The staid window film industry which has had its share of good and bad days has evolved in reaction to the greening of America issues and the Great Recession.
The Industry has embraced the National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC) which happens to be great news for consumers. Now homeowners as well as commercial property managers can compare window film performance judged on a level playing field.
Every problem has a solution and the credibility of window film performance was at issue. In the past window film suppliers could exaggerate performance characteristics in their effort to “sell” a consumer. “Figures lie and liars figure!”
Brochures might make unsupported claims about performance at angles or use technical terms that might tend to confuse a consumer. In particular; inaccurate claims about infrared heat rejection across the entire solar spectrum left consumers expecting heat rejection that reality and objective testing would easily quantify as fictional.
The IWFA working with the cooperation of participating window film manufacturers and the Department of Energy set the objective criteria and developed the path toward quantified results. The result is specific results on the key performance “bottom line” of the solar heat gain reduced through the most popular glass configurations.
Finally consumers can breathe easier knowing they can access this website and get “apple to apple” comparisons. Certainly there are nuances between the window film solutions being offered. Differences in adhesives and optical clarity and the long term efficacy of the window film (useful life cycle) as well as aesthetic differences.
Nanoceramic films, multi-layer optical films and lower reflective films like Huper Optik and VISTA Films offer alternatives for the energy efficient reflective films from LLumar, Solar Gard and Madico.
The NFRC has taken the mystery out of window film performance and placed this industry on a short path toward Energy Star Ratings. Window Film now qualifies for Federal Tax Credits and local utility rebates.
Today, more than ever the perfect upgrade of your windows should include NFRC rated window film.
Three decades of large commercial sales for 3M. Former Credit Manager, National Sales Manager of 3M Window Film for US Sales and Founder and President of Advanced Film Solutions,Inc. A Florida,Tampa based Vista CP Films, Huper Optik and FormulaOne Performance window film company.
