Types of Window Film
Lower Heat Gain
Window film is an ideal choice for any property where reducing heat while maintaining natural sunlight is important. Solar heat gain can be decreased by 55% with no detectable change in visible light transmission or exterior appearance. A 64% heat block can be achieved with only a very subtle non-reflective tint. An impressive 70% to 85% heat reduction will result with the installation of a reflective type film. The more sun-facing windows that are tinted, the bigger the difference in your utility bills. The film pays for itself in savings on energy costs.
Reduce Glare
Natural sunlight is beautiful and is the main reason we have windows. However, too much, too bright, can be very annoying, cause headaches, and make it difficult to see television or computer monitors. The darker spectrum of films can sufficiently reduce sun glare so that the outside colors appear brighter and more vivid – in effect, actually improving not detracting from your view and without noticeably darkening the room.
Minimize Ultraviolet Sun Damage
The main cause of skin cancer and the deterioration of interior furnishings is the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. These destructive rays will ruin wood floors and furniture as well as valuable art and antiques. Window film will eliminate virtually all (99%) of ultraviolet light. In addition to U.V., heat and visible light also contribute to the fading process. With its heat and light reducing properties, window film can greatly increase the life expectancy of your furnishing.
Even if you already have window treatments such as curtains, blinds, or shades, you still need window film. If not protected from the damaging ultraviolet and infrared from the sun, your expensive window treatments will deteriorate much more quickly than they would behind solar film coated glass.
Since ordinary glass is so easy to shatter, it makes sense to tint the windows if for no other reason than to add strength to the glass. In the event that the coated glass breaks, the pieces are held together by the film, thereby preventing potentially serious bodily injury. It can be an effective theft deterrent because if smashed and broken, the tinted glass remains in the frame.
Safety film is available in clear and tinted varieties, thickness ranging from 2-14 mills, and a very aggressive adhesive system. This type of film has exceptionally high tensile strength and is intended for applications that require resistance to extreme external forces such as attempted burglaries or acts of vandalism, hurricane force weather along with its airborne debris, and even bomb blasts.
Safety film, especially the thicker varieties, is sometimes installed on both sides of the glass, usually with a bead of structural adhesive around the edges for a tight bond to the frame as well as the glass, creating an incredibly strong barrier to most any external force incoming.
The cost of safety film installation is far outweighed by the peace of mind and sense of security in the knowledge that whatever the danger that exists out there stays out there!
To be looked at not through
Unlike the other window tinting products chosen for their performance, decorative film is desired for its appearance. Of all the categories of window film, this has, by far, the widest variety of visual effects.
Available in both polyester and vinyl, permanent mount and static cling some of the styles include: light-diffusing, opaque , colored, textured, patterned, lines, dots, squares, fabric, dry-erase, rear projection, stained glass, cut glass, prismatic and dichroic.
Whether it’s privacy (day and night), utility, or artistic expression, the choices are many.