What are exterior window films?
More and more house and commercial space owners are becoming aware of the benefits of solar control window films, such as the reduced glare, UV heat, and improved privacy. Majority of the window films are applied to the inside, while some window films are designed to be applied on the outside of the glass due to the difficulty to apply on the inside of the glass, such as the glass roof, The Sky Dome, shopping mall etc.
Exterior window films are specialized films applied to the exterior surface of windows in buildings. Most of the exterior window films have some kind of metal inside, which helps reflect away the heat from entering the space.
When sunlight (incidental solar radiation) strikes glass, three things can happen:
- The energy can be reflected away from the glass.
- The energy can be absorbed by the glass.
- The energy can pass through the glass.
The purpose of the exterior window films is designed to reflect away most of the solar energy like a mirror, preventing it being absorbed or transmitted into the inner space. Auto Nano ceramic window film also block a large amount of heat, but it does so by absorbing a large amount of heat, which can be hazardous for commercial building glass- causing the glass to break with heat shock.
Exterior window films are manufactured with a reflective or metallic coating that bounces light off the window’s surface. This coating is typically made from materials like aluminum, silver, or other reflective compounds. The reflective coating on the film helps to reflect a significant portion of the sunlight that hits the window. This not only reduces heat gain and glare inside the building but also creates a mirror-like effect when viewed from the outside
The mirrored effect provides increased privacy by making it difficult for people outside to see inside the building. During the daytime, the outside light is much brighter than the light inside, enhancing the reflective properties of the film.
The key benefits of exterior commercial films
- UV Protection: Exterior window films block up to 99% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause fading and damage to interior furnishings, flooring, and artwork.
- Heat Reduction: These films can significantly reduce solar heat gain, helping to keep indoor spaces cooler and reducing the reliance on air conditioning. This leads to energy savings and a more comfortable environment.
- Glare Reduction: Exterior window films minimize glare from the sun, improving visibility and comfort inside the building. This is particularly beneficial for spaces with large windows or those exposed to direct sunlight.
- Enhanced Privacy: Certain types of exterior window films offer increased privacy by limiting the view into the building from the outside while maintaining clear visibility from the inside.
- Aesthetic Improvement: Exterior window films can enhance the appearance of a building by providing a uniform look to the windows and eliminating the need for curtains or blinds.
- Safety and Security: Some exterior window films are designed to hold shattered glass together in the event of breakage, providing an added layer of safety and security.
- Weather Resistance: These films are engineered to withstand various weather conditions, including rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations, ensuring long-lasting performance. Automotive window films and commercial films look alike, but their construction is different. For automotive window films or interior commercial films, the UV blocking layer is infused to the glue layer, but for exterior films, the UV is on the scratch-resistance topcoat, because it is the first layer to contact with UV rays. This design will help extend the service lifetime of the exterior or outside window films. A good quality exterior commercial films can service 8-10 years without peeling off, cracking, delamination.
Overall, exterior window films are a practical and cost-effective solution for improving the functionality and appearance of windows in residential and commercial buildings.
Why need to use exterior window film for building or houses?
In most cases interior apply window films are applied. But in some buildings where it is impossible to apply window film from inside due to limited space, impossible to apply from inside of the building, such as shopping mall, sky-dome, hotels, guest houses and so on.
Exterior window films are particularly beneficial for buildings in hot climates, areas with intense sunlight, or locations where energy efficiency and UV protection are priorities.
Most common exterior or outside application window films
- Silver reflective
- Grey reflective
- Black reflective
- Ice blue reflective
They are most common commercial and residential window film, it comes in shades from 15% up to 70%.
If you are looking to transform or upgrade your space, enhance privacy, improve energy efficiency, and protect your interiors with our high-quality films. Contact KSB Films today to get more details and see how our solutions can elevate your building’s performance and aesthetics. Don’t miss out – reach out now and let us help you create a cooler, more efficient, and visually stunning environment!
