1. FEATURE: GREEN VISION
The public in the UK are generally unaware that
applied glass coatings or window films exist,
the product is known by building engineers
and architects and is often used after building
modelling on solar heat gain hasn’t quite worked
and occupants have complained of over heating
but this retrofit product has so much more to offer
environmentally than just reducing heat entering
through glazing.
Window film isn’t on the radar within the
environmental community in the UK mainly due to
the lack of publicity by the main manufacturers but
in the USA, Far East and Australasia the product
is commonplace even household by comparison.
The USA’s Clinton Climate Initiative names Solar
Gard®
Window Film a Key Resource for Saving
Energy and is included under the Energy Efficiency
Building Retrofit Program, which was designed to
help public entities lower their energy consumption.
Organizations that have committed to reducing
their carbon footprint can easily and cost-effectively
fit window film into an overall strategy to reduce
CO2
emissions. Window film can be sized to fit any
window extending the life of existing glazing systems
reducing landfill and cutting out CO2
produced
manufacturing new glazing.
So what can window film do? It can offer several
benefits at once, solar heat gain reduction
reducing loading on air conditioning systems
and reduction in winter heat loss reducing up to
30% in power consumption and running costs.
It offers Ultraviolet filters giving a 99% reduction
in UVA & UVB extending the life of furnishings,
protecting occupants from cancer and helping
sufferers of photosensitive skin conditions it is also
recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Glass safety and security is always a concern but
film can increase glass break strength and holds
broken glass together reducing glass related
injuries from accidents or explosions. Available
in various shades and colours eye strain can be
reduced making for a more comfortable and
productive internal environment whilst retaining a
clear view out allowing for more natural daylight to
enter the room unlike a traditional window covering
but still allowing welcome privacy for the occupants
within. With manufacturer warranties up to 16 years
and a possible lifespan of 25 years it is a serious
player in carbon reduction globally. Solar Gard®
window film saves 100 times more GHG emissions
from entering the atmosphere than is used and/or
created during its manufacture.
Window film has been around for over 50 years
and has been manufactured by Saint-Gobain
Performance Plastics (Solar Gard®
) for more than
30 years. CoolGlass Glazing Enhancements are
Lincolnshires only approved SolarGard®
dealer and
a supplier of the new Ecolux®
film which offers a
massive 41% reduction in winter heat loss through
single glazing and also a 34% heat gain reduction
in summer whilst having similar light transmission to
a car windscreen, it truly is the film for all seasons.
If you would like to know more about window films
and other solar control products contact CoolGlass
on 01673 818157 or visit coolglass.co.uk
TheGlazingIndustry’sBestKeptSecret
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