As we start 2023, facility managers will continue to face the challenge of improving sustainability and resilience. Whether the driver is climate change, government regulation, civil unrest, or an uncertain economy, facility leaders will need to find new and innovative approaches to reduce energy consumption, improve building perimeter security, and create beautiful spaces.
But if you’re like most managers, there’s not much left that you haven’t already researched or implemented to improve your buildings. You’ve upgraded your lightbulbs, switched to clean energy sources, implemented the latest-and-greatest building security technologies, and have top-notch design and branding. So, what’s left to be done?
Window film.
That’s right: window film. Forget the purple bubbled film you saw on the old 80s-era hatchback. Next-generation patented films are embedded with the latest science that not only improves building energy efficiency, but can also help protect people and property from seismic, bomb blast, smash and grab, and windstorm events. They can even improve building design, branding, and aesthetics.
Curious? Read on to learn about the three major benefits of window film and why you should consider it for your building improvement plans in 2023.
1. Window Film Improves Building Energy Efficiency
Carbon taxes on commercial buildings are gaining momentum and likely to become commonplace in the United States. For example, Local Law 97 in New York City and Clean Energy DC in Washington, D.C., are two significant local legislations beginning to crack down on buildings. And yet, solar window film is an often overlooked and underestimated solution to help reduce carbon emission in commercial buildings.
What Is Solar Window Film?
Solar window film is a multi-layer construction thin sheet of clear polyester that is applied to the exterior or interior of windows using a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The various levels of transparency range from completely clear to highly reflective, or very muted and dark, and everything in between. The two main types of solar window film are spectrally selective and low emissivity.
Spectrally Selective Window Film
3M’s spectrally select multi-optical construction film, Prestige, provides one of the highest heat gain reduction to light transmission ratios of any product on the market when applied to dual-pane glass: up to 66%. It has no metals, is safe for 5G, has no reflectivity, and improves occupant comfort.
Spectrally Selective Infrared rejecting films are designed to let the maximum amount of light in while rejecting the maximum amount of heat without changing the appearance of the glass. They reject as much as 97% of the infrared energy, which is the primary cause of heat, and 99% of the UV rays.
Low Emissivity Window Film
One of the latest innovations in solar window film is Low Emissivity window films. When applied to single-pane glass, Low-E Films can reduce heat loss in the colder months by up to 40%, reject up to 47% of the total solar energy in the warmer months, and improve glazing performance to almost dual-pane level. Sounds like numbers that would make your HVAC system sigh in relief.
Uncle Sam Has Identified Window Film as an Emerging Technology for Carbon Emissions Reductions
Early on in 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Better Buildings Initiative to support the Partnership for Advanced Window Solutions, which calls out the need for window film to assist in decarbonizing the grid. Then, the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law—with $975 million earmarked for emerging and sustainable technologies (which includes 3M Window Film from NGS!).
Most recently, NGS product 3M Non-metalized Sun Control Window Film was named as a finalist in the Green Proving Ground (GPG) program. If you’re not familiar, the GPG is a partnership between the DOE and the General Services Administration to identify, vet, and accelerate the adoption of emerging energy efficiency technologies.
2. Window Film Protects People and Property
In a world filled with mass shootings, riots, looting, and natural disasters, protecting people and property is paramount. Facility managers must identify and improve first lines of defense, starting with the most vulnerable spots: glass windows and doors.
Glass is easily broken, which makes it the first target for unwanted intruders and the weak link in the chain of storm preparedness. Thankfully, safety and security window film is a cutting-edge and cost-effective solution that helps harden glass and improve building perimeter security.
Window Film Delays Entry and Increases Response Time
Security window film has been shown to delay entry by between two to six minutes. This prevents perpetrators from gaining immediate access to the facility and gives additional time to initiate emergency response plans and first responders to arrive at the scene.
Window Film Can Reduce Visibility
The privacy benefit that comes with shading and tinting in window film also has a particular safety benefit: Windows that are shaded or darkened on the exterior make it more difficult for shooters to target individuals within a facility. This benefit can serve as a major deterrent to a single-minded individual who means to do harm with a firearm.
Window Film Contains Spall
Whether from a bomb blast, windstorm, gunshot, or human impact, glass will shatter with the right amount of force. This shattering creates “spall”: flying pieces of glass that can cause great harm to anyone nearby. Serving as a containment system, security window film prevents spall from becoming harmful projectiles flying through the air.
Riot Glass Denies Access Entirely
Riot Glass isn’t window film. So why is it in this article? Because it is one of the best-performing security glazing products on the market and we’d be remiss to not share it with you. It is a patented framing and clear ArmorPlast shield system made from a combination of polycarbonate and plastics that mechanically anchors to windows and doors for maximum strength. It stops break-in attempts using sledgehammers, crowbars, knives, pickaxes, bricks, blocks, bats, and more—in short, it stops intruders from getting in.
3. Window Film Improves Building Design and Aesthetics
Decorative Window Films such as 3M FASARA can transform a building’s aesthetics, increase privacy (tastefully!), and even increase employee happiness and retention. It also allows you to have more control over the UV rays that come through your business’ windows. FASARA window film reflects light to help control the temperature of your workspace while also improving the longevity of your interior appliances and furniture, saving you money all year long.
Retrofit surface finishes such as 3M DI-NOC can transform any architectural surface from “blah,” to “ah!” Costly items to remodel or replace can simply be refreshed: floors, walls, ceilings, desks, tables, and everything in between. Time and cost savings can be astronomical—not to mention the sustainability benefits of reducing landfill waste.
A Simple Solution for 2023
If you’re like most facility managers, you’re looking for new and innovative ways to make your building more sustainable, resilient, and beautiful at the same time. Window film can help you achieve all three goals in 2023.
James Beale is CEO of NGS, a provider of window films, graphics, and signage for commercial, government, medical, retail, transit, and hospitality buildings.