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Overheated offices. Hot and cold spots. Tenant complaints about temperature imbalances and distracting glare. These are common challenges in commercial spaces, and solar window film is one of the most effective solutions available. In this FAQ, Madison breaks down how commercial solar film works, what problems it solves, and how to determine the right option for your building.
Madison is the General Manager of U.S. Film Crew is currently in her third year at the company. During that time, she has overseen more than 1,200 projects and helped drive double-digit company growth. As the daughter of U.S. Film Crew Founder, Owner, and CEO Glenn Yocca, Madison brings both professional experience and a lifelong understanding of the industry. Her background allows her to offer customers not just technical insight, but a deep-rooted perspective on delivering the right options for each customer’s unique needs.
When it comes to solar window film solutions, how do people know if it’s the right “tool” for the job?
Solar window film is designed mainly to address these items: reducing annoying glare, combating excessive heat pouring in, improving all-season insulation, preventing fading and solar damage, and in some cases, enhancing privacy.
If you or your tenants are avoiding a certain rooms during the day because it’s too hot, are concerned with fading, feeling drafts near windows in the winter, or are even setting up umbrellas on their desks to block glare (yep – we’ve seen it!), it’s the right tool.
Beyond addressing tenant comfort, solar window film can dramatically upgrade a building’s exterior. We compare it looking like a fresh coat of paint, just on the glass. We’ve seen striking transformations where owners assumed they simply had to live with outdated, under-performing glazing until they discovered what window film could do.
In the right scenarios, solar window film can reduce energy costs, lower operating expenses and increase net operating income. That said, this depends on several variables, like building occupancy, glass-to-wall ratio, climate, and orientation. For these goals, it can be the right tool, but we advise consulting with a professional commercial window film installation team in early discovery.
What do you wish more people knew about commercial solar window film?
I wish more people knew about it, period. Ha!
Solar window film is an underutilized solution. It isn’t “trendy” or flashy, and in a lot of cases it’s literally designed to be subtle, if not completely discreet. Because of that, it often flies under the radar as a solution and many simply don’t know about it.
There’s a need for better education around what these solutions can do for people so that they know it’s an option to them. Solar window film is an extremely powerful, simple and cost-effective solution and when compared to alternative options it can save people a lot of money and time. Because people don’t always know it’s a tool that’s available to them, they may continue living with the problem, dealing with complaints or tenants moving out, because they can’t justify the cost or even physically support the weight of new glass replacements, and blinds just aren’t the right fit.
Window film is a silent workhorse. It performs 24/7, 365 days a year, with no maintenance beyond routine cleaning. The install is quiet, there are no moving parts or changes required. It’s one and done.
Ok, we get it. Now how much does it cost?
Solar window film, furnished and installed, in commercial spaces can typically cost $12-$25 per square foot, depending on the scope and material selected. Give us a call if you’d like a custom estimate – they’re free!
When it comes to window film installation, what are the top things people should keep in mind?
Start with company experience. Commercial and residential window film installation requires a different skill-set than automotive tinting, so it helps to choose a team with a proven track record in building applications. Reviewing years in business and a portfolio of completed projects can provide valuable insight.
Ask about the projected timeline of your project and what steps will be taken to minimize disruption, especially if the work will be completed during business hours. An experienced team should be able to provide a clear schedule and plan accordingly.
Finally, request references or examples of past installations. Photos and client feedback can help you assess workmanship and ensure the finished appearance meets your expectations.
What is the best solar window film for heat reduction in offices?
Window film offers different technologies to help you reduce things like excessive heat with different styles and functions.
If in addition to heat issues, you are tackling glare problems, dual-reflective window films are awesome solutions that help cut that glare and do an outstanding job of rejecting heat. For example, 3M’s Night Vision 15 can reject 72% of total solar energy, which is a game-changer.
If you want to maintain natural light but seriously address heat, Llumar’s Spectrally-selective series is a great choice. This series can allow you to maintain total natural light with major heat rejection.
What is the best window film to prevent fading?
Fast fact: all solar window films installed by U.S. Film Crew offer 99% UV protection. So, good news is you truly can’t go wrong!
Fading occurs due in part to 40% to harmful UV rays, 25% heat, 25% visible light, and then 10% miscellaneous factors. So depending on your space and your personal preferences, we can help you find the choice that makes the most sense and takes care of your needs.
What is the best window film to help reduce glare on office computer screens?
Glare is caused by excessive visible light, not just heat, so the key to solving it is controlling visible light transmission. While heat rejection is important for comfort, it’s visible light reduction that directly impacts screen glare.
In general, the darker the film, the greater the glare reduction. Some high-performance solar films can reduce glare by up to 89%, which can nearly eliminate the issue altogether in heavily exposed spaces.
That said, darker isn’t always better. If you’re looking for a softer, more balanced solution that maintains brightness while taking the edge off harsh light, a lighter film with moderate glare reduction may be the right fit.
The best choice ultimately depends on how severe the glare is and how much natural light you want to preserve.
Have a project in mind?
Chat with a professional to explore which solar window film option is best for your space and your specific challenges.
