A Guide to Tinted Window Film

Tinted window film, or a thin material that is applied to windows, is something we usually think of using to add privacy or reduce glare. But, there are actually many more benefits that come with using this accessory. When you understand exactly what window film is and how you can use it, you’ll be able to choose what kind is best for you and be rewarded with lots of benefits that make your home or office more comfortable.

What is Tinted Window Film?

In essence, tinted window film is a thin sheet that is applied to windows to add a degree of opacity. Different kinds of films are applied to different windows, but all are designed to shade windows. There are lots of reasons to install tinted window film, including added privacy, security and reduced glare.

Usually widow films are made of polyester and specially treated for optimal performance. There are a few different kinds of tinted window films, including solar control, safety and security and privacy window films. Each of these is used for a different purpose and is designed a little differently, so it’s important that you use the film that will bring the results you are looking for.

Who Uses Tinted Window Film?

Tinted window films are used in homes, businesses and other buildings. They can be applied to either new or existing buildings, but they are more commonly added to older buildings as a way to update them and make them more energy efficient or secure.

All kinds of businesses use tinted window films to add security or make their offices more comfortable. Tinted films can reduce glare and make an office more comfortable for employees and customers. These films are also used for decorative purposes. We’ll talk more about the uses and benefits of window films later.

Does Window Film Require Special Maintenance?

Tinted window films don’t necessarily require special maintenance. They do need to be cleaned, just like untreated windows do. You can spot clean them with a soft, damp cloth. But, you’ll also need to clean them more thoroughly to rid them of dust and dirt. The best way to do this is to use soapy water and a squeegee to carefully wash and wipe the windows clean, just like you would with untreated windows. You should avoid abrasive cleaning solutions and tools, which can damage tinted films.

Depending on the type of window film you have, and where it is applied, it will last from five to 20 years if it is well taken care of. So, installing tinted window film at your building is an investment that will bring benefits for years to come.

Most window films are removable with special processes and products. The films do not damage your windows, which means they are perfectly safe to use.

What are the Benefits of Using Tinted Window Film?

There are several benefits to installing tinted window film, and whether you want to improve the looks or the functionality of your building, adding this can help you do it. Keep in mind that different kinds of tinted films provide different benefits, so check with an expert to find out what kind you should choose.

Add Privacy

One of the most common reasons for installing tinted window film is to add privacy. This is the perfect solution if your home or office has ground-level windows that seem to be the target of snooping passers by. The film makes it harder for people to see into your office, which makes it more private and makes your employees feel more comfortable.

Reduce Glare and UV Transmission

Tinted window are also an excellent way to reduce glare and UV transmission. If your building is situated in a way that means your windows constantly produce a glare or that too much sunlight is coming through the windows, try tinted window films.

These films simply reduce the amount of sunlight that comes into your building, so you can still enjoy some sunshine without dealing with annoying glares or excessive amounts of UV transmission.

Regulate a Room’s Temperature

When your window takes in too much sunlight, the room can easily become overheated and uncomfortable. Tinted window films reduce the amount of sunlight and heat that enters through your windows, making it much easier to regulate a room’s temperature. This means your home, store or office will be much easier to relax or work in.

Make Your Building Environmentally Friendly

Tinted window films can also reduce your carbon footprint as they help keep heat out of your building. When it is easier to regulate your building’s temperature, you will most likely use less energy, which is great for the environment. Using less energy also leads to lower utility bills, which can help you save a lot of money.

Protect Your Glass and Building

Believe it or not, tinted window films can actually provide a layer of protection for your windows and building. While the film isn’t bullet proof, it can protect glass from flying debris like sticks and gravel and can even protect against bomb blasts.

If you are looking for security grade window film, be sure to ask an expert what your options are, since not all films provide optimal security.

Update the Look of a Building

Tinted window films can update the look of a building in two ways: first, the mere fact that your building has these films makes it look more modern and upgraded, especially if you are renovating an older building. Secondly, you can use these films for decorative purposes to make a building, or even just one window, stand out and increase its curb appeal.

These are just a few of the benefits tinted window film can bring to your building, and each type has different purposes and brings different perks.

Tinted window films are a safe and easy way to add privacy to your building, reduce glare and even make your building safer. They also come with some added benefits, like making it easier to regulate temperatures in your building, decreasing your utility bills and even reducing your carbon footprint.

For more information about window film please visit the Sureguard website - http://www.sureguard.co.uk.

Why We Need Safety Film for Windows

Window films have different uses and the main one that people are familiar with is for privacy purposes. Window films however, also protect us from ultraviolet rays from the sun, and they can make the glass in doors and windows look nicer too.. One major reason why we need to purchase films for windows is to reinforce them and make them stronger to resist breakage and shattering.

