Protect Your Interiors from the Sun

Escaping the heat is at the top of everyone’s list this summer, but so too should UV protection be. This is especially relevant if your furniture is arranged near a window that gets a great deal of sunlight. 

Designed to keep your interiors cool in the summer and warm in the winter, window films will decrease your energy bill substantially. Their cooling effects in the summer also mean that homeowners can enjoy an improved level of comfort in their homes.

Carpets, curtains, artwork and furnishings that are exposed to direct sunlight not only deteriorate and fade faster, but the materials also become brittle, leading to irreparable damage. 

According to Charles Raitt from Decorshade, ultraviolet rays cause approximately 40% of the damage, while visible light accounts for about 25%, and heat about 25%. He says the remaining 10% can be attributed to humidity, pollutants, interior lights, dye anchorage and other elements. 

So how can one protect their home? 

Charles shares tips on how tinted windows can help keep your home cool, cut down your utility bill and protect your furniture against sun damage. 

What are the options? 

Sun control films are designed to reduce the amount of solar heat that penetrates through your window by increasing the solar reflection (not necessarily visible reflection) and absorption of the glass. 

Charles says homeowners can get coloured or dyed films, which work primarily through increased absorption. He says the colour absorbs the solar energy thus reducing the direct transmission into the room. He says these films, however, only offer marginal performance as compared to reflective films. 

Although its applied onto the window, the film still allows a sufficient amount of natural light in while blocking out harmful UV rays and reducing the heat and sun damage.

Coated with metals, reflective films are designed not only to increase the solar energy reflection of the glass but the level of absorption too. He says when it comes to solar performance or heat gain reduction, these metallic films range from moderate to excellent. 

Benefits of installing UV protected window films 

Exposure to the harsh sun can leave your carpets discoloured, furniture cracked and hardwood floors looking bleached and dry. Window films can vastly protect your furnishings from fading. Although applied onto the window, they still allow a sufficient amount of natural light in while blocking out harmful UV rays and reducing the heat and sun damage. 

Tinted windows also have the benefit of saving you money on cooling and heating costs. Charles says the future energy savings far outweigh the initial cost of installing window films. Designed to keep your interiors cool in the summer and warm in the winter, window films will decrease your energy bill substantially. Their cooling effects in the summer also mean that homeowners can enjoy an improved level of comfort in their homes. 

Exposure to the harsh sun can leave your carpets discoloured, furniture cracked and hardwood floors looking bleached and dry.

They also work well as a security measure in the battle against ‘smash and grabs.’ According to Charles, the tough, shatter resistant qualities of the film will hold a window together even if a brick (or similar object) is thrown at it. He says if this happens in an attempted robbery, the thief must now make a choice - continue attacking the window, try another window or move on. Charles says because they know that time is not on their side, often the bad guy will move on, leaving your belongings intact. 

Homeowners can also get these films in a wide variety of colours and shades, which can be used to improve the aesthetic of one’s home. Also available on the market are precision cut vinyls, which give the glass a frosted or opaque look. Charles says these, however, are generally used for privacy or decoration. 

Professional installation tips

Although avid DIYers can install these themselves, Charles recommends that the installation be left up to the professionals. 

He says the films should be applied by skilled and well-trained personnel. 

Although avid DIYers can install these themselves, it is recommended that the installation be left up to the professionals.

The first step is to prepare the window area for the application - placing drop cloths on the floor or moving furniture where necessary. 

The window film should be cleaned using a simple cleaning solution and razor blade scraper. 

Then, the film needs to be sprayed with a slip solution (detergent and water) for proper positioning, and applied to the window glass. Using a professional grade squeegee and following proper technique, the application is completed by removing excess water, trimming the edges and final squeegee to dry the edges.

Article courtesy of Property 24