Window Film Blog

Today we take windows for granted – they are used on every building across the globe to protect us from the elements, from each other and to provide light. It is hard to think of a time before todays modern sheets of clear glass but thousands of years went past before glass was even invented let alone used as windows for buildings.

The word ‘Window’ was first recorded being used in the early 13th century, and originally referred to an unglazed hole in a roof. The term Window replaced the Old English word ‘eagþyr’ that literally meant ‘eye-hole’.

The earliest windows were just holes in a wall or roof structure. Animal hide, cloth, wood and in the Far East, paper was used to fill windows. Shutters that could be opened and closed followed after. Glass wasn’t used in windows until 100 AD. Glass had been used by many Stone Age societies across the world for the production of sharp cutting tools and later jewellery or trinkets but because it was so rare it was extensively traded. By the 1500 century BC extensive glass production was occurring in Western Asia, Crete, Egypt and Greek. The first ever glassmaking “manual” dates back to 650 BC.

With the discovery of clear glass by glass blowers in Alexandria circa 100 AD, the Romans began to use glass for architectural purposes. Windows were built that both protected the inhabitants from the elements and transmitted light: mullioned glass windows, which joined multiple small pieces of glass with leading, paper windows, flattened pieces of translucent animal horn, and plates of thinly sliced marble.

Cast glass windows, albeit with poor optical qualities, began to appear in the most important buildings in Rome and the most luxurious villas of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Over the next 1,000 years glass making and working continued and spread through southern Europe and beyond.
Modern-style floor-to-ceiling windows became possible only after the industrial glass making process was perfected. In England, glass became common in the windows of ordinary homes only in the early 17th century. So for over 500 years we have not found a better substance to fill our windows! Glass making techniques have continued to develop and evolve along with peoples tastes, needs and modern architecture.

So when you are moaning about the cold weather this Spring try and remember a time when our ancestors didn’t have the luxury of glass windows to keep the cold at bay and the wind out of the house!

Solar window film is coated film designed to reduce the amount of UV rays and over powering solar heat transmitted through windows at home and in the office. There are many benefits of solar window film and with spring here and summer on the horizon there has never been a better time for you to invest in it. There are many things to consider when thinking of getting Solar Window film, below we have answered the top four questions that our customers ask us:

How does it save me money?

The UV protection in the solar window film protects both home and office furnishings from fading.  They block up to 99% of UV rays, which is the main cause of fading, meaning your expensive furnishings like sofa, curtains and carpets will keep their colour for longer and therefore last longer saving you money on unnecessary replacements.

What heat savings can you enjoy?

As we discussed solar window films block harmful UV rays, which means that it virtually eliminates hot and cold spots from buildings and keeps a more constant temperature that reduces the need for air conditioning units, fans and extra heaters.  The solar energy can warm your house and also retain the heat which means you won’t have to have the heating on as high or for as long to reach the same temperature, saving you money on your heating bills.

Will it look Ugly?

We get asked this allot, it’s a fair question, usually due to people having witnessed bad DIY attempts at window film. Chances are you’ve probably seen our film many times but didn’t even know it was there. Some films have a bronze tint, silver tint, or a reflective finish, but with advances in manufacturing techniques, we can now supply virtually invisible films with little or no colour.

What’s the future of window film?

The future of window film is clear. More people are seeing the benefits of using window film at home and in their businesses to save costs, increase comfort and increase the longevity of furniture and treasured possessions. Don’t be left behind and in discomfort, find out more today.

If you are looking to reduce solar heat gain, but without noticeably reducing the level of incoming light as mirrored films would, or overtly changing the apperance of the glass, then clear solar film range from Sun-X will meet this requirement.

These films are perfect for shopfronts to protect display items against fade damage, without affecting visibility through the glass. Also, these films are ideal for domestic usage where high light levels are critical to the homeowner.

The clear solar film range, available for internal and external application, can be tailored to suit all requirements concerning performance and appearance, and also budgets.

Sun-X has recently added a new and third “Low-E” insulation solar film to its already wide and expanding range of energy saving window films. Low-E films already in use are a dark silver reflective, and a light neutral/gold film. The new medium density bronze/gold ‘EnerLogic’ film offers unparalleled performance in summer solar heat gain reduction, and also winter heat loss reduction.

