What are the main uses and benefits of window films?

The main benefits of window films and their functions and performances

Energy efficiency.

One of the biggest benefits of window films, particularly in homes or commercial buildings, is energy efficiency and window glazing is one of the largest contributors to a buildings energy consumption. Home owners are increasingly seeking ways to reduce their energy consumption and environmental footprint. Window film helps reduce energy costs and beyond the immediate financial benefits, the reduced energy usage contributes to a greener planet by lowering overall energy demand. Window tinting aligns with sustainable living practices, making it an Environmentally conscious choice for home owners who value both cost savings and environmental preservation. To view a PDF of the 3M energy information view > focus your energy on productivity https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1145162O/3m-commercial-window-film-energy-efficiency-brochure.pdf

Window films enhance your overall living experience to control uncomfortable hotspots and chilly areas. Most buildings can suffer from huge solar heat gains one side of the building whilst on the other side can be suffering from heat loss.

3M Low-E Window Films are designed to retain heat during the winter and cool air during the summer so you can save on heating and cooling costs all year round. These films also help provide increased insulation performance, much like upgrading a single-pane to a double-pane window, and a double-pane to a triple-pane window. https://www.3mnz.co.nz/3M/en_NZ/building-window-solutions-nz/solutions/energy/

A single-pane window loses twenty times as much heat as the same area in an adjacent well-insulated wall (Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University)

Nearly 40% of heating loss in commercial buildings is due to windows (U.S. Department of Energy)

3M Low E coated insulation films can offer the benefits of solar control films by reducing incoming solar heat, whilst also reducing the heat loss through glass in the winter. These films can achieve substantial energy cost savings and have a potential payback on investment in less than three years!

Temperature Imbalances.

Window film helps to eliminate troublesome temperature imbalances inside your home or building. Those uncomfortable cold or hot zones from shaded or sun-exposed areas can be a thing of the past. The right window film helps to minimize temperature fluctuations and make your rooms a pleasure to spend time in. You’ll also find that the window film will pay for itself as your energy costs are reduced.

Window film can control the overall unwanted interior heat from the Summer sun, and retain the heat in Winter whilst still allowing the radiant heat to be transferred into a room for free energy. Residential and commercial window tinting offers a solution to this challenge. Window films help maintain a more stable and pleasant indoor environment. No more feeling chilly near windows during winter or sweltering in the summer heat.

UV protection.

UV reducing window films will reduce Ultra Violet light by 99%. Discolouring, deterioration and fading of furnishings and other items can occur when they are exposed to sunlight. Causes of fading are made up of UV light, heat and visible light. Over 80% of these 3 causes can be eliminated by installing our UV films and can be installed as an ultra-clear film so that it is virtually undetectable once installed or combined with solar properties to offer even more benefits

UV protection films are ideally suited to homes and offices, especially where people work in front of or near glass, and is also suited to museums, shop fronts and conservatories, not only to reduce fading but also to reduce the health risks involved with harmful UV rays.

All of our window film products, whether designed for residential or commercial, contain the highest levels of UV protection. This allows the films to reject up to 99% of harmful UV rays. Even during everyday activities like driving your car, standing or working by a window, you will be exposed to harmful UV rays. Think of window film as sunscreen for your home or office. Window films are giving you a layer of protection from potential skin cancer and visual impairment.

Fade control.

Window tinting acts by protecting your furniture, carpets, upholstery, and artwork from the damaging effects of UV rays. By filtering out a significant portion of the sun’s harmful radiation, window films help maintain the vibrancy and integrity of your interiors.

Fade and UV control – Fading is a common problem and can adversely affect clothing, upholstery, carpets, flooring, furniture, and artwork. Our solar window films are suitable for homes, offices, museums, shop fronts, art galleries or any area where issues of fading can be potentially costly.

Our films are specifically designed to filter out 99% of harmful UV rays that lead to sun damage and may also lead to skin cancer.

Main sources which lead to fading are:

• Ultraviolet light – (we neither feel it nor see it, but it is the main factor in causing fabrics and furniture to fade).

• Visible light – (the part which enables us to see).

• Infra-Red – (the part which we feel as heat).

• Chemical vapours – (when things heat up from the sun for example carpet or paint, which gives off chemical vapours that you probably don’t detect)

• Material age.

• Dye fastness.

• Miscellaneous (including indoor artificial lighting and humidity).

However, fading caused by internal factors such as some indoor lighting, humidity and poor quality fabric dye (anchorage) cannot be reduced by the use of window films.

Our window films are available in a variety of tones, from ultra-clear films, which are virtually undetectable, to tinted or reflective films which have the added benefit of reducing the infra-red and glare if required, with performance levels and appearance to suit every situation.

It is important to note, that no solar window film or glazing product will totally prevent or stop fading. Applying a solar window film can significantly reduce the fading process and prolong the life of fabrics, furnishings, art etc.

Aesthetics.

By choosing a product that complements the existing elements of your building, window film can enhance the existing appearance and can help to create a modern and uniform appearance to the glass.

Many buildings, residential and commercial, can be transformed into striking examples of attractive architecture with the application of a tinted, reflective or decorative window film. Whether it’s a contemporary look or a uniform design that is desired, there’s a variety of window film options that can aesthetically enhance the exterior of your home or office building, and there’s a range of shades to give you the look you desire.

