Emissivity (E) A measurement of a surface’s ability to absorb or reflect radiant energy. The lower the emissivity rating, the better the insulation characteristic of the glazing system in regard to heat loss. For windows with film, emissivity refers to the heat reflected back into the room. When using film performance data, lower emissivity ratings are preferred to minimize interior heat loss. |
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Low-Emissivity Low-Emissivity, or Low-E, refers to a coating on glass or window film that reduces heat loss through the window film. The lower the emissivity rating, the better the insulation characteristic of the glazing system in regard to heat loss. |
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Deposition Process A form of physical vapor deposition (PVD) often used for deposition of metal films. Film is drawn through a tank containing metal ingots where a vacuum is created by reducing the pressure in the tank, which is then flooded with argon gas and the ingots are heated. The heat causes the metal to give up particles that migrate to the film's surface. |
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Polyester Film Polyesters are made from chemical substances found mainly in petroluem and are manufactured in fibers, films, and plastics. Polyester film (PETF) is a semi-crystalline film used in many applications such as videotape, high quality packaging, professional photographic printing, X-ray film, floppy disks, etc. |
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Sputtering Process A form of physical vapor deposition (PVD) often used for deposition of metal films.Sputtering involves knocking metal atoms off a disc of pure metal with charged, energetic, chemically inactive atoms called ions (from a plasma). The metal atoms will re-deposit and build on top of polyester film. |
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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. |
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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. A process where metals are applied onto a clear, polyester film as an even layer. Different metals produce different hues and performance capabilities to meet the varying consumer needs. |
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Hybrid Film Window film that is made up of a combination of metallic film and dyed film to achieve the qualities and look fo tinted film. |
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Nano Ceramics Nano Ceramic technology is the newest technology in window films. Ceramics are tough and stable materials used in space shuttles, integrated circuit components and industrial cutting tools. Nano-Ceramics are atomic-fine, equivalent to 0.000000001m discrete optical coatings which are deposited through reactive plasma processes |
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Infrared Light A form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 0. 7 micrometres (0.0007 millimetres) and 1 millimetre. 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. |
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Shading CoefficientThe 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 window film/glass system. | |
Solar Absorptance The percent of incident solar radiation that is absorbed by the window film/glass system. The lower the number, the less solar radiation absorbed. |
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Solar Energy Energy from the sun that is represented by visible light (glare), infrared radiation (heat) and ultraviolet radiation (fading and health hazards). Each form of energy is differentiated by its wavelength. |
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Solar Heat Gain Coefficient The ratio of total solar heat passing through a given window product relative to the solar heat incident on the projected window surface at normal solar incidence (I.E. perpendicular to the glazing surface). The lower the coefficient number for a particular window film/glass system, the better it is able to reduce heat. |
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Solar Reflectance |
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Solar Transmittance The percent of incident solar radiation that is transmitted through the window film/glass system. The lower the number, the less the solar radiation transmitted. |
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Total Solar Energy Rejected Measures the window film’s ability to reject solar energy in the form of visible light, infrared radiation and ultraviolet light. The higher the TSER number, the more solar energy is rejected way from the window. |
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U-Value The ability for heat to transfer through 1 square foot of window film for each 1° fahrenheit difference in temperature. It is dependent upon the local climate or environment that the window is located in effects 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 window film/glass system. |
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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. Certain acrylic sheets have UV filtering chemicals built into them. Invisible, powerful wavelengths (shorter than light but longer than X rays) emitted by the sun separated into three types, UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. UV-B causes sunburn, and prolonged exposure can cause skin cancer. Window films block nearly 100% of ultraviolet light from passing through glass. |
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Ultraviolet Transmittance Visible Light Visible Light Absorptance Visible Light Reflectance Visible Light Transmittance |