WINDOW FILM TERMINOLOGY
ULTRAVIOLET (UV) - UV is divided into three different categories based on wavelength and its properties:
· UVA wavelengths (320-400 nm) are only slightly affected by ozone levels. Most UVA radiation is able to reach the earth's surface and can contribute to tanning, skin aging, eye damage, and immune suppression.
· UVB wavelengths (280-320 nm) are strongly affected by ozone levels. Decreases in stratospheric ozone mean that more UVB radiation can reach the earth's surface, causing sunburns, snow blindness, immune suppression, and a variety of skin problems including skin cancer and premature aging.
· UVC wavelengths (100-280 nm) are very strongly affected by ozone levels, so that the levels of UVC radiation reaching the earth's surface are relatively small.
VISIBLE LIGHT (VL) - The visible light portion of the spectrum is that which can be perceived by the human eye. It is found in wavelength of 400 to 700 nm. The portion of the spectrum where visible light can be found corresponds closely to the short-wavelength (less than 5 cm) light that best penetrates the Earth atmosphere's optical window.
INFRARED (IR) - IR light is invisible electromagnetic radiation that has a longer wavelength than visible light and is detected most often by its heating effect. It can be split into three categories:
· Near-infrared (near-IR) - Closest to visible light, near-IR has wavelengths that range from 0.7 to 1.3 microns. This light is reflected off objects.
· Mid-infrared (mid-IR) - Mid-IR has wavelengths ranging from 1.3 to 3 microns. Both near-IR and mid-IR are used by a variety of electronic devices, including remote controls and is also reflected off objects.
· Thermal-infrared (thermal-IR) - Occupying the largest part of the infrared spectrum, thermal-IR has wavelengths ranging from 3 microns to over 30 microns and is emitted by an object at the atomic level, not reflected off of it.
*** The sun’s energy consists of 3% UV, 44% VL, and 53% IR***
NON-REFLECTIVE (NR) - A film whose construction contains no metals. In a 2-Ply film, it is a ply of colored film laminated with another ply of colored film.
HIGH PERFORMANCE (HP) - A film whose construction is a ply of colored film laminated with a ply of metalized film. May also be a fully metalized film, containing no colored film, where the film derives its color from different types of metals.
SOLAR ENERGY TRANSMITTED - The ratio of the total solar energy passing through the glazing system.
SOLAR ENERGY ABSORBED - The ratio of the amount of total solar energy directly absorbed by the glazing system.
SOLAR ENERGY REFLECTED - The ratio of the amount of the total solar energy directly reflected by the glazing system.
VISIBLE LIGHT TRANSMITTED (VLT) - The ratio of visible solar energy (380 – 750nm) that passes through the glazing system.
VISIBLE LIGHT REFLECTED (VLR) - The total percentage of visible light reflected by a glazing system that can be seen visually.
GLARE REDUCTION (GR) - The percentage of reduction in visible light transmission through a glazing system compared to a window without one.
ULTRAVIOLET REJECTED (UVR) - The ratio of ultraviolet solar energy (wavelength of 300 – 380nm) that is rejected by a glazing system. Note: UV energy is not visible to the human eye and is mainly responsible for the degradation and fading of dyes and upholstery.
SHADING COEFFICIENT (SC) - The ratio of the solar heat gain through a given glazing system to the solar heat gain under the same conditions for clear glass.
TOTAL SOLAR ENERGY REJECTED (TSER) - The percentage of incident solar energy rejected by a glazing system which is equal to solar reflectance plus the part of solar absorption which is re-radiated outward.
EMISSIVITY (E) - A measure of a surface’s ability to absorb or reflect far-infrared radiation. The lower the emissivity, the higher the far-infrared reflection, and the better the insulating qualities of the glazing system.
U-VALUE - A measure of the rate of heat conductivity of a glazing system, independent of solar radiation. When multiplied by the difference between indoor and outdoor temperature in Fahrenheit, it gives the amount of heat in BTUs/hours/square foot of glazing. Note: the greater the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the greater the U-value. The lower the U-value, the better the insulation qualities of the glazing system.
EVAPORATIVE COATING - A crucible containing metal is heated until the metal melts and forms a gas cloud. This metal gas is deposited on the film and bonds as soon as it cools. Aluminum is the metal of choice because of its low melting point.
