ARC Window Tinting

Window Film: A Window Of Opportunity

2009-11-30T15:17:00.003-06:00

There are many examples of wasted energy in a facility — lights left on in rooms without occupants, or inefficient HVAC systems, for example. One source that often goes unrecognized is the energy required to cool space heated by sunlight coming through windows. Roughly one third of an average building’s cooling load is due to solar heat gain through windows, according to the Building Energy Databook, an annual report of data averages published by the U.S. Department of Energy. Of course, windows provide views and sunshine that can reduce the need for artificial lighting. Even so, more daylight also means more heat, and this requires cooling to keep occupants comfortable.

One way to reduce solar heat gain and improve the energy efficiency of a building is window film. Solar control window film is applied to the inside of a window where it reflects and absorbs heat. In addition to reducing the need for cooling, window film helps create an even, comfortable temperature throughout a building. A building’s directional orientation relative to the sun can create “hot spots,” or areas that receive significantly more sunlight than others. Depending on the sophistication of a facility’s HVAC system, this can create challenges for maintaining occupant comfort. If a building has mainly large glass areas facing north and south, additional cooling may be needed to maintain comfort for offices on the southern exposure. In situations like this, offices on the northern exposure are typically overcooled and uncomfortable. By reducing the solar heat gain on south facing offices, the air conditioning system is better able to maintain comfortable conditions for all. Excess solar heat gain can also be a problem even in colder temperatures. South- and west-facing walls can be getting too much heat, even in winter, which can require air conditioning. That can be true even on days when heat is running in other parts of the building.

How Window Film Works

Solar control window film reduces heat gain by blocking solar radiation. Solar radiation, or solar energy, is made up of three components: ultraviolet radiation, visible light and near-infrared radiation. Near-infrared radiation makes up 53 percent of the solar spectrum, visible light 44 percent, and ultraviolet 3 percent. When rays from the sun hit a window, some of the energy is absorbed and some is reflected by the window, but most is transmitted through the glass. According to the International Window Film Association (IWFA), a pane of clear glass reflects about 6 percent of solar radiation, absorbs 5 percent and transmits the remaining. When this energy enters a space and is combined with the ambient heat already present in a room — due to people, computers and reradiated heat absorbed by furniture and carpeting — the excess heat can make an uncomfortable difference, particularly for people near windows.

Installing solar control window film increases the amount of solar energy both reflected and absorbed by the window. Most window films have a thin metallic coating, made up of aluminum, stainless steel, silver or a combination of these, that reflects and absorbs solar radiation. Of the radiation absorbed, most of it is reradiated outward, though some is radiated into the building.

The most important performance measurement of the heat rejection ability of solar control window film is the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). SHGC measures the total amount of solar energy transmitted into the room. This includes both solar energy directly transmitted through the glass and solar energy absorbed and radiated into the building by the film. The heat rejection ability of window film can be as high as 80 percent. The amount of energy reflected and absorbed varies depending on the types and quantities of metals used in the film.

It is important to note that the percentage of solar energy rejected and the percentage of near-infrared radiation rejected are different measurements. A measurement of near-infrared rejection only takes into account radiation in the near-infrared range, while solar energy rejection measures both near-infrared and visible light rejection. Visible light, when transmitted through glass and absorbed by furniture or carpet, also contributes to heat gain.

For example, if two window films have an equal SHGC, and one rejects more near-infrared radiation than the other, it would also transmit more visible light. This is because more of the solar energy rejected is in the near-infrared range. The near-infrared and visible light rejection capabilities of window films vary, and the combination that is best will be determined by the goals for the application, and what results are desired.

A reduction in solar heat gain can translate directly into fewer kwh used for cooling. What’s more, most utilities have a separate demand charge based on the highest monthly rate of electricity use for a year, or the peak demand. This charge is in addition to the regular cost of electricity. By reducing the amount of cooling needed during peak periods, demand charges can also be reduced. From a building management perspective, you can reduce kwh, make tenants more comfortable and reduce demand charge. Because of its ability to help save energy, window film is recognized and encouraged as an energy-efficient retrofit. The ability to reduce energy costs for buildings is widely accepted by many utility companies that offer significant incentives and rebates for installation of window films. Window films are used extensively by energy service companies that implement energy-efficiency improvements to facilities.

