Large areas of glazing have become a common feature of modern commercial buildings. They create bright, welcoming spaces and allow plenty of natural daylight into offices, reception areas and public buildings.
But all that glass can also create problems.
Excessive solar heat and glare can make working environments uncomfortable, cause problems with computer screens and create spaces that become noticeably warmer whenever the sun appears.
For many businesses and organisations, professionally installed commercial window film offers a practical solution without the disruption and expense of replacing existing glazing.
Why Can Glazing Cause Problems in Commercial Buildings?
Natural daylight can transform a workplace, but large windows can also allow significant amounts of solar energy into a building.
Depending on the position of the glazing and the time of day, this can lead to:
- Uncomfortable heat build-up
- Excessive glare
- Difficulty viewing computer and display screens
- Hot spots within offices and reception areas
- Increased reliance on air conditioning
- UV exposure that can contribute to fading of furniture, flooring and furnishings
The challenge is reducing these problems without losing the natural light that makes the space attractive in the first place.
That’s where solar control window film can help.
How Does Commercial Solar Control Window Film Help?
Solar control films are professionally applied to existing glazing and designed to reduce the impact of solar energy entering the building.
Depending on the film selected, they can help reduce solar heat gain and glare while continuing to allow natural daylight into the space.
This can make them particularly useful for:
- Offices
- Reception areas
- Public buildings
- Schools and colleges
- Healthcare environments
- Retail premises
- Hotels and leisure facilities
- Industrial and commercial units
There are numerous films available, so it’s important to select a product that provides the right balance of heat reduction, glare control, appearance and natural light for the individual building.
A Recent Example: Swindon Crematorium
A recent project completed by Shades Window Films at Swindon Crematorium is a great example of how the right window film can improve both the appearance and performance of existing glazing.
The building previously had an older, multi-coloured window film installed.
While distinctive, the film had become dated in appearance and offered little protection against the heat build-up and glare affecting the interior.
The old film was removed and replaced with Neutral 25 solar control window film.
The result is a much cleaner, more contemporary appearance that complements the building while also providing practical solar-control benefits.
The new installation helps to reduce both heat build-up and glare, creating a more comfortable environment for visitors and staff while retaining the natural daylight entering the building.
It’s a good example of how replacing outdated window film isn’t simply a cosmetic improvement.
Choosing the right modern film can significantly improve the performance of the glazing too.
Do Commercial Windows Need to Be Replaced?
Not necessarily.
One of the major advantages of professional window film is that it can often be installed directly onto suitable existing glazing.
For businesses and organisations, this can provide a practical alternative to replacing large areas of glass, with considerably less disruption to the day-to-day operation of the building.
Existing or outdated film can also often be removed before a more suitable modern product is installed, as demonstrated by the Swindon Crematorium project.
Finding the Right Solution for Your Building
No two commercial properties are exactly the same.
The amount of sunlight, orientation of the windows, type of glazing and way the space is used all influence which window film will provide the best solution.
At Shades Window Films, we work with businesses and organisations to assess their requirements and recommend the most appropriate film for the building — whether the priority is reducing heat, controlling glare, improving privacy or updating the appearance of existing glazing.
If excessive heat or glare is causing problems in your workplace or commercial premises, get in touch with Shades Window Films to discuss the options available.