ELECTRON BEAM COATING - This method is similar to the evaporative method except that a beam of high-energy electrons is aimed at the source of metal to heat it. This energy causes the metal to vaporize and form a cloud of gas that deposits on the polyester sheet.
SPUTTERING - An electrically charged gas, such as argon, bombards the metal and frees the molecules. These molecules are deposited onto the film and layered side by side, providing extremely thin and precise coatings. This coating is so tight that the water used during installation cannot evaporate, which causes a hazy look. This hazy look will go away after two to three weeks of curing.
HOW TINT WORKS
When it comes to insulating your home against heat and cold, windows are a major component for protection against heat transfer. In summer, ordinary glass lets the sun's heat penetrate your home, forcing your air conditioner to work harder and consume more energy. In winter, a substantial amount of your home's heat is also lost through the glass.
In untreated glass, most of the solar energy is transmitted through the glass with only a small amount reflected or absorbed. Installing window film on a pane of glass dramatically changes how it reflects, transmits, and absorbs solar energy. Depending on the characteristics of the film selected, it can significantly reduce solar energy transmission by increasing reflection and absorption.
Solar control window films, when applied to your windows, are a solar barrier that can reject up to 88% of the sun's total solar energy. In addition, window films block transmission of almost 100% of the damaging ultraviolet (UV) light. In summer, your home is cooler and more comfortable and in winter, certain window films re-radiate heat back into the room, helping you save on your utility bills year round.
TYPES OF TINT
Nanoceramics are made from solid layers that are a few nanometers (nm) in thickness, deposited upon an underlying substrate of PET sheeting. Gas flow sputtering, using the hollow cathode technique, is most effective for the preparation of nanoceramic layers. The process utilizes a vacuum-based deposition technique at very high deposition rates. Nanoceramic layers are also prepared from Titanium Dioxide and Copper by the hollow cathode technique because of its hardness and high resistance to corrosion.
These "spectrally selective" coatings on nanoceramic tint filter out 25%–99% of the infrared heat normally transmitted through glass and traditional films, while still allowing high amounts of visible light to be transmitted. They are chosen by interior designers and homeowners because of their ability to block substantial amounts of heat while remaining virtually unnoticeable because of their "clear" appearance.
Sputter deposition is a physical vapor deposition (PVD) method of depositing material from a source, which then deposits onto a substrate, such as a PET film. The sputtered ions fly from the source and impact on the substrates. The entire range from high-energy impact to low-energy thermalized motion is accessible by changing the background gas pressure, which is often an inert gas such as argon or neon. The compound can be formed on the target surface, in-flight or on the substrate, depending on the process parameters.
Sputtering is used extensively in the tint industry to deposit thin layers of various metals, in order to achieve different colors or performance characteristics. The coating is a multilayer containing metal oxides such as zinc oxide, tin oxide, or titanium dioxide, and can even use platinum, gold, and silver. The process of sputtering to produce low-emissivity coatings is also widely used in the glass industry, especially on double-pane window assemblies. The many parameters that control sputter deposition make it a complex process, but also allow manufacturers a large degree of control over the desired characteristics of the film.
Evaporation deposition is a common method where the source material is evaporated in a vacuum. The vacuum allows vapor particles to travel directly to the target object, where they condense back to a solid state. It takes place in a vacuum and involves two basic processes: a hot source material evaporates and then condenses on the substrate. Evaporated atoms that collide with foreign particles may react with them, such as aluminum that is deposited in the presence of oxygen, will form aluminum oxide. They also reduce the amount of vapor that reaches the substrate, which makes the thickness difficult to control.
Evaporated materials deposit non-uniformly if the substrate has a rough surface. These evaporated materials attack the substrate and any protruding features block the evaporated material from some areas, even at a microscopic level. When evaporation is performed in poor vacuum or close to atmospheric pressure, the resulting deposition is generally non-uniform and tends not to be a continuous or smooth film. Rather, the deposition will may appear fuzzy and give the film a cloudy or hazy appearance.
The VLT of the window film will be determined by the amount of dye applied and the speed at which it passes. It can be applied via a deep bath process which is typically found in tint with better longevity or can be sprayed on with adhesive and left to dry or laminated between another ply of film.
