Window film from the sun as one of the effective methods of fighting heat indoors

Every year modern manufacturers develop new technologies to achieve maximum comfort and improve the quality of life. Window film from the sun can help solve one of the most common problems, such as heat in the home. Tinting has become widespread due to the low cost of both material and installation. By gluing the film, you can reliably protect the room from excessive sunlight and ultraviolet radiation.

Window tint film is an inexpensive but most effective method of sun protection

What is the window film made of from the sun, what functions does it perform

In summer, in a metropolis, the constant heat turns an apartment or house into a real steam room. Therefore, most residents are wondering how to protect the premises from the penetration of sunlight and reduce the temperature in the home. Despite the fact that the reflective film on windows from the sun was first used to protect the car, recently it has been increasingly found on apartment windows. The distribution of the material received due to the large number of advantages that car lovers have allocated for themselves.

Polyester is used in the manufacture of tint film, which significantly improves the strength and elastic characteristics of the material

Today protective films for windows from the sun are used not only in residential premises, but also in office buildings, shopping and entertainment centers, which are distinguished by a large glazing area. The main advantage of use is that without losing the transparency of the window, it is possible to significantly increase the comfort and convenience of living or staying in the room. Another advantage is the improvement of the appearance of the housing and giving it a more modern look.

The main substance from which the protective film for windows from the sun is made is polyester, and specific properties are achieved through the application of a thin metal layer. Here the main materials are:

• aluminum;
• titanium;
• nickel;
• bronze;
• silver.

Helpful advice! As a rule, manufacturers recommend gluing reflective tape to windows with the metal side. This method of gluing will simplify the dismantling of the material.

Also, using the film, it will turn out to create a special shaded atmosphere in the room.

Many people want to use a specific color of film. Such a product will not consist of two, but of three layers. The third layer will be the material that is applied in production conditions using a laminator. This technology ensures longer color retention, and an extra layer will create better sun protection.

Modern manufacturers have made it possible to solve several problems with the help of reflective materials: some glue the film on the windows so that what is happening in the room cannot be seen from the street, while others - purely to protect the home from the penetration of solar flux. The simplest versions of products are capable of providing only protection of the room from the sun, while more expensive branded products prevent ultraviolet radiation from entering the room, thereby preserving the surfaces of furniture and household appliances from burnout and loss of color.

It is with the help of the decorative function of the coating that it will be possible to create a special shaded atmosphere, give the room a coziness and, if necessary, fill it with the desired color scheme. Decorative film can be used to decorate both the front and interior design of the room, when it is necessary to set off or, conversely, emphasize the style of the room.

The metallized layer acts as a kind of shield for solar radiation

Benefits that can be obtained by installing the film on the window

The wide popularity of sun-reflecting films for windows can be explained by the large number of advantages that the user receives as a result of its use. Let's consider the main advantages of using such products.

The ability to transmit visible light, but at the same time trap infrared radiation and ultraviolet light. All modern window tint films work this way, although earlier versions of the materials simply darkened the windows, but did not save them from overheating. The latest technologies are designed in such a way that the sticker does not absorb visible light, but the temperature in the room can drop by 10 degrees in some cases.

Keeping warm during the cold season. Window protection from the sun helps to retain about 50% of the heat in the room, which indicates sufficient energy-saving properties. The principle of ensuring this advantage is as follows: the material of which the film is made repels infrared rays in the direction from where they come. Therefore, the heat generated in the apartment does not come out through the windows, which is especially important for houses with panoramic windows or apartments with a large glazing area.

Window tint film is capable of minimizing infrared radiation by up to 80%

Creation of a mirror layer that does not allow prying eyes to observe what is happening in the room. This property is useful for both residential and commercial premises located on the ground floors or near other buildings. In addition, the interior space, thanks to the mirror tint film, is reliably protected from optical-visual observation devices.

Additional security. If for any reason a violation of the integrity of the window occurs, the glass will not crumble into small fragments, but will be fixed on the glued protective film. This will prevent injury and cuts.

Important information! Despite the fact that the window with the film does not crumble into small pieces, it is still quite easy to break it from inside the apartment, which is required by fire safety standards. This is because in the event of a fire in the house, windows may be the only way to safely leave the premises.

The unique film manufacturing technology allows minimizing the amount of incoming solar energy without significant loss of optical visibility

Positive qualities of window tint film, highlighted by most users

In addition to the practical side of using films from the sun on the windows in the apartment, it is possible to highlight the aesthetic component. This includes the ability to choose the optimal glass color, which will be an excellent addition to the exterior and interior. Thanks to a large selection of shades (from silver to pale purple, blue or gold), it will be possible to choose the best option that matches the color of the roof or walls of the building.