The Full Spectrum

Although reduction in solar heat gain and cooling costs are the primary benefits of window film, there are other advantages as well. The near-complete rejection of UV rays can decrease fading of furniture and mitigate the harmful effects UV rays have on building occupants. All quality window films reject between 95 and 99 percent of ultraviolet energy. UV is not considered part of heat gain, but it can be destructive as well as cause long-term exposure problems to individuals.

Window film also reduces the amount of visible light that comes through a window, which can help reduce glare on computer screens and other reflective surfaces. The amount of visible light transmitted is part of the SHGC, so the amount of visible light rejected will depend on how much near-infrared radiation is rejected. Visible light transmission can range from 3 to 5 percent for privacy films, and up to 88 percent for clear UV films. While blinds or shades can also be used to limit visible light, window film can achieve this goal while creating a more uniform look on the outside of the building. It also preserves the view for occupants. The building occupant is looking for a view and is paying for a view. You want the space to be comfortable while maintaining that view.

Finding the Right Film

Knowing the types of windows a facility has and the specific energy needs of the building will help to determine the best film. For example, for facilities that want to limit solar heat gain while letting in visible light, spectrally selective films are available that allow more visible light to be transmitted while still rejecting near-infrared radiation. Spectrally selective films have visible light transmission between 35 and 75 percent. These types of films can work for buildings originally designed for daylighting.

Knowing the characteristics of a facility’s windows is also important to ensure that the film selected won’t damage the window. Manufacturers use film-to-glass tables as guides to what type of window film is best for a certain window. Film recommendation varies by type of glass, window construction, and age and condition of the window system. Thermal stress may cause glass failure if the wrong film — one that absorbs more energy than the window can tolerate — is applied. You have to have the right combination of film and windows.

Security Matters

Security and safety window films are also making headway in the window film market. While some security film blocks solar radiation, its primary purpose is to prevent shards of flying glass from injuring occupants if the window breaks. Causes of breakage can include bomb blasts, hurricanes, seismic events, or people attempting forced entry through a window.

A bomb blast causes a building to implode. Security window film encapsulates the glass, so the glass doesn’t shatter into small pieces that go flying. Shattered glass can be a risk to buildings that may not necessarily be a target for a bomb blast, but are in the vicinity of a building that is. The attack on the Murrah building in Oklahoma City proved that a bomb blast blocks away can have devastating effects. Two hundred and fifty eight buildings as far as 10 blocks away had major glass damage.

At 4 to 14 mil, security film is significantly thicker than solar control film. While solar control film is applied only to the part of the window that is visible, security film is installed into the window system itself by a process known as anchoring. Two types of anchoring are available, known as wet-glazed and mechanical installations. A wet-glazed installation involves removing the rubber around the window from the gasket and replacing it with a structural silicon sealant that fills the space between the window and the frame. A mechanical attachment involves overlapping the film around the edges of the window and securing the film with bolts to an internal frame. Both methods are meant to ensure that the film will hold glass fragments together and to prevent flying glass. The value of security film in protecting building occupants has been recognized by the federal government, especially after the events of 9/11. All government buildings have some type of window film or protective glazing on the windows. The majority of federal buildings have wet-glazed film application as a requirement. Security film is also a recognized benefit in hurricane-prone areas like Florida because of the round the clock protection it provides. The benefit of safety film is that it provides protection twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

CASE STUDY
Occupant Comfort Top Priority

The hot morning sun is what prompted Tom Flesher, owner’s representative and director of new construction at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City, to install solar window film.

Film was installed on the east-facing windows of all four floors of the main medical research building. The idea was to cut the indoor temperature for employees working in laboratories and offices. “The morning sun is pretty hot, so we used solar film to cut down on heat load for employees,” says Flesher. Solar film was also installed on a west-facing conference room which was uncomfortably warm during the afternoon.

The film installed was chosen for its high solar energy rejection rate of 64.5 percent. “We can feel that the temperature has dropped in areas where the film was installed,” Flesher says. “It’s definitely helped on A/C load.”

Flesher says that the initial issues of employee comfort have been resolved and he is satisfied with the product itself. Since installation, there has been no peeling, cracking or bubbling, and the slight tint of the film has not been noticeable against the already slightly gray-tinted window glass.