Dyed films work by absorbing heat on the glass, which is why they are rarely found in residential/commercial films and also offer the lowest heat rejection. Their primary benefit is to offer privacy but most do offer significant UV protection at 99% or more.
SELECTING THE RIGHT WINDOW FILM
Solar control window films reject varying amounts of infrared, visible, and UV light entering windows, based upon their construction and design. Most tint is either dyed or metalized, in order to absorb or reflect the heat. Modern window film technology has created nanoceramic films, which are non-metallic and also do not contain any dyes. These nanoceramic window films cost more but provide a substantial increase in ability to block infrared and light and heat.
All tint substantially reduces the amount of ultraviolet radiation entering a window, which is the single biggest contributor to interior fading of furnishings. Traditional dyed and metalized tint greatly reduce visibility in order to maximize heat rejection while the newer nanoceramic films act by blocking certain wavelengths of the sun's infrared radiation and reject heat without having to greatly reduce natural light, thus preserving pristine views of lakes, mountains, and golf courses.
Security films are applied to prevent glass from shattering. Typically applied to commercial glass, these films are made of heavy-gauge plastic and are intended to maintain the integrity of glass when subject to heavy impact. The most robust security films are capable of preventing fragmentation of hazardous glass shards from forces such as bomb blasts, hurricane-force winds, or forced entry. If anchored correctly, safety film can provide a level of protection that is consistent with bullet-proof glass.
Not all tint is suitable for all types of windows. You must consider the solar absorbance of the tint, in conjunction with that of the window type, based on the size of the pane, the thickness of the glass, the construction of the window – is it single pane, insulated glass, treated or laminated. Advice on the appropriate selection of tint for the glass is vital to ensure that the glass does not crack as a result of thermal stress. However, it is possible that a pane of glass may break subsequent to the application of an appropriate tint because the pane has been damaged or because of some other physical stresses that are not apparent at the time of the application. The chances of glass breakage occurring are extremely minute when all aspects and properties are taken into consideration, however, it is always advisable to speak with a professional to ensure you select the right window tint.
ULTRAVIOLET (UV) - UV is divided into three different categories based on wavelength and its properties:
· UVA wavelengths (320-400 nm) are only slightly affected by ozone levels. Most UVA radiation is able to reach the earth's surface and can contribute to tanning, skin aging, eye damage, and immune suppression.
· UVB wavelengths (280-320 nm) are strongly affected by ozone levels. Decreases in stratospheric ozone mean that more UVB radiation can reach the earth's surface, causing sunburns, snow blindness, immune suppression, and a variety of skin problems including skin cancer and premature aging.
· UVC wavelengths (100-280 nm) are very strongly affected by ozone levels, so that the levels of UVC radiation reaching the earth's surface are relatively small.
VISIBLE LIGHT (VL) - The visible light portion of the spectrum is that which can be perceived by the human eye. It is found in wavelength of 400 to 700 nm. The portion of the spectrum where visible light can be found corresponds closely to the short-wavelength (less than 5 cm) light that best penetrates the Earth atmosphere's optical window.
INFRARED (IR) - IR light is invisible electromagnetic radiation that has a longer wavelength than visible light and is detected most often by its heating effect. It can be split into three categories:
· Near-infrared (near-IR) - Closest to visible light, near-IR has wavelengths that range from 0.7 to 1.3 microns. This light is reflected off objects.
· Mid-infrared (mid-IR) - Mid-IR has wavelengths ranging from 1.3 to 3 microns. Both near-IR and mid-IR are used by a variety of electronic devices, including remote controls and is also reflected off objects.
· Thermal-infrared (thermal-IR) - Occupying the largest part of the infrared spectrum, thermal-IR has wavelengths ranging from 3 microns to over 30 microns and is emitted by an object at the atomic level, not reflected off of it.
*** The sun’s energy consists of 3% UV, 44% VL, and 53% IR***
NON-REFLECTIVE (NR) - A film whose construction contains no metals. In a 2-Ply film, it is a ply of colored film laminated with another ply of colored film.
