What is Window Film?
Window film is thin sheets of polyester that is applied to the surface of glass windows and doors on homes, buildings, motor vehicles and other glass apparatus. All window film has a powerful adhesive on one side that permits secure bonding to the glass. All high quality film also has a clear, scratch resistant coating on the other side that helps prevent the exposed surface of the film from being damaged accidentally.
There are two basic types of window film:
Solar Control Film for Cars and Buildings
Safety & Security Film
Solar Control Film - reduces the solar heat, glare, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation) that penetrates through clear and untreated glass. Film Pacific selects and sells the best products from the best manufacturers in the world.
The most basic solar control film is made of a singe ply of dyed polyester. These films offer the least solar management benefits. They are an excellent choice, when privacy, aesthetic appeal, and economy are the main objectives.
The most widely used and most effective solar control films are made of two plies of polyester and contain a metallised layer. These films are put together like a sandwich: the two ultra-thin plies of polyester are laminated to one another with a durable adhesive to form what appears to be a single sheet. One of the plies has a micro-thin layer of metal imbedded into it, which is securely trapped between the plies after lamination. The metal layer is the primary component that reflects the sun’s heat and glare.
The majority of metallised films also contain dyes in either one ply of polyester or in the laminating adhesive to help achieve the desired colour or to enhance solar management properties. The sun will eventually attack the dyes causing them to gradually change colour and become lighter. The speed of change in good quality films from reputable manufacturers is so slow it is usually not noticeable for a long period. However, films without dyes (i.e. all metal construction) are recommended especially for extremely hot climates and anytime when longevity of appearance and solar control properties are paramount.
SunGard Solar Control Films
Safety & Security Film - provide protection against crime, vandals, accidents, violent weather and explosive impact by helping to hold glass shards together and in the window frame in the event the glass is shattered. Our safety and security film is sold under the GlassGard® brand name.
Most safety and security film is made of one, two or three plies of clear polyester. GlassGard films are up to nine times thicker than solar control films and contain heavier coating weights of adhesives, to provide greater impact resistance and to form a more secure bond with the glass. The clear polyester and adhesives make these films virtually invisible after installation.
For the ultimate in protection, GlassGard films can be purchased with a metallised layer of polyester that affords the benefits of solar control film along with the extra impact resistance of safety and security films. |
