One thing that makes homeowners here in the Salt Lake City area think twice about buying window film is they think it works similar to shades or curtains. While blocking out the sun here in SLC is important–nobody wants to block out our amazing views! While there is a little truth to this fear–it references how window tint used to work–not the modern films of today. Window film technology has changed dramatically since then. Today’s window films are not only powerful at blocking the sun and UV rays but many times–crystal clear. In fact, today’s advanced films actually absorb the harmful rays of the sun and many times are invisible.
How Window Films Works
Most window films and tints will not darken your windows or obscure the view from your Salt Lake City home. This is because of the way it works. However, what it does block is rays that are harmful to humans and home furnishings (UV, UVA, and UVB). It does this while letting the rest of the sun’s innocuous rays. Depending on which film you choose, the film will work through different mechanisms and with varying opacity. Most are made out of polyester, ceramic, or metal glazing. Polyester films, which are the clearest, also tend to be less advanced. Ceramic is mostly invisible and is more effective. On these types of films, you can choose your opacity level. Metal films are the least transparent but incredibly effective in some applications like privacy.
Window Film Comes with Visible Light Transmission Options
When it comes to deciding how transparent or opaque you want your window tint to be, one number to look at is the visible light transmittance(VT). This number indicates the amount of light in the visible portion of the spectrum that passes through a film. The higher the VT the more daylight that will come through. The lower the number, the less visible light that beams into your Salt Lake City home and the more effective a film will be at things like glare reduction and/or energy savings. What all this means to you as a consumer is–window tint is only dark if you want it to be. And, even nearly clear films are powerful solutions to energy consumption and glare-reduction–but not as good as those that are darker.
For more information on clear to tinted window films for your Salt Lake City home, contact us today!
Mike Kinsey
Mike Kinsey and his team have been installing window film in the Salt Lake City area for over fifteen years. As the head of operations at Window Film Salt Lake City, Mike has overseen hundreds of commercial and residential window tinting projects in Ogden, Provo, Park City, St. George, Sandy, and the Salt Lake metro area, accounting for over 250,000 sq. ft. of film installed. Equipped with an extensive background in construction and project management, Mike brings a unique perspective to every install. His familiarity with all the various types of window film and top brands allows him to recommend a solution for nearly any architectural concern. With certifications from 3M, EnerLogic, and AIA for continuing education and a breadth of experience, Mike is regarded as one of the top professionals in his field.
