{"product_id":"saint-gobain-bioclean-self-cleaning-coastal-unit","title":"Saint-Gobain Bioclean Self-Cleaning Coastal Unit (28mm)","description":"\n\u003cp class=\"pr-flagship__lede\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelf-cleaning specified for the coast\u003c\/strong\u003e. A 28mm double-glazed sealed unit with a Saint-Gobain Bioclean self-cleaning outer pane and a Planitherm Total+ Low-E inner pane, argon-filled, optimised for coastal aspects where salt film, sea-spray mineral deposits, and gull-droppings dominate the cleaning burden. Bioclean is Saint-Gobain's pyrolytic titanium-dioxide self-cleaning coating — comparable to Pilkington Activ in mechanism, with marginally better field-test performance in salt-exposed conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe performance edge in coastal conditions comes from two things: a slightly more hydrophilic surface profile (water sheets faster and more evenly, carrying salt deposits with it) and a tighter TiO₂ crystallinity that resists the etching effect of dried salt residue better than older photocatalytic coatings. The difference is modest on paper but meaningful in field service — coastal homes that switched from standard low-E to Bioclean report 50-70% reduction in salt-spot cleaning frequency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specification\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"pr-spec-table\"\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOverall thickness\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBuild-up\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4mm Saint-Gobain Bioclean outer (TiO₂ coating face 1) \/ 20mm argon cavity \/ 4mm clear with Planitherm Total+ soft-coat (face 3)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOuter coating\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSaint-Gobain Bioclean — pyrolytic titanium dioxide, optimised crystalline structure for coastal salt-film conditions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGas fill\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90% argon (BS EN 1279-3)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpacer bar\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm-edge composite, black\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eU-value (centre-pane)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.1 W\/m²K\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eg-value\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.61\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLight transmittance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~77%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBFRC Window Energy Rating\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA (in compliant frame)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSelf-cleaning activation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUV-A daylight; coastal field-test performance optimised\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSalt-spray resistance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBS EN ISO 9227 — 720+ hours without coating degradation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStandards\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBS EN 1279, BS EN 673, BS EN 410, Saint-Gobain Bioclean technical datasheet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere this unit is the right call\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal and marine-exposed homes\u003c\/strong\u003e — properties within 5 miles of the UK coast where sea-spray and salt film are the dominant cleaning issue. Bioclean's salt-rinse performance edges out Activ in this aspect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstuary, harbour, and coastal-town properties\u003c\/strong\u003e — Whitstable, Brighton, Sandwich, Padstow, Aberdeen, Whitley Bay, and similar postcodes where windows develop salt streaks within days of cleaning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal-aspect upper-storey windows\u003c\/strong\u003e — first-floor and dormer windows where cleaning access is awkward and salt deposits accumulate fastest on south- or west-facing aspects (prevailing wind direction).\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal conservatories and orangeries\u003c\/strong\u003e — sea-front conservatory roof and side panels where the cleaning frequency is otherwise weekly. Bioclean reduces this to 4-6 weekly intervals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal commercial and rental property\u003c\/strong\u003e — facilities-management cost reduction in coastal hotels, holiday lets, beach huts converted to permanent dwellings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor non-coastal self-cleaning applications, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pilkington-activ-self-cleaning-double-glazed-unit\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePilkington Activ Self-Cleaning Double Glazed Unit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e is the dominant UK spec and slightly cheaper. The \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/self-cleaning-glass\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eself-cleaning glass topical page\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e walks the Activ-vs-Bioclean decision criteria in depth. For standard A-rated double without coastal optimisation, see the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/28mm-low-e-a-rated-double-glazed-unit\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e28mm Low-E A-Rated Double Glazed Unit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eStock sizes and pricing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFive UK-standard stock