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Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I have Panorama® window film installed?

To prevent the interior furnishings from fading inside the room.
To prevent solar heat from entering the room while still allowing the visible light to enter.
In the event of a window breaking, the film prevents razor-sharp shards from being dispersed into the room thus preventing injuries and damage.
To slow down the chance of a burglar breaking and entering (with safety film).
To make your windows more uniform and attractive.

What are the main advantages of Panorama window film?

A cooler house during a hot summer. Panorama window film's very fine metal layer allows most of the visible light to pass through, but reflects the infrared rays back out through the glass.
A reduction in fading (wood flooring, curtains, furniture, artwork etc.). Panorama window films keep out most of the harmful ultraviolet rays and reflect the infrared ones. This enables the inside of your room to look new longer.
Increased safety and security (safety film): The adhesive layer of Panorama window film reacts immediately with the inside of the window, so in the event of a window breaking, the shards of glass are held together on the film. Therefore, no glass is expelled, which prevents physical injuries and damage to the inside of your room. Panorama safety film also makes it possible to slow down the chance of thief's breaking and entering.
Panorama window film's subtle appearance makes your home look more attractive while still protecting it.

What are the advantages of Panorama window film compared with an "outdoor" solar protection method?

"Outdoor" solar protection (such as blinds or shutters) reflects the infrared rays, but it also prevents the visible light from entering the room. With Panorama you obtain protection against infrared and ultraviolet rays, and the maximum visible light.
Unlike shutters and blinds, Panorama window film offers easy maintenance and no expensive cleaning.
Panorama window film is quick and easy to fit. Other solar protection methods involve extra work.

What are the advantages of Panorama window film compared with an "indoor" solar protection method?

"Indoor" solar protection (such as blinds or curtains) prevents the visible light from getting into the room. In addition, radiating infrared heat accumulates. Air conditioning may be a solution, however, after receiving the monthly bill, the cost or installing and running is very high compared with the window film. What's more, Panorama window film is working for you from dawn to dusk, it does not need to be mechanically closed or opened.

How does Panorama window film make the house cool?

Panorama window film's very fine metal layer reflects the majority of the infrared rays from solar heat. During an average day, the film provides a more pleasant level of warmth in the house.

Panorama window film reflects the heat during the summer. But what effect does the film have during the winter?

First, we must make a distinction between:
- Near infrared rays produced by the sun and
- Far infrared rays produced by the central heating
During the summer, as in winter, Panorama window film keeps out a lot of the sun's near infrared rays.
The window film has a limited impact on protection against far infrared rays during the winter. The reason for this lies in the fact that this double glazing and/or insulation glass with a Low-E coating limits the additional, positive effect of the window film throughout the winter months.

What effect does Panorama window film have from the outside looking in, and from the inside looking out?

When you are inside:
- Panorama window film allows the maximum visible light to enter. If you install a film with high visible light transmittance to a window, you will scarcely notice the film; if you install a film with a lower visible light transmittance to a tinted window, you will, also, scarcely notice the difference.
When you are outside:
- The visible light reflection is very limited in the case of Panorama window film. The outer appearance is characterized by a uniform, neutral look after fitting Panorama.

How do solar protection films work in general, and Panorama window film in particular?

Panorama window films reflect a significant portion of the total solar energy from passing through existing windows. The film also increases the absorption of that energy into the glass. A window with a film reflects and absorbs more solar energy than a window without a film.
Panorama protective window films have a very fine metal layer. It is this metal layer that reflects the solar energy and absorbs part of it. The transmittance of the visible light from the solar energy through the film is optimized. Panorama has a layer which absorbs the ultraviolet rays and greatly reduces fading inside your house or office (wood, furniture, curtains, etc.). All the Panorama window films are coated with an anti-scratch layer, which ensures the films have a long life and makes them easy to clean.
Colored and pigmented films are not as efficient. They work on the principle of absorption through the glass. The energy absorbed is then released outwards, but a large part is sent back to the inside (which makes the room heat up quicker). In addition, they prevent a large part of the visible light from penetrating, creating a gloomy look.

