Commercial buildings with lots of windows, particularly those with expansive glass facades like office towers and high-rises, offer many benefits, from abundant natural light to spectacular views, creating a more productive, pleasant work environment for building tenants.
However, sunlight can also pose significant challenges, including excessive solar heat gain, glare, and harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Thankfully, there’s a solution that addresses these issues effectively and affordably: solar window film for commercial buildings.
What Is Solar Window Film for Commercial Buildings?
Solar window film, also commonly known as sun control film, is a special coating that consists of many microscopically thin layers of spectrally selective window film technology designed to block heat, glare, and UV rays.
Applied directly to the existing glass surfaces of a building, including windows and glass doors, this film works without reducing the amount of natural light entering the building or obstructing views. The result is a more comfortable and energy-efficient building with added UV protection and preserved aesthetics.
Solar window film is a cost-effective solution that can reduce energy consumption, improve indoor comfort, and protect the building’s interiors and furnishings from the damaging effects of UV radiation. It’s an increasingly popular choice for commercial properties of all shapes and sizes because of the significant benefits it provides.
Benefits of Solar Window Film for Commercial Buildings
Blocks up to 97% of Infrared Light (Heat)
The primary function of solar window film is to block infrared light, which is the type of light responsible for heat gain. This can help reduce reliance on air conditioning, lowering cooling costs and improving indoor comfort for building occupants like office workers.
Improves Energy Efficiency
By preventing solar heat from entering a building through its windows, solar film helps maintain more stable indoor temperatures, thus reducing the running of AC systems and improving the overall energy efficiency of the building.
Blocks up to 99.9% of Harmful UV Rays
UV radiation can cause furnishings, artwork, walls, and flooring to fade over time, and it can also contribute to skin damage. Solar window film for commercial buildings effectively blocks up to 99.9% of these harmful rays, helping preserve the interior of buildings and protect the health of tenants.
Increases Comfort and Productivity
Solar window film reduces glare, which can be especially disruptive in office environments. By controlling glare, solar film helps building tenants focus more easily on their work, increasing both comfort and productivity.
Maintains Natural Light and Visibility
Unlike traditional window coverings, such as blinds or heavy curtains, solar window film allows natural light to enter while still offering protection from heat and glare, preserving the building's aesthetics and the functionality of its windows.
Provides a Strong Return on Investment (ROI)
The various financial benefits of solar window film are substantial, with the potential for significant cost savings on energy bills, HVAC repairs, and interior maintenance or furnishing replacements. Over time, the film can potentially pay for itself and continue to deliver savings for years to come.
Does Solar Window Film Change the Appearance of Commercial Building Windows?
One of the standout features of solar control window film is its ability to improve window performance without drastically altering the appearance of the building’s glass. Most solar films are minimally reflective, ensuring that the building retains its aesthetic and visibility.
However, if you are looking to refresh the look of your building, solar control films can be customized, too.
For instance, combining solar control technology with tinted, reflective, or colored window films can allow you to achieve specific performance goals while also giving your building’s exterior a facelift. Here are a few examples of what that might look like:
- Modernizing an Older Building: If your commercial building is showing signs of age, you can apply highly reflective films that not only offer excellent heat and glare control but also give your property a sleek, contemporary appearance.
- Adding Privacy: In office spaces where employees are close to windows, you can choose tinted films to reduce visibility and add an element of privacy while still benefiting from solar protection.
- Color-Changing Films: For a dynamic and eye-catching effect, color-shifting films allow windows to change hue depending on the angle of sunlight, adding a unique visual aspect to your building.
The options are flexible, so you can select the right style and performance features to meet your specific goals.
How Solar Window Film for Commercial Buildings Provides a Return on Investment (ROI)
A primary reason many commercial property owners invest in solar window film is its ability to reduce solar heat gain, a key contributor to high energy bills.
Solar heat gain occurs when sunlight passes through windows and increases the temperature inside the building, forcing air conditioning systems to work harder.
By installing solar window film, you significantly reduce solar heat gain, allowing your air conditioning systems to run more efficiently. This translates into lower energy consumption and, ultimately, a decrease in monthly utility costs.
The cost savings on energy bills can provide a substantial ROI, often recovering the investment within a relatively short time frame. The exact ROI depends on factors such as the size of the building, the number of windows, and the existing energy efficiency of the property.
Besides energy savings, solar window film can also add to a building’s curb appeal. Installing tinted, reflective, or custom-colored films can modernize the building’s exterior, making it more attractive to potential tenants.
A fresh look, combined with energy efficiency, is a strong selling point that can help attract tenants and increase occupancy rates, leading to higher net operating income (NOI).
Summary of the ROI Benefits of Solar Window Film for Commercial Buildings:
- Energy Savings: Solar window film reduces cooling costs by blocking heat.
- Improved Curb Appeal: Aesthetic upgrades can help attract tenants.
- Higher Occupancy Rates: A more attractive, energy-efficient building is more appealing to prospective tenants.
- Increased NOI: Higher occupancy leads to better financial performance for building owners.
What Commercial Solar Window Film Does Campbell Offer?
At Campbell Glass and Films, we are proud to offer the best in solar window film technology with 3M Prestige Series sun control window film.
Recognized as one of the most advanced and effective solar window films available, the Prestige Series provides unmatched performance in energy efficiency and UV protection while maintaining a high level of aesthetic appeal.
While the Prestige Series was once considered a luxury investment, it is now an affordable solution for commercial building owners seeking to improve their property’s performance and appearance.
In addition to the Prestige Series, we offer a wide range of other commercial window films, including reflective, tinted, and colored films. These can be tailored to meet both functional and aesthetic needs, whether you're looking to add privacy, reduce glare, or simply upgrade the building's look.
For those with older buildings, we also offer facade re-imaging services, combining high-performance films with building wraps to modernize your property and improve its visual appeal from both inside and out.
If you’re looking to make an investment in your commercial property’s windows that will deliver a strong ROI over the years, contact Campbell Glass and Films today for a free quote on solar window film installation!