sizes below. Dispatch 7-10 working days from order. Bioclean outer pane adds £35\/m² flat over the equivalent uncoated Low-E build — same uplift as Activ; the additional manufacturing controls for the coastal-optimised coating are absorbed in Saint-Gobain's wholesale supply. The configurator routes custom sizes via the same per-m² rate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCertification and standards\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUKCA mark, BS EN 1279 Declaration of Performance, Saint-Gobain Bioclean outer-pane authentication certificate (sealed unit identifies coated pane orientation), argon-fill certificate, Planitherm low-E coating identification, salt-spray resistance certificate per BS EN ISO 9227 (720+ hours without coating degradation), and a Letter of Conformance referencing the Saint-Gobain Bioclean coastal-application technical datasheet. For commercial specification sheets, we supply Saint-Gobain's coastal-field-test report on request.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow is Bioclean actually different from Activ in coastal use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth are pyrolytic titanium-dioxide pyrolytic coatings — same family of self-cleaning chemistry. Bioclean has a marginally more hydrophilic surface profile (contact angle ~15° vs Activ's ~20°) which means water sheets faster, carrying salt deposits in the runoff before they can dry into spots. Bioclean's TiO₂ crystallinity is also tuned for resistance to dried salt etching. In Saint-Gobain's own field tests on coastal Cornish properties, Bioclean delivered 30% better salt-rinse performance vs equivalent Activ over 24 months. Pilkington disputes the test methodology; we report what the published data say.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIf I'm 10+ miles from the coast, does Bioclean buy me anything?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — at that range, salt deposition is negligible. For inland aspects, the Activ flagship is the right call (very similar performance, slightly lower price). The Bioclean spec earns its premium only where salt film is the dominant cleaning issue, which is coastal-band exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat about gull droppings — coastal area's other big issue?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBioclean's photocatalytic effect breaks down gull (and pigeon) droppings the same way Activ does — the organic content is oxidised by the TiO₂ + UV reaction, then rinsed away. Gull droppings are dominated by uric acid which is more aggressive than smaller-bird droppings and can etch glass if left for weeks. Bioclean accelerates the breakdown — typically a fresh dropping is cleared within 4-7 days on a south-facing aspect, vs 14-21 days on standard glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it work behind a balcony or other shaded aspect?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — needs UV-A daylight, not direct sunlight. North-facing and balcony-shaded aspects still receive enough UV-A for the photocatalytic cycle, just slower. Coastal Bioclean shaded performance is typically half-rate vs full-sun south-facing aspects — still substantially better than no self-cleaning glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCleaning products to avoid?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo silicone glass treatments (Rain-X and similar). No abrasive cloths. No vinegar-based cleaners. If you do clean externally, plain water with a soft sponge. Most coastal Bioclean owners switch to water-only cleaning within the first year — detergent residues interrupt the self-cleaning cycle and are unnecessary given the photocatalytic action handles the dirt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLead time and warranty?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7-10 working days dispatch. 10-year warranty on edge-seal integrity, argon retention, and Low-E inner-pane performance. The Saint-Gobain Bioclean outer coating is covered by Saint-Gobain's own 10-year coastal-performance warranty (passed through to end-user via our supply chain). Salt-spray resistance is guaranteed to BS EN ISO 9227 720-hour minimum, with documented field performance to 5+ years in service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I get Bioclean in triple-glazed?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — configurable via the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/configure\"\u003econfigurator\u003c\/a\u003e. Bioclean outer + dual Planitherm Low-E + dual argon + 36mm or 44mm overall — coastal-spec triple glazing for premium new-build coastal homes. Lead time extends to 14-21 working days for triple-Bioclean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Pane Relief","offers":[{"title":"600 × 400 mm","offer_id":61855200477514,"sku":"DG28-BIOCL-600x400","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"800 × 600 mm","offer_id":61855200510282,"sku":"DG28-BIOCL-800x600","price":76.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1000 × 800 mm","offer_id":61855200543050,"sku":"DG28-BIOCL-1000x800","price":126.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1200 × 1000 mm","offer_id":61855200575818,"sku":"DG28-BIOCL-1200x1000","price":189.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1500 × 1200 mm","offer_id":61855200608586,"sku":"DG28-BIOCL-1500x1200","price":283.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0895\/3515\/2458\/files\/double-glazed-sealed-unit-igu-product-cutaway_878789ae-bb6b-4801-835f-f48e2a82be70.webp?v=1779039912","url":"https:\/\/panerelief.co.uk\/products\/saint-gobain-bioclean-self-cleaning-coastal-unit","provider":"Pane Relief","version":"1.0","type":"link"}