3M Low-E Window Films

At a Glance

Simulate Low-E Windows

Reduce Carbon Footprint

Reduce Heating Bills

Nearly Invisible

Warrantied by 3M

3M All Season Low-E Window Films

3M Company introduced insulating Low-E window films in the early 1970s as a solution to transform standard glass into Low-E glass. As such, these unique tinted films not only lower a window’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, but also its U-Value. This decrease, in turn, helps buildings reduce energy consumption from HVAC system usage (heating and cooling) year-round.

What is a Low-E Window?

A Low-E window provides energy benefits year-round. That’s because it not only helps to reduce solar heat gain in the summer, but also heat loss in the winter, thanks to an extra metallized coating added to the glass during the manufacturing process. This added benefit is particularly useful in northern climates during the colder months. Homes and buildings with Low-E windows typically consume less energy for heating as compared to similar homes and buildings not equipped with Low-E windows.

Why are Low-E Windows Important?

Science tells us that heat travels from places of hot to cold. Heat generated from an HVAC system (furnace, boiler, etc) wants to go where it’s cold, which is outside. It travels outside through the path of least resistance, which is often through a window. The metallized coating of a Low-E window increases the resistance of heat passing through glass by reflecting it back inside. Reducing this heat loss means that the HVAC system consumes less energy (gas, electric, steam, oil).

Simulate Low-E Windows

3M Low-E Window Films are designed to turn existing glazing into Low-E glass in a cost-effective manner. These films keep out the sun’s heat in the summer and retain man-made heat during the winter, just like Low-E glass. Adding a 3M Low-E window tint is almost like adding an extra pane of glass at a fraction of the cost of window replacement. 3M offers a few clear and colorless films that won’t really change the window’s appearance.

The table below illustrates the impact of a Low-E film like 3M Thinsulate Climate Control CC75 to the U-Value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of standard clear glass windows:

	U-Value Before	U-Value After	Improvement	SHGC Before	SHGC After	Improvement
Single Pane (1/4")	1.03	0.62	40%	0.82	0.53	35%
Double Pane(1/4", 1/2" air gap, 1/4")	0.47	0.35	26%	0.70	0.51	27%

The numbers speak for themselves. Adding 3M Thinsulate Climate Control Window Film lowers a window’s SHGC and U-Value considerably, almost to the same extent as replacing single pane glass with double pane, or double pane glass with triple pane.

The Value Proposition

Low-E window films like 3M’s Thinsulate Climate Control CC75 or LE-70 present a compelling value proposition to commercial buildings looking to upgrade existing glazing for carbon footprint reduction. Mandates such as New York City’s Local Law 97, Boston’s Building Energy Reduction and Disclosure (BERDO), and Washington’s Clean Energy DC force building owners to increase the efficiency of their curtainwall glazing in order to reduce heating consumption, and subsequently, carbon footprint. If window replacement is feasible, it is a significant undertaking, being expensive and disruptive to tenants. 3M Low-E Window Films are a cost-effective alternative. Consider the following options:

Cost of window replacement:

$1000 per pane

Cost of window insert:

$1000 per pane

Cost of 3M Thinsulate Window Film:

$100 per pane

From a performance standpoint, window replacement is the most effective solution. Neither inserts nor Low-E window films offer the same energy benefits, yet replacement is often unfeasible, especially if the building’s structure is unable to withstand the additional weight of significantly better glazing. Given the significant cost savings of Low-E window tint over replacement or inserts, the value proposition is clear.

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3M Low-E Window Films are warrantied by 3M Company against premature product failure (bubbling, cracking, crazing, peeling, blistering, delamination, and discoloration). 3M also protects against thermal shock fracture and seal failure for up to 60 months and 40 months, respectively, depending upon the application. (Please see warranty for terms and conditions.)