ClearShield Saves Construction Costs for Everyone

Damage to raw glass surfaces during the construction process can be costly, but this can be avoided by converting ordinary glass into Low-M® (Low-Maintenance) Glass with Ritec’s ClearShield System...

The use of ClearShield Glass Protect makes glass easier to clean, keeps it looking like new, reduces costs and increases customer satisfaction.

During construction, concrete splatter, cement dust and slurry, as well as other types of alkaline construction materials, damage and corrode the surface of glass. This can be a particular problem for large scale projects, with greater quantities of glass in windows, doors, curtain walling and so on. Water run-off carrying contaminants and air pollution containing chemicals can also adhere to the glass surface, and if allowed to bond to the glass, cleaning is either very expensive or impossible, requiring the costly replacement of the glass itself. Inadequately protected glass results in a dirty and unsightly look, expensive clean down and lengthy delays in construction. It also leads to dissatisfied customers and occupants because of a spoiled glass façade.

ClearShield Glass Protect is a surface finish which provides unique protection to the glass before, during and after construction, by making the glass stain resistant as well as being easier to clean and keep clean in the future. It is part of a fully-integrated system for the renovation, protection and maintenance of glass, and can be applied in the factory before installation or on-site after installation, using either manual or fully automatic spraying equipment as part of Ritec’s award-winning ClearShield System. The renovation process can remove most staining from glass as long as no physical damage has yet occurred.

Among the major projects to recognise the problem of the potential damage to the glass surface is the new Bangkok International Airport in Thailand, currently being built, which had ClearShield specified to protect the glass during construction. With approximately 100,000m² of glass being installed, protecting the glass with ClearShield will save both time and money for architects and building contractors alike.

ClearShield Glass Protect, a proven glass surface finish that is not a film or a coating, has a successful track record of more than 20 years on all types of glass in a wide range of applications. These include architectural and residential glazing – including conservatory roofs – as well as shower and sandblasted glass. The protection is based on the company’s proven polymer technology enhanced with a new and more active catalyst. It ensures higher resistance to corrosion and staining for easier cleaning without the need for harsh chemicals.

Even if ordinary, unprotected glass is stained after construction, the ClearShield system can renovate the glass into an 'as-new’ condition and then be applied with ClearShield to resist future staining. Examples include the Lloyd’s of London building, train platform shelters and a hotel near Heathrow airport.

Stephen Byers, Ritec’s Managing Director, says, “There are so many ways that raw glass surfaces can be damaged on a building site, so it makes sense to protect them from the outset. ClearShield offers the ideal solution as it protects glass and keeps it looking clean, saving time and money, not only during the construction period but for many years to come. The resulting glass is easy to see through and to keep bright and sparkling."