Thursday 12 December 2013

Glass Roof - Wrapped in Glass Project

 The client wanted an absolutely natural living experience, with the roof carrying enough soil to plant a variety of plants.
 
 The roots would eventually make an interesting pattern as they wormed along the glass surface!
 
 The glass has all been treated with Clearshield Protect which provides a protection against the harmful effects of any alkalines in the damp soils.
 
 Clearshield is 100% non-toxic when properly applied and cured onto glass.
 
Due to this unique feature, the architect had peace of mind in specifying Clearshield for this “Glass House” situated in one of the most scenic areas of South Africa.
 
 
 



 

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Fact: Showers get dirty.

Glass is a sensitive material that reacts with its environment. Soaps, body fats, salts and minerals (limescale) can quickly build up on your shower glass.  Over time unprotected glass suffers permanent bonding of these residues causing staining and physical damage. This is why water spots become very difficult, if not impossible to remove, no matter how hard you try!

Regular washing will simply not remove them, spoiling the appearance and hygienic environment of your shower.

 

What is ClearShield and why does it work?


Working just like 'non-stick' cookware ClearShield acts as a lasting protective barrier on the surface of the glass.  It stops limescale and other residues from bonding with the glass.

ClearShield protection for glass provides a surface that:


* Resists staining from hard water deposits
* Is easier to clean
* Does not support the growth of bacteria
* Eliminates the need for harsh and abrasive cleaning products

 

Remember ClearShield in Action

 
Saves time and effort
Keeps your shower looking like new
Creates a more hygienic environment


Protect your investment
Insist on having ClearShield on your shower glass ....
 
You deserve nothing less
 
 
 
(Micrograph of cells of Staphylococcus aureus adhering to glass slides - after washing)
 
Extract of report "On adherence of bacteria to surfaces treated with ClearShield by Centre for Applied Microbiology & Research, Public Health Laboratory Service, Porton Down, Salisbury.
 
"In conclusion the results clearly show that a ClearShield coating firstly impeded adherence of bacteria and secondly encouraged desorption by washing" Public Health Laboratory Service 
 

 

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Why do customers love ClearShield so much?

 
Look at how effective ClearShield glass protection is! One half of the bottle has been specially treated with ClearShield while the other has been left untreated. Notice how the mud does not stick to the treated half  and looks as good as new, demonstrating ClearShield’s ‘non-stick’, stain-resistant properties. In practice this means glass treated with ClearShield is easier to clean and keep clean – the frequency of cleaning is also reduced by 50% on average- as well as looking like new for longer. ClearShield is manufactured by Ritec International who provide low-maintenance solutions for all kinds of glass applications.

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Introducing: Scratch Patch

 

Our customers are presenting us more often now with severely tarnished and damaged glass. Most of this damage is from alkaline attack:

·        Shower screens/panels suffer the most;

·        Irrigation systems can overspray onto window glass and eventually tarnish the surface permanently;

·        Sea spray deposited by the wind will severely damage glass surfaces if left unchecked for too long.

·        Bird lime damage on solar panels, skylights and roof windows.

All of these elements give glass a hard time, and compromise the original purpose of the glass.

The “Renovation” element of the extensive Clearshield product range has placed Clearshield as the world leaders in non-aggressive techniques to remove limescale and pollution stains from glass. But when the contaminant has been on the glass surface for too long, damage to the surface does occur.

ClearShield S.A. have launched Scratch Patch….we renovate damaged glass surfaces back to “clear”! Shower screens can be brought back to almost as new; balustrades and window glass can glisten again!

Tarnish removal will leave your glass almost “as new”.

Often there is just one scratch/blemish which ruins a large picture window….if the scratch is not too deep, ClearShield S.A. should be able to remove the scratch and still leave the glass surface architecturally acceptable.

Removal and replacement of damaged glass can be extremely costly; try our tarnish and scratch removal facility first.

.. and then add a Clearshield treatment; the long-term durable protection system for glass surfaces.

We are in association with Scratchout ( www.scratchout.co.za) and as such will remove scratches from glass .. however only within the limits of the equipment and the glass. Very deep scratches are generally not possible to remove without leaving the glass surface compromised.

Friday 13 September 2013

The ClearShield System: Architecture and Buildings




Architecture and Buildings

For architects, building contractors, building owners and facilities managers, ClearShield® gives the following benefits:

·         Reduces construction and maintenance costs and delays

·         Keeps glass looking like new and pristine appearance of façade

·         Increases satisfaction of tenants and occupiers

During Construction

Building contractors face the problem of concrete splatter, cement dust and slurry and other types of alkaline construction materials damaging and corroding the surface of glass on building sites.


ClearShield® helps to reduce:

·         remedial work and costly replacement for glass surface damage

·         costs from unsatisfactory final builder’s clean or call-backs

·         delayed certification on glazing handover

After Construction

Inevitably, unprotected glass becomes contaminated over time, ruining a building’s appearance. Typical contaminants include concrete and silicone run-off, traffic fumes, tree sap and bird lime.

