If you are a homeowner or commercial building owner whose home or office structure has large windows that let in high amounts of sunlight, but you don’t want to cover them up with blinds or shades, then heat control window film may be an effective alternative means to shield the interior of your space from the harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Window film is a thin — and virtually undetectable — layer of plastic affixed to either the inside or outside surface of window glass, although applying it to the interior side is typically most effective. Window film can also come in many different types of tints (from totally opaque to dark and metallic) and can be cleaned with certain types of non-abrasive materials. This protection solution can also be more affordable than shades or blinds in certain cases. Here are some of the benefits and disadvantages of installing this type of window film.
The Pros of Heat Control Window Film
Heat, or sun, control window film can help you maintain the benefits of letting in natural light while lowering your commercial building or home’s energy costs and giving anybody who enters your structure a more pleasant experience. It also typically will not change the appearance of your building. Here are other benefits of this type of window film: Heat rejection saves money: 3M™ Sun Control Window Film, for example, can reject up to 73 percent of the sun’s heat and reduce your air conditioning bill by up to 30 percent by moderating indoor temperatures, according to solarx.com. Additionally, a return on the cost of a window film project can be as low as two years on average. UV rejection means less fading of furnishings: Lower exposure to sunlight means furniture, rugs, paintings, , wallpapers, wooden floors, and fabric can be better protected against potential fading, which is largely caused by UV rays. Per solarx.com, 3M™ Sun Control Window Film can block up to 99 percent of UV rays. Reduce glare and decrease discomfort: Heat, or sun, control window film can also help to significantly lower glare caused by the sun. This can permit employees who use computers to work more comfortably without needing to strain their eyes or reposition themselves or their computers to avoid glare. Sun control film can reduce glare by as much as 85 percent. Additionally, heat control window film that looks like frosted glass can be used in rooms where more privacy is needed, such as bathrooms. Some types of window film also come with an added level of security. They help hold glass together more firmly (some are shatter-resistant), and thus they significantly reduce the probability of break-ins.
The Cons of Heat Control Window Film
Despite all of its positive characteristics, there are also a few drawbacks to installing heat control window film. First, film may not always provide as much protection from the sun as shades or blinds because it is thinner, by definition. Thus, if sunlight hits your TV so much that it provides a glare, film may not be enough to stop this. The same is true if the light from the sun hits your eyes every day at the breakfast table. Window film may also not always provide enough (or any) privacy unless it is very dark. Additionally, film cannot be as easily removed as shades or blinds if you want to see outside. Heat control window film may also not be a great option if you often travel for extended periods of time every year, as your windows can easily become damaged during the wintertime and your home can become more susceptible to burglaries because it will be more obvious that you are not home than if you had blinds or shades.
Seek More Information About Heat Control Window Film
Speak to the experts at Atlantic Sun Control to learn more about the benefits and disadvantages of heat control window film and whether it is a good solution for your home or commercial building. ASC offers fair, competitive prices on window film from nearly every major manufacturer, and professional, dependable installation services. Plus, every job is completely insured and there is a lifetime warranty on many materials. ASC’s professionals provide accurate and comprehensive quotes on-site, so be sure to call them today or contact them online to request an estimate. ASC provides services to customers within a 75-mile radius of the Washington, D.C. metro area, including much of Maryland and Virginia. ASC boasts accreditations from the International Window Film Association, Llumar Magnum, Madico and Hanita Tech. It is also a member of the Better Business Bureau and the Property Management Association. ASC has been Vista’s top volume dealer in the county for many years.