Dark
79%
Heat Reduction
84%
Glare Reduction
Up to 99%
UV Rejection
EXAMPLE PERFORMANCE DATA
Solar control is a balance, not a single percentage.
Solar-control films are available with different balances of solar-energy rejection, glare reduction, visible-light transmission and reflectivity. The Solartek Silver range below is one example of how those performance trade-offs change between grades.
Medium
65%
Heat Reduction
64%
Glare Reduction
Up to 99%
UV Rejection
Light
55%
Heat Reduction
48%
Glare Reduction
95%
UV Rejection
Detailed performance data
| Performance | Dark | Medium | Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Solar Energy Rejection | 78.3% | 65.2% | 55.0% |
| Total Solar Absorption | 45.5% | 46.1% | 38.0% |
| Total Solar Reflection | 44.1% | 30.9% | 29.0% |
| Total Solar Transmission | 10.4% | 23.0% | 33.0% |
| Visible Light Transmission | 14.5% | 31.9% | 46.0% |
| Visible Light Reflection | 55.9% | 37.0% | 27.0% |
| Ultraviolet Light Rejection | Up to 99% | Up to 99% | 95.0% |
| Visible Glare Reduction | 83.5% | 63.8% | 47.72% |
| Shading Coefficient | 0.25 | 0.40 | 0.50 |
| U Factor | 0.90 | 0.92 | Not stated |
| Emissivity | 0.61 | 0.64 | Not stated |
Example performance data from the Solartek Silver range. Other solar-control films will have different characteristics. Performance percentages may also vary slightly depending on glass type.
Final film selection should be confirmed against the existing glazing and required performance.
How solar control film works
Change how solar energy passes through the glass.
Solar-control film changes the way existing glazing transmits, reflects and absorbs incoming solar energy. The precise balance depends on the film selected and the glazing it is applied to.
01
Manage incoming solar energy
The film changes how much incoming solar energy is transmitted, reflected and absorbed by the glazing system.
02
Control heat and visible light
Different films provide different balances of heat rejection, visible-light transmission and external reflectivity, allowing the specification to respond to both comfort and appearance.
03
Reduce glare and UV exposure
Appropriate solar-control films can reduce disruptive visible glare and ultraviolet exposure while retaining the level of daylight required for the space.
Performance evidence
Specify from the data, not the tint.
Film colour or darkness alone does not tell you how a solar-control system will perform. The relevant performance data needs to be considered alongside the existing glass and the result required.
TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE DATA
The numbers describe different parts of the glazing response.
Solar-energy rejection, transmission, reflection, visible-light performance and glare reduction should be considered together rather than selecting a film from one headline percentage.
Solar energy
REJECTION · TRANSMISSION · REFLECTION
Visible light
TRANSMISSION · REFLECTION
Glare
VISIBLE GLARE REDUCTION
UV
ULTRAVIOLET REJECTION
PRODUCT-SPECIFIC DATA
Solartek reviews the technical data for the proposed film system against the glazing and project requirements before a final specification is confirmed.
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
Product data behind the recommendation.
Review available solar-control film datasheets and technical performance information. The final system is selected against the existing glazing and required result rather than from a single generic film specification.