Can privacy window films provide you with nighttime privacy?  The answer, as happens so frequently, is yes and no.

Privacy window films are films that, when applied to a window, prevents someone from seeing through the glass into whatever is on the other side.  Because of how light performs we need to make a distinction between nighttime and daytime privacy, because window films perform differently at night than they do during the day.  It’s all about the physics of light and the reflective properties of the window film.

This can best be observed by picturing the downtown areas of a major city.  During the day the city centres are filled with high rise building covered in reflective glass. You can’t see inside the buildings while the people inside can easily see out. At night it’s another story.

At night the people inside the buildings can’t see out while the people outside can easily see into the buildings, just as if the glass were clear. This phenomena has a direct impact on how you can use window film to achieve the level and type of privacy you want.

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” – Robert Heinlein

Dark and highly reflective window films make great daytime privacy films.  The best part…they allow you to see out whilst no one can see in.  Talk to your everyday window film guy about privacy film and this is what comes to mind. He has this type of window film in stock, it provides great privacy during the day and has the additional benefits that come with a solar control window film, things like reducing the heat coming through the glass whilst reducing fading and glare.

But if you want nighttime privacy these films simply don’t work!

Reflective and dark window films provide privacy on the darker side of the glass. In other words, whichever side has the greater light source will not be able to see through the glass to the darker side when you have this type of film applied.

How to achieve nighttime privacy.

The simplest and oldest method – This has nothing to do with window film.  the simplest and oldest method for achieving nighttime privacy is by simply closing your blinds or drapes at night.  Blinds and drapes work very well in partnership with window film when it comes to privacy.  Install the right window film on your glass and you get privacy during the day, which is of course the time when you, your employees and your clients most want to see out through the glass while at night you simply close the drapes, preventing someone from seeing inside.

From an energy saving standpoint this is great as well.  Window film does an excellent job of managing the light coming through your windows – reducing heat, reducing glare, reducing fading of your furniture and carpets while providing privacy whilst at night drapes effectively insulate your windows against the elements far more effectively than any window film or even dual-paned or triple-paned glass could…all while providing privacy.

Daytime and nighttime privacy using only window film.

But what if you want to achieve both daytime and nighttime privacy using only window film?  Can this be done?

Absolutely, but you are going to have to either give up some or all of your visibility or maintain a stronger light source on the outside of the glass.  If your willing to give up some or all of your privacy frosted window films are an excellent option.  Available in a wide variety of patterns and opacities (tranparencies), frosted window films are a great privacy solution.  Also, since frosted films can be computer cut into patterns they provide you with lots of options for customizing and branding your privacy solutions.

The second option for using window film for nighttime privacy is to keep a stronger light source on the outside of the glass by means of a floodlight or other method.  This method is more troublesome and problematic than the other and tends to lend itself to high security type operations. you want But what if you want privacy without closing your drapes or shutting your blinds?  What is you want to use a window film for nighttime privacy?

Frosted window films provide privacy both day and night and are an excellent solution to most any privacy issue.  the only problem is that frosted films achieve privacy by making the window glass opaque and blocking the view from both sides.

Window film is an excellent solution to a variety of glass problems and challenges, including daytime and nighttime privacy.  For consultation and advice on how window films can work for you please contact Pentagon Protection or call us at +44 (0) 1494 793 333 and one of our window film specialists will contact you to discuss your unique situation.

Some people have the misconception that if you install window film double pane windows that the window film will cause the seal to fail.  This isn’t exactly true.  Window films do not cause seal failure. We’ve been applying window film to insulated windows for many years now.

So what exactly is seal failure?

Seal failure occurs when the sealant between the two lites of glass breaks, subjecting the airspace to the surrounding environment. Since the sealant acts as the moisture barrier, if the seal breaks, condensation can develop in the airspace of the insulating glass window.

So what causes seal failure?

Here are some reasons seal failure occurs:

1. Age:  There are not many types of window seal that come with a lifetime guarantee, and this will especially be the case when it comes to older windows. You are likely to find that the older the method of weather protection, the more likely it is to fail. By updating the weather stripping on your windows as and when it is required, you can ensure that it continues to work effectively.

2. Elements:  Though window seals are designed to withstand whatever the elements can throw at them, there is a limit to what they can take! For example, where certain types of seal are deluged with a large volume of rain on a regular basis, the water can seep behind it and cause it to lift. This can make the failure even worse as the seal will not be flush with the window frame and will allow water and cold air to pass through. Where water comes into contact with metal parts of some types of weather stripping, rust can result which will eventually cause corrosion if it is not rectified as soon as it is noticed.

3. Mold:  If your window regularly suffers condensation which is not wiped away, the window seal can often be affected by mold. This can destroy the effectiveness of the seal, especially when it is made from materials such as rubber. If you notice any mold or discoloration, ensure that you clean it immediately with an alcohol-based cleaner to kill the spores or with vinegar if you want to use a more natural cleaning substance.

4. Movement:  If the window seal has not been fitted correctly or has become dislodged over time, it will not work well as a weatherization method as the weather stripping needs to be fitted in a particular place depending on the variety used and the type of window. All the correct tools and fasteners should be used to fit all weather stripping and replacements must be made when it is necessary.

5. Maintenance:  The instructions that come with most types of weather stripping will often outline what needs to be done in order to maintain it and keep it at its best. Though this will usually mean nothing more than wiping it to keep it dry and clean, it may also outline particular cleaning substances that can be used. Make sure that you undertake the work required to maintain the stripping in line with the material it is made from.

