Common Terms for Window Film

When working with a professional window film company it is our job to ensure you understand what you are buying.  Sometimes terms used may confuse the buyer, so we have explained what the terms mean and ultimately how they can benefit you!  (Definitions were supplied by Vista Films for this blog)

TSER – Total Solar Energy Rejected

TSER – The percentage of solar energy rejected by a glazing system (windows).  The higher this value, the less solar heat energy is transmitted by the glazing system.

Solar Transmittance

The ratio of the amount of total solar energy (300-2,500 nanometers) that is allowed to pass through a glazing system to total solar energy falling on that glazing system.  Value is expressed as a percentage.

Solar Reflectance

The amount of total solar energy which is reflected outward by a glazing system.  Value is expressed as a percentage.

Solar Absorbance

The amount of total solar energy absorbed by a glazing system.  Solar absorbance is that portion of total solar energy that is neither transmitted nor reflected.  Value is expressed as a percentage.

Visible Light Reflectance

The amount of total visible solar energy (380 to 780 nanometers) that is reflected by a glazing system.  Value is expressed by a percentage

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

SHGC measures how well a product blocks heat from the sun.  SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 to 1.  The lower the SHGC, the better a product is at blocking heat gain.  Blocking solar heat gain is important in cooling climates such as Arizona.

Visuals!

TermsThe picture below (right window) has LLumar DR15 applied, while the window on the left has no film.  The product specs listed to the right is for LLumar DR15 which is quite popular in Arizona homes and businesses

 

LLumar DR15 left

LLumar DR15 left