CASE STUDY
Solar Film Brings Advantages to College Campus

A combination of comfort and energy savings prompted Moe Tabrizi, director of campus engineering, to install solar window film on an array of buildings on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus.

The film has been installed in more than two dozen buildings across the 200-building campus. In many cases, occupants were uncomfortably warm or cooling loads were exceptionally high. “We conduct energy audits on different buildings, so we can identify problem areas,” says Tabrizi. “One of our tools is offering solar film for reasonable applications.” The total solar energy rejected for the films Tabrizi chose to install is between 55 percent and 64.5 percent.

A concern in some buildings was the glare on whiteboards from bright light entering the windows. The solar film installed has a visible light transmittance rating of 42.8 percent, which doesn’t darken the space but does reduce the glare enough that students can view the whiteboard more easily.

Solar film also has been installed on windows in museums located on campus. The film’s 99 percent ultraviolet rejection rating helps protect artwork on display in the museums.

Feedback from occupants of buildings where the film has been installed has been positive. “‘I haven’t noticed it’ is good feedback too,” Tabrizi says. “That means it’s making the space more comfortable and not too dark.”

While there has been no formal documentation of the energy savings, Tabrizi is pleased with the results, including one unforeseen advantage of installing film in a dormitory. “In our student housing dorms, people have different tastes and color schemes that show in the windows,” he says. “The slight tint on the film makes it more uniform, sort of hides some of our sins…and student laundry.”

ADDITIONAL BENEFIT
Beat the Heat Loss

Window film can be beneficial for conserving heat. Window film is available with a low emissivity, or low-e, coating that reflects ambient heat back into a room. In cooler temperatures, when the heat is running in a building, this can mean lower energy costs, since less heat is being lost through glass windows.

Solar-control low-e films are specifically designed to improve the insulating ability of windows. Low-e films can improve the insulating properties by as much as 32 percent for single-pane windows, and 23 percent for dual-pane windows.

Leave It To The Professionals: Car Window Tinting

2009-11-17T16:14:00.001-06:00

Car window tinting is useful for many different reasons. It can enhance the look of you car on the exterior, and it can do much to protect the interior of your car. Leather seats especially benefit from the protection provided by tinting. Long exposure to the sun can do much harm to leather interiors causing them to become brittle, crack, and discolor. There are many different shades and grades of tint available, and believe it or not there are also legal regulations that govern how dark your tint can be. For these reasons it is a good idea to consult a professional before deciding on what tint you should get for your car's windows. Doing this will save you from having to remove a do-it-yourself kind of tint that will usually not be of high quality. Professional car window tinting will be scratch-resistant and will not peel away after a few weeks or months like do-it-yourself tinting kits sometimes will. Along with tinting as a means to protect the interior of your car, leather seats can also be protected by regularly cleaning them with the proper kind of leather cleaner. Good quality leather cleaner can often be purchased from automotive supply stores. A car window tinting professional will provide a warranty on the tint. Depending on the grade of tint you purchase you may even get a lifetime warranty on the tint that is transferable to any future owners of the car. Leather seats can also be repaired by automotive cosmetic detailing specialists. If you have an older car and the leather seats are still in fairly good condition this may be a better option. Many automotive cosmetic detail specialists will provide a quote over the phone for the cost of reupholstering or repairing the leather interior of your vehicle. A professional job is worth the extra money that you may pay. Professional automotive cosmetic detailing specialists offer a wide variety of customized vehicle upgrades. These may include custom car window tinting in a shade to match the exterior and interior of your car. Leather seats can be custom-stitched with monograms or other logos. All these special touches can do a lot to make your vehicle unique. Visiting an automotive cosmetic detailing specialist is a really good idea if you are restoring a classic car and want to make sure the restored version maintains the style of the original. When you decide to have custom work and upgrades done to your car it is always a good idea to leave the job to professionals. When you are looking for a company to handle your restoration job be sure to look for a company that has years of experience. They will be able to discuss with you all the options available in car window tinting for your particular car. Leather seats can be restored to their original pristine looks if you choose an automotive cosmetic specialist that is experienced in restoration. You can definitely make your car into a head turner if you are willing to invest the money in getting a professional job done. Give us a call today! 615-896-9001

ARC Window Tinting

http://www.arcwindowtint.com/

Fix Up Your Car With Window Tinting And New Leather Interiors

2009-11-04T09:09:00.001-06:00

If you have an older car and want to fix it up so that it looks like new, you may want to get some cosmetic effects such as new leather interiors or window tinting for the car. There are many things that you can do to make cosmetic alterations on your car and give it a brand new look.

