According to wikipedia, Solar gain (also known as solar heat gain or passive solar gain) refers to the increase in temperature in a space, object or structure that results from solar radiation. Designers, architects, and building managers need to know about solar heat gain during the hottest times of the year. But did you know that during the cold times of the year heat gain is an issue as well?
Glass Amplifies Heat Gain
Some materials, such as glass, can amplify the effects of the sun, causing a space to heat up. We’ve all been in a too-warm space during the winter, feeling like hot house flowers well, in a hot house. With no water. The glass can cause the air inside your home to heat up, making you feel like you’re under a magnifying glass.
Lack of Air Circulation
A fan can help to redistribute the hot air and replace some of it with cold air, but wouldn’t it be better to stop that air from heating up at the source? That is, by keeping the heat outside and a more moderate temperature inside your home.
Can Window Film Help?
Window film can block the UV radiation, and the heat, from entering your home or business. You might have seen our post about window film around the San Francisco Bay Area. Seeing a few real-world examples often helps people to decide that they, too, would like to be able to use all of their home, and not just the coolest parts!
Above is a snazzy video showing how window film works, in just a couple of minutes. The technology has been around for many years–in fact, 3M window film just celebrated their 50th anniversary!
Enjoy Your Home
Don’t wait until you are about to sell your house to make it more comfortable for yourself. Life is short, and you never know whether window film would be the tipping point to make you want to stay! Having window film might make your home so comfortable that you might decide not to sell it. Many of our clients have told us as much. And if you’re thinking about installing window film yourself, read about why that might not be such a good idea.
Is Window Film Right for You?
We’d love to talk to you about window film! Give us a call to brainstorm, or just to have us answer a question. We’re friendly!
Is there a type of window film that’s easy to take on and off? I’ve thought about getting some for my apartment, but I’d likely have to remove it when I moved out, so I’m wondering if there’s an effective temporary window film solution for apartment people like me.
Hi Adam,
Our CEO says there is a temporary solution, but it’s expensive. It’s a deco paper (like rice paper).
Seems like there could be a market for a temporary fix for renters.
Thanks,
Carol