High efficiency energy savings

Other window film technologies can help you save energy, but because EnerLogic’s patent-pending Low-E coating delivers energy efficiency in every season, no other film can match its annual savings. EnerLogic technology is “always on” and offers superior savings with far better clarity: doubling the energy and carbon emission savings of darker, more reflective films.

An upgrade that pays for itself

In fact, EnerLogic outperforms most of the alternatives in terms of payback. Because the cost to upgrade a building with EnerLogic is typically much less than the cost involved with other upgrades, your return on investment comes even faster

High performance year-round

EnerLogic helps to keep the summer heat out and helps to lock the heat inside in winter: the perfect balance of energy efficiency, comfort, and cost savings – all-season, year-round. EnerLogic provides unparalleled glass-insulating capabilities – no other window film even comes close. With its patent-pending Low-E technology, EnerLogic has the best insulating performance of any window film available. Improving a window’s insulating properties provides year-round energy savings. When you compare how much EnerLogic improves insulating performance to other film technologies, you clearly see that EnerLogic is in a class by itself.

Features & Benefits:

• “Always on” technology gives year round energy savings and carbon emissions reductions.
• Over 10% saving on commercial building energy costs achievable.
• Patent-pending, super-Low E coating (Emissivity = 0.07) directs solar and radiant heat back to its source.
• Provides a perfect balance of energy efficiency, comfort and cost savings – gives significant improvement in working conditions.
• Upgrades the annual insulating performance of single pane glazing to close to double pane glazing.
• Reduction in daylight glare allows less use of blinds, giving potential for additional savings in lighting costs.
• Ultra-low iridescence (rainbow) makes it fully compatible with many types of lighting, including high efficiency lighting.
• Spectrally selective coating allows good visible light transmission with high solar energy rejection.
• Dual reflective for ‘one-way mirror’ daytime privacy, with stylish gold/bronze external surface.
• Excellent UV protection reduces fading of textiles, furniture, and works of art.
• Uniquely designed scratch resistant coating gives increased longevity & easy cleaning.
• 15 years manufacturer-backed warranty.

Performance data for clear 4mm single glazing:

Also now available is a high-light-transmission, non-reflective version, ideal for listed buildings:

Expertly manufactured in Sun-X workshops by our own trained personnel, perforated sunscreen blinds give flexibility in sunlight control while maintaining a constant view of the world outside.

The maximum solar energy rejection, using a white internal fabric with a tight weave, is around 68% on single glazed windows. Greater efficiency can be obtained if the blinds are fitted externally.

Darker fabrics are less efficient at solar rejection, but provide greater glare reduction, as well as enhanced clarity of vision to the exterior. If blinds are drawn to different heights, this fact will not be overly apparent from the outside, as dark colours will blend into the glazed facade.

Better light control and external visibility will be achieved using finer weaves.

‘Sheer’ sunscreen fabrics are available in many different weave patterns and colours, made into roller, vertical, or even pleated blinds, with either manual or motorised operation. Material roll widths of up to 3.1m coupled with heavy-duty aluminium tubing allow for larger seamless panels. These large roller blinds have a special heavy-duty ‘geared’ side-winding mechanism, operated with metal bead chain. The  chains are available in many varied colours including chrome, gold, and antique brass.

Sunscreen blinds are particularly suitable for museums by offering significant light reduction to protect the collections, whilst giving the viewing public a sense of what is outside, rather than being boxed in. Another use is for domestic properties where windows look out onto the garden, so that shading can be provided without spoling the view. These blinds are also popular in commercial offices, to help maintain staff morale and productivity, giving the impression of greater light and space.

Where large panes of glass could result in people walking into them thinking they are not there, applying manifestation window film will mitigate this hazard. As well as being a requirement under Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulation 14 (1992), the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) stipulates that this must be installed at two heights.

The standard patterns are bands, circles or squares. However, employers can take this opportunity to include corporate branding, or even an intricate design such as the one using three different etched products, installed by Sun-X at Guy’s Hospital, London:

Another solution Sun-X can provide is to digitally print a design of the client’s choosing onto a clear film, which can then be applied to the existing glass.

