A good flow of natural light is a key consideration when you are building, buying, or checking out a house for rent. It makes a home bright and healthier to live in while also mitigating your energy consumption.
Window films are a great way to manage different concerns such as privacy, energy efficiency, and UV protection in your home. However, when you install them, they undoubtedly impact the flow of natural light in your home which mostly comes in through windows.
So, if you are wondering what kind of natural light changes to expect when you install window films, this is the blog for you. Read on and let us fill you in on what lies ahead.
Safer Natural Light
Any doctor will tell you that sunlight is essential to your health as it is the prime source of vitamin D. The same doctor, however, will also not hesitate to mention that the sun emits ultraviolet rays which are a leading cause of skin cancer. UV rays can also cause eye health challenges and tend to cause fading in house furniture, fabrics, and a variety of decor items.
Installing window films in your home can make natural light safer to enjoy in two ways:
UV Protection
Most quality window films offer some degree of UV protection. The level and method of protection varies depending on the type of window film. The methods of UV protection include:
- Blocking UV Rays– window films can be coated in specific dyes that can absorb UV rays and prevent them from going through the windows in your home.
- Reflection– most metalized window films have reflective capabilities which enable them to reflect UV rays away from your windows.
The level of UV protection or Ultraviolet Rejection (UVR) depends on the material used to make the film, quality, and other production factors. Some window films can provide a UVR as high as 99% while others may be lower at 90% or less. The higher the UVR the better.
Reduced Glares
A generous flow of natural light is refreshing but it can, unfortunately, result in glares. More so when sun rays flow into your home at a direct angle and land on surfaces like your desktop, a reflective kitchen counter, or a television screen.
Glares often cause discomfort and may distort your vision for a while. This, in turn, may interrupt different activities in your home or compromise your comfort.
Anti-glare window films work like a filter for natural light to protect your home against light glares. They mostly achieve this by reflecting bright rays of light away from your windows while still allowing some natural light in. This makes it possible to enjoy natural light without the discomfort and inconvenience of light glares.
Lower Light Transmission
Different types of window films are made using materials that impact the flow of light in the following ways:
- Light Reflection– most metalized or ceramic window films have reflective properties that bounce off or reflect light rays away from your windows.
- Light Distortion– this effect is common with privacy window films; they are made using particles that scatter light to make it hard to see through the windows in your home.
- Light Blocking– window films treated with dyes or chemicals like carbon have darker colors that block light from flowing through your windows.
The common factor in all these approaches is that when natural light flows through your window films, they will either make it dimmer or transmit it with a tinge of color.
On the upside, different window films transmit different levels of light. You can, therefore, choose how much natural light you want to come through your window films.
Window film manufacturers usually indicate the level of light flow as Visual Light Transmission (VLT). A high VLT percentage means that a window film allows a high amount of light to flow through it. In contrast, a low VLT indicates that a window film allows low levels of light to flow into your home.
Interesting Light Effects
Decorative window films are manufactured in different colors and prints. When natural light flows through them it creates colored light effects in your home.
A popular example of this is church window decorative window films. They comprise a medley of colors like a kaleidoscope and cast an interesting colored glow when natural light flows through them.
This may be a nice touch for windows in areas where clear lighting is not essential. It also works well in small nursery windows as the effect can be fascinating for babies and children.
Tips on Natural Light and Window Films
Understand the Flow of Natural Light
The position of your home determines how light flows to different rooms at different times of the day. Make an effort to observe and understand the patterns before installing window film on your windows or glass doors. This will help you determine:
- If you need window film
- The right type of window film for different areas
Choose the Right Window Film
It is a common misconception that you only need to choose one type of window film and install it on all windows in your home. This is not always true. Especially if different sides of your home receive different amounts of natural light. Other factors like privacy also come into play because you may need privacy for some windows and a clear view on others.
Try and curate the best window film choices for different areas so that you enjoy the best quality of natural light.
Final Thoughts
It is easy to shy away from window films when you learn that they impact the amount and quality of natural light in your home. The benefits that they provide are, however, important because they significantly improve your wellness. Why pass up on them? Plus, window film production is now more advanced and there are a lot of window film options to explore. Just take your time and identify your needs and preferences then compare the various options available. Consulting a window film expert may equally be helpful.