According to reviews, sun-protection films on windows have such an advantage as the ability to protect expensive curtains from fading, because even high-quality textiles can lose color with constant sunlight. Due to the large temperature range (from -40 to +80 ° C), at which it is permissible to operate the film, both textiles and furniture will have a pristine appearance for a long period.

If we take into account the fact that the coating protects the windows from the sun, which causes an increase in the temperature in the room, it will turn out to save a little on electricity, which is spent on air conditioning. There is also the possibility of purchasing a device of lower power and operating it in an energy-saving mode. Cost savings will be especially noticeable if you paste over the film in an apartment or cottage with large windows or in a spacious retail or office space.

Tinting film allows you to avoid possible overheating of the room in hot weather

Another important advantage of the film on glass from the sun, most users consider the possibility of simple, independent installation. You can stick the material on already installed windows. In this case, you do not need to remove glass, unwind frames or purchase a special tool. All that needs to be done before work is to thoroughly wash the windows with soapy water, remove excess moisture with a slip, and let them dry well. The entire installation process is unlikely to take more than a few hours. If there is no self-confidence, it is better to invite a specialist to do the work, which will avoid damage to the material.

Other advantages of sunscreen films for windows and some disadvantages

In addition to the advantages listed above, with the help of a film for glass, it will be possible to avoid fogging of the glass, which affects the appearance of the entire room, especially if there are no curtains on the windows. This is true in apartments where "crying windows" are observed in winter. An additional protective layer will prevent the glass from freezing, which is why condensation will form on the inner surface of the window.

Helpful information! Few people know that after gluing the protective layer on the glass, the harmful effect on the eyes resulting from too bright lighting is reduced. This will keep your eyesight normal longer. It will also turn out with great comfort to use computer equipment and watch TV, because rays will not fall on the screen.

Poorly glued or low-quality film can peel off from the glass unit

As you can see, the coating has a large number of positive qualities, the main of which is the protection of the room from overheating. But before buying, you should also familiarize yourself with the main disadvantages, such as:

1. The fragility of the material. The surface of the film is thin, which makes it quite easy to damage, especially if you are not careful during installation.
2. Excessive stickiness. In some cases, the self-adhesive film on the glass can adhere so strongly that it cannot be torn off even with the use of heating devices.
3. Excessive darkening on cloudy days. Due to the fact that the coating traps some of the light, you will most likely have to use lighting items more often, especially if it is cloudy or dusk outside.

In general, the service life reaches 7-10 years. It all depends not only on the installation technology, but also on the quality of the purchased products. A poorly glued or poor-quality film is capable of peeling off or does not have enough light-repellent effect.

What is athermal film on windows from the sun

Athermal film on windows is distinguished by a special type of energy-saving coating, the primary task of which is to ensure maximum heat retention in the room. It is the relevance of energy-saving coatings that has led to the development of multilayer films, characterized by the presence of several protective layers. Various ultra-thin sprays are created thanks to the use of rare earth and precious metals, through which the visible spectrum of light passes, but the penetration of infrared and ultraviolet radiation is reduced to minimal indicators.

Athermal window film ensures maximum heat retention in the room

The use of an athermal coating reduces heat loss through window panes in the cold season by 35-45%, and protects the room from excessive heating in summer. Due to such advantages of the material and the peculiarities of the manufacture of spraying, it is permissible to paste over with a film the windows located not only on the brightly lit side of the building, but also in rooms that are distinguished by a northern orientation.

A significant positive property is the creation of a special protective screen with the help of a metallized coating, which prevents electromagnetic radiation from entering the house. In this case, the propagation of electromagnetic waves does not propagate in both directions.

A high density of spraying makes glass with a glued film safer and increases the ability of windows to withstand significant loads. Many manufacturers are engaged in the production of a large number of protective films for windows, which differ in different bandwidth - from 90-95% to complete blackout. Most often, such products can be found on balcony windows, stairwells and in winter gardens.

Various ultra-thin sprays on athermal films are created through the use of rare earth and precious metals

Features of using toning mirror film on windows

The main characteristic of tinting films for windows is the ability to completely block the ultraviolet flux emitted by the sun. Most of these coatings do not transmit more than 1-3% of the total radiation volume. Due to its attractive appearance, tint protection is often used not only to cover facade elements, but also to decorate interior surfaces made of plastic or glass in an apartment. Depending on the specifics of production, the tinting film can be with a matte or glossy structure, as well as have a different density and thickness.

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After applying a special coating, the incoming light is scattered, which makes it more convenient to use office equipment and watch programs even on an outdated screen, which lacks a built-in anti-glare system. Depending on the manufacturer and manufacturing features, films differ in size, appearance and functions. The most common surfaces are:

• mirrored;
• protective;
• decorative;
• sun protection;
• matte.

