Most consumers have a limited amount of information concerning window film.
Checking online can eliminate some obvious issues since everyone claims to have the best solutions, etc.
Fortunately consumers can get detailed performance characteristics thanks to the NFRC which is a quasi-governmental agency that is the repository for factual, lab tested specifications for leading window film brands.
The NFRC (Click here) was developed to demonstrate accuracy in light of the anticipated energy savings that would eventually lead to Energy Star ratings.
While the intention of window film manufacturers to comply with the strict testing data imposed is admirable, an unintended virtue of the NFRC is to dispel numerous exaggerations frequently espoused during competitive sales calls and demonstrations.
Advanced Film Solutions is Florida’s leading commercial and residential window film installation companies.
We remain steadfast in highlighting factual performance expectations and real-world film comparisons.
Here are a few examples:
IR Hype
3M Window Film dealers are known to confuse heat rejection results with Infrared filtering statistics.
For example they may claim that their Prestige Film series stops 97% of the heat from entering your windows no matter how light the film may be.
In the case of Prestige 70 the actual NFRC rating for total solar energy is 50%.
Frankly 50% heat rejection is fairly good for such a light film transmission; so where is the disconnect?
IR heat blocking films like Prestige and Huper Optik do filter out a large percentage of the IR wavelengths but IR wavelengths only effect 50% of total solar energy (Heat)
The remaining portion of heat is a factor of visible light being filtered.
If 70% of the visible light is being transmitted than a large proportion of heat is not being rejected.
On Angle Hype
To further obfuscate the NFRC rated performance a 3M agent may insist that their film performs better at an angle. They may imply that this improved heat rejection is unique to their film.
Here again this is complete nonsense.
All window films and glass itself performs exactly the same way. There is no advantage whatsoever.
Heat Lamp Trick:
If a 3M dealer wants to demonstrate an illusion of heat rejection they may employ a heat lamp that blasts large amounts of IR wavelength. They may compare a coated piece of glass and compare that to a clear glass pane or a darker coating that does not filter IR wavelengths. This gimmick gives the illusion that a lighter film like Prestige 70 can block more heat than a darker silver type film.
The facts are that a darker silver film will block 80% of the total solar energy versus the 50% stated above. The visible light is reflected in the case of reflective films.
The trick is compelling but nevertheless it remains a trick.
Advanced Film Solutions represents Eastman Chemical and their portfolio of Vista, LLumar, Huper Optik coatings.
We can also do the David Copperfield illusion or make unqualified statements about angles and IR heat rejection but we choose not to do so.
We prefer facts.
Documented performance and results.
- Advanced Film Solutions has earned the Super Service Award from Angie’s List for 8 consecutive years. No other Florida company can match that!
- We are rated A Plus for 12 straight years by the Better Business Bureau.
- We offer multiple solutions to match our clients requirements.
- We warranty all of our installations.
AFS Covid Best Practices Version 1
