Decorative window film is a widely popular home decor solution. It makes it easy to enhance the look of your windows while also providing some privacy and other benefits like protection from light glares.
The history of decorative window film is almost as fascinating as its vibrant colors. It dates as far back as ancient Egypt and has been through an impressive evolution over the years.
Curious? Well, here is a brief adventurous look into the history, invention, and evolution of decorative window film.
The Inspiration
The idea of decorative window films did not come about directly. It began in ancient Egypt, around 3000 B.C., when Egyptian artisans started using colored dyes to tint and beautify windows. The tinting was rudimentary but it was appealing and the trend became popular over time.
Another key observation is that Egypt has a fairly hot climate. Some historians, therefore, speculate that aside from beauty the idea to tint windows may have emerged from the need to dull the brightness and heat of the sun.
These two ideas, beautification and mitigating the effects of the sun, are the inspiration for the development of decorative window film even in today’s world.
The Stained and Tinted Glass Era
Later, in medieval times, artisans in Europe took the tinting idea from Egypt a step further. They began to use metallic oxide to stain glass windows for prominent buildings like churches and castles. The quality of the tints was much better and made the concrete very popular. It is why stained glass is so closely associated with churches to date.
Tinting and staining techniques evolved horizontally for many decades. This means that no major strides happened but artisans got better at it and experimented with better ways of staining and tinting glass.
The Emergence of Motor Vehicle Tint
The production and uptake of motor vehicles in the 1950s was quite high. Most car owners, however, noticed that their cars would get unbearably hot during summer. Car companies took note of this and began striving to find a solution.
Top car companies began offering tinted glass windows during that decade. Artisans also experimented with different tinting solutions such as spraying car windows with dyes. The factory glass windows were, however, the most effective solution at the time.
The Birth of Motor Window Film
In 1966, a scotch tape manufacturing company launched the first-ever window film. It was made using polyester with a metallic coating and could block out a significant amount of heat and UV rays.
Window film became quite popular. More so because it could be installed on cars after production, unlike glass tinting which could only be executed during factory processes. Manufacturers were encouraged by this and began to research and develop more window film ideas.
By 1969, clear security window film hit the market. It quickly became a staple in car manufacturing because it prevents glass shards from scattering when windows shatter. This spurred more research too and the 70s saw a rise in more window film manufacturers and the emergence of more window film concepts.
The Innovation of Residential Window Film
In the 1980s, the concept of window film had evolved, and manufacturers were now producing window films for buildings. The window films were made of polyester and treated with metallic coatings. They were highly reflective.
Manufacturers mostly focused on commercial buildings as sun glares often interrupted work or obscured storefronts. Plus, considering the costs of production and window film installation at the time, it may have only made financial sense to businesses.
Still, in the late 1980s, some companies began to offer residential window films and installation services. The variety was limited to reflective window films but it was a step forward nonetheless.
The Evolution of Residential Window Film
Window film was dramatically reflective in the 80s. It got the job done but there was no doubt that it was possible to improve the product. Especially if it was to become a success among residential consumers.
In the early 1990s, more window film manufacturers began working towards better quality reflective window films. A lot of them discovered ways to use metallization and dyes to deliver a fair balance of reflection and better aesthetics.
Unfortunately, due to complaints, researchers soon established that metalized window films disrupt the flow of various signals. Manufacturers thus went back to the drawing board to find better alternatives. They came up with key solutions such as:
- Dyed window films
- Ceramic window films
- Carbon window films
Decorative Window Film Emerges
Technological advancement became the main focus between the 1990s and the new millennium. It spurred lots of innovation. Most factories also began to invest in more research and development as well as better production equipment.
The window film industry was part of this tech revolution. Manufacturers, through research, began to develop window film solutions that did not only focus on reflective capabilities. Some of the new factors on the priority list included:
- UV protection
- Privacy
- Aesthetics
- Branding
Decorative window film became more prominent around this time when more window film brands began to aim for better aesthetics. The advancement in printing styles and computerized design also made it easier to develop and execute decorative window film prints.
The Perfection Era
Decorative window film has been a big hit for decades. The window film industry is, however, quite competitive. Consumer needs also keep evolving.
As a result, in the 2000s, window film manufacturers began to design window films that offer more than just aesthetic value. This is why we now enjoy multilayered decorative window films that can provide other benefits such as UV protection or better privacy.
Conclusion
It took gradual innovation to get from the color-stained windows in ancient Egypt to the outstanding decorative window films we enjoy today. This, however, does not mark the end. Decorative window films will likely evolve even more to perhaps feature 3D designs or more tech-driven functions.
Until then, we hope you enjoy the benefits of our quality decorative window films. We keep innovating to ensure you get the best designs and top-tier functionality. Feel free to contact us for quotes or inquiries about custom project partnerships.
