Solar window film is not a new product,infact it has been around for quite some time.The products offer huge benefits and is more often misunderstood and inadequately specified. One company and one specific individual have advocated to break this barrier and have 18 years of successfully completed projects and works with great commitment to run a business and at the same time advocate the growth and understanding of an industry segment that is often overlooked as a solution.It yields immediate results,is a cost effective offering and is green by design in every aspect.When Smith Power unveiled theire new building in Klapmuts,Paarl adjacent to the N1 highway,the hi heat and glare issues it experienced required the expertise of and experienced window tint contractor that did not just know how to do it,but knew what was needed to be done,all 330m2 of it.
Solar window tint is a retrofit polypropolene thin film insulation layer applied to window glass systems. The products are all imported into to SA from USA,Europe and China and is IS09001 rated and SABS tested.Listed on the IGDB(International Glazing Database) the window film and vinyls market has developed around the Sub Saharan Africa needs as well as coastal and inland markers of thermal stresses and absorption rates on glass types in South Africa.In essence all the due dilligence has been done,the products work and is readily available from suppliers,yet it is relevantly unknown by specifiers,qs’s,architects and even glazers as to what these films can actually do and what actual results it has yielded on projects in the past and to date.
The benefits of window tinting
1.Heat and glare reduction:Solar window tint reduces significant glare and heat from glazed facades.Many building designs incorporate skylights or large shopfront units and with climate change rapid annual temp increases have seen huge impact on glare and heat build up via these glass systems.Special solar reducing and uv blocking films applied to glass filters the harmfull rays.
2.UV Protection:Window films technology has come a long way.Nano Ceramic coated carbon type films are metal blasted during manufacturing.This in turns allows film to adequetly filter Infrared light during UV exposure and lower risk of skin disease,keep rooms cooler and even improve natural light flow.
3.Aesthetic upgrades:Tint and vinyls have long existed in the market place navigating its way to its own market segment.This diverse offerings leaves you wanting to know more and also be excited when cost effective and non intrusive solutions presents itself.You upgrade your glass,or look or feel or signage and if you don’t like it or redecorate sometime later or re-rent space,you change it.
4.Thermal insulation:Solar window tint is a thermal insulator.The layer you apply to the glass act as insulator that reduces the emissivity of heat escape via glass.So in essence you keep rooms warmer for longer.During summer it filters harsh UV rays and blocks humidity.It covers all year round insulation.
5.Cost effective:At a fraction of the cost of expensive glass replacement you can easily solar tint your window finishes thrice over at the same volume as to upgrading it once.Let that sink in.You can thus either spend a huge escalated cost on upgrading your glass,that most likely won’t work,require more maintenance,be intrusive to install and risky and unobtainable or solar tint it every 7 to 10 years….with none of the risk or issues and you will still spend less money over 30 years with a roi and yielding effects.
Overcoming misconceptions
Much to often archaic and systemic thinking limits a products exposure.More so often a bad experience does not bode well to pave the way for growth as key decision makers dismiss window film use.Research and development has come a long way and case studies have proven welcomed results.We advocate to share our knowledge and be more included by associates like SAFMA,GBCSA,SAIA,QSASA and others so we can not just showcase products and services,but share insight so decision makers can make faster and more informed choices based on what is available in the market.
Real world applications
In the real world it comes down to due diligence and accountability.Most contractors are well versed with skilled installers but lack accountability to check glass conditions,clients need and or budgets and oft fail to make the best practice choice to specify quality products and actually install it as promised.Be very carefull who you deal with,a well documented or social media footprint of years of experience and quality refrences and case studies of actuall installation projects on a regular basis is the type of person you want.
Users and market trend
From the home owner and corporate office to commercial and space and military segments,the diversity the thin film market has to offer remind us of the Wall Street motto”We are the 99%” .The specify to install ratio success rate of finding the right solution,at the market related budget is evident by the 1% return rate.Thus 9 out of 10 times the window film/vinyl solution offered and installed actually works and clients are satisfied.
Green by design
| Setting the standards for window tint useVision Tinting have a plethora of major projects completed and case studies with results that is available.Tech talks and consultation sessions as well as a future selfpublication industry book are all from the efforts of company MD Grantham Solomons.Rarely it is seen that a small business has such passion and energy and in essence major players and suppliers should advance the industry in this manner,but rarely do.“It is with great pride we serve the market and advocate for change to make the product more inclusive but more so educate and inform associates that something so mundane and overlooked as window tint can actually save you cost and works at the same time.” Grantham Solomons MD-Vision Tinting |
Hand tools only.Recyclable polypropolene.Self extinguishing properties.No cfc during lifecycle breakdown.Yields immediate results.Lowers carbon footprint.The list goes on,but do we really need say more.The products work.
