When regular window film just isn’t enough, it’s time to look for other options, and what better option is there than a window film that’ll absorb heat and UV before it even touches your glass. Solar Vision’s 3M Prestige Exterior Window Film line does exactly this!
So what is the big difference? Heat absorbance! Or what many Glass Manufacturer’s, Architects, Engineers, and Window Film Professionals refer to as the Solar Heath Gain Coefficient (SHGC).
As per energy.gov:
Solar heat gain coefficient is the fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window, door, or skylight—either transmitted directly and/or absorbed, and subsequently released as heat inside the home or building. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat it transmits and the greater its shading ability. -https://www.energy.gov/
Long story short, the film with the lowest SHGC, is the best performing one.
Imagine a window film that could reduce your SHGC to .29 on double clear glass, which is the standard glass in most homes in offices today. That’s exactly what Exterior Prestige 40 does vs. a standard reflective interior film that generally comes with an SHGC around .40 for the same type of glass.
These are impressive numbers! Solar Vision’s line of 3M Exterior Prestige Window Films provide the most bang for your buck in regards to heat reduction.
Benefits include:
High VLT
Best performing solar film products
Low to no risk of thermal stress fracturing
Best product for skylights, and hard to reach windows
10 year warranty
While there are many benefits to going with an exterior film, there are still some reasons why an interior film might still make more sense for you. 3M Exterior comes with a 10 year warranty vs. a lifetime residential warranty, and upwards of 15 year commercial warranty on interior products. Also, installation can be tricky. Not only do Installers need to be able to safely access your windows, weather conditions also have to be optimal. Wind, rain, and snow can result in a bad installation. With the ever changing weather in Colorado, we’ve seen these installs rescheduled more than once. Exterior installs can also cost more, this is due to the price of the film, and the difficult application. A reputable window film company like Solar Vision with a lot of exterior installations under their belt is who you’ll want to use for this type of application.
While an exterior film might not be for everyone, it isn’t one to be overlooked either. Next time you’re discussing your window film options with a professional window film company, ask about an exterior film. It might be just what you are looking for.
Bryan prepping window for the application of 3M Exterior Prestige 20 at the State House 38 restaurant in Commerce City, CO. This is a task only for the detail oriented. Cleaning an outdoor window for film, and keeping it clean during application has to be done with care and patience.