Mirror sun-reflecting film features a mirror effect

Mirror films on windows from the sun can be found on windows most often, because their presence is easy to recognize with the naked eye. The main component in the manufacture of the coating is metallized polyethylene terephthalate, the main function of which is to reflect the solar flux. In addition, personal privacy is increased after coating, because it will be impossible to see what is happening inside the premises. It is important not to forget about the fact that in the evening when the light is on, the reflective effect of the film will be significantly reduced.

Helpful information! Leading manufacturers claim that the mirror coating is capable of trapping 99.5% of UV rays. This allows you to protect your living or work space from bright light, associated heat and harmful sun exposure, increasing the comfort of your stay in the room.

It is this type of film that helps to retain the main heat inside the building in winter, because the heat rays are reflected exactly in the direction from which they come. According to the method of installation, solar-protective mirror films for windows are classified into two groups:

1. External. They are installed on the glass from the street side and are distinguished by the presence of an additional protective layer that can withstand all kinds of atmospheric influences. Products are available for purchase in light shades and dark metallic colors.
2. Internal. You can buy mirror films for windows of any shade level. Installation takes place either between the chambers of the glass unit, or on the inside of the glass, which is located in the room.

The mirror layer can be located on the inside or outside of the glass

Other Popular Types of Reflective Window Films

The so-called sun-protection film-curtain for windows is installed primarily in order to protect the room from the sun's rays and at the same time maintain adequate lighting inside. Installation of this type of films is recommended only on windows with a southerly orientation in order to ensure coolness in the hot season. The level of the ability of such a coating to trap the sun's rays reaches 98%, and the amount of retained infrared radiation reaches 95%, while the transmission capacity is more than 75%. In winter, installing a sun protection film helps to keep the heat coming from the heaters.

A special version of a protective film for glass is considered a cheap alternative to window grilles, because they have anti-vandal and anti-burglary characteristics. The coating is recommended for use by residents of the ground floors or owners of private cottages. In this case, the polymer thickness reaches its maximum values ​​- 115-600 microns, which is almost twice as much as in previous versions of sunscreen coatings.

The films have a high level of protection that meets the European standards A1, A2, A3. This suggests that breaking such glass will be problematic. Even if the integrity is violated, it will remain on the polymer; it will not be possible to pull it out completely quickly.

In residential premises, a fire protection film can be used

Important! Some manufacturers offer their customers coatings that can minimize the effects of explosions, as well as those that have fire-fighting properties and delay the spread of fire and smoke for a long time.

Installation of frosted film on windows will cost several times less than installing frosted glass. A distinctive feature of the coating is a high light transmittance of 87%, with minimal visibility from the street. Most often, frosted films are pasted over partitions or entrance doors in the office, as well as the surfaces of showcases. A large number of films of different shades are available for purchase.The main advantage is the ability to apply a store or company logo to a matte surface.

Decorative films on windows are installed primarily for the purpose of decorating glass. Currently, you can buy products with various ornaments or patterns that allow you to ideally fit the window opening into the surrounding interior and bring a zest to the room. This version of the film is often used on windows and partitions in the bathroom. Also, in houses and apartments with a vintage interior, it is important to stick stained glass films on windows as the cheapest alternative to real stained glass.

The decorative film can have various colors.

Rules for the selection of colors and density, popular manufacturers of window stickers

The ability of the coating to transmit the light flux is expressed as a percentage, and the indicator is the higher, the more sunlight can pass through the material. The density is selected based on the following indicators:

• the need to ensure the confidentiality of the premises;
• room lighting conditions;
• personal preferences of the owners.

It will not be difficult to choose the desired color of the coating in retail outlets due to the large assortment of shades. When choosing the desired color scheme, you should focus not only on the surrounding interior, but also on the degree of light transmission of each shade. It is the color of the film that will subsequently become the main component of the appearance of the interior, because each tone has its own transparency indicators. Below are the indicators of the level of transparency (in percent) of the most commonly purchased shades:

• purple, gray and bronze - 15;
• smoky - 20;
• gray, blue, golden - up to 35;
• silver - up to 50.

Wide choice of film density allows you to achieve the desired result without any problems

When buying a self-adhesive film for glass, you should not try to save money, because there is a high probability of purchasing a low-quality product. Cheap materials may have uneven application. In addition, they stick to the surface so much over time that it becomes impossible to separate them from the window, and it is recommended to change the coating every 7-8 years. In order not to have to regret the purchase and the money spent, it is recommended to initially give preference to the goods of trusted manufacturers. The following brands have recommended themselves best of all:

1. Eastman Chemical. The largest American company with the most modern equipment for the production of film.
2. Ultra Vision and Armolan. Other US firms that are constantly developing new technologies, offering the buyer functional and thoughtful innovations. They are considered to be companies selling goods with an optimal price-quality ratio.
3. Professional Window Film. A South Korean company supplying high-quality film to the domestic market at an affordable cost.
4. Sun Control. A well-known UK firm, but the main businesses are also concentrated in South Korea. The distinctive features of the films are premium quality and high cost.