HIGH PERFORMANCE (HP) - A film whose construction is a ply of colored film laminated with a ply of metalized film. May also be a fully metalized film, containing no colored film, where the film derives its color from different types of metals.
SOLAR ENERGY TRANSMITTED - The ratio of the total solar energy passing through the glazing system.
SOLAR ENERGY ABSORBED - The ratio of the amount of total solar energy directly absorbed by the glazing system.
SOLAR ENERGY REFLECTED - The ratio of the amount of the total solar energy directly reflected by the glazing system.
VISIBLE LIGHT TRANSMITTED (VLT) - The ratio of visible solar energy (380 – 750nm) that passes through the glazing system.
VISIBLE LIGHT REFLECTED (VLR) - The total percentage of visible light reflected by a glazing system that can be seen visually.
GLARE REDUCTION (GR) - The percentage of reduction in visible light transmission through a glazing system compared to a window without one.
ULTRAVIOLET REJECTED (UVR) - The ratio of ultraviolet solar energy (wavelength of 300 – 380nm) that is rejected by a glazing system. Note: UV energy is not visible to the human eye and is mainly responsible for the degradation and fading of dyes and upholstery.
SHADING COEFFICIENT (SC) - The ratio of the solar heat gain through a given glazing system to the solar heat gain under the same conditions for clear glass.
TOTAL SOLAR ENERGY REJECTED (TSER) - The percentage of incident solar energy rejected by a glazing system which is equal to solar reflectance plus the part of solar absorption which is re-radiated outward.
EMISSIVITY (E) - A measure of a surface’s ability to absorb or reflect far-infrared radiation. The lower the emissivity, the higher the far-infrared reflection, and the better the insulating qualities of the glazing system.
U-VALUE - A measure of the rate of heat conductivity of a glazing system, independent of solar radiation. When multiplied by the difference between indoor and outdoor temperature in Fahrenheit, it gives the amount of heat in BTUs/hours/square foot of glazing. Note: the greater the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the greater the U-value. The lower the U-value, the better the insulation qualities of the glazing system.
EVAPORATIVE COATING - A crucible containing metal is heated until the metal melts and forms a gas cloud. This metal gas is deposited on the film and bonds as soon as it cools. Aluminum is the metal of choice because of its low melting point.
ELECTRON BEAM COATING - This method is similar to the evaporative method except that a beam of high-energy electrons is aimed at the source of metal to heat it. This energy causes the metal to vaporize and form a cloud of gas that deposits on the polyester sheet.
SPUTTERING - An electrically charged gas, such as argon, bombards the metal and frees the molecules. These molecules are deposited onto the film and layered side by side, providing extremely thin and precise coatings. This coating is so tight that the water used during installation cannot evaporate, which causes a hazy look. This hazy look will go away after two to three weeks of curing.
HOW TINT WORKS
When it comes to insulating your home against heat and cold, windows are a major component for protection against heat transfer. In summer, ordinary glass lets the sun's heat penetrate your home, forcing your air conditioner to work harder and consume more energy. In winter, a substantial amount of your home's heat is also lost through the glass.
In untreated glass, most of the solar energy is transmitted through the glass with only a small amount reflected or absorbed. Installing window film on a pane of glass dramatically changes how it reflects, transmits, and absorbs solar energy. Depending on the characteristics of the film selected, it can significantly reduce solar energy transmission by increasing reflection and absorption.
Solar control window films, when applied to your windows, are a solar barrier that can reject up to 88% of the sun's total solar energy. In addition, window films block transmission of almost 100% of the damaging ultraviolet (UV) light. In summer, your home is cooler and more comfortable and in winter, certain window films re-radiate heat back into the room, helping you save on your utility bills year round.
TYPES OF TINT
Nanoceramics are made from solid layers that are a few nanometers (nm) in thickness, deposited upon an underlying substrate of PET sheeting. Gas flow sputtering, using the hollow cathode technique, is most effective for the preparation of nanoceramic layers. The process utilizes a vacuum-based deposition technique at very high deposition rates. Nanoceramic layers are also prepared from Titanium Dioxide and Copper by the hollow cathode technique because of its hardness and high resistance to corrosion.
