Saw this article about a research team in Japan who came up with a new window coating that’s supposed to break down dirt even faster than the old “self-cleaning” stuff. Apparently, it uses sunlight to trigger some chemical thing (they called it photocatalysis, I think?) and then rain just washes away whatever’s left. I remember when those first came out, but honestly, my neighbor had one installed and his windows still looked grimy after a few months.
This new version supposedly works even when it’s cloudy, which is great for me since I live in Seattle and sun is like... optional here. But I’m wondering if anyone’s actually tried these newer coatings? Do they really keep windows cleaner for longer, or is it another overhyped thing that’ll just flake off after a year? I’d love to hear if anyone’s seen a difference—especially in rainy or dusty places.
I’ve actually worked with a couple of these coatings, both the older titanium dioxide-based ones and one of the newer “visible light” activated versions. The science behind them is pretty neat—photocatalysis basically means the coating reacts with light (usually UV), breaking down organic gunk so rain can rinse it off. The old-school stuff definitely needed a good dose of sun to work. Here in the Pacific Northwest, that’s not exactly reliable, right? I’ve seen plenty of disappointed homeowners who thought they’d never have to clean their windows again, only to find out moss and grime still build up, especially on north-facing glass.
The newer coatings claim to work with visible light, not just UV, so theoretically, cloudy days should still trigger the reaction. I’ve only installed a couple sets so far, but honestly, it’s too early to say if they’ll hold up long-term. The initial feedback’s been decent—windows seem to stay clearer between actual cleanings, but it doesn’t make them spotless. Stuff like pollen, mineral deposits from hard water, or sticky sap still needs some elbow grease.
One thing I’m curious about is how these coatings stand up to abrasion. In places with a lot of wind-blown grit or if you’re scrubbing to get rid of something stubborn, I wonder if the coating wears off faster. Also, not every installer preps the glass properly, which can mess with how well the stuff sticks.
Anyone else living somewhere with a ton of rain and not much sun tried these out for a full year or two? I’m all for less maintenance, but I’m a bit skeptical about the “set it and forget it” claims, especially in our climate.
Tried the visible light coatings on my south-facing windows last spring—honestly, they’re not a miracle fix. I noticed less streaking after rain, but pollen and hard water spots still stick around. If you’ve got trees nearby or wind kicking up grit, you’ll be scrubbing anyway. Prep matters a ton, too. If installers cut corners, forget it—the coating just flakes off. These are nice for reducing effort, but “maintenance-free” is wishful thinking in a rainy climate like ours.
You’re spot on about prep—surface contamination is the #1 reason these coatings fail early. I’ve seen a lot of jobs where installers skip the deep clean or rush the curing, and then the coating just peels after a season. One thing I’m curious about: did you notice any difference in how fast the glass fogs up? Some coatings seem to help with condensation, but I’ve also seen them make it worse if applied unevenly. As for the “self-cleaning” claim, yeah, it’s more like “slightly less dirty, slightly less often.” Still beats scrubbing every month, but it’s not magic.