Hydrotect by Crossville Improves the Health of the Built Environment
Imagine if your asset had an exterior façade or patio that cleaned naturally with water. What if that same surface purified the air by breaking down nitrogen oxides produced by exhaust fumes and smoke? While this may sound a bit futuristic, the future is now and it is called Hydrotect.
By Mike Ratliff, Senior Associate Editor
Imagine if your asset had an exterior façade or patio that cleaned naturally with water. What if that same surface purified the air by breaking down nitrogen oxides produced by exhaust fumes and smoke? Furthermore, what if that magic surface was anti-microbial? While this may all sound a bit futuristic, the future is now, and it is called Hydrotect.
Hydrotect is a coating that can be applied to any Crossville tile during a second firing process after the tile is traditionally glazed and fired. The nanaotechnology was developed by TOTO Corp. to improve the health properties of the built environment, and functions in a similar way that plants harness light for photosynthesis.
The treatment is comprised of a triple silver-copper-titanium dioxide mixture that creates tile a trifecta of beneficial properties. First off, Hydrotect makes the surface easy to clean. The coating is hydrophilic, so it attracts water molecules, which form a fine film on the tile. This film reduces adhesion of dust particles and helps stop oily dirt from sticking in the first place. Even without water, the surface has a anti-static property that resists dirt and other fine particles. Additionally, Hydrotect by Crossvile also degrades algae so it cleans naturally without toxic chemicals.
The second benefit of the Hydrotect coating is its air purification properties. When the surface is exposed to sunlight, nitrogen oxides break down into harmless nitrates. In fact, a 10,000-square-foot area can clean the air as effectively as 70 deciduous trees. For interior spaces, Hydrotect can reduce VOCs such as formaldehyde, and will also help minimize odors in bathrooms and kitchens.
Metals in the Hydrotect coating act as anti-microbial agents by breaking down micro organisms. Third party testing showed that treated tile reduced Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by 99 percent or more. The anti-microbial, anti-mold and anti-mildew capabilities all help keep the air and environment cleaner and healthier—again without the use of chemicals or cleaning agents.
For morning information of Hydrotect by Crossville, be sure to check out their site with all details. The video below will also show the treatment in action.