These "spectrally selective" coatings on nanoceramic tint filter out 25%–99% of the infrared heat normally transmitted through glass and traditional films, while still allowing high amounts of visible light to be transmitted. They are chosen by interior designers and homeowners because of their ability to block substantial amounts of heat while remaining virtually unnoticeable because of their "clear" appearance.
Sputter deposition is a physical vapor deposition (PVD) method of depositing material from a source, which then deposits onto a substrate, such as a PET film. The sputtered ions fly from the source and impact on the substrates. The entire range from high-energy impact to low-energy thermalized motion is accessible by changing the background gas pressure, which is often an inert gas such as argon or neon. The compound can be formed on the target surface, in-flight or on the substrate, depending on the process parameters.
Sputtering is used extensively in the tint industry to deposit thin layers of various metals, in order to achieve different colors or performance characteristics. The coating is a multilayer containing metal oxides such as zinc oxide, tin oxide, or titanium dioxide, and can even use platinum, gold, and silver. The process of sputtering to produce low-emissivity coatings is also widely used in the glass industry, especially on double-pane window assemblies. The many parameters that control sputter deposition make it a complex process, but also allow manufacturers a large degree of control over the desired characteristics of the film.
Evaporation deposition is a common method where the source material is evaporated in a vacuum. The vacuum allows vapor particles to travel directly to the target object, where they condense back to a solid state. It takes place in a vacuum and involves two basic processes: a hot source material evaporates and then condenses on the substrate. Evaporated atoms that collide with foreign particles may react with them, such as aluminum that is deposited in the presence of oxygen, will form aluminum oxide. They also reduce the amount of vapor that reaches the substrate, which makes the thickness difficult to control.
Evaporated materials deposit non-uniformly if the substrate has a rough surface. These evaporated materials attack the substrate and any protruding features block the evaporated material from some areas, even at a microscopic level. When evaporation is performed in poor vacuum or close to atmospheric pressure, the resulting deposition is generally non-uniform and tends not to be a continuous or smooth film. Rather, the deposition will may appear fuzzy and give the film a cloudy or hazy appearance.
The VLT of the window film will be determined by the amount of dye applied and the speed at which it passes. It can be applied via a deep bath process which is typically found in tint with better longevity or can be sprayed on with adhesive and left to dry or laminated between another ply of film.
Dyed films work by absorbing heat on the glass, which is why they are rarely found in residential/commercial films and also offer the lowest heat rejection. Their primary benefit is to offer privacy but most do offer significant UV protection at 99% or more.
SELECTING THE RIGHT WINDOW FILM
Solar control window films reject varying amounts of infrared, visible, and UV light entering windows, based upon their construction and design. Most tint is either dyed or metalized, in order to absorb or reflect the heat. Modern window film technology has created nanoceramic films, which are non-metallic and also do not contain any dyes. These nanoceramic window films cost more but provide a substantial increase in ability to block infrared and light and heat.
All tint substantially reduces the amount of ultraviolet radiation entering a window, which is the single biggest contributor to interior fading of furnishings. Traditional dyed and metalized tint greatly reduce visibility in order to maximize heat rejection while the newer nanoceramic films act by blocking certain wavelengths of the sun's infrared radiation and reject heat without having to greatly reduce natural light, thus preserving pristine views of lakes, mountains, and golf courses.
Security films are applied to prevent glass from shattering. Typically applied to commercial glass, these films are made of heavy-gauge plastic and are intended to maintain the integrity of glass when subject to heavy impact. The most robust security films are capable of preventing fragmentation of hazardous glass shards from forces such as bomb blasts, hurricane-force winds, or forced entry. If anchored correctly, safety film can provide a level of protection that is consistent with bullet-proof glass.
Not all tint is suitable for all types of windows. You must consider the solar absorbance of the tint, in conjunction with that of the window type, based on the size of the pane, the thickness of the glass, the construction of the window – is it single pane, insulated glass, treated or laminated. Advice on the appropriate selection of tint for the glass is vital to ensure that the glass does not crack as a result of thermal stress. However, it is possible that a pane of glass may break subsequent to the application of an appropriate tint because the pane has been damaged or because of some other physical stresses that are not apparent at the time of the application. The chances of glass breakage occurring are extremely minute when all aspects and properties are taken into consideration, however, it is always advisable to speak with a professional to ensure you select the right window tint.