Windows are the heart of your home or building, and today’s’ modern architecture has evolved to incorporate our natural desire for more natural light. However, the increased natural light also has a downside – the increased solar heat, a larger amount of Ultra Violet entering a room or the loss of heat in Winter . While visually appealing, the building could now become uncomfortable to be in. The application of window film will not only maintain the natural light and crystal clear views, but it will also attend to the energy management and the overall improvement of occupant comfort, and with a wide range of window film shades available, this allows you to choose a look that complements your architectural style and personal preferences.

Safety or Security

Safety or Security window films can improve the safety and security of your home or office. If you’re having an upgrade on your home or office and need to have code of compliance to meet Council requirements for glass upgrade, we can meet these requirements and provide the necessary paperwork for approval.

Safety or Security window films offers greater safety and more security when it comes to glass, which is why we have ranges of Safety & Security window films for both residential and commercial clients. Whether you need to safeguard against intruders or a film that keeps your store-front safe and free of vandalism or smash and grabs, we have the solution you need to protect what matters most. With the best quality materials and professional installation, you can be confident knowing your people, property, and information are safe and secure, giving you the freedom to work, play, and live free from worry.

Safety or Security films are applied to the internal surface of the existing glass in your property adding a layer of protection without the need to permanently alter structures, making it a cost-effective solution for adding security without adding unsightly bars that can also deter customers and detract from the display in the window.

Safety or Security window films will keep the glass in your home or office from shattering immediately upon impact, reinforcing the glass making it considerably more difficult for intruders to gain access.

Get peace of mind when it comes to the security of your family and your home or office.

Privacy.

Adding daytime privacy to your residential or commercial property, using privacy window films that can also include controlling solar heat build-up, excessive Ultra Violet and glare within a living or working space.

Both convenient and affordable, privacy window films can be installed to obscure the transparency of your windows, making them private from outside onlookers, while still allowing light to shine through and protecting your privacy while still enjoying your view looking out.

The Installation of a solar window film on the glass throughout your living space will provide the following benefits of:

• 99% UV Block. (all window films)

• Privacy. (selection of films)

• Glare Reduction.

• Fade Protection.

• Energy Management (Summer & Winter).

• Aesthetic enhancement.

• One-way daytime privacy films that come in a range of solar window films from light, medium to deeper tints, or a tinted or reflective external look. 

• For night time privacy there are Frosting and Decorative films and patterned designed films available. See here for more information of Frosting and Decorative films.

Frosting and Decorative.

Frosted and Decorative films are cost effective as well as creatively flexible and functional as a feature or as a privacy barrier for night and day. There are a wide range of frosted or decorative films available that will compliment any situation including balustrades, front entrances, glass partitions etc. Create a bespoke sleek look and creative design or logos for your home or business.

In addition to increasing privacy and indoor comfort, decorative films are an aesthetically appealing veneer on your windows. Not only can this provide day and night privacy, it gives you virtually limitless opportunity to customize the appearance of your windows. Decorative films come in several different colours and patterns that can be used to display company branding or customized for your space with unique designs, prints, or textures. With decorative films, you can dress up any room while still allowing light to enter a space.

Decorative films can include architectural film finishes that matches a certain aesthetic and custom wall coverings with unique designs or corporate branding.

Frosted films are films that give your windows a frosted glass or translucent appearance that keeps onlookers from seeing into your space while allowing light to pass through. Our 3M frosted films are incredibly tough, long-lasting, and made to withstand moisture and water, making them perfect for bathrooms, shower screens, kitchens, bedrooms, offices, conference rooms, and other high-traffic locations.

Another decorative product available is Squid a beautiful and practical product. Squid’s unique texture is a result of its production technique. The fabric is woven with polyester threads to give it a soft, warm feel. Squid is a self-adhesive, transparent fabric that enables you to see out during the day, but largely restricts people outside from being able to look in. Squid can also be printed with a variety of printing techniques, giving designers new commercial and marketing opportunities to explore. Its versatility and simplicity have already made it a big hit in the interior design and architecture markets.

Glare control.

Glare can be year-round and with the bright sunshine of Summer and the low-lying position during Winter months, excessive glare can make an area uncomfortable, including increased eye strain that can cause headaches. Glare controlling window film can reduce glare, whilst maintaining the view without having a great impact on the natural light entering a room.

Excessive and uncontrolled bright sunlight can make it difficult to focus or see, and this can cause visibility issues like eye-strain, migraines, general discomfort and other problems. And the older you get, the more sensitive your eyes become to the potential glare associated with sunlight. If you’re struggling with glare, but don’t want a limited view in a dark room, an anti-glare window film would be the answer. It offers an effective and easy solution to these problems, along with numerous other advantages.

Available in a wide range of protection, this cost-effective and viable solution can be customized to meet appearance and performance level needs to suit every taste. Glare reducing window film allows light to pass through the glass keeping your room filled with light, but significantly reduces the amount of glare. This means that you get all the benefits of light and a view without the negative side effects, such as headaches, squinting or blurriness.

Environmentally friendly.

As we are all becoming mindful of the increasing environmental awareness, every small choice can make a big difference. Residential and commercial window tinting is a step towards more sustainable living and reduction of your carbon footprint.

By lowering your energy consumption, window tinting contributes to decreasing the demand on energy resources and lowering power bills. This has a ripple effect on power generation, leading to reduced emissions and a more sustainable energy landscape. The reduced strain on power grids benefits all our community by promoting energy efficiency and stability. By installing window film, you’re actively participating in a collective effort to conserve energy, create a greener future and take care of our planet.