Not only are these products very cost-efficient compared to acid-etching or sandblasting, but they are ultimately removable should requirements or branding change, and replaced with new patterns.

Sun-X (UK) Ltd. provides a nationwide installation service through the United Kingdom – please contact Sun-X to find out more.

The term ‘Traditional’ when describing a roller blind refers to the style of finish of the cover. A traditionally finished roller blind cover differs from the standard domestic blind in that the cloth is hemmed and stitched, usually with strong zig-zag stitching and has a matching bottom pocket which contains a heavy ‘pear-shaped’ wooden lath to which the draw cord is attached by means of a brass knotholder.

The choice of barrel diameter and strength of spring depends very largely upon the width and height of the individual window, while the type of roller action is determined to a very large extent by personal preference. These are detailed below. Traditionally finished covers can be fitted to less expensive domestic rollers, but these are not recommended for use in windows larger than the standard domestic type.

In addition to the standard range of Traditional Scottish Holland blind materials, Sun-X also has an exclusive range of Glazed Holland fabrics. These new materials have already been successfully installed in a number of privately owned historic houses and National Trust and English Heritage properties. Whilst reproducing the appearance of historic glazed cotton blinds, modern manufacturing techniques enable the material to be wipe-clean and shrink-proof. This facility ensures the maintenance of a neat, clean appearance and significantly increases durability of Sun-X heavy-duty blinds to last throughout a generation.

Being thinner than the standard commercially produced roller blind material, Sun-X Glazed Holland fabrics are ideal where blinds are required to be fitted inside blind boxes or within narrow sash recesses, allowing unimpeded use of shutters. The translucency of this material also permits continued vision of architectural window detail.

Sun-X has helped to conserve the interiors of Museums, Art Galleries, Historic Houses, Royal Residences, National Trust and English Heritage properties throughout the U.K. and in Europe for nearly 40 years. Our excellent reputation in this field is based upon the high standards of our materials and upon the quality of our installation. The Sun-X range of traditional blinds and covers not only provide privacy but offer a variety of aesthetically pleasing solutions to short-term fade damage. Their use in conjunction with Sun-X clear ultraviolet filters applied to the existing glass can virtually eliminate fade and fibre degeneration.

SUN-X CAP & RACK ROLLER BLINDS

This type of metal barrel roller has a brass ratchet at one end and requires both hands to operate the blind. Often preferred for use in very tall windows, one hand controls the blind by the centre cord while the other pulls the cord at the end of the blind to release the ratchet. This frees the spring to raise the cover slowly on this extremely controllable blind.

SUN-X CHECK-ACTION ROLLER BLINDS

As the mechanism is internal to the roller, this type of blind affords maximum coverage to the window. The check-action is reliable, robust, and provides a gliding motion, rather than a jerky movement which blights other systems. A single centre-cord is used to operate this blind.

SUN-X FLANGE-END ROLLER BLINDS

Often preferred for very wide windows or where a centre cord may obstruct a doorway or fire exit. It can be fitted with a spring to assist ascent or fall which is secured by the cord on a brass K cleat. As the cover descends, the cord, guided by a pulley wheel, is wound round the flange by the gravity of the fall. This allows the cover to be raised by pulling the cord and securing to the cleat.

SUN-X DOUBLE BLINDS

In this instance, two rollers are mounted on the one pair of extended brass or steel brackets within the sash recess, offering separate operation of a dark window-facing cover and lighter room-facing cover. The resultant effect gives an aesthetic and easily adjustable solution to visible light reduction, from almost blackout to light shade.

Sun-X (UK) Ltd. provides a nationwide installation service through the United Kingdom – please contact Sun-X to find out more.

Glare from the sun can cause discomfort and even distress to building occupants, either directly into their eyes, or preventing computer screens from being clearly visible. Where glare is at distress levels for one or two people, it will probably be at discomfort level for everyone.

Solar film installed by Sun-X can virtually eliminate glare, whilst still allowing excellent clarity of vision to the exterior. This will also help employers comply with Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992, and Regulations arising from EU Directive 89/654/EEC.

Anti-glare film is particularly appropriate when combatting low winter sun, the angle of which can often pose a more acute problem than longer hours of higher summer sun exposure.

