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When it comes to choosing the best residential window film brand for your home, it’s essential to weigh your options carefully. The right film can reduce energy bills, protect furniture from UV damage, and improve privacy.
In this guide, we’ll compare four top brands: 3M, Llumar, Gila, and Concord Window Film. Each has its strengths, but only one offers the perfect combination of professional-grade quality and DIY convenience for homeowners—Concord Window Film.
Before we dive into the list of brands, let’s first take a look at the evaluation criteria for what makes the best residential window film brand.
The first and most important factor is the quality of the film. When investing in window film, you want to ensure you are getting a quality product. Professional grade window films are thicker than consumer brands and are made to last longer. Also, professionals install films using the latest technology to achieve top performance with the best aesthetics. The most popular residential window film installed today is ceramic window film.
Ceramic window film was introduced as an innovation from metallic window films, The aim was to match the solar control and privacy performance of metallic films with a more pleasing look. The film is made with nano ceramic particles which are very durable and highly reflective. Most notably, ceramic has a neutral charcoal look to the film instead of the shiny metal look of older technology films. This is highly desirable for today’s homeowners.
One thing every best residential window film brand should provide you is the performance specifications of their film. Window film is rated by the same non-profit rating agency that rates windows: the National Fenestration Rating Council. The NFRC rates film using the solar heat gain coefficient measure and the visible light transmission measure.
The solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) is a measure of heat that passes through a glazing system (glass plus film). SHGC is the sum of incident solar energy that is transmitted inside through the glazing system. It includes solar energy directly transmitted and the part of absorbed solar energy that is released inwards. SHGC is the fraction of incident solar radiation that actually enters the building through window glass. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window’s solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits.
Visible light transmission (VLT or simply VT) is the percentage of visible light that passes through a window and into the home. The lower the number, the less light transmits through the window and the darker the film. For comparison, 90% of visible light passes through clear glass.
Most quality window film brands will provide an array of performance specifications that also include the film’s total solar reflectance, absorptance as well as the total solar energy rejected. You can read more about the standard window film performance specifications.
In order to compare brands, you must have this standardized information available to make an informed decision about the right film for your application.
Another key factor in what makes a window film brand the best is the cost of the film. Of course cost is subjective to the homeowner, but in general, we are considering the cost-effectiveness of the film. You want a professional quality film at a reasonable price.
The final factor in what makes a top film is the ease of installation. How hard is it to install / get the film installed in your home.
There are a number of films you can choose to install in your home, but we have chosen the top brand names available today.
Concord Window Film stands out as a leader in the residential window film industry, offering professional-grade products directly to homeowners. The ComforTech™ Ceramic Series is a prime example of cutting-edge window film technology. These ceramic films are designed for optimal solar control, blocking up to 99% of UV rays and significantly reducing heat, all while maintaining the natural look of your windows. Unlike metallic films, ceramic films don’t interfere with electronics or cell signals, have a neutral charcoal look, and offer superior clarity.
Just like 3M and Llumar, the ComforTech™ Ceramic Series is made for maximum durability and performance.
While many high-end films are only available through installers, Concord offers direct sales to homeowners through www.windowfilm.com, empowering you to get premium results with a DIY installation.
Concord Window Film provides competitive pricing without sacrificing quality. And you save money on installation – often the biggest cost in getting window film applied to your windows.
Our ComforTech™ Ceramic Series earns top marks from our customers. Verified purchasers providing a review through third-party review site CustRev, give every shade of our ComforTech™ film five stars.
3M has long been a trusted name in the window film market. Known for its innovation, 3M offers a range of professional-grade window films that are durable and efficient. Their films provide excellent solar control, UV protection, and even shatter resistance.
However, 3M’s residential window films are not sold directly to consumers. You can only access their products through certified installers, which means additional costs for professional installation. While the quality is good, the limited availability can make it a less convenient option for DIY enthusiasts.
Llumar, Eastman’s window film brand is another high-performance residential tint in the window film industry. Like 3M, Llumar’s products are known for their excellent solar control, durability, and UV protection. Their ceramic films perform well in both reducing heat and preserving natural light.
Unfortunately, similar to 3M, Llumar films are only available through licensed installers. While the quality is top-notch, this adds not only an extra step for homeowners who prefer a hands-on approach, but also additional costs for installation.
Gila is a popular brand among DIY homeowners because it’s widely available in big box stores and online. Gila offers various window films, from privacy to heat control, and you can purchase them without needing a professional installer.
However, Gila films, while affordable and accessible, do not match the technology or durability of professional-grade ceramic films like those offered by Concord, 3M, and Llumar. Gila products tend to be lower-tech metal films, that are thinner and more difficult to work with.
While 3M and Llumar offer professional-grade products, they can be expensive for the average homeowner to access without going through an installer. On the other hand, Gila films are widely available but lack the advanced technology and durability of ceramic films. Concord Window Film bridges this gap by offering professional-grade ceramic films—like the ComforTech Ceramic Series—that are accessible directly to homeowners. This makes Concord Window Film the ideal choice for those looking for top-tier performance without the hassle of hiring a professional installer.
When selecting the best residential window film for your home, consider what matters most: quality, accessibility, and ease of installation. While 3M and Llumar are excellent choices, they require professional installation, making them less convenient for DIYers. Gila is a budget-friendly option but lacks the advanced features of professional-grade films.
Concord Window Film offers the perfect balance of quality and convenience, making it the best option for homeowners who want to take control of their window film installation without sacrificing performance.
For more information on Concord Window Film’s products and to explore the ComforTech™ Ceramic Series, visit www.windowfilm.com.