The demand for these films has currently risen because people need to secure their homes, offices and even cars. In case of an explosion, the small pieces of glass fly all over and this can be dangerous to you and your family members or workmates. In fact, what causes many injuries in an event of a bomb explosion is the glass shrapnel that comes from shattered windows. This can be greatly reduced with the application of safety films for windows, an act that will lower the risk of injuries. Some glass windows are very weak that they can accidentally break when hit with a ball when children are playing outside. Safety film will minimise accidents resulting from this type of incident. 

How the Safety Film Works

It is good to understand that the safety window film may not protect the window glass from ever breaking but it does do a good job. One benefit is that it will hold the broken pieces together. The film will also increase the force that will break the glass, so a minor knock that might have broken the unprotected window, will not break the window covered in safety film. With film in place, even after the glass has shattered, it will be hard for an intruder to pierce it with any object thus making a break-in attempt harder.  For that reason, one will need to know the right thickness of the film required for the windows. The thicker the film, the harder it will be for the glass to shatter. Tinted films have another security advantage of preventing the potential burglars from breaking into the house or the car. Sometimes the valuables they see inside attract them, and when they cannot see them from the outside, they will not have that urge to reach for them.

What Thickness Should You Buy?

As indicated above, standard safety films for windows will work well. The thickness of the film available is from 4 millimeters up to 15 millimeters thick. The standard films range between 4 to 6 millimeters and they will be enough to make break-ins harder for burglars. If the main motive of applying the film is to tint the windows, you can then go for a less thick window film. The thicker films that are above 6 millimeters are used to protect window glasses from extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes. The range of 8 to 12 millimeters will protect your windows from caving in and breaking due to the force of the winds. Strong winds may also hurl objects that will break unprotected glass but when your windows are reinforced with the safety films for windows, your house will not be affected so much by the effects of the extreme weather conditions.

It is prudent to do some research on the right film that you should buy for your windows, based on the reason why you need to fit the glass windows with the film.

If you’d like more information about the benefits of window film the please visit the Sureguard website - http://www.sureguard.co.uk/

Things That Happen When the Light Is Just Right

Good lighting is everything.  There’s no question about it.  Just ask any movie star or model and they will tell you the same.  Of course, they'll also probably tell you which designer they are wearing in the next sentence, but that doesn't mean they are wrong.  What we see and how we see it has everything to do with the way something is lit.

Think, for example, about an animal’s eyes in the middle of the day.  They generally appear dark and large (except for goats, who may just have the creepiest eyes on earth).  So, when your cat wakes from his afternoon snooze for a bit of a wash, those eyes look soft and warm.  Compare that to the way their eyes look in the dark, especially if you shine a torch into the distance.  Those eyes look bright and, usually, frightening. 

No matter how you dice it, lighting is everything.  And, here are just a few examples of what happens when the light is just right.

Stars Are Born – Oh yes, here we do mean those starlets in classic Ralph Lauren dresses and frightfully expensive shoes.  Whether it is a photography shoot or a full length movie, there is always someone in charge of lighting.  There’s a compelling reason for this.  When the light hits someone’s face in a particular way, tiny imperfections are washed away and they look more beautiful – and that is exactly how you sell clothes, perfumes and movies.  On the other hand, flat lighting tends to wash people out and make them look haggard, which is great when you want to illustrate the depravity of a story line. (And, by the way, photos means light in Greek.)

Image Mathew Hanley / Flickr

The Stars Come Out – This time we’re talking about those little balls of fire in the night sky.  People living in rural areas and sea captains can see stars that people in London would never imagine.  There are simply so many stars and the effects of light pollution on the night sky simply obscure the wonders to be seen.  (Well that, and the clouds.)  There are over 10,000 stars to be seen in the sky given the right conditions, but most places on earth only allow sight of about 1000 stars.  And, if you do live in a big city, you will be lucky to see a hundred or so.

Catching Some Zzzz – Some people can catch a nap no matter what time of day it is, others simply can’t sleep unless the room is entirely dark.  But, unless they are exhausted, most people want some sort of dimmed illumination when they head off to sleep.  And for good reason; bright lights trigger an alert feeling in the body and mind, and the opposite is true in darkened areas.  Just think of how difficult it is to wake on a winter’s morning.  It doesn’t seem to matter how warm your room is, but just how much light there is coming through the windows, right?

Getting Your Groove On – Most people find it much easier to let go a bit when the lights are dimmed.  It is not that you won’t find drunken spectators at a rugby match on a Saturday afternoon; it is just that lighting goes a long way towards lowering people’s inhibitions.  So, people are more likely to cut it up on the dance floor in a darkened night club than they are in the middle of the day when they know people can see their every move.  Add in a few strobe light effects and (usually) a rather unhealthy amount of alcohol and you can truly party the night away.

Gets Things Growing – This is basic science stuff.  Sunlight is one of the basic needs for most plants.  Photosynthesis (with photo, once again, meaning light), is the process by which plants convert light energy into the chemical energy in order to do all the things that plants need to do.  This is beneficial for people because we need the oxygen plants produce.  But the sunlight is terrifically good for people too – take that vitamin D, for example; people can synthesis this themselves as long as they get enough sunlight.  Otherwise they will simply need to take more supplements, and those never seem cheap, do they?

