Experienced across the globe, the sun’s harmful rays are prevalent and affecting not only our skin’s health but also our wallets. Living in Florida, we are familiar with the sun’s harmful rays. Emitted from sunlight in the form of photons, these rays release an excess of solar radiation that destroys our vehicle interiors, houses’ furniture, our fragile eyes, and more. These harmful rays also affect our level of comfort, making certain rooms too hot or bright. Window film is a solution to the problem. Protecting your family and belongings while also lowering AC costs, window film focuses on controlling the windows’ ability to absorb, reflect, and transmit solar radiation into your vehicle, home, or business. The most familiar form of window tinting is for your vehicle, but what a lot of people do not know is that your home and business should be protected as well. Window film is a strong sheet of polyester laminate and is coated with a ceramic or precious metal layer. This film comes in numerous varieties, so there will likely be a film that fits your lifestyle. Some types of window film include insulating film, glare reduction film, security film, one-way-mirror film, anti-graffiti film, and decorative film.
To begin, insulating film can be helpful in any environment or time of year. It can help keep your house cool and reduce heat entering in the warmest of summers while also locking heat inside when it is cold outside, saving money on air conditioning costs. The investment in insulating film will not only save money, but the film’s light reduction will also give you and your family a sense of security and privacy.
Glare reduction film is also exceptional at reducing heat gain in your vehicle or home but specifically focuses on controlling those hateful glares that make it impossible to watch TV, look at your computer screen or read a book on the couch. Glare reduction film has a variety of light transmission percentages. Typical window film can block up to 99.9% UV radiation while lowering the amount of sunlight that fades your furniture or strains your eyes.
Furthermore, due to levels of light reduction, every film gives some level of security and privacy, but there is a film in particular specifically designed to keep you safe, security film. Starting at 4 mil thick and going up to 15 mil, this film will hold glass together if it were to break. Though unlikely needed, this thicker film is even useful in protecting against bomb blasts. Security window film is designed to enhance the safety of your regular glass while protecting against break-ins, accidents, natural disasters, etc. Security film also makes breaking in more difficult by delaying entry. Lastly, natural disasters, such as high winds or earthquakes, can break glass, but security film will hold the glass together reducing loss from wind or water damage while keeping you and your belongings secure. If you feel the extra step of protection is necessary for your home or business, then this is the film for you.
Another type of window film is one-way-mirror film. This is also useful for privacy reasons during the day. One-way-mirror film, also referred to as dual reflective film, has two different reflectivities. During the day, the exterior side of the glass will not be transparent (you will only see a reflection) as the sunlight reflects off the film. At night, it works the opposite; with lights on inside, there is less reflectivity on the exterior side and more on the interior. However, the interior side of the film is less reflective than the exterior, allowing you to look out at night more easily than looking in during the day. Dual reflective film is the best all-around product that reduces heat gain, protects, and minimizes glare, while also being the most versatile and most popular film overall.
Anti-graffiti film is typically more common for businesses that are in higher prone graffiti areas. This film is 4-6 mil thick and provides a clear protective barrier to preserve glass, stone, stainless steel, and other smooth surfaces from damages caused by paint, acid, etching, scratching, and carving.
It does not stop there; some customers desire film for decorative reasons. Adding your own style can make a window into a piece of art. Whichever type of film lines up with your expectations, there are options for you, and if you can’t find exactly what you want, you can have it custom made!
When it comes to cleaning your windows with window film, use a non-abrasive cleaning agent, such as mild soap and water, and a soft cloth.
To conclude, your windows are an important asset to your vehicle, home, or business. When your windows are not protected with window film, your AC is going to work overtime, especially during the warmer parts of the year. Reducing heat gain may be window film’s immediate purpose, but it can do much more, protecting you from potential life-threatening scenarios and ultimately saving you the most money possible through reduced energy cost. Therefore, window film is designed for keeping you safe, preventing unwanted fading, energy cost, and glare reduction. The window film solution will provide you with an immediate improvement in comfort you can feel right away and/or piece of mind knowing you have a layer of protection with a security film; your family, friends, and wallets will be thanking you.
Special thanks to Dave Sills from Super Dave Window Tinting for providing information for this article. 
Rylee Copeland
Home & Yard Magazine