How do safety films work in general, and Panorama window film in particular?

The safety films hold the shards of glass together on the film in the event of a window breaking. They prevent flying glass shards in hopes of avoiding physical injuries and damage to the inside of your room.
The safety films consist of several layers of protective polyester film and a thicker transparent adhesive layer. Several safety films have been specifically developed due to needs throughout the world for increased safety against terrorist attacks, security and personal safety around glazed areas.
Panorama safety film slows down the chance of breaking and entering. Safety film can also be supplied as combination versions, with added solar protection. (Different films can be combined to offer solar protection and safety).

Does Panorama safety film prevent your window from breaking?

No. Panorama safety film holds the pieces and shards of glass together on the film in the event of a window breaking.

Can Panorama safety film withstand storms?

Safety films are designed to hold the shards of glass together on the film in the event of a window breaking. The window will break or remain intact depending on the type of glass and the intensity of the storm, thus minimizing the chance of the glass causing damage if it shattered during a storm.

Does Panorama safety film prevent breaking and entering?

A safety film helps deter burglaries as the film slows down the thief and makes it more difficult to gain entry. They hold the shards of glass together, even when a brick (or similar object) hits the window. In the latter case, the thief must make a choice: whether to continue attacking the window, creating attention and noise or to run.

What factors lead to colors fading inside the room?

Fading inside a room is 40% caused by the sun's ultraviolet rays, 25% by the visible light, 25% by solar heat and 10% by various other factors, such as humidity, pollution, indoor lighting, fabric dyes, etc.

Does Panorama window film stop colors fading inside the room?

Nothing can completely prevent fading. Panorama window film nevertheless slows down the main causes of discoloration, so the inside of your room looks new longer. contact us

Blast Mitigation Film

A common name for Armorcoat safety & security window film referring to the product’s ability to help hold glass intact during an explosion, minimizing deadly airborne shards.

Clear Dry Adhesive (CDA)

A mounting adhesive that uses water to activate and form a chemical bond between the glass and film, adhering the film to the glass during installation. This adhesive offers a strong bond, film clarity and longevity.

Clear Dry Adhesive

Daylight Installation

A common method for installing solar and safety window film. Window film is precut slightly larger than the framed glass pane, then trimmed up to 1/8 inch of the glass edge.

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.

Fragment Retention Film

A common name for Armorcoat safety & security window film, referring to the primary benefit of safety film: helping to hold glass intact in the event of it being broken.

Infra Red (IR) Rejection

Infra red light form the sun is only a portion of the solar spectrum which provides heat through a window. It is important not to confuse IR Rejection with TSER (total solar energy rejection) which is the true indicator of how much energy will be blocked from entering your building.

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. Solar Gard Silver Ag 25 is an excellent low-emissivity film.

Metallized

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.

Mechanical Attachment System

This method is used for enhanced glass retention, anchoring 8 Mil or thicker safety film to the window frame with a metal batten system. The safety film is installed to the glass, overlapping the window frame by approximately 1 inch. A metal batten system is placed over the overlapped film and screwed into the existing window frame, securely attaching the window film to the frame. Depending on the type of glass retention needed, the mechanical system can be attached as a one-sided (top), two-sided or four-sided installation.

MIL

Unit of length for 1/1000 of an inch (.001”). Used in expressing thickness of films. 1 MIL = 25 microns.

Mylar

A trademark name for polyester film produced by DuPont. Mylar, glass retention, anti-shatter, shatter resistant, fragment retention and blast mitigation are common references to Armorcoat safety and security window film.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA)

A film mounting adhesive that uses pressure to form a mechanical bond between the film and glass, adhering the film to the glass during installation. Pressure sensitive adhesive is tacky to the touch. All automotive window films and safety window films incorporate PSA.

