Glass walled commercial buildings have been with us for decades, and for decades they have had the same problems: temperature fluctuations due to solar gain, high HVAC costs, and the inevitable glare problems. And even though the glass walled building has a uniform, clean look, if one can see into the individual offices the overall effect tends to look "cluttered". The use of window film holds the solution to all of these problems.

What is UV?

Security Film

Graffiti Film

Facts to Consider

Through the use of window film solar gain can be reduced by as much as 78% and UV can be reduced up to 99%. Studies have shown that using window film on the south, east and west-facing windows can reduce HVAC costs by 10 to 30%. In one building in San Francisco, the installation of window film by Window Solutions contributed to a 41% decrease in tenant complaints about air conditioning. The employees were able to leave their window blinds open and enjoy the view without heat and glare, and the company ended up saving 278,000 kilowatt-hours per year, paying for the film installation in only three years. An added benefit to this installation was the improvement of the appearance of the structure.

UV protection is important in a commercial building. Of all of the causes of fading, UV radiation is the single largest contributing factor in the fading of fabrics, carpets and other furnishings. Although visible light, artificial lighting, heat, humidity, age of fabrics and fabric dyes all play a part in the amount of fading, UV radiation is attributed with 40% of the damage. And since window film blocks up to 99% of this damaging radiation, by applying window film in your office you can significantly increase the life of your carpets, furniture, wall coverings and window treatments.

Causes of Fading

UV is also a hazard to humans. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, exposure to the sun and its harmful UV radiation is causing an epidemic in skin cancer cases in recent years. But you can protect your tenants and employees when indoors by applying UV-blocking window film.

As an added bonus, window film also helps to hold glass together if it breaks. When glass with an application of window film is broken, instead of shattering into dangerous fragments, the glass is held together by the film, protecting your tenants from injury. 3M™ window film was put to the test in Oklahoma City in 1995, as evidenced by this letter written to the President of 3M™ by a man who’s office was six blocks from the Federal Center. He believes that the 3M™ window film in his office saved him from severe injury. In the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989, almost half of the injuries reported were caused by broken glass. For even greater protection, see our 3M™ Scotchshield Safety and Security Film.

Top three floors of this high-rise have window film. Note the improvement in overall look.

For more detail about sun/UV protection film, please see these Facts that should be considered when purchasing 3M™ Scotchtint™ Sun Control Window Film.

Window Solutions can provide you with a free energy analysis of your commercial building. Please give us a call today so we can show you in greater detail what window film can do for you.