Inspiration

Without doubt, the leading window film brand if you’re looking for a spectrally selective optically clear sun control film is 3M Prestige. But what is so good about this product over anything else? How does a spectrally selective film work anyway? We’ll take a look in this blog.

V Silver Films

Understanding how traditional window films work is the best way to begin to explain. Silver mirror window films are extremely effective at reducing solar heat gain as they work by blocking or reflecting the sun light and UV on the glass. These films are very effective in doing this, but not everyone wants to add a mirror film onto their windows. This changes the look of the building from the outside, and also creates a mirror into your room at night-time, as the light levels change.

Silver sun control window films are also typically cheaper, and widely used. They can be a perfect solution for many homes and businesses, where heat gain and glare are the biggest issues.

To recap on how window films work and the solar spectrum basics read our previous blog.

These metalized films can also block electromagnetic interference. The darker films such as Silver 20 can be one of the best interference blockers, as they contain the most metal, in turn blocking the most signals coming into a building. However, beware they will also compromise the phone and other signals going out of the building. This is where an alternative film, such as 3M Prestige can be a better choice. You don’t want to add a window film to then have mobile phone signal interference in your home or building.

Rejects Up to 97% IR

Solar heat comes from two primary sources, the visible light you can see and the infrared light you can feel. Prestige Series window films use non metallized, multi-layer optical film and nano technology to reject up to 97% of the sun's infrared light, but also reject up to 60% of the heat coming through your windows.

Prestige window films also reject up to 99.9% of damaging UV rays to reduce fading of your furnishings. So, not only do they keep you and your room cool and comfortable, but they also protect your valuables, curtains and carpets from fading too.

But what’s the big deal about this? Well, remember this is a clear film. So how on earth does that work?

Spectrally Selective

Windows can provide an abundance of natural light, yet they can also create cool or drafty areas with excessive heat from the sun or distracting glare problems. 3M Prestige clear films have a reflectivity lower than glass, meaning beautiful views inside and out.

Not all films that call themselves ‘prestige’ are the real deal. 3M Prestige window films are constructed of nanolayers of film to be able to be the true definition of spectrally selective. The 3M difference lies in the precision with which light waves are controlled when they pass through or reflect off the hundreds of layers of film.

Compared to other films that claim to work this way, the 3M Prestige increase their performance at a faster rate as the sun’s angle increased, which means greater comfort and protection when you need it most.

These industry leading, spectrally selective films have been used recently on a building with a large expanse of glass, due to building owner’s concerns over the amount of energy their HVAC system was consuming in order to cool and heat the reception area, ground floor and first floor offices.

The large floor to ceiling windows also meant there was a distinct lack of privacy for their employees when working within a built up and highly populated area. 3M Sun Control Window Films, Prestige Series was selected as the best overall solution, due to its best balance between maximum light transmission and heat rejection. Using nano-technology this significantly reduces solar heat gain while leaving the window appearance virtually unchanged.

The benefits were noticed immediately due to the subtle tint of the film which increased privacy, whilst reducing glare and harmful UV rays into the building.

Want to find out more about the industry leading 3M Prestige Window Film? Request a prestige brochure today by emailing info@architextural.co.uk.