Technology
The Science Behind Cooler Glass
Understand how window film works, and how to read the numbers on every Thermi Shield product page.
The Solar Spectrum
Three Kinds of Energy Reach Your Window
Solar energy is divided into three parts: ultraviolet (about 3%), visible light (about 44%) and infrared (about 53%). Infrared carries most of the heat you feel, visible light lets you see, and ultraviolet causes fading and skin damage. A good window film manages all three.
| Energy | Share of sunlight | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Ultraviolet | About 3% | Fading and skin damage |
| Visible light | About 44% | Brightness and glare |
| Infrared | About 53% | The heat you feel |
Our Film Technologies
How Each Film Works
Nano-Technology
Nano-engineered layers target infrared heat while letting visible light through. Ice Cool Nano, Cool Wave and Froonty Max ranges.
Nano-Ceramic
A high-density ceramic layer gives very high infrared rejection without a mirror finish. Crystal Cool Nano Ceramic range.
Metallised Reflective
A micro-thin metal layer reflects solar energy back out and gives a mirror finish. R-series and Black Out.
Tinted Non-Reflective
Tinted layers absorb heat and cut glare with a natural, low-reflective look. CH and NRG series.
Scratch Resistant Coating
A hard top layer that protects premium films from scratches and cleaning wear.
Super Shrink and Anti-Static
Lets non-reflective films shape to curved glass and keeps dust away during installation.
Glossary
Solar Terms Explained
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) | The share of visible light that passes through the glazing. The higher the VLT, the brighter the room. |
| Visible Light Reflectance | The share of visible light reflected by the glass. Higher values give a more mirror-like look. |
| Solar Energy Transmittance | The percentage of solar radiation that passes directly through the glazing. |
| Solar Energy Reflectance | The percentage of solar radiation reflected back out by the glazing. |
| Solar Energy Absorption | The percentage of solar radiation absorbed by the glazing. |
| Total Solar Energy | The sum of energy transmitted, reflected and absorbed. It represents 100% of the solar energy. |
| Ultra Violet Transmittance | The percentage of ultraviolet radiation that passes directly through the glazing. |
| Glare Reduction | How much the film reduces visible light compared with the glass alone, shown as a percentage. |
| Solar Heat Gain | The share of solar energy that is transmitted, or absorbed and re-radiated, into the room. |
| Shading Coefficient | Solar heat gain through the glazing compared with 1/8 inch (about 3 mm) clear float glass. The lower the number, the better the heat control. |
| Emissivity | How well a surface absorbs or reflects far-infrared radiation. Lower emissivity means better insulation. |
| U Factor | The overall heat transfer through the glazing, in BTUs per square foot per hour per degree Fahrenheit. Lower is better. |
| Total Solar Energy Rejection (TSER) | How much solar heat the glazing keeps out: solar reflectance plus the part of absorbed energy re-radiated outward. |
| MIL | Film thickness. 1 MIL equals 25 microns. |
A glazing system includes the window frame, glazing materials, applied film and the glass itself.