TRUSTED BY THOUSANDS OF DIY HOMEOWNERS
TRUSTED BY THOUSANDS OF DIY HOMEOWNERS
This post was last updated on April 28, 2026
Most people are pretty good about sun protection outdoors. But there’s one place UV exposure often gets overlooked entirely: inside your home.
Standard residential windows block most UVB rays — the ones that cause sunburn — but they let in up to 75% of UVA rays. UVA rays penetrate deeper into skin and are the primary driver of long-term damage and skin aging. They’re also relentless: cloudy days, winter months, indirect light — UVA doesn’t take breaks.
That same light is quietly working on your floors, furniture, and fabrics every single day.
UV-blocking window film is one of the simplest and most affordable fixes for this. This guide covers what it does, what it doesn’t do, and how to choose the right film for your home.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation from the sun. They’re invisible to the human eye but capable of causing real damage — to your skin, your eyes, and your home’s interior.
There are three types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC rays are absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere before they reach us. UVA and UVB are the ones that make it through — and into your home.
The impact of UVA and UVB on human health is well-documented. Here’s what prolonged exposure can cause:
UVA and UVB rays are the leading cause of skin cancers and premature skin aging. Unlike UVB, which mostly affects the surface, UVA penetrates deeply into the dermis, causing damage that builds up over time — even through windows.
Read more about how UV light can damage your skin.
UV exposure can lead to cataracts and other eye conditions that impair vision. Extended indoor exposure near sun-facing windows is a contributing factor that’s easy to overlook.
Read more about how UV light can damage your eyes.
UV rays don’t spare your home’s interior. They are responsible for about 40% of fading in furniture, flooring, fabrics, and artwork, leading to a loss of value and aesthetic appeal.
Read more about how UV light damages furniture, floors and décor.
Yes, to some extent. Standard residential glass does a decent job blocking UVB rays — but it only filters out about 25% of UVA. The other 75% passes straight through, which means the light coming through your windows is still doing damage to your skin and your home’s interior.
UV-blocking window film closes that gap. Professional-grade films add UV-blocking compounds directly to the film’s adhesive layer, so protection is built in — independent of the shade or tint of the film. All of Concord Window Film’s products block 99% of UV rays in the 300–380nm spectrum when applied to glass.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recognizes window film as a meaningful protective measure and recommends it as part of a comprehensive approach to UV safety.
Every film we carry blocks 99% of UV rays when installed on glass — so your choice really comes down to what else you want the film to do. Here’s a breakdown by use case:
If you are primarily concerned about blocking UV rays for your skin health, and don’t necessarily want to change the look of your windows, we recommend:
Our 2 Mil Clear UV film is your choice when you are simply looking for UV protection for your windows and don’t want to change the look of the glass at all! Made from high-quality, multi-layered polyester material, this window film is durable and resilient, with good optical clarity.
The film has a pressure adhesive that is tacky to the touch and the rolls come with detailed instructions for installation, and tabs for liner removal.
ComforTech™ 45 is our lightest shade of film that looks almost invisible on the glass. It has the lowest reflectivity – both interior and exterior – of all of our shades and looks the most natural.
ComforTech™ 45 is a good choice for people whose primary concern is blocking harmful UV rays or someone with a moderate need for solar, glare, or fade control. The film lets in the most visible light of all the shades at 45% while also rejecting 51% of total solar energy.
UV light causes about 40% of fading — but heat and visible light contribute too (25% each). To get the best fade protection, you want a film that addresses all three. That’s where the ComforTech Ceramic Series shines.
Choose any ComforTech shade you want – remembering the darker you go – the better the fade protection will be. And note, fading can never be completely stopped – unless you block all sun from entering your home.
Read more about the causes of fading.
All of our ComforTech™ Ceramic Series shades of film block 99% of UV rays and offer some measure of both heat and visible light control.
We have five shades from the lightest: 45 to the darkest: 05. In general, the darker the film you choose, the better the performance of the film will be in blocking visible light and heat.
So, to maximize fade protection, you should choose ComforTech™ 05 our darkest film. But you may not want to have a dark film on your windows. The bottom line is that it comes down to how dark of a film you are willing to go with to achieve your desired results.
Not sure which shade is right for your space? The darker you’re willing to go, the more protection you’ll get — but there’s a shade for every preference.
An economical option with excellent solar control properties. Like all our films, Silver 15 blocks 99% of UV rays and performs well for heat rejection. It has a shiny metallic exterior look, so it’s worth keeping in mind for aesthetics.
Shop Silver 15 Reflective Film.
To protect yourself from harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays, which can damage skin, eyes, and even furnishings over time, here are the most effective strategies:
1. Wear SunscreenUse broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
Apply it generously 15 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours—or more often if swimming or sweating.
Don’t forget easy-to-miss areas like ears, neck, back of hands, and tops of feet.
2. Wear Protective ClothingOpt for long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats.
Look for clothing with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) ratings.
3. Shield Your EyesWear UV-blocking sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to reduce the risk of cataracts and other eye damage.
4. Seek ShadeEspecially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
Trees, umbrellas, and awnings can all help.
5. Use UV-Blocking Window FilmUV window films (like ComforTech Ceramic Series) can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays inside your home. And there are special films for your car as well.
This protects your skin and also helps prevent fading of furniture, floors, and artwork.
6. Check the UV IndexUse a weather app to monitor the daily UV Index. When it’s 6 or above, extra protection is crucial. Read more about the UV Index here.