When recommended window films are applied to the inside pane of an insulated glass unit, there will be some absorption (except with clear safety films) of the sun’s energy, which will increase the temperature of the glass pane. Some of this heat will transmit to the airspace, slightly raising the airspace temperature. However, even a 20 F degree increase (unusual for most films) will result in a less than 3% change in air pressure, whereas properly made units are designed and tested to withstand 22% changes in air pressure.

Risk of seal failure is greatly determined by the quality of workmanship and the quality of the materials that go into building the insulated glass units.  The best guard against seal failure is to purchase well-made units from reputable window manufacturers that have solid experience and histories with insulated units.

For further information on window films, please contact Pentagon Protection PLC.  We are the UK’s leading authority on window films.

Here’s a subject most people don’t like to talk about, protection from the effects of bomb blasts, explosions and other terrorist events.  But in today’s increasingly dangerous world these are real threats that need to be considered.

With some government and commercial buildings the danger of a terrorist attack or bomb blast is a very real concern. For these buildings bomb blast film is can be used to protect the tenants and members of the public by reducing the shrapnel effect of flying glass.

Did you know that in the Oklahoma City bombing more than half of the injuries was the result of flying glass?  In an explosion jagged pieces of broken glass can actually penetrate and imbed themselves in concrete.

In addition to reducing the risk of injury from broken glass, bomb blast window film can reduce the damage to the stuff inside your building, protecting and preserving equipment, furniture and fixtures to lessen the cost of refurbishment after an event.

Most of the time bomb blast film is clear, providing covert protection for your building, but there are solar control versions available as well, which will reduce energy and save money on your utility bill, making solar control bomb blast film one of the few protective measures that pays for itself.

Scratch resistant, easy to clean and effective at improving and protecting your glass, bomb blast films are the way to go for those buildings wanting to be prepared for the unexpected.

Selecting the right bomb blast window film needed to achieve the proper level of protection for your building and your type of glass is not always straight forward.  Pentagon Protection PLC can help you decide.  Please contact us for further information.

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Skylights are great, they let light into the dark recesses of our homes, brighten retail shopping areas (studies show that bright, sunlit shopping environments increase sales) and can lower lighting bills, but skylights can often let in too much heat, light and glare, making us uncomfortable and increasing energy costs.

Skylights, unlike windows, are exposed to the sun continuously throughout the day, rarely have blinds, shades or other window treatments and are rarely shielded by trees, hills or adjacent buildings.  This means that aside from too much heat, light and glare, your skylights can cost you a lot of money in wasted energy.

Solar Control Window Film can make your skylights better

Solar Control Window films can be the ideal solution for skylight heat, glare and light problems.  At IGS we have applied window film to more than a hundred skylights, ranging from small residential skylights to those enormous skylights you see at malls and over the atrium’s of commercial buildings.

Because they are in the roof, are exposed to the sun all day long and constructed of various materials you need to consider more factors when it comes to skylights.  Window film is a great solar control method for skylights, but there are restrictions.

• Window film can only be applied on glass. (For plexiglass, acrylic and polycarbonate skylights we recommend contacting us about Liquisol Skylight Paint.)
• Window film needs a flat surface
• Because of access restrictions skylights often require the window film to be applied on the exterior surface of the glass.  Because exterior films are exposed to the weather as well as constant sunlight they don’t last as long as interior applied film.  Selection of a quality film is critical.

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To many times would be thieves or rioters break into a house or business by breaking a window.  This is the quickest way to gain access into your home or business.

In the UK, from Brighton to London, and on, Smash and Grab crimes are on the rise.

The term, ‘Smash & Grab’ is a term used by law enforcement; this is where the would be thief  breaks a store front window, runs in and grabs what they can from the store, and runs back out of the store leaving the store owner to suffer a great loss of product and income.

With Safety and Security films applied to your business or home, along with an attachment system, you have less of a chance that the thieves or rioters will get in.  Having the film applied to windows keeps the window intact and makes it harder to break the window.  Actually the window won’t break, it will just hold together no matter how many times you try to break it.  You see thieves generally like to be able to have quick access.  They don’t like to stick around trying to break in for long periods of time.  This could result in them getting caught by law enforcement and that is the last thing that they want to do!

Here is an example of how 3M Safety & Security Films will keep a would be thief from breaking in:

For further information on Security films and attachment systems, please contact Pentagon Protection PLC. We are the UK’s leading authority in Security films!

Look just about anywhere in Brighton or London, or anywhere in the UK, and you’ll see some sort of graffiti. On someone’s business, a commercial building, overpasses, buses, or even inside bathroom stalls and elevators.  Vandals and taggers find it necessary to etch their names, or just scribble, into glass or a mirror for reasons that are unknown, but it happens.  There is a product that can help called Anti-Graffiti Film that can help eliminate some of the problem.

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Anti-Terrorist

Although an amazing product, glass can be extremely dangerous when it breaks, with sharp shards a threat to people and property.

The immediately effective solution is the retro-fit application of high-tensile strength Security film along with an attachment system.  This high quality material has the ability to stretch and absorb making it ideal in the event of blast, intruder attack, vandalism and hurricanes and the attachment system helps keep the window in the frame.

Safety & Security film is an immediate and cost-effective solution to re-glazing.

If you are looking to retain the benefits of glazing without the vulnerability, then Safety and Security Films are the right fit for you, your home, your business, or your commercial building!

For an inquiry or for further information, please contact Pentagon Protection PLC. We are the UK’s leading authority in all window films.

On a scale commercial buildings are larger and they have more much more glass than your typical residential home, so they have much larger problems in general than residential customers.

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Great video with Andy Stilin from 3M about some unique and practical ways business owners can protect their windows from graffiti artists, vandals and thieves. As featured on GetConnected TV with host Mike Agerbo.

For further information on graffiti film or any other window films, please contact Pentagon Protection PLC. We are the UK’s leading authority in window films!