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Need sun blocking window film to help beat the heat this summer? As the summer sun climbs higher in the sky, many homeowners find their once-comfortable havens turn into sweltering saunas.
Walking into a house feels like stepping into a furnace, and the air conditioning struggles to keep up – all thanks to excessive heat gain through windows.
Sure, you can crank up the AC and hope for the best. But that translates to skyrocketing energy bills and a constant battle against the ever-present heat. There’s a better way!
Sun blocking window film can be your secret weapon in the fight against scorching summer temperatures, offering a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution.
Concord Window Film has been helping homeowners achieve year-round comfort for over 30 years. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of sun blocking window film, exploring how it works, its benefits, and the different types available to suit your specific needs.
Traditional windows act like little heat traps, allowing sunlight to pass through and then trapping the resulting heat inside. Sun blocking window film acts like a shield, reflecting or absorbing a significant portion of the sun’s rays before they can enter your home. This reduces the amount of heat gain, keeping your interior cool and comfortable.
Our ComforTech™ Ceramic Series window film is a solar control film that uses highly reflective and durable nanoceramic particles to reflect and absorb the sun’s energy. Ceramic is a new technology that came after the advent of metallic films and is great for homeowners because of its charcoal neutral look.
Let’s take a look at how ComforTech works as a sun blocking window film:
Window film helps keep your home cooler, reducing the workload on your air conditioning system. According to the Department of Energy, properly applied window films can significantly reduce heat gain through windows, leading to energy savings of up to 7% on your cooling costs. This translates to lower energy bills and a lower burden on your AC equipment.
The Department of Energy, considers window film an energy efficient window covering. So sun blocking window film can be an important and cost-effective measure to take to green your home and lighten your load on the environment.
Nobody enjoys living in a sweltering house. Sun blocking window film helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, making your home a haven from the summer heat.
Excessive sunlight can damage furniture, carpets, and artwork over time. Window film blocks harmful UV rays, helping to protect your precious belongings from fading and sun damage.
Read more about the cause of fading from the sun here.
The harsh glare of the sun can make it difficult to relax or watch TV. Many sun blocking films also help to reduce glare, creating a more comfortable and enjoyable living environment.
Read more about glare control here.
Certain types of window film can provide some level of privacy, depending on the film’s shade. This can be beneficial for windows facing close neighbors or busy streets. Our ComforTech™ 05, 15 and 25 shades as well as Silver 15 Reflective all provide daytime privacy.
Read more about privacy window film here.
Privacy window films can also help to improve home security by making it more difficult for intruders to see inside your home during the day.
Additionally, our 2mil window films like ComforTech™, while not safety films, will help to hold shattered glass together in the event of a window break, keeping glass shards from flying into the home.
Sun blocking window films come in various types, each with unique properties:
This is the OG of window film. Dyes were the first technology used to prevent the sun from entering a home. Often more economical, these films absorb solar energy, reducing glare and fading caused by UV rays.
Cons to dyed films are that they fade and discolor over time. And you cannot get the same performance from a dyed film as you can from newer technologies.
Concord Window Film does not offer any dyed films.
The second generation of window tint, these films reflect solar energy away from windows, offering superior heat rejection.
Cons to metalized films are the shiny, metal appearance, and the fact that some metal films can cause interference cellphone and other device signals.
We have one metal film available in rolls, our Silver 15 Reflective film. You can read more about our Silver 15 film here. Or shop here:
The latest generation of window films use nanoceramic particles to manage the sun’s energy. Known for their durability and clarity, ceramic films provide excellent heat reduction without compromising on visibility.
Ceramic films don’t fade or block signals. And they are a beautiful neutral color without the metallic look. They are the professional installer’s choice for flat glass window film installation. Read more about ceramic films and how they are made here.
Cons to ceramic films are the higher price compared to metal or dyed films.
ComforTech™ Ceramic Series window film is our flagship solar control and privacy film for DIY homeowners. Shop ComforTech™ now:
Window film is rated by the National Fenestration Rating Council (agency that also rates windows) on certain standard measurements for easy comparison. The two key performance specifications for sun blocking window film are TSER and SHGC.
TSER is the percentage of total solar energy (visible light, UV, and IR) rejected by the film. Higher TSER means better overall protection against heat and light.
SHGC measures how well the film blocks heat caused by sunlight. It is a critical factor in energy efficiency. A lower SHGC indicates better performance in reducing heat gain and, consequently, cooling costs.
VLT indicates the amount of visible light that passes through the film. A lower VLT means less light enters, which can be beneficial for reducing glare and heat but might darken the room more than desired.
This measures the film’s effectiveness in blocking UV rays, which are responsible for fading of fabrics, carpets, and artwork. Most high-quality films offer over 99% UV rejection.
Important for maintaining comfortable light levels, especially in rooms with televisions or computers.
Below you’ll see the performance specifications for our sun blocking window film options. Remember when looking at the specs, TSER and SHGC are the two measurements to consider. Maximizing the TSER and minimizing the SHGC will provide the best solar control.
The best type of sun blocking window film for your home will depend on your specific needs and priorities.
If you live in a very hot climate, you may want to prioritize heat rejection in your window film.
South-facing windows receive the most sunlight, so they may require a more aggressive film (think darker shade). North-facing windows may benefit from a less restrictive film to allow for some natural light gain.
Consider how much cooler you want your home to be and choose a film with the appropriate solar heat gain coefficient rating (lower is better because remember this is a measure of how much heat gets into the house).
Think about how you want your windows to look from both the inside and outside. Reflective films like Silver 15 Reflective can offer superior heat rejection but will have a mirrored appearance. More neutral ceramic films provide a good balance of heat rejection and aesthetics, but all the darker shades will still create a reflection albeit a more neutral looking one.
Sun blocking window film varies in price depending on the type, performance level, and brand. In general, metallic films are an older technology and cost less. While ceramic films is a newer technology with advantages that costs more.
We think the best way to determine which sun blocking window film is right for you is to look at samples in your own space. You can purchase a sample kit with all five shades of our ComforTech™ Ceramic Series plus Silver 15 Reflective and Matte White films.
The kit costs $5 to purchase, but you’ll receive a coupon code in the kit for $5 off your first film order.
Read more about our window film sample kit and how to use it here.
Window film installation is a great DIY project for anyone that takes the time to learn how to do it. Thousands have installed our film successfully. And we have all the tools necessary to help make you an installation pro!
Or if you prefer written instructions, you can download our Window Film Installation Guide here.
Allow the film to cure completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning it.
Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. A mild soap solution is all you need to keep your film looking its best.
Don’t use scrub brushes or rough cloths that can scratch the film’s surface.
Sun blocking window film is a smart investment for homeowners who want to beat the heat, save money on energy bills, and protect furnishings. Concord Window Film has DIY-friendly, high-quality films to suit your needs and budget.
Contact us today for a free consultation! Our experts will help you choose the right film for your windows and answer any questions you may have.
Call, email, or chat with us today and let Concord Window Film help you create a cooler, more comfortable, and energy-efficient home this summer!