Image Mathew Hanley / Flickr

You’re How Old? – Yes, we need the sun to keep us healthy, but the amount of sun that we get can have decidedly different effects on our appearance.  If you get just enough, you will probably avoid those deep set facial lines and wrinkles for an unusually long time.  However, if you spend a lot of time in the sun, you are likely to start looking like an old, weathered cowboy in no time at all.  And, as the media is quick to point out, too many cases of skin cancer have been caused by the harsh effects of the sun – and inadequate protection against it.

Not Stepping In It – Twilight is a lovely time for a stroll with your favourite four legged friend.  After all, it is light enough to see where you are going (and to avoid those scary glowing eyes that animals have in the dark), and it’s not too bright to prevent picking up the paper when you return home.  And frighteningly bright eyes are not the only thing that happens when the world becomes dark and you’re out with your dog; there’s always a chance that you will step in something you certainly don’t want on your shoes.  And you know just what that is.

It’s All In The Details – Just like movie stars need the right light to look gorgeous, your eyes need proper lighting to catch the small details in life – or on the television.  With proper lighting, you are more likely to recognise and respond to stimuli in your environment.  Conversely, you will miss the finer points if the area is dark; just think of driving at night if you need an example.  Most details don’t mean the difference between life and death, except of course if you miss the subtleties of your favourite series, especially if everyone else seemed to catch the joke. 

Love, Love, Love – Lighting has a massive effect on our moods, and the atmosphere of an evening.  A lovingly crafted meal served at the dining room table showered by an overhead light will never have the same effect as the same meal lit by candles.  You know it, and your date knows it too.  That is why you will always choose a darkened restaurant when you are trying to romance someone; the converse is just too casual.  It’s one more case of low lighting impacting on inhibitions – and, in this case, it usually works in your favour – as long as you order the right wine.

Image : Mathew Hanley / Flickr

Getting It Done – Really, lighting has such a remarkable impact on productivity.  If it’s too dark, you won’t feel like doing much (including getting out of bed in the morning).  And if it’s too bright, then you simply can’t get anything done.  It could be the glare on your computer, or simply that you wish you could be enjoying the sunshine.  If it’s the latter, you can only hope that the weekend is as lovely.  But, there is something you can do about the glare on your screen; get your office fitted with anti-glare window film.  Not only will it keep the light just right, but it can also help you out with a bit of solar heating when you need it most.


If you have any changes you want with light such as solar film check out our website.

Sureguard Window Films

Sureguard Window Films

Sureguard Window Films® broad range of products can be used to reduce heat and glare, give privacy, add security, increase safety, give bomb blast protection and reduce the effects of fading by filtering UV rays. Whatever your glass related issue Sureguard Window Films® will be able to offer you a suitable Window Film solution. Our Window Films range from our most popular highly Reflective Silvers (other colours are available) and Frosted Opaque Window Films through to our Clearer Lighter Solar and UV Window Films.

Security Measures That Can Save Your Life

We live in violent times where new buildings designers are thinking of ways to increase the durability and safety of people who will be using the finished facility. The construction of buildings has taken some steps to protect them from the damage caused by severe incidents such as bombs and earth quakes. The effects on a building from a major blast and a natural earth quake can be very similar and thus protections for one will inadvertently protect from the other.

In the early stages of construction you may notice the new building designs include some extra steel bracings that look like a skeleton inside the walls. These extra additions are there so the buildings won’t fall in under even the more extreme circumstances. Once the basic structure of the building has been put together with your safety and its overall endurance and stability over time in mind it's time to focus on interior and exterior details to maximize the benefits of these safety features.

Security window film, safety glass and other security features such as cameras and mirrors may be put into place before the building even begins to have residents and businesses move in. The addition of these finishing features can be accompanied by more extreme measures such as panic rooms and metal detectors or x-ray machines. Though some of these features are reserved to major governmental agencies and legal facilities such as court houses, police stations and the like. Hospitals and schools are commonly fond of really extreme measures as well. 

Bomb blast film is highly functional and really cost-effective and does not take your building outside of the appearance of normal.

When you want to increase safety without appearing overly cautious...

If you are looking to add some safety measures to your business when the building is already in place and you are not starting at square one adding simple things like window film can be a great start. The shattering of a window can cause major damage if it is broken with great force; the broken shards become deadly weapons capable of major injury or even death. Choosing to spend a little bit of money to ensure this doesn't happen can save lives and prevent major injury in the case of a bombing or major earthquake.

As you can see there are many levels of safety engineering that takes place from the beginning of the planning and building process all the way up into the decorating stages. These protection methods can be used together or separately to create your unique building. When safety and protection are a major concern in your build there are so many steps you can take to bring your planned building up to the level you desire. With an eye for simple changes that can be made quickly and easily such as adding the bomb blast film and a variety of other features that fit the building and its occupants you can rest easy that you are safe and secure throughout your work day.