The light and airflow big windows offer are fantastic for your wellbeing However, the glass makes it difficult to regulate the temperature inside. While curtains or other window treatments are helpful but they can become a hindrance. By using window insulation film it is possible to manage the light and warmth coming into your home without blocking the view. Window film has tangible benefits, however, the films perform better in certain circumstances over other situations.
An Easy Upgrade for Comfort
A thin film of polymer typically polyethylene Teraphthalate (PET) which is applied on a window to regulate light and heat transfer. It’s designed to help keep homes cool in the summer months and to protect furniture and carpets from the fading caused by UV light exposure and also to help keep in heat throughout the winter. It’s relatively inexpensive and simple to set up windows are an efficient way to increase the performance of old windows until you are able to upgrade to energy efficient windows.
There are two primary kinds of window films in the marketplace:
Film for solar control The film helps to reduce the solar radiation through reflecting infra-red rays of the sun and absorption of the UV radiation. The film is designed to last for 10 years or more, it’s applied directly onto the glass of your windows.
Convection Control Film Film that acts as double glazing to limit the heat conduction by creating a gap which hinders the transfer in heat through the windows into the air. It’s placed on the window frame , and is most commonly employed in colder climates in the winter months, and then removed in the spring.
How to Get the Most Value from Your Window Film
The decision of whether window film is worth it for you will depend on many variables, including your budget, climate, windows, and your goals.
If the main goal of your project is to make your home cool in summer and lower your cooling costs solar films are an excellent option. Modern solar films block up to 55 percent of outdoor heat. In hot climates like California the film can cut the cost of cooling by up to 30 percent. They also stop 99.9% of UV light that fades furniture , but the film only reduces visible light.
In colder regions, a solar window film applied directly on the window absorbs sunlight’s warmth, and then reflects it into the interior of your home. A window film that is insulating on top of a window could assist in keeping the window insulated with as much as 55 per cent more warmth during winter, thereby reducing the cost of heating by up to 30. These films are not as efficient in decreasing summer heat gain but.
While it’s certainly a benefit but it’s not the same advantage you’d expect from a double-pane glass. A thin layer of plastic isn’t enough thick to slow the transfer of heat as a second piece of glass could.
Window films for climate control cost between $7 and fifteen dollars per square feet. Window insulation kits DIY are available for as little as $10 to $30. This lets you insulate your windows at just $3 for each window.
It’s a lot less expensive than double-pane low-e windows which range from $30 to $55 per square foot. The cost difference means window films are typically utilized as a cost-effective retrofit that can improve the energy effectiveness of window that is older however in good shape. On the other hand professionally installed solar films of high-quality will help a less expensive window attain the same level of efficiency that a high-end low-E triple-pane windows.
Conduct a thorough research Before You Buy
Before you decide on installing window film, be sure to check the window’s warranty. The majority of DIY window insulation film is simple to remove and won’t impact the warranty of your window. Solar films that are applied to glass can, however, cause a violation of certain manufacturers’ warranties. However certain window film makers will honor the window’s guarantee.
If you decide to go with solar-powered films, make use of the film’s light-to solar gain (LSG) ratio to find the best kind for your particular climate. It’s the proportion of the film’s sun gain ratio (SHGC) in relation to the film’s visible transmittance (VT). If you’re looking to remain cool in a hot climate, pick the film that has an LSG above 1, which means that its VT is higher that its SHGC value. In case you’re located in a cold area and would like to retain your heat, pick the film that has an LSG that is less than 1.
Some films may not be as durable or effective as the manufacturers claim Do your research before purchasing. Local glass installers and glaziers may be able to provide recommendations, however it’s still advisable to study the product’s specifications and reviews. For solar film, search to find National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) certification.
The efficiency that any type of window film is contingent on its proper installation. For solar films, you must seek out a professional who will install the film with no causing unsightly bubbles and ripples or gaps that decrease the effectiveness of the film and its lifespan.
If you are looking to make an DIY installation of insulation films, begin by cleaning the frame and window to remove any dust that might hinder the adhesive of the tape. Cut and measure the film with care so that you don’t leave gaps. Tape the film to the frame of the window, then secure the film at the upper corner. For finalization, use the hair dryer on high settings around the frame of the window to shrink the plastic and close the edges. This last step isn’t necessary to ensure insulation but it can provide the most attractive, clear look.
Although the majority of window insulation films won’t give you the same advantages as double-pane, low-E windows however, they can make your home in a more comfortable position. Even a basic film kit can accomplish well if you live in a colder climate with single-pane windows. If you live in a hot environment professional installation of solar film is a cheap method of protecting your home from sun’s rays.