The result is costly and difficult cleaning. With ClearShield® already installed however, this means:


·         less use of access equipment to maintain the glass

·         increased effectiveness and reduced frequency of window washing

·         glass stays cleaner for longer

ClearShield® Protection

The benefits of ClearShield® Low-M (Low-Maintenance) Glass go far beyond its easy-to-clean properties. It protects the glass surface from damage caused by corrosion, weathering and chemical contamination.


For glass already contaminated during or after construction, ClearShield® S.A. specialist onsite teams can renovate contaminated glass to its original ‘as-new’ appearance and then provide effective protection from future contamination.

 

 

Thursday 5 September 2013

Cleaner Glass is Greener Glass


Ordinary glass cannot meet “Green” requirements because it is much higher in frequency and difficulty of maintenance – requiring greater energy consumption through increased use of cleaning chemicals, water, fuel and other resources.

Even with frequent and intensive washing, ordinary glass becomes increasingly difficult to clean and keep clean. Its bare, unprotected surface is exposed to the causes of glass corrosion and easily becomes stained or discoloured by contaminants that bond firmly and cannot be removed by conventional cleaning methods.

The ClearShield® System from Ritec upgrades ordinary glass – even if already installed – into ClearShield® 'Non-Stick' Easy-Clean Glass.

This gives a number of Green benefits:

Cleaner, greener glass for more efficient use of resources and reduced operating costs

  • Reduced energy requirements: less need for artificial lighting, reduced frequency of cleaning by 50% on average with less trips to job sites with lower consumption of fuel and other costs, reduced costs of operating and maintaining access equipment, reduced consumption of cleaning chemicals and other materials, less risks of delays in completion of projects.

  • Greater energy efficiency: photovoltaic (PV) solar cells for electricity generation, solar panels for heating water and commercial greenhouses.

  • Reduced water requirements for glass washing or cleaning: especially where processing costs are high due to water desalination.

  • Cleaner, greener glass for reduced environmental impacts Carbon footprints: reduced emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases caused by higher usage of transportation and access equipment for maintenance, call-backs and replacements as well as production and use of cleaning supplies and equipment.

  • Hazardous cleaning chemicals and abrasive methods: normally not required for glass with durable surface protection and 'non-stick', easy-clean, low-maintenance performance.

  • Sustainability: reduced need for glass replacements due to unsightly appearance caused by surface corrosion.



Get cleaner, greener glass... ask for ClearShield®!

Monday 19 August 2013

ClearShield Energy Saving Glass™



Reduces by 50% on average the frequency of site visits for routine cleaning of glass in buildings, substantially cutting carbon dioxide emissions and costs for...
 
  • manpower
  • operation and maintenance of vehicles and access equipment
  • consumption of water, cleaning chemicals and other materials
 
Dirty glass is problem glass! It is low in visibility, high in maintenance and poor in appearance. For architectural glass in commercial and residential buildings, dirt glass means reduced light transmission and increased frequency of maintenance with higher energy costs and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
 
A not-so-satisfactory solution to dirty glass is to simply tolerate it. Another solution is to carry out frequent cleaning, but this generates high energy requirements for manpower and operation and maintenance of access equipment. It also creates high consumption of water and cleaning chemicals. Now there is a much better solution that saves energy, time and money the ClearShield® System, which upgrades ordinary, high-maintenance glass to ClearShield Energy Saving Glass™  - before, during or after construction. This new, high-performance glass has durable surface protection that is 'non-stick' and therefore much easier to clean and keep clean. ClearShield Energy Saving Glass™   is the first technology that reduces by 50% on average the energy and time requirements for cleaning glass and decreases the environmental impacts.

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Top 12 Innovations for Glass




 


Still the First and Only -

    1. Durable glass surface protection with ‘non-stick’, easy- clean, low-maintenance performance.


    2. Ways of renovating stained/discoloured glass without harsh chemicals or abrasive methods.


    3. Simple and economical after-care/maintenance for glass with ClearShield.


    4. Complete system for glass renovation, protection and maintenance.


    5. Glass surface treatment that is not classified as hazardous under health & safety or environmental regulations.


    6. Durable glass surface treatment that can be safely applied either in the factory or on-site.


    7. Solutions for durable glass surface protection before, during and after construction.


    8. Energy Savings — architectural glass:
    Reduces by 50% on average the frequency of site visits for routine cleaning of glass in buildings—substantially cutting carbon dioxide emissions and costs for manpower, operation and maintenance of vehicles and access equipment as well as consumption of water, cleaning chemicals and other materials


    9. Daylighting — architectural glass:

    Maintains the original light transmittance (t-Value) - enhancing health, well-being and productivity of building occupants.


    10. Energy Conversion Efficiency — solar energy panels:

    Retains energy conversion efficiency by maintaining original light transmission.


    11. Anti-microbial — health and hygiene markets:

    The first transparent, re-treatable glass surface treatment resisting adhesion and growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi.


    12. Direct Food Contact and High Temperature — glass cookware and oven doors:

    The first transparent, re-treatable glass surface treatment meeting test requirements of the EU and the USA Food & Drug Administration (FDA).