Window Film - Wherever There is Glass

Copyright (c) 2010 Richard Lancaster

Window film has been around in one form or another since the 1960's.One theory has it that like Teflon, it is a bi product of the lunar space programme. Indeed those iconic shots of the astronauts taking their first tentative steps on the moon's surface do appear to have a reflective substance applied to the visors of their space suits.

Whatever the origins, despite the passage of almost half a century window film is still unknown to a vast portion of the UK population. The window film industry in the UK is now at a mature stage with around half a dozen key manufacturers supplying a network of importer distributors. These in turn service a host of installation companies ranging from one man outfits up to businesses turning over several million pounds a year in sales.

As its origins suggest most of the window film installed in the UK is still manufactured in the USA. Among these manufacturers, Bekaert, 3M, Madico and Llumar are the main protagonists though the US dominance has been challenged to a small degree in recent times by Far East manufacturers. Window film is constructed in layers of poyester and adhesive. Window films are not to be confused with the PVC vinyls used by the signage industry although most installers do utilise these in their product ranges.

The five main sub sectors of the industry, each of which will be dealt with individually below are Solar Conro1, Safety, Security, Privacy and Decorative.

- Solar Control Window Film - Despite our erratic climate in the UK solar control film probably accounts for the greatest portion of window film sales. It can be available as either a dyed film or a metalized reflective coated film. Both offer glare reduction and solar heat rejection however the metalized films give far superior levels of solar heat rejection.

With the advent of higher levels of environmental awareness, solar control window film is in more demand than ever. In our environmentally aware times cooling costs and therefore carbon emissions can be significantly reduced with the installation of solar control window film. New generation external films are also now coming to the fore which greatly increase solar rejection efficiency. In addition to these, virtually clear solar control films are now available and significant heat reduction can now be achieved without compromising on light levels or altering the external appearance of windows.

- Safety Window Film - Safety film is a clear single or multi laminate film (although there are tinted and reflective versions) retrospectively applied to glass to prevent injury in the event of sudden breakage.

Typically safety film is used to bring non compliant glass up to European and British safety standards, commonly known as Regulation 14. For this particular purpose a 100 micron film is used which will hold glass together in one piece when broken. Combined with an extremely aggressive adhesive system safety film is the ideal safety barrier for vulnerable glass.

- Security Window Film - Security film falls into two sub categories - physical or visual security.

The clear safety films dealt with above can also be used as a security barrier against unauthorised entry. Some security films will form an extremely strong but undetectable shield when applied to the inside of glass. When combined with an edge retention system which attaches the edge of the film to the window frame forced entry can be made almost impossible.

The requirement for visual security is also a common reason why window film is an ideal option. These films come in the form of the previously mentioned reflective solar control films which as a secondary effect will afford "one way vision" .The reflective surface of these films will allow vision out but not in during daylight hours.

- Privacy Window Film -Visual security can also be achieved with one of a wide range of opaque or frosted privacy films available which allow light transmittance but prevent vision in or out.

- Decorative Window Film - Decorative film does "what it says on the tin". A range of films are available in etch, coloured, translucent and stained glass effects and are used to create visual ambience on commercial and residential windows alike.