Did you know that windows are responsible for up to 25-30% of building energy loss? That’s a significant amount of energy and money wasted, especially regarding cooling and heating costs. However, with high-performance glazing films, you can significantly reduce this energy loss and reap numerous benefits.
High-performance glazing films offer many benefits for commercial buildings looking to upgrade their existing fenestration and windows. As concerns grow over energy efficiency and sustainability in the building industry, glazing films provide an affordable solution for commercial glass replacements.
These window films help improve a building’s overall performance without the significant expense of a full replacement.
Windows Reinvented: Exploring the Benefits of High-Performance Glazing Films
High-performance glazing films offer a range of benefits that can greatly enhance buildings and their occupants’ experience. Some of the key advantages include:
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Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
By enhancing a window’s insulation and reducing solar heat gain, high-performance glazing films can lower the energy demands on a commercial building’s heating and cooling systems.
Some energy modelling studies indicate annual cost savings of 6-30% on HVAC bills compared to unchanged windows. These potential savings would come from decreased losses of conditioned indoor air to the outdoor environment through better performing fenestration.
Of course, actual savings can vary based on building-specific characteristics.
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Boosting Comfort and Productivity
In addition to energy cost considerations, high-performance glazing films positively impact occupant comfort and productivity.
By blocking excess solar heat gain and reducing unwanted glare near windows, films help maintain interior temperatures that support focus and concentration.
Some research has linked improved thermal comfort to greater work satisfaction and performance. More comfortable commercial spaces could see indirect benefits like increased revenue and staff retention over the long run.
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Protecting Against Harmful UV Rays
High-performance glazing films protect against exposure to harmful UV rays by filtering out ultraviolet sunlight before it enters buildings. This is particularly important in commercial offices where employees work near windows for many hours daily.
Excess UV exposure has been linked to premature ageing of skin and eyes as well as increased risk of sun-related health issues over time like skin cancer. Window films can help control this occupational hazard and promote worker wellness.
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Enhancing Safety and Security
In addition to improving energy efficiency, high-performance glazing films enhance building safety and security.
Some films are coated to reduce visible light transmission for increased privacy while maintaining clarity from the inside. This allows occupants to see out without being visible from the exterior.
In the event of storms or accidents, films reinforce existing glass, helping to contain glass shards and secure interior spaces in the case of breakage or damage to fenestration. The films provide an extra layer of protection.
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Contributing to Aesthetic Appeal
Rather than masking natural daylight, high-performance films allow diffused light to filter through large windows while preserving attractive outdoor views.
For some office and commercial tenants, the aesthetic looks and ambience created by daylighting are essential to workplace satisfaction. Skilled application of films ensures an almost invisible installation that maintains exterior architectural lines and vision glass.
The subtle enhancement contributes to positive workspace vibes and potential curb appeal for client-facing areas.
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Noise Reduction
High-performance glazing films can also help reduce unwanted noise transmission through windows.
Films assist commercial buildings seeking quieter interior spaces by providing an extra protective layer between indoor and outdoor sound waves. This is particularly valuable near noisy streets, construction sites or industrial zones.
The films’ sound insulation properties allow for privacy and focus indoors, even with open floor plans or fewer traditional barriers. Occupants benefit from a calmer acoustic environment that is more conducive to specific business activities.
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Solar Control
High-performance glazing films are extremely effective at solar control by rejecting up to 99% of infrared and ultraviolet solar radiation before they heat interior spaces.
This helps negate solar gain-related increases to building cooling loads even on sun-exposed south-facing facades. In climates with intense sun, films block a significant contributing factor to higher interior temperatures that strain air conditioning systems.
The solar control capabilities of films lead directly to energy savings by decreasing cooling demands in commercial structures under sunny skies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a high-performance film?
High-performance glazing films provide superior insulation, solar control, visibility, and durability compared to standard films. They have low-e coatings that reduce heat transfer and block infrared light, lowering energy costs. Carefully tested, these films deliver quantifiable energy savings and long-lasting performance suited for commercial building windows.
Why is performance important in film?
Here are some key points about what makes a glazing film “high performance” and why performance is essential:
- High-performance films refer to those that provide enhanced insulation, solar control, visibility, and durability properties compared to essential reflective or decorative films.
- Insulation performance is essential. High-performance films have a low emissivity (low-E) coating that improves a window’s U-factor by reducing conductive heat flow. This lowers heating and cooling costs.
- Solar control is also key. These films have a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) to block infrared and ultraviolet sunlight, lowering solar heat gain and reducing cooling loads.
- Visibility is prioritised. The best films maintain high visible light transmission so views are not obscured while blocking unwanted solar heat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, high-performance glazing films offer commercial properties a cost-effective way to significantly improve the energy efficiency and comfort of their existing windows and glass surfaces. Whether applied to interior or exterior surfaces, the proper film can achieve noticeable reductions in energy costs through better insulation and solar control.
Owners also benefit from increased occupant comfort from reduced glare and heat. Films provide excellent value due to ease of installation compared to full replacements.
With their long-lasting performance, buildings can realise years of savings through lower utility bills and maintenance costs. High-performance glazing films thus present a smart option for commercial glass upgrades.
