Best Home Window Film For Heat Rejection
Best Window Films for Heat Reduction
The summer months can be sweltering, but a good window film can help to dramatically reduce the amount of heat entering your home by reflecting away the sun's energy and blocking out UV rays that contribute to fading and cracking of objects inside your home. Here are the best home window film for heat rejection you can install yourself at home, or hire someone to do it for you.
1. Solarguard
A great option for heat reduction, Solarguard window film works by blocking 99% of harmful UV rays without interfering with outside visibility. Most of its features can be controlled from inside your home, like an adjustable threshold or a switch to turn off and on cooling that’s based on light detection. This is a key feature if you want to make sure you’re not wasting energy when no one is around. A bonus? Many of these features can be programmed to work automatically, so you’ll never have to think about it again once they’re set up correctly.
2. Solarban
These window films have a reflective coating, which means they reject nearly 80% of heat. Just remember to keep your windows clean and clear; otherwise, Solarban films don’t provide much in terms of visibility. Solarban films may help cut down on noise pollution too. Some users report reduced street or lawnmower noise by as much as 50%. While there are several different varieties of Solarban film, all are similar enough that you can rely on one type alone rather than mix and match to achieve optimal heat reduction. For example, Solarban gold is available in three different levels: 30%, 50%, and 70%. All work similarly well at reducing heat, so it doesn’t matter which variety you choose.
3. Ultra Black
Although heat reduction is one of a window film’s most notable benefits, it’s not necessarily is most common. Ultra Black is made with metallic dyes and engineered to absorb, reflect and refract virtually all UV rays while rejecting nearly 100% of harmful solar heat. Whether you live in a region that sees scorching summers or somewhere with harsh winters, these features will reduce your energy bills throughout all seasons. In colder climates, it can also help prevent ice-related damage to your exterior glass by shielding it from the intense cold. Finally, when paired with a house wrap as part of an integrated energy-efficient solution, UV blocking Ultra Black could help you avoid cracking windows by keeping them from expanding and contracting over time.
4. Eco Smart Windows
These energy-efficient window films from 3M provide a dual benefit of heat reduction and insulation. While it may not be possible to get all windows to withstand summers, these best heat reducing window film can help reduce radiant heat transfer from your glass by up to 44 percent. As a bonus, they also reduce glare by as much as 60 percent, helping make your home’s interior more comfortable and providing a better view of outdoor scenery. They’re easy to install and are made with recyclable materials; if you ever decide to remove them, they peel off without residue or damage.
5. Reduce Heat Loss in Winter
Another reason to install decorative window film is that it’s effective at helping to reduce heat loss during the winter months. The film will keep your home warmer, reduce heating costs and make your house more comfortable. Heat gets out of a building through windows as much as 30% of the time, so if you have thermal curtains on every window in your home, you are saving yourself money while making your space cozier. Homeowners also report lower energy bills after installing decorative window film! On top of all that, installing them is an easy do-it-yourself project that only takes a few hours from start to finish!
Bottom line
At Metro Tint, we realize that you can’t find a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to window films and heat reduction. Every location is different and there are many other factors to consider. However, our research shows that when it comes to reducing heat gain through windows, three films rise above all others: Solar Gard on glass and Solarban on metal. We believe these two films offer unparalleled light transmission as well as high solar heat rejection. They can be used on both residential and commercial windows and will withstand high levels of temperature change over long periods.