It can be very costly to buy a new car. Why do that when you can just fix up the car that you have. Whether you have a classic old car or just an old car that runs well, the interior of the car as well as the exterior of the car can be made to look really good with some cosmetic effects. One way that the interior of the car can be made to look nicer is to get new leather interiors for the car. These leather interiors will actually breathe new life into your old car and will enable it to look great. If you have an interior that needs to be repaired and do not want to replace it with new leather interiors, you can also opt to have the interior of the car refurbished. ARC Window Tinting specializes in making cosmetic alterations to cars for you.

When it comes to the exterior of your car, you also have many options if you want to give your car a new lease on life and make it stand out among other cars. Your old car will not look like just an ordinary old car when you get window tinting. Window tinting makes your car look more glamorous on its own. This is a very inexpensive process that can also be done by ARC Window Tinting.

You do not have to settle for an old car that looks old. Give your car a whole new look without spending a lot of money by just making some cosmetic alterations. ARC Window Tinting will make these alterations for you as well as other exterior and interior effects. When you consider all of the time that you spend in your car, you want it to be as pleasant as possible. Just because you do not have a new car does not mean that you cannot enjoy the custom design of a car that is made just for you. This can be done as much with an old car as it can with a new car.

Cosmetic detailing for your car is more affordable than you think. You can get custom or repaired leather interiors to your car as well as get window tinting for less than you imagine. If you want to give your car a whole new look, you should look into getting custom detailing for your car. You can bring an old car back to life and even give a custom look to a new car when you make a few cosmetic alterations on your car that make a world of difference to the way your car looks and feels.

Give us a call today! 615-896-9001

Scott Wells (owner)

ARC Window Tinting

http://www.arcwindowtint.com/

Enhance Your Style With Window Tinting

2009-10-20T14:31:00.002-05:00

People with nice cars really love their window tinting. Tinting adds a certain mystique and style to your car. But not all tinting professionals are created equal. If you're thinking about getting your windows tinted, be sure they use only the best film to maintain the highest standard of quality possible. And be sure the film they use is 'scratch resistant'. This will save you a lot of headaches on down the line.Another thing to watch for concerning window tinting is it's UV-Ray protective ability. A good quality film will not only enhance the car's appearance, but it serves as a protection from the damaging rays of the sun. We've all seen how the sun has beat down on a seemingly nice looking car until the dashboard cracks and peels. It really is a waste and a shame. Your car is valuable, and deserves the best protection from solar damage you can get. By using proper tinting films, you're protecting your investment adding to your car's value.When most people decide to get window tinting it's mainly for the looks. And some may recognize the sun protection value. But very few are aware of the safety measure it adds to the glass. Window tinting has been known to hold shattering glass together during accidents. This is a safety protection that many don't realize. The film actually comes in different degrees of protection according to your personal preference.To go along with the UV-Ray protection aspect of window tinting, it also reduces the amount of heat that gets into the car from the sun. You save plenty of air conditioning with the protective quality of good tinting film. If you're going to have a great-looking ride, then why not a comfortable one as well.Window tinting will help you avoid the fading and bleaching out of the interior colors too. Glare reduction for driving is another benefit. And if the criminal element can't see into your car, they're far less likely to break into it, so it also serves as a crime deterrent. Some of the tinting you can get is strong enough that you'd have a hard time busting through it with a baseball bat. Now that's protection! It's just an all around good investment for your car. It can be a little harder decision than you might think at first. There are a lot of different types of window tinting. There's hybrid, non-reflective, titanium, full metal, stainless steel, and all kinds of different colors. From bronze to bluish-gray to charcoal, tinting today is an art-form unto itself. Then you have to decide on what method of installation you want done on your car. There's a lot more thought involved than what people think at first.Figuring the cost for your window tinting can get complicated too. When you go from installer to installer you'll find that the prices vary quite a bit. It also depends not only on the film you choose, but on the installation method as well. You need to decide on low quality or a hybrid film. If you get a full metal tinting, then you can usually get yourself a lifetime warranty. You need to decide how important that is to you. So you can see there are many variables to be explored before the application actually takes place. It's not a simple as just saying you want your windows tinted. But it's a very worthwhile investment.

