ClearShield® – protecting your glazing investment

Once you’ve invested in your glazing products, you want them to stay in pristine condition for as long as possible. The surface of glass can be corroded, dulled, and will collect dirt deposits. Corrosion can be largely prevented, and the adherence of dirt discouraged, simply by adding the proven protection of ClearShield®, which is now available as an option for a reasonable additional charge on all ESG glass products.

More alarmingly, in many settings, bacteria, viruses and fungi can collect and multiply, forming a source of infection, especially in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes and leisure facilities. Glass is particularly prone to the formation of condensation, caused when it comes into contact with warmer, water-laden air. Spores and germs can breed easily in these conditions, but this too can be combated, by applying ClearShield® Anti-microbial protection to glass destined for areas where scrupulous hygiene is of the essence.

ClearShield® Anti-microbial

For indoor use only, ClearShield® Anti-microbial protection can help to prevent the prevalence and spread of potentially harmful infections such as MRSA, e-coli and C-difficile, thanks to its unique 'non-stick' surface. This acts as a barrier that resists the adhesion and growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi.

ClearShield® Anti-microbial protection can be applied to any ESG glass product on request. ESG recommends adding this treatment to glass intended for use in hospitals, nursing homes, leisure centres, swimming pools, shower enclosures, washrooms and catering establishments to help reduce the accumulation of bacteria, viruses and fungi. It also meets direct food contact test requirements of the EU and the USA Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and is therefore ideal for commercial and private kitchens. Wherever cleanliness and hygiene are important, ESG believes that this system offers a clear advantage.

Glass treated with ClearShield® Anti-Microbial protection requires up to 50% less cleaning on average and significantly reduces the incidence of harmful microbes. This improves environmental hygiene and saves on cleaning costs.

ClearShield® was tested at the world famous Porton Down Public Health Laboratory in Salisbury, which confirmed its ability to prevent bacteria deposits and to make it easier to remove bacteria during cleaning.

The ClearShield® Anti-microbial system, when used where condensation tends to collect, helps to eliminate a potential breeding ground for bacteria . It therefore also has great potential for housing, especially for the elderly, the very young, or those with asthma, helping to reduce levels of airborne impurities and promote a healthy indoor atmosphere.

Applications

General

Glass doors and partitions
Mirrors and glass furniture
Kitchen splashbacks

Sanitary

Washrooms
Shower areas / doors

Medical / Scientific

Hospitals and surgeries
Laboratories

Leisure

Spas and sports centres
Swimming pools

Food Contact

Work tops
Food counters / display areas

The ClearShield® system for exterior and interior glass

The ClearShield® durable glass surface protection system with “non-stick” easy clean performance has an impressive track record stretching back almost 30 years. It is recommended as the low maintenance solution for exterior and interior glazed surfaces as it is always easier to clean and keep clean, stays looking like new for longer and resists staining and discolouration.

Tried and trusted, the ClearShield® system delivers benefits to building contractors, building owners and facilities managers, and ensures a better working or living environment for the end users of commercial or domestic properties.

Right from the start of a building’s life, even during construction, the ClearShield® system proves its worth, protecting glazing from concrete splatter, cement dust and slurry, as well as other types of alkaline construction materials. All of these can cause damage and corrode the surface of glass on building sites, as well as making it difficult to clean the glazing satisfactorily post-construction and prior to handover.

Applying the ClearShield® system:

reduces construction and maintenance costs and delays
keeps glass looking like new and pristine appearance of façade
increases satisfaction of tenants and occupiers

The ClearShield® system 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

Into the future

As time passes, unprotected glazing will become degraded and contaminated, dulling in appearance and deteriorating in clarity. The glass is vulnerable to attack from contaminants such as rainwater, concrete and silicone run-off, traffic fumes, tree sap and bird lime. This makes it more difficult and more costly to clean effectively, and to achieve a really satisfactory result.

By opting to add ClearShield® before it reaches the construction site, the glass is protected in advance from all these potentially harmful agents, and is better able to resist their effects.

Installing ClearShield® in advance ensures: