What Window Film to Choose for my Home or Office

posted by Solar Shield, 1 year ago

Window films for your home or office are different than auto window tint. Window films today are sophisticated products with multiple layers of protection yet only millimeters thick. So what window film do I choose for my home or office?

There are eight main types of window films:
  1. Standard Metallized Films

  • Made of a tiny metal particles on polyester film that reflects heat away instead of absorbing it. This gives it a reflective or shiny look.
  • The film may contain dye to reduce the amount of visible light.
  • Can reduce total solar energy by up to 80%.
  • Can reduce glare by up to 80%.
  • Can reduce Infrared solar heat.
  • Offers daytime privacy

2. Duel Reflective Films

  • Inside view is a subtle, more neutral look that typically won’t make your windows look mirrored.
  • Outside is reflective, so you can see through it but people on the street see only reflections.
  • Can block up to 99.9% of the ultra violet rays.
  • Allows you to see outside at night better than reflective films.
  • Known as dual reflective or night vision, offers lower interior reflection.

3. Neutral Films

  • Can block up to 99.9% of the ultra violet rays.
  • Adds only a little tint to preserve the current look of your windows and the natural quality of sunlight.
  • Hard to notice a change to the appearance of the windows outside or inside.

4. Spectrally Selective Films

  • Improves the performance of the glass in your home without the expense of new windows.
  • Comes in clear to a subtle hint of gray.
  • Ability to block more than 99% of skin and interior home or office damaging UV rays.
  • Powerful heat reduction
  • Technology that targets the sun’s hottest rays (infrared rays).

5. Ceramic Films

  • No metals to interfere with electronics or phone reception.
  • Improves indoor comfort by reducing excess heat or hot spots.
  • Same low reflectivity as glass.
  • Block 99% of the ultra violet rays.
  • Helps with energy savings but cost much less than replacing windows.
  • Reduces glare.

6. Low E Films

  • Made like the reflective films but uses different metals that affect the Infrared Rays which lowers emissivity (Low E). This improves year-round energy performance.
  • Reflects up to 30% heat back into the room in the cold winter months.
  • Rejects up to 70% of total solar energy in the summer hot months.
  • Reflective in appearance both outside during the day and inside during the night.

7. Nanotechnology Films

  • Nanotechnology is material (metals, ceramics or polyester) engineered structures.
  • Nano-materials have a length scale between 1 and 100 nanometers. At this size, the material begins to change properties that affect physical, chemical, and biological behavior of the material.
  • Reduces more heat and yet allowing more visible light.

8. Combination Films and others

  • Decorative films to offer esthetics or privacy
  • Security film and combination security and sun control films. These can offer safety, reduced heat, reduced glare and ultra violet ray protection.

decorative film

Facts to Consider When Choosing Film
  1. What are your concerns, issues?
  • Energy costs
  • Excess heat and hot spots
  • Glare, can’t see computer screens or television
  • Fading
  • Peak power demand issues
  • HVAC systems that cannot maintain even temperature or ware with too much use.
  • Esthetics on the exterior of a building, especially with a variety of different windows (glass).
  • Privacy

Whether you want to get great savings on your energy bills, make it more comfortable on your eyes, reduce fading or change your home’s appearance the right window film can help. Consider your needs and see which films will work best to address your issues. Make sure and speak to your window film representatives, make your needs clear to them and they will help you choose the best films for you. You may request an in-home estimate with a few different materials to help you weigh the cost along with the performance.

Have a question? Contact Us Below

Our staff are happy to assist you.  For immediate assistance call (952) 226-2000.

    Have questions? call 952-226-2000