Most of us have been educated on the harmful effects the sun’s rays have on our skin, but did you know that those same rays can damage your home as well? Not only do the UV rays fade and rot furnishings, building materials, flooring, and art, but the heating and cooling costs that escalate thanks to unprotected windows cause our HVAC systems to run more adding to our energy bills and carbon footprint.
Applying window film to your home or business’ windows can reduce glare, provide UV protection for its occupants and furnishings, insulate against the sun’s heat and winter’s cold as well as make your home or business safer, energy efficient and more aesthetically pleasing.
Often times, here in Nebraska, we build our homes in a location that provides us with a beautiful view. Unfortunately, the sun wreaks havoc on our home’s interior and creates glare and heat issues that may cause us to cover our windows with curtains or blinds that hide the natural beauty of our landscape. In lieu of blocking the view from your windows, why not apply window film to block 99.9% of the harmful UV rays and 80% of the summer heat? Through the magic of today’s technology, window films provide business and home owners with many options. The films not only block UV rays and reduce the summer heat, but hold in the winter warmth as well. Up to 60% of a building’s heat is lost through its windows and doors and applying window film can make your building an energy efficient, money/environment saving comfort zone!
Here is a beautiful custom-built home with a breath-taking view in the Nebraska countryside. This stunning home has nearly 800 square feet of glass. The home owners built it precisely where they did to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The 12 large 69” x 69” windows in the main living room may give the occupants the opportunity to appreciate the view, but at the same time the sun creates heat, glare and damage that take away from the beauty of the home and land. Inconsistent temperatures throughout the house cause the HVAC system to run continually to keep up. By applying window film, the homeowner has now protected their investment, created a safer more comfortable environment, reduced their energy usage and costs, prolonged the life of their HVAC system as well as preserved their view of the wonders of nature.
As you can see, once film is applied to the window it is merely undetectable. The glare is gone and the beauty of the outdoors can now be relished from inside. The window without the protective film has so much glare from the sun that it is difficult to see what is outside.
Another added benefit of window film is the privacy it gives us. Whether you live in the suburbs or out in the country, knowing you can walk through your home without feeling as though you are on display gives us a feeling of added security. During the day the film gives a home a beautiful, uniform look that makes it difficult for outsiders to peer inside. When it is lighter inside than outside, our windows create glare making the windows reflect the interior back at the viewer. With today’s dual-reflective films, we can now enjoy the view out the windows at night much more easily than with films of earlier years.
The installation of window film is one of the most cost-effective improvements a homeowner can make with the average whole home installation having a ROI of 2 years.
Energy Consumption Comparison
Average annual energy consumptionto cool home without window film: 2655 kWh
Average annual energy consumption to cool home with window film: 1400kWh
Average annual reduction in energy consumption: 1255 kWh
Average annual reduction percentage: 47%
Data based on a 2,000-2,500 sq.ft. home. Projected results vary depending on climate, geography, home construction, thermostat setting, and type of film.
We live in a volatile area when it comes to weather and many of us have experienced storm damage. Often after a hail storm, broken windows mean an entire room’s furnishings and flooring must be replaced. By applying window film to your windows, you are protecting the occupants and furnishings from flying shards of glass in the event of a storm. There are varying degrees of protection available. Typical solar film will provide a minimal amount of protection, but there are also safety films that can withstand wind gusts up to 120 mph, gun shots and bomb blasts. Many government buildings including the Pentagon and Capital have applied safety film to protect against the ever present threats.
When done correctly by an experienced professional using top quality films, the application should last for decades providing the home or business owner with a cost effective solution to a very common problem.
These photos are from two different home installations. Thank you to the Springer and Schiedies families for allowing Pro-Tint of Kearney to solve your solar problems and for allowing us to share these photos of your stunning homes. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment for a free estimate please call Darby at (308) 234-4124.