Scott Wells
ARC Window Tinting
615-896-9001
http://www.arcwindowtint.com/

Why Should You Care About Window Tinting

2009-10-15T14:56:00.002-05:00

If you live in an area like Texas, California, or Florida tinted windowsaren't as much an option as they are a necessity. I know I missed a few locations, but you get my point. In areas where the temperatures get very hot and the sun is out nearly all the time window tinting is even more important. Let's take a look at some of the reasons you would want tinted windows.
First let's talk about automotive window tinting. If you own a vehicle then you know how hot it can get inside without tinted windows but there are other issues as well. The sun's rays will fade your vehicles interior and will also weaken the fibers. If you have a leather interiors the rays will cause it to dry and crack. Applying window tint can prevent much of this as well as keep the temperature of the inside of your car from getting over heated from the sun. Just remember that there are still laws regarding visibility in the United States and you need to check the local ordinances if you are applying the window tint yourself.
Another use for window tint is in your home. If your house is situated so that it gets a lot of sun coming through the windows during the morning and evening hours then you may want to consider tinting the windows. Again just as is the case with automobile interiors the rays of the sun will fade and damage your carpets, wood floors, furnishings, and even the paint on your walls. In addition the heat from the rays of the sun will put a lot of strain on your cooling unit as it tries to keep the house at a modest temperature setting while the sun's rays are heating it up. You will not believe the energy savings you will see after you have applied residential window tinting to your home.
Finally, if you own a business with lots of windows exposed to the sun you should consider commercial window tinting for the same reasons I have described for the home. If you own a restaurant with many windows then it will make your customers feel much more comfortable not to have the sun beating in on them while they are trying to enjoy a nice meal. In addition any business with numerous windows will have an excessive power bill due to the over heating from the sun's rays and the loss of cooling through the windows.
Window tinting is not optional in areas of the world where the heat and sun's rays are intense. Proper application is actually an investment that will protect your assets and make them last longer and will in the long run save you money.

Scott Wells
ARC Window Tinting
http://www.arcwindowtint.com/

Ceramic Window Films

2009-10-05T12:32:00.000-05:00

The demand for ceramic window films in the automobile industry has increased dramatically in the last year or more with the addition of new navigation equipment and certain radios. While metalized films are still the norm for most people wanting their car windows tinted. Adding a ceramic film greatly increases the vehicles performance with regards to its radio and navigation equipment and will not interfere with reception. Also ceramic films have a very high Infra-Red (IR) rejection, up to 85%, making it more comfortable with increased heat reduction and more visible light. Typically a ceramic film will reduce the interior temperatures up 5-10 degrees F. The views through the film are optically pristine and allow for a great deal of interior protection and will keep your vehicle looking new, both inside and out for years to come. Ceramic films give vehicles a very classic look and truly enhance the appearance of the vehicle. With no dye or metals used in the manufacturing process, these films will never change color. A bit more costly than traditional window film, the lifetime warranty insures your vehicle will be protected for years to come.?

Scott Wells

ARC Window Tinting

Murfreesboro, Tn

ARC Window Tinting

Window Film: A Window Of Opportunity

How Window Film Works

The Full Spectrum

Finding the Right Film

Security Matters

CASE STUDY Occupant Comfort Top Priority

CASE STUDY Solar Film Brings Advantages to College Campus

ADDITIONAL BENEFIT Beat the Heat Loss

Leave It To The Professionals: Car Window Tinting

Fix Up Your Car With Window Tinting And New Leather Interiors

Enhance Your Style With Window Tinting

Why Should You Care About Window Tinting

Ceramic Window Films

CASE STUDY
Occupant Comfort Top Priority

CASE STUDY
Solar Film Brings Advantages to College Campus

ADDITIONAL BENEFIT
Beat the Heat Loss