(412) 231-9509
Open glass means a lot of things for an interior space — light, airiness, and harmonious atmosphere. All glass comes with its challenges, however. Beautiful windows, glass doors, and skylights all share the issues of frustrating glare, excessive heat, and general discomfort of overwhelming sunlight. That’s where solar control window film can make a world of difference.
With window film, your options are limitless. Owners are able to choose a custom window tint for their space that solves their concerns and improves their aesthetic and comfort. U.S. Film Crew offers and installs an arsenal of window film solutions to give you control of your space, allowing you to tailor your approach to lighting, privacy, and even energy efficiency with ease.
The Basics of Custom Window Tint Levels
The level of tint of a particular film has a standard measure in the industry. Visible light transmission, more commonly known as VLT, describes how much visible light can pass through a filmed glass surface, expressed as a percentage. A lower percentage represents less light transmission, or the amount of light that can pass through the glass.
For example, according to Glass Doctor, a clear pane of glass typically allows anywhere from 75 to 92% of light to pass through. A window film with a VLT of 70, meanwhile, allows only 70% of visible light to pass through. Films of this VLT level are still virtually clear, whereas a film with a VLT of 10 or 20 would appear to have a darker shade.
So the question is, with such a spectrum of options available, where might these different films be ideally implemented?
High-VLT Films: Embrace Your Natural Light
Windows with a relatively high VLT (think in the range of 70%) are often considered ideal for spaces where natural light is a priority. For homes with South-facing windows, for example, solar window films create an opportunity to make the most of that natural brilliance while tempering the more detrimental elements.
Even the highest levels of VLT in films come with UV-shielding properties, which filter out up to 99% of the ultraviolet rays that could otherwise fade and damage interior furnishings.
Medium-VLT Films: Balance Light With Privacy
Films of a medium-VLT (typically in the neighborhood of 40-60%) strike an elegant balance between natural lighting and privacy. Films in this range are especially good at reducing glare and regulating heat gain while providing a comfortable level of privacy by limiting the visibility of interiors from the outside. They’re often the perfect choice for bedrooms, bathrooms, and commercial locations where customer experience comes first.
Low-VLT Films: Prioritize Heat Rejection and Privacy
At the far end of the spectrum, there is a range of custom window tint levels that maximize privacy and comfort by blocking out the vast majority of visible light. These films, which encompass a range between 10 and 30% VLT, are considered ideal for locations that are looking for significant glare reduction and added shade.
In a corporate setting, meanwhile, these films can be perfect for areas where enhanced privacy is needed. As a welcome bonus, low-VLT films maximize the energy-efficient properties of solar control film, allowing homes and businesses to save money and reduce carbon footprints in the long run.
Your Proud Partner in Customized Window Solutions
As Pittsburgh’s local experts with nationwide project experience, U.S. Film has seen, worked with, and installed every custom window tint level imaginable. Customers both near and far look to us for versatile solutions for two reasons: first, because we carry a vast catalog to maximize your options; and second, because our professional installations are second to none.
Whether you’re looking for something transparent, translucent, or virtually opaque, you can count on your trusted window film resource to provide a tailored solution. Get in touch today to learn more.
Elevate your comfort. Contact U.S. Film Crew today.
