Understanding Window Film Ratings
Whether you’re interested in lowering your energy bills, reducing glare or blocking the sun’s harmful UV rays, the window film can help. Before you invest in film for your home or business, however, it’s important that you find the product that best fits your needs.
You’ll want to work with a reputable window film dealer, like NBI Suncontrol, who offers high quality film products. Before choosing a film for your home or business, also check to see if the manufacturer offers comprehensive warranty coverage.
In addition to doing this research, look at each product’s rating as determined by the National Fenestration Rating Council. Window film was the very first window attachment product to be rated by the NFRC, a non-profit organization that establishes objective window film ratings, door and skylight energy performance.
The NFRC’s Window Film Energy Performance Label features two numbers that are very important to consider when you’re choosing your film. These numbers measure the film’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and Visible Transmittance (VT.) Both numbers will be between zero and one, with one functioning like a window that has no covering at all.
An SHGC that’s closer to zero indicates that the film is good at blocking heat, while a VT closer to one means that the film lets in more natural light. Today, there are films on the market, like 3M’s Prestige, that can block up to 66 percent of the sun’s heat while still allowing in up to 70 percent of natural light thanks to advancements in nanotechnology. Prestige was one of several 3M film products first certified by the FNRC in 2008.
According to the NFRC, the effectiveness of any window film comes down to a few additional factors in addition to the film itself. These include climate, building orientation and window size. Window film is most useful on east- and west-facing windows. It’s also a great option for home and business owners who don’t want to lose their views to opaque window coverings.
Contact NBI Suncontrol to learn more.
