The main types of glass films
The presence of glass surfaces and windows is essential to ensure the comfort of apartments, offices, and shops. It should be noted, in this context, that national regulations require for a minimum air/light ratio for living spaces, which should never be less than 1/8, considering the ratio between floor and window areas. While introducing glass surfaces is beneficial, and in modern homes windows are always wider – to make the most of natural lighting – it is also true that glass can generate some issues. Cleaning glass, for instance, is not always easy; however, the potential issues we are referring to here others, such as those related to security, damage caused by ultraviolet rays, insulation of the building, privacy, and so on. It is not surprising, then, that different types of glass films to be applied on the glass surfaces belonging to houses, offices, and commercial activities have been developed over the years, to make the coated transparent surfaces better or safer time and time again. Here are the most important types of films for glass and windows.
The main types of glass films
· Solar glass films: One of the most common types of glass films is solar control coating for windows. These are films made and applied to glass surfaces with the clear goal of blocking ultraviolet rays which, it should always be stressed, can be harmful in many different ways. UV rays can be dangerous for our skin, but that’s not all: they can also ruin our furniture, from leather armchairs up to wooden surfaces. Not to mention the best solar control films, by blocking UV rays, also avoid excessive heat penetration. More generally, solar control films make the glass surfaces more insulating, thus allowing for less energy expenditure in terms of cooling during summer, and heating in winter. There are solar films suitable for the inside or for the outside, and they are adaptable on any type of glass surface, from regular window to larger windows; in all cases, solar control films ensure the full passage of sunlight, with filters which only block UV rays.
· Safety glass films: glass’ disadvantages, if one wishes to call them so, are not limited to letting in UV rays, in the case of classic glass, reduced insulating capacity. It must also be noted, in fact, that glass is rather fragile, and therefore poses a breakage risk. It is, therefore, unsurprising to discover that there are specific regulations determining the different types of glass to be installed in different environments: According to UNI 7697, for example, it is necessary to install shatterproof glass if the fixture in place is 100 centimetres from the floor; or again, and more specifically, the Italian “Testo Unico 81/08” regulation makes it mandatory for shatterproof glass to be installed in schools, offices, and other public buildings. In order to make the glass surfaces in the house safer or to fulfil the obligations even when dealing with non-shatterproof glass, safety glass films are, i.e. absolutely transparent coatings which guarantee the glass surface’s stability, are introduced. When a violent collision hits regular glass, it shatters; when a safety glass film is deployed, the shards remain glued together, and the glass doesn’t fall on itself thus putting anyone in its vicinity in serious danger. This way, glass becomes stronger and safer, preventing injuries to the people present in the residential, school, or work environments.
· Mirror-effect films: another popular type of glass film is mirror-effect window film. This is a film with a metallized outer surface, which can also act as solar control. The aim, here, is to ensure privacy inside the room, without compromising natural light. With mirror-effect glass films it is therefore possible to offer a metallic surface to the outside, without compromising the transparency of the glass while looking from the inside out.