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Window Perf as Sun Block

Billct2

Active Member
I haven't done a lot of window perf so if the answers are obvious I apologize in advance.
First:
I have a client that has large showroom windows that are baking the employees sitting near them. They want to do large window perf prints to cover them. Is window perf effective as a sunblock? I know there are different sizes of holes, would one be better than the other?
Second:
What is the difference with inside(second surface) vs outside(first surface) application? We could probably do either.
Third:
Laminate or no?
Fourth:
What is the realistic longevity given these will bake in the sun?

Thanks for any insight.
 

slappy

New Member
Maybe it's pure glass because most are treated or tinted (which will filter out more UV than non-treated windows) I'd be using something rated then to take the heat if they are getting baked. I think using perf would be more like privacy or advertising other then sun protection. Check into....

http://www.llumar.com/en/CommercialDecorative.aspx

or

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...Products/Commercial/Sun_Control_Window_Films/

or

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Residential/
 

Billct2

Active Member
I suggested tint, but they want to get the adverstising value from it.
I may suggest combination of the two, some windows tinted and some with graphics.
This is a brand new building so any built in tint/UV black is far from adequate.
 
They need to have it tinted to block the heat. I install tint too. if they dont want to darken the window up i suggest 3M Presitige Series, its very clear but blocks alot of the UV
 
Here is a pic of the differnce. The NV Series has a nice nautural brown hue. Flat glass tint is way diffrent then car film, they typically arnt black hues unless the customer wants that
 

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boxerbay

New Member
We just perf'ed the entire store front of our key largo location. In the afternoon the sun peaks in and was heating up the mouse and keypad. I had to wear sunglasses indoors to keep from getting migraines. That lasted about a week before we got the artwork approved and perf ordered. All glass windows and doors were done in Clear Focus ReflectVue 70/30 with Clear Focus ClearLam laminate. Worked perfectly. Nice and shady. In fact we had to add some lighting in that area it got so dark. The cool factor is at night the entire store front lights up when you drive up to it. A nice BLING effect.
 

TXFB.INS

New Member
We just perf'ed the entire store front of our key largo location. In the afternoon the sun peaks in and was heating up the mouse and keypad. I had to wear sunglasses indoors to keep from getting migraines. That lasted about a week before we got the artwork approved and perf ordered. All glass windows and doors were done in Clear Focus ReflectVue 70/30 with Clear Focus ClearLam laminate. Worked perfectly. Nice and shady. In fact we had to add some lighting in that area it got so dark. The cool factor is at night the entire store front lights up when you drive up to it. A nice BLING effect.


our shop in TX is facing due east with 90% of the front being clear panel glass and with did it in 50/50 there is no way would could work without it being covered in Perf.

to the OP, yes Perf can be used as tint, lamination is up to you/customer show them the visibility between the two. 9/10 times they will go non-laminated for better visibility.

NOTE tint will last longer than the perf does
 
get roller window shades from sign world print on a light mesh banner itll block the sun and solve the advertising problem we did a big job with them a few months ago for a dry cleaning business they worked awesome and looked great.
 

boxerbay

New Member
@bill - not sure what kind of glass it is. It is in Key Largo - maybe hurricane proof glass. not sure. But the perf did cut the light significantly and the room dropped a few degrees in temp - we had to reset our thermostat a few degrees higher.

@tx - if you use the optically clear laminate you will not see the difference and it will protect the perf from any pigeon poop and keeps the dirt out of the little holes.

We had one client opt to go the cheapo route and not use lam only to call me a week later complaining about a spot on the perf. We went out and determined it was bird poop urea that ate the ink. He didn't want to do a reprint so we suggested he get a set of sharpies. We always recommend laminating outdoor prints.

@aaron - when we first got the location it had blinds. Old azz blinds with about a 1/4 inch on dust on them! They got yanked and tossed. Then the afternoon arrived and we found a new problem.. the blazing sun!
 
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