Window Film for Temperature Control

The newest commercial buildings and residential homes appear to be made of floor-to-ceiling glass that spans the entire envelope’s perimeter. There is not only aesthetic appeal to such design, but also a functional one. Occupants want the ability to see outside and prefer natural daylight to artificial light. Studies have shown that people are more productive when exposed to the sun’s visible rays. However, these rays, along with the sun’s infrared heat, easily penetrate a home or building, making cooling a costly proposition for those paying the utility bills.

New buildings and homes made of glass experience difficulty keeping occupants cool and comfortable. Simply put, the sun’s infrared rays and visible light are sources of heat. That incident energy more easily penetrates a piece of glass than a piece of surrounding brick or concrete. So, no matter the efficiency of a window, a building made entirely of glass is not as energy efficient as a building made of brick or concrete, assuming everything else is constant.

That is why occupants of new glass buildings and houses experience personal discomfort. Often, the HVAC system cannot handle the cooling load. Even if it can, it may be costly.