Various methods and features of installing film for windows

Installing sun-reflecting films on windows is a simple task, but it requires minimal skills. You should not try to do everything quickly - it is better to spend a few hours, but do the job efficiently. If you are not confident in your own abilities, you can seek help from specialized companies, whose contacts are usually known at the point of sale of the material.

When gluing the tint film in the room, the temperature must remain from +5 to +40 degrees

Before gluing the sunscreen film to the window yourself, you should take care of the following tools:

• a spatula, and it is better to take not metal, but rubber or plastic, to avoid damage;
• office knife;
• scraper;
• spray gun;
• detergents for cleaning glasses or ordinary liquid soap.

There are three methods of coating:

1. Inside the glass unit. Reliable overheating protection is provided. But the installation of the film is possible only at the stage of manufacturing the window, because it is located on the inside of the glass facing the street.
2. On the outside of the outer glass. This type of installation provides maximum heat reflection; the coating is cooled by wind blowing.
3. From inside the room. The glued inner part of the glass, which opens into the room, helps to keep the warmth inside the room, and in the summer does not allow the room to overheat unnecessarily. In this case, you need to correctly select the level of light transmission of the material, which should not be less than 30-40%.

Tinting of windows, including balconies and loggias, can be carried out from the inside or outside of the glass

How to install and maintain window foil

To be able to apply a coating without shifts, air bubbles and other nuances, you should pay attention to exogenous factors, such as:

1. Ambient temperature. The optimal range is from 5 to 35 ° C. If you glue the coating at a temperature below the minimum recommended, it will take a long time for the glue to dry, and if it is too high, the glue will dry quickly and the coating will not have time to fix.
2. Humidity. Despite the fact that in the process of work it is required to use a spray gun, you need to pay attention to the humidity indicators, which should be in the range of 30-75%.
3. No dust. Before gluing, you should carry out a wet cleaning of the room so that dust particles in the air could not impair the quality of the gluing.

Helpful advice! Installation usually begins with surface preparation and cutting of reflective film for windows. To completely close the window glass in one piece, take a piece whose dimensions are 2-3 cm higher than the glass parameters.

When gluing, the film must not contain foreign particles

Installation includes the following stages:

1. After the window has been thoroughly washed, clean water is sprayed onto the glass surface: in this case, it is better to take bottled or distilled water.
2. To prevent dust from hanging in the air, it is recommended to spray a little water 60 cm from the glass.
3. The protective coating is removed from the surface of the film, and the material itself is sprayed with water from the spray. This is done in order to prevent hardening and to make it possible, if necessary, to correct the installation flaws.
4. A pre-prepared piece is applied to the window.
5. Using a rubber spatula, water is removed from under the film - by pressing movements from the middle to the edges of the sheet.

After completing the work, a thorough inspection of the surface should be carried out so that no water, air or dust remains under the sheet. It is also necessary to ensure that the film adheres to the glass evenly. After that, the excess material is cut off, the edges are tightly pressed against the glass. It is not recommended to touch the captivity for 5-7 days until the glue is completely dry.

The moisture level during foil installation should be within 20-80%

Like any other protective coating, the film requires care and respect. In order to avoid violation of integrity, you must follow these rules:

1. Do not use any abrasive substances or detergents to clean windows, which contain elements that can scratch the coating.
2. Do not use a hard sponge during washing. The best option is a microfiber cloth or special soft material for polishing glasses and mirrors.

Helpful advice! The best surface cleaner is a solution of warm water and liquid soap.

As good as your window foil is, you will have to remove it over time. For this, it is recommended to use one of the methods:

Foil, like any protective coating, requires care and respect

1. Mechanical. It is carried out using a sharp knife, with which the canvas is cut into small strips and removed in parts.
2. Chemical. For this method, you will need ammonia, in which a cotton cloth corresponding to the size of the glass is abundantly moistened and applied to the window for 2-3 hours. After that, you only need to rinse the window well.
3. With a construction hair dryer. After heating the glass surface, the film is easily removed, but traces of glue may remain, which must be removed with a solvent.

The purchase of reflective film on windows from the sun is considered a profitable option, because the material is notable for its low cost and ease of installation, which can be carried out independently with minimal skills. In addition to the fact that the coating will reduce the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the organs of vision and prevent excessive heating of the room, the film will give the room a cozy look and make living more comfortable at any time of the year.