Window film has offered a revolutionary energy efficiency solution that many homeowners and business owners swear by. This great alternative can add solar rejection technology to your existing windows and doors, providing a more affordable solution than window replacement. Window film is budget-friendly and offers some other great benefits like glare reduction and UV protection. Safety and decorative upgrades are also available with energy-efficient window film. So, how does window film work exactly?
How Window Film Is Installed for Long Island Residential and Commercial Properties
Professional window film installation is always recommended over DIY installations– professionals can find the compatible film for your glass and provide the necessary warranties and installation practices for longlasting benefits. A window film contractor will evaluate your property in order to make the right recommendations as well as project estimates and timeline. Window film can either be cut on-site during installation or pre-cut prior to the appointment. Most contractors perform this on-site in order to avoid product waste and miscommunication. Your window film contractor will prep your windows by cleaning them extensively. This is often accomplished with a straight razor so that all grime and dirt is properly removed. A soapy water mixture is then sprayed on your window. The window film is then applied directly to your glass. A squeegee is used to remove any air bubbles, providing a seamless installation. Window film can take up to a month to properly cure– do not touch or clean your windows during this cure time.
How Energy Efficient Window Film Works
There are various ways and techniques for engineering window film. With different materials available, manufacturers are able to provide products that shine in different categories like solar heat rejection, durability, visible light transmission, and more. While there are a considerable amount of different window film materials, here are the four main categories:
Metalized Window Film
Metalized window film can use numerous different types of metal in order to achieve effective solar heat rejection properties. Metalized window film will also have a tinted, reflective appearance. This is a great window film product for those that are searching for the most effective energy conservation for a more affordable price and don’t mind changing the appearance of their windows. With moderate durability and lower visible light transmissions, metalized window film offers a great product.
Nano-Particle Window Film
Nano-particle window film delivers a product that won’t impact nighttime views, offering more moderate visible light transmissions. This glare-reducing product does have moderate durability and solar heat rejection properties when compared to spectrally selective window film.
Exterior Spectrally Selective Multilayer Window Film
Exterior window film products aren’t as common but they actually provide a highly effective solution. Exterior window film does require certain glass types. With a higher rate of solar heat rejection that’s similar to metalized window film, property owners can achieve the same goal without compromising their view or the appearance of their windows. Exterior spectrally selective multilayer film offers moderate durability along with high visible light transmissions.
Spectrally Selective Multilayer Window Film
Multiple layers of spectrally selective window film are engineered to be installed on the inside of your window. This is a more premium solution in terms of costs but does an effective job of addressing solar heat gain without tinting your windows. Your windows will remain neutral in appearance with spectrally selective window film. This product offers high visible light transmissions as well as better durability and longevity when compared to nano-particle and metalized window film.
Work with Long Island’s Trusted Energy Efficient Window Film Experts
Long Island Window Film is honored to be the trusted energy efficiency experts serving the New York area. We’ve worked with all the leading window film products to better understand how they work as well as their long term performance.
For more information regarding how window film works, please contact us!
About The Author: Angus Faith
Angus Faith is a window film installer working in the Long Island area. After moving to Long Island from Scotland, Angus obtained a job in the construction industry and became interested in sustainable architecture. This led him to discover the benefits of window film and its usefulness for increasing energy efficiency. Today, he is considered one of the top window film experts in the area. Using his ten years of experience in diagnosing architectural concerns and knowledge of window tinting innovations, Angus helps his customers find the right film to accomplish their home or business goals. In his spare time, Angus enjoys sailing, traveling, and spending time in the park with his two Golden Retrievers, Alastair and Clyde.
More posts by Angus Faith