XIR or Precious Metal
XIR or precious metal window film is the leader in window film technology today. 'XIR' is the name of the technology itself, precious metals are the materials used to create it. XIR has been on the market for over 10 years and the technology has been noted by Popular Science Magazine as one of the Top 100 Inventions of the Millennium. No other film on the market can match the favorable combination of visible light transmission with low reflectance and high heat rejection as offered by XIR Technology. If you are looking for a film that is light to medium in darkness, has ultra low reflectivity and rejects the most amount of heat, then XIR technology excels over the competition. No dyes are used in producing these films. Tint Centre carries Huper Optik XIR films called "Sech", "Drei" and "Acht" also referred to as their "Select Series". XIR films are warranted for as long as you live in your home as is with all the films we sell. These films are popular for large display windows and, upscale homes and buildings. Nowhere else will you find all the great features such as Low Reflectivity, High Infrared Rejection and High Visible Light Transmittance availiable in one film.
Ceramic
Ceramic window films are rapidly becoming the industry leading energy management film. No dyes or metals are used in producing these films. Ceramic films give glass a natural tinted look with great performance and excellent overall clarity. Gone are the days of 'tin foil' or mirrored looking windows. Huper Optik is the creator of Ceramic-Based technology for Window Films. We also carry Madico Advanced Ceramics as well. Ceramic-Based Films appear much less reflective because of its inherited nature. This low reflectivity is a blessing for Homes with night views as these films have the most favorable combination of visible light transmission with low reflectance and high heat rejection on the market next to "XIR" Films explained above. For Homeowners living near an Ocean environment, Ceramic Films are a great choice. The salty air environment can take a toll on "XIR" Films and introduce corrosion problems where a Ceramic film is designed to withstand these conditions. Because Ceramic materials dissipate heat at a much faster rate such as the Ceramic Tiles on a Space Shuttle, the higher absorption rate isn't an issue when considering using these films for dual-pane windows. All our Ceramic films are "Dual-Pane Safe".
Window films that selectively control the spectral aspect of radiation are now commonplace. Ceramic and 'XIR' films have low-emittance coatings that suppress infrared radiation transfer thereby imparting additional thermal insulation. Modified low-emittance coatings can also reject unwanted heat gain due to solar infrared. Additional energy savings result with dynamic control over the spectral characteristics of the film. Thus energy management is achieved in both winter and summer months.
Dual Reflective
Dual Reflective films are the newest in metal based film technology. These films reflect much less towards the interior side of a room, thus you see through your treated glass much better at night time. With conventional metal based films when interior lights are turned on, the film will have a highly reflective appearance. The high interior reflectivity will reflect back at you, therefore obstructing or eliminating your view. Dual-Reflective films help solve these interior reflective issues. The interior reflectivity is accomplished by multi layer technology. These Dual-Reflective Films are preferred mainly by homeowners and even some business owners because of the additional benefit of a better night view. During the day it is possible to leave your drapes or shutters wide open and have total privacy while keeping your home cooler and protecting your furniture. The exterior reflective aesthetics are virtually the same compared to conventional metal based films mentioned below.
Conventional Metal
Conventional metal films are dominantly used in commercial buildings and large skyscrapers, this only makes sense because these films are the least costly of the three technologies and perform great for rejecting heat. Because of its mirrored appearance, Reflective Films can dramatically improve the appearance of a building by hiding mini blinds and office furniture. As far as Privacy features are concerned, during a moderately sunny day you are able to see out but others can't see in because the light source is outside. The reflection from the metals in these films will produce a shiny mirrored look therefore reducing or in most cases eliminating any transparency through the glass. The brighter it is outside, the more privacy you inherit. This phenomenon reverses at night time, when bright lights are turned on inside a room you can't see out but others can see in. This film is not recommended in residential applications if night time visibility is required. Normally the shiny Interior and Exterior look is not much of an issue for most Building Owners but homeowners generally dislike this appearance. In addition, homeowner associations usually reject the installation of any type of reflective film in their communities.
In short, traditional metal films in general represent a large part of the window film market commercially. Dual reflectives dominate the residential market where cost and performance are required. For the upscale in aesthetics and conservation, ceramics and precious metal films are second to none. Ceramics and precious metal films are also dominating the retail storefront applications, due to the performance and ability to preserve glass appearance. Contact Tint Centre to arrange for a personal consultation to discuss your application requirements.