Safety Film

Safety film is composed of incredibly strong, optical-quality clear or metallized polyester, high-grade ultraviolet inhibitors, special laminating and mounting adhesives, and scratch-resistant coating. The product is retrofit to interior glass surfaces for glass breakage protection. When events such as natural disasters, vandalism or bomb blasts cause glass to break, the film’s flexible construction and pressure-sensitive mounting adhesive help hold the shards on the film. This reduces the potential for personal injury and property damage. Safety film is also referred to as anti-shatter film, glass fragment retention film, blast mitigation film and Mylar.

Bekaert’s safety film is available in thickness ranging from 4 Mil (.004”) to 14 Mil (.014”) – with thicker films offering greater protection. Armorcoat is available in all thickness, offered as either a clear or metallized safety film. Select Panorama films are offered as a 4 Mil and 8 Mil upgrade.

Shading Coefficient (SC)

The ratio of solar heat gain passing through a glazing system to the solar heat gain that occurs under the same conditions if the window was made of clear, unshaded double strength glass. The lower the SC number, the better the solar control efficiency of the glazing system.

Solar Absorptance (A)

The amount of solar energy (visible, infrared and ultraviolet,) that is absorbed by the glazing system, expressed as percent.

When sunlight strikes glass, solar energy is either transmitted through the glass, absorbed by the glass or reflected away from the glass. The type of glass and window film applied causes varying absorptance results, expressed as a percent – this is the amount of solar energy that the glass and film retains. Always refer to a manufacturer’s film-to-glass installation recommendation.

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.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

The percentage of solar energy directly transmitted or absorbed and re-radiated into a building. The lower the SHGC, the better the solar control properties of the film.

Solar Reflectance (R)

The amount of solar energy (visible, infrared and ultraviolet) that is reflected by the glazing system, expressed as a percent.

When sunlight strikes glass solar energy is either transmitted through the pane of glass, absorbed by the glass or reflected away from the glass. The type of glass and window film applied causes varying reflectance results, shown as a percent – this is the amount of solar energy that the glass and film rejects away.

For maximum heat rejection, look for films with a high solar energy reflectance rating. Always refer to a manufacturer’s film-to-glass installation recommendation.

Solar Transmittance (T)

The amount of solar energy (visible, infrared and ultraviolet) that passes through a glazing system, expressed as a percent.

When sunlight strikes glass, solar energy is either transmitted through the pane of glass, absorbed by the glass or reflected away from the glass. The type of glass and window film applied causes varying transmittance results, shown as a percent – this is the amount of solar energy that entered through the glass and film. Always refer to a manufacturer’s film-to-glass installation recommendation.

Sputtering

A process that imbeds metal particles such as silver, stainless steel, copper, gold, titanium and chromium onto polyester film. Rolls of film are unwound and passed over target materials, depositing atoms evenly on the surface of the film through ion bombardment. This ensures long-lasting color and excellent solar performance. BSF was the first in the industry to sputter-coat window film.

Total Solar Energy Rejected (TSER)

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.

U-Value

A measurement of heat transfer through film due to outdoor/indoor temperature differences. The lower the U-value, the less heat transfers. When using performance data, a lower U-value is desirable for heat management.

Ultraviolet Light (UV)

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. The Panorama window films are approved products of the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Visible Light Absorptance (VLA)

The amount of visible light that is absorbed by the glazing system, expressed as a percent.

Visible Light Reflectance (VLR)

The amount of visible light that is reflected by the glazing system, expressed as a percent. A higher VLR rating offers better glare control. Films with higher ratings tend to be more reflective and/or darker.

Visible Light Transmittance (VLT)

The amount of visible light that passes through the glazing system, expressed as a percent. A lower VLT rating tends to be better for glare control, while a higher rating is preferred for maintaining natural light.

Wet Glaze Attachment System

This method used for enhanced glass retention secures the safety film to the window frame with a structure sealant, silicone adhesive (similar to caulking). The safety film is first installed to the glass as a daylight installation and then secured to the frame with a structural sealant - Dow 995 is one of the products commonly used. Sealant is applied around all four edges of the film, overlapping the film and touching the frame to create a bond between the film and frame. This method is also referred to as a chemical attachment system.

Licensed - Bonded - Insured - AZ ROC License Numbers, Residential C-05 221004 / Commercial L-05 213754