Tackling the Heat: How We Helped a Pittsburgh Office Beat the Sun 

Last month, Pittsburgh Financial Consultants reached out to our team at U.S. Film Crew with a challenge that’s all too familiar: their office was overheating. Employees were battling heat and discomfort that made it difficult to focus and stay productive throughout the day. 

The Problem: Solar Heat Gain

Many modern office buildings feature large glass façades that look beautiful but trap unwanted heat. The culprit? Solar heat gain.  

Solar heat gain is the result of sunlight passing through glass and transforming into heat, driving indoor temperatures up and forcing HVAC systems to work harder (and sometimes, cost more). 

Our Approach: Think Outside the Glass

We have been to this building before and were eager to help, but this project required a creative solution. Typically, we install window film on the interior side of the glass to provide effective benefits and strong warranty options. However, after assessing the building’s materials and sun exposure, our team determined that an exterior film application would deliver better daily results. 

One key factor was the sun exposure. The windows in question were southern facing and receive direct sun exposure all day. This excessive solar energy resulted in a window system that not only absorbed but retained excess heat. To solve this, we installed Llumar’s RHE20 film on the outside of the ground-floor windows. Installing this material on the outside allows us to reject more of the sun’s energy before it even enters the glazing system—dramatically reducing heat buildup at the source. 

“Typically, we install window film on the interior side of the glass to provide effective benefits and strong warranty options. However, after assessing the building’s materials and sun exposure, we determined that an exterior film application would deliver better daily results.” 

– Weatherly, U.S. Film Crew 

The Results: Lasting Comfort and Efficiency

By tackling the heat from the outside, we created a lasting improvement in comfort and glass performance on the inside. 

Pittsburgh Financial Consultants quickly noticed: 

• Regulated indoor temperatures 
• Improved comfort 
• A workspace that they can actually use 

In fact, the results were so effective that the company called us back just a week later to install film on the building’s top floor. 

The Takeaway: Smart Film, Smarter Buildings

This project is a great example of how the right window film solution, from material to installation, can completely transform a workspace. Whether the issue is excessive heat, glare, or fading, our team thrives on providing smart window film solutions to make buildings more comfortable, efficient, and productive places to work. 

Say goodbye to hot spots and glare. Contact US Film Crew to learn how solar window film can make your space more inviting.