Thanks to the relentless heat, glare, UV and escalating electric bills that Floridians tackle; window film has become a cost effective energy savings retrofit.
In fact window film has documented savings that support window film as the most cost effective and fastest ROI of any home retrofit solution.
Given that backdrop and the reality that many Florida homes have single pane clear glass windows and clear tempered glass sliders the implementation of solar control films is highly recommended.
There are many types of solar control coatings manufactured to solve these issues.
Advanced Film Solutions is unique by offering our clients the largest and deepest portfolio of solar control, UV, Low E and solar security window film.
The topic of this posting however is a critical comparison between our Eastman Chemical’s Huper Optik patented window film Vs. 3M and Home Depot 3M Prestige Window Film.
This direct comparison is typically developed when our client requires heat, glare and UV filtering coatings that do not alter the reflective appearance of the homeowners windows.
In other words; the consumer wants the benefits of solar control window film without fundamentally changing the appearance of their home.
This is frequently codified by deed restrictions and Home Owner Association rules and restrictions.
Many homeowners who live in coastal communities or hi-rise condo’s simply prefer the non-metallic, non reflective qualities of the films being compared (Huper Optik Vs. 3M Prestige) or simply have received a quote from a 3M agent, Home Depot or any number of resellers for 3M Prestige films.
Background:
Both 3M Prestige and Eastman Huper Optik offer films that are non reflective.
Both film lines filter 99.9% of the UV
Both films block high quantities of IR wavelengths.
3M continues their misleading jargon of filtering 97% of the IR but a cursory review of the technical literature related to the narrow wavelengths being discussed identify the weak importance of this factor.
Fortunately the window film industry in cooperation with the Dept. of Energy has created the NFRC ratings for Applied Films that takes the guess-work out of this discussion because the specific effectiveness of these films is tested and documented by independent laboratories.
IWFA – IR Ratings of Window Film
Whether 3M’s prestige film actually blocks 97% of the entire IR wavelength (it does not) the bottom line solar heat gain coefficient, or total solar energy rejected are exactly measured and the Huper Optik coatings in a 20, 30 and 35% VLT out-perform the best heat rejecting Prestige film.
The technology being employed by Eastman Huper Optik is patented ceramic coatings. These nanotechnology coatings are able to lower the visible light transmitted without the use of fragile dyes.
The 3M prestige coatings rely on older dye technology to lower the visible light transmission.
The clear Huper Optik adhesives (which are visible of sample cards provided during estimates are pristine and the clarity is superior to the adhesives used by the 3M and 3M home depot prestige film.
This is not evident when comparing sample cards because the 3M sample card has no adhesive on the sample.
This can frequently persuade an unassuming consumer that the film sample is the actual product that will be installed.
This is not the case for 3M.
Their film sample has no liner or adhesives on the card provided and the black border around the film sample is designed to make their film sample appear lighter.
3M and 3M Home Depot agents will typically use IR French Fry lamps and BTU meters to present the illusion that their film blocks more heat than coatings that are darker or significantly more reflective. This is a trick to confuse because the actual sunlight is much cooler and the complete electro-magnetic spectrum from the Sun obviously includes visible light!
3M and 3M Home Depot agents may also claim that their film works better at angles than any other window film and infer that somehow this trait is unique for 3M or potentially built into the film as an advantage to their product and by extension the consumer.
Once again this is completely false.
All coatings as well as glass itself work in the exact same manner. There is no advantage and any claims otherwise are spurious or simply put: LIES!
Advanced Film Solutions always deals in factual information.
Documented results and intelligent clients who do their own research and ask the right questions.
Our experience is unmatched and our track record for providing superior installations throughout west and central Florida are incomparable.
We are A Plus rated by the Better Business Bureau. We have earned the Super Service Award from Angie’s List for 8 consecutive years.
Call our office toll free for a free estimate: 877-575-3456
Advanced Film Solutions
Tampa Bay, Sarasota, Orlando
