Window Films
Controlling Heat, light, UV and vision
Hardly a day goes by without someone asking me for a window film that stops people looking in, doesn't alter the look looking out, blocks heat and glare, but without reducing the light coming in. Unfortunately, it can't be done and in this section I'll try to explain why.
As you can imagine, there are dozens of different manufacturers producing dozens of different films but I'm going to concentrate on the main film types here. These are my own findings and assume that the film is fitted internally.
A perfect film, in a lot of people's eyes will be the one I mentioned above, that is, it gives one way privacy, blocks heat, but without reducing the light. As there's no such thing as a perfect film, everything is going to be a trade off, one quality against another.
There are several types of solar control window films, the main two being Reflective Window Films and Absorptive Window Films, other noteworthy variations called Dual layer or Hybrid Window Films and Spectrally Selective Window Films.
Solar Control
Solar control film is the broad term that covers window films specifically designed to reduce heat and glare. They are available in reflective, absorptive and hybrid types in a range of shades and reflective qualities. All these films block more than 99% of all harmfull UV. They can reduce harmful and damaging UV rays while giving significant reductions in ambient room temperature
Safety and Security
Safety films are designed to hold glass fragments together in the event of accidental breakage. These films can be used to upgrade existing glass to meet safety standards. Security films are thicker films, usually combined with an edge retention system, which bonds the film, glass and frame together. They are used to provide protection in the event of intentional breakage, blast damage etc.
Anti Graffiti
Anti graffiti films can be fitted to all smooth, flat and two dimensional surfaces including stone and marble. They can protect against many forms of graffiti and cleaned with household chemicals until such time as they need replacement.
All these films are clear in appearance and block 99% of all harmfull UV.
UV and Fading Reduction
Damage caused by the sun can potentially cause irriversible damage to furniture, shop front displays, flooring and artwork. Although all the films we supply block around 99% of all UV, in certain applications, an optically clear film is required.
From houses in conservation areas through to stately homes, museums etc we can install an optically clear, non tinted film that will block 99% of all harmfull UV, reducing fading and sun damage by around 45%.
Privacy and Decorative
Privacy and decorative films can be made from vinyl or polyester, from the ever popular frosted film (also known as opaque or etched films) to a huge range of decorative films.
These films have no solar control properties other than some reduction in UV.
