Solar Control Window Film – The Answer to Heat and Glare Problems
Solar Control Window Film-The Answer to Heat and Glare Problems
By Richard Lancaster
Even in winter solar heat pours in through unprotected windows, causing uneven temperatures and hotspots creating a constant battle for air conditioning systems. Solar Control window film is designed to reduce the amount of solar heat transmitted through window glass by increasing reflection and absorption through the glass. Typical coloured or tinted films work primarily through increased absorption, absorbing the solar energy at the glass, thus reducing the direct heat transmission into a room. These films only offer marginal performance when compared to metallised films or reflective films.
Reflective films are precision coated with a fine layer of vaporised metal. These metallised films are designed to increase the solar energy reflection and absorption of glass. Reflective films range from moderate to excellent in performance for heat gain reduction and dependent on the grade of film chosen up to 80% of solar energy can be rejected. Films are commonly available in silver, bronze, grey, blue and green versions.
All window films have the added feature of UV inhibitors included in the laminated construction. This has the double effect of giving the film a long life expectancy without becoming brittle and cracking and also providing added protection for people, building contents and furnishings. In fact some films have been endorsed by dermatologists for the protection of patients with serious ultra violet allergies such as lupus and xeroderma pigmentosa.
Another secondary feature of solar control window film is that it can provide excellent privacy screening. The mirror like appearance of the films means that they are often referred to as “mirror films” working in exactly the same way as “one way glass”. However what needs to be pointed out in this type of situation is that the one way effect will only occur during daylight hours and that at night time with internal lighting, inward vision occurs.
The latest innovation in Solar Control films is the introduction of nanotechnology which allows multiple layers of different precious metals to be coated onto the base polyester film. These films offer a high level of heat gain reduction with the benefit of reducing the interior light levels by very small amounts.
The main benefits to commercial end users of solar control window film are, improved tenant comfort, reduced heating and cooling costs, improved aesthetics and extended air conditioning equipment life.
Solar control window film has been available in the UK since the 1960′s.Since then advancements in manufacturing processes have seen the product improve both in performance and in durability. Most films are protected by a “hard” scratch proof coating which means that the expected lifespan of the film will usually exceed ten years and can withstand the same regular cleaning and maintenance processes of ordinary glass.
The main advantages of solar control window film over more conventional methods of solar control such as blinds are; zero to low maintenance, durability, shorter pay back periods in terms of energy saving and ease of installation.
Richard Lancaster is the managing director of Lustalux Ltd a company specialising in Window Films. Among the Lustalux portfolio are solutions to many types of glazing issues including Solar Control, Privacy, Safety, Security and Bomb Blast Mitigation. In addition to these,Lustalux offers commercial blinds and signage services. The main Lustalux web site can be viewed at http://www.lustalux.co.uk.
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