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Window Film Glossary



Dyed Film
Window film that uses either a submersion process or a dyed adhesive process to deposit dye onto its surface to achieve the qualities and look of tinted film.

Emissivity
The measure of surface's ability to absorb or reflect far-infrared radiation. The lower the emissivity rating, the better the insulating qualities of the installed window film.

Hybrid Film
Window film that is made up of a combination of metallic film and dyed film to achieve the qualities and look of tinted film.

Infrared Light
A form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 0. 7 micrometers (0.0007 millimeters) and 1 millimeter. These wavelengths are longer than those of visible light, but shorter than those of microwaves. (The prefix 'infra' means 'below; infrared refers to radiation below the frequency of red light.) Infrared light is primarily thermal radiation, and we can think of this as being heat.

Metallic Film
Window film that uses either a sputtering process or deposition process to deposit metals onto its surface to achieve the qualities and look of tinted film.

Shading Coefficient
The ratio of solar heat gain passing through window film to the solar heat gain that occurs under the same conditions if the window were made of clear, unshaded double strength window glass. The lower the number, the better solar shading qualities of the installed window film.

Total Solar Absorptance
The percent of incident solar radiation that is absorbed by the installed window film. The lower the number, the less solar radiation absorbed.

Total Solar Energy Rejected
The percent of total solar energy (heat) rejected by the installed window film. The higher the number, the more total solar energy (heat) rejected.

Total Solar Reflectance
The percent of incident solar radiation that is reflected by the installed window film. The lower the number, the less solar radiation reflected.

Total Solar Transmittance
The percent of incident solar radiation that is transmitted through the installed window film. The lower the number, the less solar radiation transmitted.

U-Value
The ability of heat to transfer through one square foot of window film for each degree fahrenheit difference in temperature. The local climate or environment in which the window is located, affects the level of heat transfer and the rate. In summer, heat transfers from the outdoor air to indoor air. In winter, heat transfers from indoor air to outdoor air. The lower the U-Value, the better insulating qualities of the installed window film.

Ultraviolet Light
Light having a shorter wavelength and higher energy than visible light. Ultraviolet light is potentially damaging to library, archive, and museum objects. Removing UV light can reduce the rate of deterioration.

Ultraviolet Transmittance
The percent of ultraviolet light (UV) that is transmitted by the installed window film. The lower the number, the less ultraviolet transmitted.

Visible Light
Electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths which the human eye can see. We perceive this radiation as colors ranging from red (longer wavelengths; ~ 700 nanometers) to violet (shorter wavelengths; ~400 nanometers).

Visible Light Absorptance
The percent of total visible light that is absorbed by the installed window film. The lower the number the less visible light absorbed.

Visible Light Reflectance
The percent of total visible light that is reflected by the installed window film. The lower the number the less visible light reflected.

Visible Light Transmittance (VLT)
The percent of total visible light that is transmitted through the installed window film. The lower the number, the less visible light transmitted. As an example, limousines usually tint their windows with films that have a VLT of 5%.