Explanatory Notes
What is the abreviation?
Why is this performance measure important and how do changes in the performance measure impact on the appearance of the film and /or the outcomes you may seek
Heat Blocked (TSER)
Total Solar Energy Rejected (TSER) is the percentage of the total solar energy (heat) that is blocked from entering the room. TSER includes all three energy forms: visible light, infrared and ultraviolet that convert to heat energy. The higher the percentage of solar energy blocked, the cooler the temperature inside the room.
VLT
Visible Light Transmitted (VLT): the amount of visible light that passes through the glass, into the building. This determines how dark the room "feels". A VLT over 20% will not make a room "feel" dark, whereas a VLT less than 20% will trigger a "feeling" of darknes. The VLT also affects how light or dark the film appears viewed externally.
VLR - External
Visible Light Reflected - Exterior (VLR - E): the amount of visible light that is reflected off the exterior surface of the window. This is seen when standing outside the building, a higher reflectance value means the window looks more like a mirror from the outside. A grey film will appear increasing like a mirror when VLR-E is over 30% and fullly like a mirror when VLR-E is over 50%.
VLR - Internal
Visible Light Reflected - Interior (VLR - I): the amount of visible light that is reflected off the interior surface of the window. This is seen when standing inside the building looking out.Many modern dual reflective films have a lower internal VLR than the VLR-E to improve visibility to the outside.
Heat Loss Reduction
The higher the heat loss reduction the better the insulating performance of the film.
Low E - Winter U value
U-value is a measure of the insulating value of the film - the lower the number the higher the insulating performance and the higher the heat loss reduction.
Glare Reduction
Glare is what we call too much light. Reducing the VLT will reduce the amount of light entering a room and relieve glare.
UV blocked
Ultraviolet Light (UV) is the main cause of sun danage and fading. Window film will block about 99% of the UV light.
Fading Reduction
A film's % reduction in fading is a combination of the following: 40% of fading is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light, 25% is caused by heat and another 25% is caused by visible light and 10% is caused by a range of other factors
Day-time Privacy
Privacy is a result of the difference in the level of lighting between inside and outside. Basically, as humans, we can see from the dark into the light - which means on a bright sunny day you cannot see inside and at night with the light on you can see inside. Any film with a VLT less than 25% will provide daytime privacy.
Make Room feel dark
Some people don't want the window film to make their home "feel" dark. They should select a film with a VLT over 20% - but less than 25% if seeking day time privacy.
Mirror Appearance
Some people do not like windows to have a silver mirrored appearance. Select a film with a VLR -E less than 35%
Edge Sealing Required
Some high tech, specturally selective, clear window films are made from a range of exotic materials, including silver nitride. Silver nitride will corode when exposed to salt laden air - usually when installed in properties located within 16km of salt water - the film will require edge sealing with silicone adhesive to prevent corrorion. The application of silicone adhesive is a specialist trade which increases the job cost in that film. If your property is located within 16km of salt water it is strongly recommended that you select a film that does not require edge sealing.
and the job is over 5m2,
