with self cleaning glass coating on both sides of the glass as an optional extra.

Balcony’s Managing Director Effi Wolff says “We have just had another fantastic show. We always find that Grand Designs is the right show for us and puts us and our products in front of the right sort of public. There is no doubt that this was one of our best shows ever with hundreds of new enquiries and new sales taken at the show”

Balcony exhibited their proprietary glass railing systems, Juliet balconies and their stunning curved doors.

“There was a great increase in interest in our curved sliding doors” continues Effi Wolff “We see the interest grow from show to show as architects become aware of the ability to have curved glass sliding doors and send their customer to feel the product first hand.”

Balcony exhibited a set of doors that is 2.6m high creating a stunning reaction from the public.

All the glass railings and juliets on the stand of course had Balcoiny’s new double sided self clean coating that is prooving to be a giant success.

Balcony views magazine

Plenty of very interesting information in the magazine of galss balconies, curved doors and self cleaning glasses.

A further 10,000 copies are due to be distributed over the next few months at trade shows and to all new enquiries recieved by Balcony Systems.

We have started work on our next edition which is scheduled for publication in February 2011.

For further details, to request a copy, to download the media pack or a copy of the magazine go to www.BalconyViews.co.uk

Balcony Views s published by Balcony Systems together with an array of partners supplying high quality products to the building industry.