If the problem is purely seasonal, then Sun-X solar shade blinds would be the answer, so the windows need not be permanently tinted.

Glare reducing film can either be non-reflective for minimal impact on the external facade, or in varying degrees of reflectivity to help additionally reduce solar heat gain.

Sun-X (UK) Ltd. provides a nationwide installation service through the United Kingdom – please contact Sun-X to find out more.

As soon as a display object, fabric, or painting is exposed to both natural, and some forms of artificial light, it begins to deteriorate.

With visible light and heat responsible for considerable damage, fade will be proportional, not only to the level of illuminance but also to the duration of exposure. For example, items exposed for one hour at 1000 lux will suffer the same damage as those exposed for two hours at 500 lux. It is therefore a sensible precaution to keep blinds closed when rooms are not in use and to provide shade in times of strong daylight. In conservation situations, lux levels are usually monitored with an appropriate meter to achieve the following recommended levels:

* 200 LUX  - oil and tempera paintings, undyed leather, lacquer (Oriental and European), wood, horn, bone and ivory (where surface colour is important).

* 50 LUX  - Costumes, watercolours, tapestries, furniture, textiles, prints and drawings, stamps, manuscripts, miniatures, wallpapers, dyed leather and many other natural articles.

Lux tolerance will depend upon the nature of the articles requiring protection. The rate of deterioration depends upon its construction, but is always directly proportional to the intensity of the light (lux level) and its duration (lux hours).

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) causes a sizeable proportion (approx. 40%) of fading and deterioration of exposed objects and furnishings. Colourless materials, such as varnishes, paint media and raw textiles are degraded predominantly by UV. Most dyes and fugitive pigments are faded by visible light, especially at the blue end of the spectrum.

UV radiation and visible light are the major contributors of up to 65% of fade and deterioration while a combination of UV, high lux levels and heat are responsible for 90% of the damage to exposed items. Factors such as humidity and atmospheric pollution are responsible for the remaining 10%.

Reduction of both lux and UV levels to within acceptable limits should therefore be treated as a priority.

Today’s interior working environment sets a premium on naturally-lit open work spaces which allows individuals and workgroups to communication freely, and to enjoy a higher level of personal comfort. This design consideration must also take account of the almost universal use of computer workstations and VDU’s for the widest range of office-based tasks.

A second influence in the provision of modern workplaces is the design trend towards open-plan office accommodation and the use of larger areas of glass in building design. This has been brought about by incorporating curtain wall glass facades and glass partitioning within the building interior.

However, these design trends can present certain challenges to the average office worker. Excessive amounts of uncontrolled sunlight entering a building cause solar gain and unwanted glare. Productivity at the workstation can quickly deteriorate when temperatures rise and computer screens become illegible. In most instances, the solution to these problems has been to install blinds and extra means of building ventilation and cooling. Normal fabric blinds, even those with a slightly metallised backing, not only block the view, but are inefficient at reducing solar heat gain because they do not have the power to reflect the heat back through the glass, merely absorbing the solar energy which radiates into the room.

A technically advanced and environmentally friendly solution to these problems is to use energy control roller blinds featuring transparent and reflective ‘shade’ films. These are manufactured and installed by Sun-X using exactly the same technologies as those used for solar window films applied directly onto glass. They permit excellent visual transparency, whilst allowing the user to reduce the amount of glare and heat entering the works area, only as and when required without permanently reducing light levels as with anti-glare film.

Reflective shade films reject up to 95% of solar energy, and glare reduction of up to 98%. Over 99% of ultraviolet light is also eliminated, helping to reduce fade and rot damage to valuable fabrics and furnishings.

The films are also available with an embossed surface, helping to diffuse incoming light, thus further reducing direct and indirect glare. The direct reflectivity is also reduced, enhancing the aesthetic appearance from both internal and external views. Durability and longevity are also greatly improved.

‘Shade’ blinds are also very effective and desirable in domestic conservatories, where daytime privacy my also be required in addition to the solar benefits, whilst still allowing the occupants to look out onto their garden.

A recent addition to the range is a Fire-Retardant reflective material, tested to EN13501, thus allowing applications in locations with public access.

Sun-X (UK) Ltd. provides a nationwide installation service through the United Kingdom – please contact Sun-X to find out more.