Home Energy Management Remodel the Green Way with Window Film

Remodel the Green Way with Window Film

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Darrell Smith

In the highly competitive lodging market, remodeling is a great way to edge out the competition. And in today’s world, being environmentally conscious and incorporating green initiatives when remodeling should be a high priority for many hotels. It not only benefits building operators and their guests but the planet too. With this in mind, hotel operators can incorporate professionally installed window film as an economical means to advance their green initiatives.

According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), between 25 to 35 percent of wasted building energy is blamed on inefficient windows, and many older hotels still have less efficient single pane glass windows. With professionally installed energy control window film, hotels can go from having windows that allow 90 percent of the solar energy into the building, to windows that allow in less than 25 percent of solar energy. Once installed, window film may offer year-round savings of about 5 to 10 percent of the total energy bill—for cooling alone the savings may reach 30 percent.

The uneven glare coming in through older windows can cause hot spots and damage from UV exposure. Instead of having to replace structurally sound windows, a simple, yet cost-effective solution is to apply a thin layer of window film, which will help regulate the temperatures within the building, minimize cooling costs and make the environment more comfortable.

Window Waste Can be Avoided

By retrofitting existing windows, hotel operators can save on the cost of replacing windows that are structurally sound and upgrade to today’s energy and safety standards. In addition, roughly 258 million tons of municipal solid waste is generated each year. By installing window film on older inefficient windows, instead of discarding them, the amount of landfill waste can also be reduced.

Window film is a sheet of one or more layers of polyester substrate, each of which has been scientifically coated with microscopically thin layers of metals and chemicals and laminated together. A scratch resistant coating is then applied on one side; a mounting adhesive layer and a protective release liner is applied on the other side. When the release liner is removed, that side of the film with the adhesive is professionally applied to the interior surface of the glass. Window film is available in a range of shades from visually clear to darker shades of grey and bronze and works with any size or shape window. Introduced over 40 years ago, window film is engineered using today’s advanced technology to deliver energy savings like those found in low-e windows, yet at a fraction of what replacement windows cost.

Window film is rated by the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council), as are new windows and doors, so hotel property managers and their guests can be sure of its benefits. The window film industry has grown leaps and bounds in recent decades, and developments like nanotechnology and advanced coatings have taken those benefits to new heights. The most common types of window film are solar control film, spectrally selective film, decorative film, safety/security film, and low‐e film.

Rely on a Professional

It is important that a professional install the window film to ensure a proper fit, that the product performs to its best ability, and lives up to or beyond its warranty. Installation pros can also ensure the job is accomplished without disruption to hotel guests. an inconvenience as it can be done in as little as a few hours.

By offering seven times the energy savings per dollar spent when compared with full window replacement, window film is an eco-friendly option that is affordable while still making the needed improvement to hotel windows.

Professionally installed window film is a wise remodeling investment as the benefits extend beyond the building walls. It blocks 99 percent of UV rays, reducing the risk of skin cancer, reduces glare, fading of floors and interior furnishings. Window film can allow guests and hotel employees to enjoy a more comfortable atmosphere while helping the planet and the bottom line too.

About the Author

Darrell Smith is the Executive Director of the International Window Film Association (IWFA). With over 40 years’ experience in marketing, sales and distribution and the last 30 years in the window film industry, he has served as organizational and planning consultant with trade associations, Internet related businesses, and investment firms. The IWFA is an industry body of window film dealers, distributors, and manufacturers that facilitates the growth of the window film industry though the use of education, research, advocacy and consumer awareness. To find an accredited window film installer near you, visit www.iwfa.com/BusinessLocator/FindanInstaller.

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