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What are Window Films?
Window films are thin laminates installed on the interior or the exterior of the glass on your windows. Window films are usually associated with tinting the glass of automobiles. However, this tinting option also offers immediate energy efficiency benefits at a fraction of the cost of completely replacing older windows.
Are Window Films For Everyone?
Window films are not necessarily a solution for every homeowner. For people who are currently considering building a home, it is a better idea to opt for new, energy-efficient window options that contain low solar gain glass. Windows with this type of glass have some of the highest solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC) and U-values of any windows on the market. They are hands down the best option for homeowners looking to maximize the energy performance of their homes.
However, these types of windows are also much more expensive than their counterparts—you may be looking at a 5 to 20 percent increase. You can recover some of the extra expenses down the road through energy savings. Homeowners replacing all older windows with low solar gain, triple pane, glazed windows will be facing a high cost that could be over-budget.
What Are The Benefits of Window Films?
The main benefit of window films is that they can add insulation to your home while also reducing the amount of heat transfer through your windows. As part of a retrofit energy improvement, window films are among the most cost-competitive home energy improvements. It is ideal for homes located in hot and mixed climates. The glaring summer sun can cause air conditioning units to work overtime due to heat-gain through windows.
Are There Different Types of Window Films?
There are several types of window films on the market, all of which have different properties and performance levels. Before purchasing a window film, it is essential to determine what you are trying to accomplish and what features you want from your window films. Like windows, films have a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), U-Value rating, and visible transmission (VT) rating. For example, if you want to reduce the summer sun's glare and heat, look for window films with a low SHGC and VT rating. You might live in a climate with mild summers, so heat gain might not be a significant issue for you. You might only want to maintain proper light transmission in your home and search for films with a high VT.
Are Window Films Effective At Controlling Heat?
Window films will help keep the heat inside your home during winter. These films serve a double purpose and are the only ones on the market that can reduce the window's U-value. This improves insulation and thermal performance in the winter while also reducing solar gain and glare to keep your home cooler in the summer.
How Much Do Window Films Cost?
Replacing an older window in your home with a triple glazed, high-efficiency window could cost you as much as $1,000 per window. These types of windows will certainly be much more energy-efficient. Total energy savings will also depend on the insulation, building envelope, and other structural elements that all contribute to your home's thermal performance. On the other hand, window films can cost as low as $2 per square foot if you are planning to apply the film yourself. Even if you hire a professional installer, the cost is rarely above $8 per square foot. While the total cost varies depend on the size of your house, most American households are looking at the expense of roughly $600 for the entire home. Completely replacing your window could easily be ten times that amount or more.
Which Window Films Are The Best?
A consideration when choosing the best window film is the WERS rating. WERS, which stands for The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS), "provides a scientifically based, fair, and credible rating system for the assessment of fenestration products for their energy efficiency performance." This rating can be used to increase your home's energy rating, primarily if an accredited installer installs the window films.
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
