I keep seeing ads for these "self-cleaning" windows and honestly, sounds too good to be true. Anyone here actually tried them? Do they really stay clean or is it more like "slightly less dirty"? Curious if they're worth the extra cash.
"Do they really stay clean or is it more like 'slightly less dirty'?"
From what I've seen, they're definitely not magic. A neighbor installed them last year—sure, they handle dust and minor grime better, but bird droppings or heavy rain streaks? You'll still be out there scrubbing occasionally...
Yeah, I'd second that. Installed a bunch of these for clients over the past few years, and while they do help cut down on regular cleaning chores, they're not some miracle solution. They seem to handle basic dust and pollen pretty well, but anything sticky or stubborn—like sap or bird droppings—still needs elbow grease. Bottom line, they're handy but don't toss out your ladder and squeegee just yet...
Installed a few of these myself, and honestly, clients seem pretty happy overall. One homeowner said it saved him from constantly battling pollen season. But yeah, bird droppings...those still require some scrubbing. Wonder if certain brands handle grime better than others?
I've installed a fair share of these windows, and yeah, they do cut down on general dirt buildup—especially pollen and dust. But heavy grime or bird mess? Still gotta get out the ladder occasionally...not exactly magic glass.
"Still gotta get out the ladder occasionally...not exactly magic glass."
True enough, but to be fair, I don't think any reasonable homeowner expects complete hands-off maintenance. I've had these installed for about two years now, and while bird droppings and tougher grime still need manual cleaning, the frequency has noticeably decreased. It might not be magic, but definitely more than just marketing fluff—at least for someone like me who values fewer weekend chores.
- Had mine for about a year now, and honestly, I'm still on the fence.
- Definitely agree they're not magic (sadly, Harry Potter tech isn't here yet...), but yeah, there's a noticeable improvement in how often I have to climb up there.
- Bird droppings are still my nemesis though—no glass seems to repel those feathered fiends!
- For me, the biggest plus is during rainy seasons; windows dry cleaner without streaks or spots, which is nice.
- Still skeptical about the longevity factor though—will they still have this effect five years down the line? Jury's out on that one.
- Bottom line: not pure fluff, but don't toss your ladder just yet...
I've had mine about two years now, and yeah, bird droppings are still a pain...but overall, fewer ladder trips for sure. Wondering though, anyone notice if the coating's effectiveness fades gradually or just suddenly stops working one day?
"Wondering though, anyone notice if the coating's effectiveness fades gradually or just suddenly stops working one day?"
Mine are pushing three years now, and honestly, I haven't noticed any sudden drop-off. If anything, it's been a slow fade—like it gradually loses that initial slickness. Still beats climbing ladders every other weekend, though. Bird droppings are stubborn no matter what you use...but overall, I'm convinced they're worth it. Even if the coating isn't perfect forever, getting a few solid years of reduced maintenance is a win in my book.
Mine have been up for about a year and a half now, and I've noticed something similar—no sudden drop-off, just a slow decline in effectiveness. At first, rain would practically wash everything away without effort. Now I see some streaks lingering behind, especially after heavier storms. Still, compared to my old windows (which seemed to attract dirt like magnets), it's a noticeable improvement. I'd say the coating isn't magic, but it definitely cuts down on hassle.