By Glenn Haege / Special to The Detroit News
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* UV Rejection (UV): A measurement of the blockage of ultraviolet A & B rays. The higher the better. * Emissivity (EMIS): Measures how efficiently the window system reflects heat back indoors. The lower the number, the better. * Solar Energy Reduction: The total amount of infrared heat and UV rays shielded by the film. The higher the number, the better.  |
One of the exciting things about writing a weekday question-and-answer column in addition to my Saturday Homestyle articles is that so many questions flow over our desks that my reading audience tells me what they want to know.
I’ve had a lot of requests from doctors and dentists about how to tint their windows to reduce window glare and increase patient privacy. Homeowners want information on how to reduce furniture and flooring fading from the sun’s UV rays.
The answer to all these questions is window film. Laminated window film can also save money on heating and air conditioning bills, stop annoying window glare and help protect your house from break-ins and severe weather conditions such as hurricanes. If you are concerned about any of these conditions you are a good candidate for window film purchase.
Some window films such as those made by the GILA Products Division of C.P. Films, (800) 528-4481, are advertised as do-it-yourself items. All you have to do according to the commercials is clean the window, spray it with a little water and apply the film. If you decide you do not like the look, no problem, just pull off the film. Nothing could be easier.
Product quality and selection can be excellent. There are just two problems: not all windows are candidates for film application and there are many different window film choices.
Many major manufacturers, like 3M, (800) 480-1704; Llumar, (800) 2-LLUMAR; SolarGard by MSC Specialty Films, (800) 282-9031; and Vista window film by C.P. Films, (800) 345-6088, require professional application.
Compounding the decision process is that some window, window shade and drapery manufacturers void their warranties if window film has been applied. Some window film manufacturers or individual installers extend their warranty or offer optional warranties that can replace the original manufacturers’ warranties.
Not all window films are made the same way. Some window films are just tinted film. Others include metallised, adhesive and protective layers. Some of 3M’s Scotchshield films are composed of more than 40 different layers.
Window film may make your window look gray, green, blue or brown. Some film is almost color-less. Some are especially made to provide privacy.
Mike Roeder, Specialty Protective Coatings, (800) 772-1885, a local (Michigan) 3M-film installer, says most home owners’ window problems are caused by solar heat. Stop the heat and you’ve solved their problems.
The majority of window films reduce fading and save energy by reflecting solar heat and ultraviolet radiation. Some, but not all, films also reflect escaping heat back into the house during the winter.
For instance, 3M Scotchtint Sun Control films provide between 45 and 59 percent solar heat reduction and 99 percent UV blockage, but give little protection against winter heat loss. Scotchtint Plus All Season films not only give up to 73 percent solar heat reduction and 99 percent UV blockage, but also have a .34 to .45 Emissivity rating and reduce winter window heat loss by up to 30 percent.
Vista Window Films reduce UV penetration by 99.9 percent and Solar Energy (heat) by 26 to 75 percent. Their Low E, Ambiance Film has an Emissivity rating of .33.
Window film can also protect. Florida is often hard hit by hurricanes. 3M designed 3M Scotchshield Ultra Protective Film to meet Florida hurricane standards and Scotchshield to protect windows from intruders.
Neither Scotchshield nor Scotchshield Ultra can actually stop a window from breaking, but they are 130 times stronger than normal 4-mill window film. These films are designed to keep the windows from shattering. The glass may break, but the Scotchshield film holds the broken glass together. In other words 3M Scotchshield Ultra Film gives residential windows much the same shatter resistance as automobile safety glass windows.
Even greater holding power can be achieved with 3M’s Scotchshield Ultraflex system, which bonds the film, glass and window frame together.
In addition to breakage protection, Scotchshield Ultra provides 99 percent UV blockage, but only gives 46 percent solar heat reduction and no heat loss reduction.
Specialty Protective Coatings have installation offices in Florida and a special information telephone number for Florida hurricane resistant window films, (877) SPC-3M3M.
Window films have many benefits, but there are definite trade-offs. You have to decide which properties are most important, then learn which films can give you the results you need. Even when you decide the film you want, there is a great difference in installation contractors. Check references thoroughly. Go out and see homes with windows containing the exact film you want. Talk to the homeowners, and you will brag about your results.