We compare the leading brands of solar control films
Find out which films perform the best and compare the cost
Not sure which type of film will be best for your job?Our short paper titled "How to choose the "right" solar film for the job" may help or Use our expert system: Right Solar Film Finder | Sorry we do not install Pillar Window Film PLUS another customer's post about Pillar Window Film |
SOLAR FILM CATEGORIES
1. Clear Window Tinting Films (Visible light Transmission - VLT - over 60%)
Films that will reduce heat and fading but won't change the view (day or night), won't change the external appearance of the building (Body Corporate requirement), and won't impede view into showroom (no privacy effect).
BENEFITS: HEAT Protection | FADING Protection | Almost INVISIBLE (internally and externally) | |
These films are almost invisible when installed and are popular for:
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2. Light Window Tinting Films (Visible Light Transmission - VLT - 30% to 60%)
Films that provide some heat and glare protection, will reduce fading but do not block enough light to provide privacy.
BENEFITS: HEAT Protection | FADING Protection | Some GLARE Reduction | Glass appears slightly darker externally | |
These films are very light in appearance and provide some heat, fading and glare protection |
3. Medium Window Tinting Films (Visible Light Transmission - VLT - 20% to 25%)
Films that provide good heat and glare protection, reduce fading and block just enought light to provide privacy without making the room "feel" dark
BENEFITS: HEAT Protection | FADING Protection | PRIVACY | Control GLARE | Won't make room "feel" dark | Glass appears dark externally | |
| These films are the most popular for living rooms - blocks just enough light to provide privacy without making the room "feel" dark |
4. Dark Window Tinting Films (Visible Light Transmission - VLT - 10% to 20%)
Films that provide very good heat and glare protection, reduce fading and provide privacy but will make a room "feel" darker
BENEFITS: HEAT Protection | FADING Protection | PRIVACY | Control GLARE | Room "feels" darker | Glass appears dark externally | |
| These films are popular for bedrooms, particular for west-facing rooms - they will make a room "feel" darker but will block up to 70% heat - many people are happy to sacrifice some light in a bedroom during the day to achieve higher heat reduction. |
5. Very Dark Window Tinting Films (Visible Light Transmission - VLT - less than 10%)
Good heat and glare protection, protects against fading and provides privacy. Will make the room "feel" dark - may require artifical lighting to see comfortably.
BENEFITS: HEAT Protection | FADING Protection | PRIVACY | Control GLARE | Blocks Light and Darkens Room| Glass appears dark externally | |
These films will make a room "feel" dark and are a popular choice for the home theatre or shift workers needing to sleep during the day |
6. Reflective Silver Window Tinting Films (Mirror like external appearance)
Excellent heat protection, glare protection, reduces fading and provides privacy. Very good price/heat performance if mirrored windows are acceptable.
BENEFITS: HEAT Protection | FADING Protection | PRIVACY | Control GLARE | Glass appears mirrored externally | |
These films are the most cost effective - block the most heat for the least cost - and are frequently used in commercial buildings |
7. Reflective Silver/Grey (Mirrored external appearance and Dark Grey internally)
These films provide the highest heat and glare protection, significantly reduce the rate of fading, and provide daytime privacy. The most cost effective window films on the market but due to the level of light blocked require artifical interior lighting to see comfortably
- mainly used in the office to control heat and glare. Not recommended for use in the home.
BENEFITS: HEAT Protection | FADING Protection | PRIVACY | Eliminate On-Screen GLARE | Glass appears mirrored externally | |
| These films were developed to control heat and glare in the office - the films are mirrored externally for maximum heat reduction and are dark internally to eliminate glare on computer screen. |
8. Reflective Bronze
BENEFITS: HEAT Protection | FADING Protection | PRIVACY | Control GLARE | Glass appears bronze externally | |
These films are verycost effective and are frequently used in commercial buildings |
9. Externally Installed Films
These films may be installed on the external glass surface when access to the internal glass surface is difficult or impossible. Films installed externally are not as durable as those installed internally.
9(a) External Reflective Silver Films
BENEFITS: HEAT Protection | FADING Protection | PRIVACY | Control GLARE | Glass appears mirrored externally | |
These films are cost effective when internal installation is impractical |
9(b) External Grey Films
These grey films may be installed on the external glass surface to match the appearance of internally installed film where access to the internal glass surface is difficult or impossible for some windows. Films installed externally are not as durable as those installed internally.
BENEFITS: HEAT Protection | FADING Protection | PRIVACY | Control GLARE | Glass appears grey externally | |
These films are cost effective when internal installation is impractical |