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- What are solar control window films?
- SUN-GARD® solar control window films are very thin polyester-based products which are coated and laminated with different types of metals. They are applied to residential , storefront, commercial and industrial windows.
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- What types of solar control window films are there?
- SUN-GARD Solar control window films come in many colours including neutral, bronze, grey, charcoal, and reflective films such as silver, gold, blue and green. The light varies from almost clear to highly reflective films that only transmit 15% of outside light.
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- What are the benefits of solar control window films?
- The benefits of SUN-GARD solar control window films include the reduction in solar heat gain, glare, damaging ultra violet rays and winter heat loss. SUN-GARD Solar control window films can increase tenant comfort, save on energy costs and helps keep glass together if broken.
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- Are all solar control window films reflective or dark?
- SUN-GARD solar control window films come in a wide range of shades and tints. Many of them are not dark or reflective. SUN-GARD has many films that stop a great deal of the sun’s heat yet look neutral or almost transparent.
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- How much fading will solar control window film stop?
- Ultra violet, visible light and heat make up approximately ninety percent of fabric fading. A SUN-GARD solar control window film with a visible light transmission of 15% stops almost 80% of fabric fading while a SUN-GARD solar control window film with a visible light transmission of 60% stops approximately 60% of fabric fading by limiting the amount of ultra violet, visible light and heat entering through the window.
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- Does solar control window film lower air conditioning bills?
- SUN-GARD solar control window films will reduce air conditioning operating costs while increasing the comfort level of homes, building and vehicles.
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- Does solar control window film cut down on the light I want coming through the window?
- An objection often raised against the installation of window film is the reduction of the visible light being transmitted through the glass. Although different solar control window films reduce the different amounts of visible light being transmitted through a window (the darker the film the less light transmitted), it is not as much as one would perceive.
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- The reason is that the human eye is like a lens of a camera, it can adjust to the reduction of light and will offset a large potion of the light reduction. For example, a thermal or double pane window, lets in approximately 78% of visible light but the perception of the human eye is 89%. When a 60% visible light transmission film is applied the window the eye perception is 82%. Similarly, a 33% film is perceived as a strong 68% light transmission.
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- Will solar control window film block heat by winter sun, increasing the need for room heat?
- Yes, however, winter sun-gain potential is limited to the south facing side of a home or building, while heat loss occurs through all windows. SUN-GARD™ solar control window films provide better overall insulation when applied to a window, thereby creating a even temperature instead of hot or cold spots throughout the building or home.
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- How are solar control window films installed?
- Like other SUN-GARD and GLASS-GARD window films, SUN-GARD solar control window films are installed by trained authorized dealers. If you would like to know of an authorized dealer near you contact us through e-mail or 1-800-COURAGE (268-7243).
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- How much does solar control window film cost to be installed?
- The installed price of having a solar control window film applied to your home, storefront or building will vary depending on the type of film and the quantity, size and shape of the windows. The average price for standard SUN-GARD solar control films is approximately $6 per square foot.
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- What is the life span of solar control window film?
- The effective life span of solar control window film depends on the types of film, glass, and climate. There are documented cases of film lasting 12 to 22 years or more in some instances. This should not, however, be assumed to be the normal expected life. In Canada, most professional grade window films should last over ten years. Most window film warranties are for at least ten years.
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- What are the specifics of the warranty?
- Most SUN-GARD solar control films come with a residential lifetime and commercial 10 year limited manufacturer's warranty. Please see SUN-GARD's warranty card for complete details.
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- Can solar control window film be applied to all kinds of glass including double-pane?
- SUN-GARD solar control window film can be applied to most clear or tinted windows including insulated glass, however, some restrictions and limitations may apply. Call 1-800-COURAGE, email us atinfo@windowfilm.ca or ask your local SUN-GARD dealer. Window films are designed for application to glass only.
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- Can solar control window film be applied on Low E windows?
- Whether window film should be used on low E windows and how much you will benefit depends on three factors:
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Type of low E surface used on glass
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Location of low E surface in the window system
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The desired amount of heat gain reduction, heat loss reduction, or other film benefits.
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- There are two basic types of low E surfaces on glass. One of these is a conductive coating put on glass as it is being made. It gives some heat loss reduction, but does little to reduce heat gain into a building. The second type is a more complex system of multiple layers of metals and conductive coatings deposited on glass after it has been made. This type of low E glass gives heat reductions of 30% to 50% in addition to reducing heat loss. If there is any question about the type you may have, ask your glass company or the window manufacturer to send you the specific information about your glass.
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- The location of the low E surface in your window system is also very important in deciding whether film should be used. If the low E coating is on the room-side surface of the innermost pane of glass, the use of window film may reduce or eliminate the heat loss reduction of the glass itself. This may be more than offset by the heat gain reduction/heat loss reduction properties of the films to be used. Most low E window systems, however, consist of double pane windows where the low E surface faces the air space between the panes. In this case, film can be installed without eliminating the heat loss reduction benefit of the low E glass. The type of window film you choose for low E glass depends entirely on your desired benefit -whether you want to reduce heat gain, control glare, prevent heat loss, reduce fading or enhance the safety of your windows and glass doors. Make
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- Will solar control window film cause glass to break?
- Glass breaks when it is stressed. There are five types of stress which may cause glass breakage:
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Thermal Stress - from absorption of Solar radiation.
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Tensile Stress - from the weight of the glass itself.
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Mechanical Flexing Stress - from wind.
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Impact Stress - from flying objects, hail, baseballs, etc..
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Twisting Stress - from building or window frame sagging, settling or shifting (as in an earthquake).
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- The first type, thermal stress, is the only one which solar window film may effect. The use of window film will increase the thermal stress on sunlight glass. However, there are also other factors which will increase thermal stress such as: partial shading of windows from overhangs or trees, tightly fitting drapes or blinds, signs or decals on windows, heating and cooling vents directed at glass and more. In addition, different types of glass (annealed versus tempered, clear versus tinted) have different solar absorption rates and will withstand different degrees of thermal stress. Courage has all the information regarding various film to glass combinations to best protect against glass breakage. SUN-GARD solar control films have optional glass breakage and seal failure warranties available. For more information contact Courage.
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- What special solar heat gain problems occur in buildings?
- Even in colder climates like Canada, buildings may operate air-conditioning systems to dissipate heat generated by computers, elevators, lighting, and in the case of large skyscrapers, the presence of thousands of building occupants. Exposure to solar heat gain through glass can significantly contribute to the problem, forcing air-conditioning systems to work harder and longer.
