Window Film Retrofit Upgrades Glass According To Architect Magazine

In an article in Architect Magazine entitled “The Effects of Window Films Go Beyond the Surface” by Wanda Lau, how a window film retrofit your existing windows to enhance performance. We wanted to summarize that article to explain some of the ways these films upgrade existing windows with minimum disruption to a commercial space.

According to the article, “Window films can conjure up images of hazy purple film bubbling off of automobile glazing. In today’s buildings, however, they represent both an established and evolving technology that can significantly reduce solar heat gain and glare. By giving us daylighting and views, windows provide immeasurable boosts to our productivity and well-being. However, they also increase HVAC loads, which account for 39 percent of the energy that buildings consume, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. For older buildings with windows installed before the days of low-emissivity (low-E) and insulated glass, applied aftermarket films may be an effective alternative to window replacement, with paybacks as short as three years”.

In addition to the energy saving capabilities, window films can also be used to nearly eliminate UV rays which can have health benefits as well as act to protect your furnishings from sun fading. The article highlights this by saying “The ability of films to provide UV protection without affecting building aesthetics appealed to Phil Mark, director of preservation at Stratford Hall, the historic home of Robert E. Lee. In 2010, the Stratford, Va., plantation installed window film with a VT of 0.69 and a SHGC of 0.50 on 13 single-pane windows in an effort to protect interior finishes and the estate’s collections from UV damage. “You can hardly see it unless you know it’s there,” Mark says.”

We hope that you found this information on commercial window films useful. If you would like to learn even more about how a window film retrofit upgrades glass in commercial spaces, call us at (800) 975-8183 or email us at info@clearviewtinting.com. We would be happy to arrange a free, no obligation consultation and discuss how you can implement a window film solution in your space. We have offices in Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio and service the surrounding Northern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan area.