You may have heard the term ‘Low-E’ in relation to options that are available for reflecting heat and preventing energy loss in the home.

Understanding a little about what low e film is and how it works could help you decide whether it may be a suitable option in your home or work place.

What is Low-E film?

Low E film stands for Low Emissivity film. It’s a very thin film made from polyester which has a micro thin, transparent metal coating.

Low-E film can be stuck directly onto your current glass windows or doors to help to reflect radiant heat, which in turn reduces the amount of energy required in order to heat or cool your home.

How Does Low E-Film Work?

With low emissivity film, less heat is able to pass through the glass than with a standard pane of glass.

Daylight from the sun can still pass into your home but the low e film helps to reduce the amount of long wavelength infrared heat that often escapes through windows and clear doors.

Most Low-E films have an emissivity rating of around 0.33 – meaning that around 67% of the heat in a room is reflected back into the room in winter. This can significantly reduce the cost of heating your home and the energy that you require to keep it comfortably warm.

We offer a number of low emissivity (i.e. “low-e”) window films that offer the best of both worlds by keeping energy requirements lower in both Summer and Winter, while offering additional benefits such as reduced glare and increased privacy.

What Are the Advantages of Low-E Film?

There are many advantages to choosing low e film as an option for your home, especially if you are keen to conserve energy and keep your heating and cooling bills low.

• Easy installation: Low-E film can be attached directly to existing glass meaning that installation is quick and easy – leaving you to enjoy the benefits of low e film immediately.
• Good light transmission: Low-E film allows you to enjoy less solar heat gain or loss, whilst still enjoying excellent levels of visible light transmission – meaning your home stays bright and benefits from natural light.
• Flexible: Low-E films can be used in combination with different types of glass meaning they can suit the style or aesthetic of your home.
• Energy bills reduced: by preventing heat loss in winter and by restricting heat gain in summer, your heating and cooling bills could dramatically reduce by installing Low-E film. Most people with Low-E film report a definite improvement in their U value and SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient).

Is Low-E Film the Best Option for You?

There are a huge number of benefits – both financial and environmental – which come with installing Low-E film in your home.

It’s important to consider your individual circumstances carefully. Think about the location of your home and the direction that it faces, working out which windows and doors will benefit most from Low-E film with relation to their level of exposure to the sun.

We recommend asking your sales person if the film they are offering is Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) accredited.  This means that the manufacturer of the product has tested their product to assess its ability to reduce energy requirements during both summer and winter to ensure you achieve the best outcome.

Are you looking for personalised advice when it comes to selecting the most suitable window film for your home or office? Contact us today for an obligation free measure and quote to see if Low-E film is right for you.