When most people think about fade control, they think first and foremost about UV (ultra-violet) light.  But did you realize that UV light is only 40% of the problem?  The causes of fading are as follows:

40% Ultra Violet Light
25% Infra Red (Heat)
25% Visible Light
10% Other

This is why perfectly clear films that only block UV light are often not very good choices when your objective is to reduce fading.  Even a film that blocked 100% of the UV light would still leave 60% of the problem unaddressed.  While it's not necessary to make your windows excessively dark to preserve your interior furnishings, reducing the visible light to moderate levels will greatly reduce fading.  Concord offers a very wide selection of films to help you find the perfect "happy medium".

In case you are wondering, the  "Other 10%" consists of things that don't involve your windows.  For instance, light fixtures can emit heat, UV and visible light.  Did you know that the heat from your body when you sit on your sofa can eventually cause fading as well?  The most effective films for fading also block some heat as well as visible light, which are also important factors in fading. 

How To Select A Film For Fade Control

Do you need to select a dark film in order to reduce fading?  Not really, although darker films are definitely more effective, because visible light is such a significant factor.  The key is to find a film that is effective and addresses all of your concerns about light levels.  Almost all window films block 98%+ of the UV light.  This is due to the fact that  the UV inhibitors are incorporated in the mounting adhesive, not in the actual polyester film as many believe.

It is also important to remember that no window film can completely eliminate fading.  Window films reduce fading, no window films can completely prevent it.  Pay particular attention to any objects that are close enough to windows that the sun's heat makes them warmer than other objects in the room during daylight hours.  One example of this would be curtains.  You will certainly want to use a heat blocking film in a situation like that.

When selecting a window film for fade control, start with the darkest film which is acceptable for your application.  Of course, there may be times when you need a film which is virtually invisible.  Ceramic films are well suited for that type of application.  Once such example would be a storefront display window.  See the example below.

Our "Featured Films" are the ones which are the most popular choices for fade control applications.  For those customers who prefer to select from a wider range of films, we list our entire fade control product lineup further down on this page.  If you have any questions along the way, do not hesitate to contact one of our solar control specialists.  Solar control window film has been our one and only business since 1982.  We will provide you with expert advice and guidance every step of the way.
 

Residential Neutral 35%
Ocean View Installation

Here is an example of our Residential Neutral 35% film installed on an oceanfront location.  You can see why it's such a popular choice for fade control applications.

Visible light levels are reduced to a comfortable and appealing level.  The room is not too dark and the view outside is preserved.  In addition, 60% of the solar heat is blocked.

All of these performance factors combine to make this film a very effective choice for fade control.  For most homeowners, this is the often the perfect solution. 

All Concord Films are very easy to install with a simple mixture of water and baby shampoo.  Complete installation directions can be found at our Application Instructions Page.

Click Here to see pricing & available sizes for Neutral 35%

Ceramic Series Films
Residential Application

If your objective is to reduce fading while maintaining the highest amount of visible light, Concord Ceramic Films are a good choice.

Ceramic Films contain no dyes or metal layers.  Titanium Nitride nanoparticles are embedded within the base polyester, which allows them to selectively filter the wavelength of the light that passes thru them. 

Concord offers 4 different Ceramic Films to choose from.  You can click on the film (below) to see available sizes and prices:

Pearl Ceramic 7643  -  Blocks 43% Infra-Red Heat
Pearl Ceramic 6865  -  Blocks 65% Infra-Red Heat
Pearl Ceramic 6777  -  Blocks 77% Infra-Red Heat
Pearl Ceramic 5885  -  Blocks 85% Infra-Red Heat

Although Ceramic Films are not the best overall performing films, they are the most efficient performers when high visible light transmission is a requirement.

** TSE = Total
Solar Energy

Silver 68%
Blocks 32% Glare
Blocks 34% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Silver 53%
Blocks 47% Glare
Blocks 59% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Silver 35%
Blocks 65% Glare
Blocks 65% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Silver 15%
Blocks 85% Glare
Blocks 72% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

** TSE = Total
Solar Energy

Res Neutral 50%
Blocks 50% Glare
Blocks 34% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Res Neutral 35%
Blocks 65% Glare
Blocks 53% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Res Neutral 20%**
Blocks 80% Glare
Blocks 58% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV
** Do Not Apply to
Double Pane Glass

** TSE = Total
Solar Energy

Dual Reflective 45%
Blocks 55% Glare
Blocks 42% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Dual Reflective 35%
Blocks 65% Glare
Blocks 48% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Dual Reflective 25%
Blocks 75% Glare
Blocks 62% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Dual Reflective 10%
Blocks 90% Glare
Blocks 75% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

** TSE = Total
Solar Energy

Sput Neutral 60%
Blocks 40% Glare
Blocks 35% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Sput Neutral 45%
Blocks 55% Glare
Blocks 46% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Sput Neutral 35%
Blocks 65% Glare
Blocks 55% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Sput Neutral 20%**
Blocks 80% Glare
Blocks 66% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV
** Do Not Apply to
Double Pane Glass

** TSE = Total
Solar Energy

Sput Copper 50%
Blocks 50% Glare
Blocks 56% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Sput Copper 35%
Blocks 65% Glare
Blocks 66% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

Sput Copper 20%
Blocks 80% Glare
Blocks 78% TSE
Blocks 98%+ UV

** IR = Infra
Red Rejection

Pearl Ceramic 7643
Blocks 34% Glare
Blocks 43% I.R.
Blocks 98%+ UV

Pearl Ceramic 6865
Blocks 32% Glare
Blocks 65% I.R.
Blocks 98%+ UV

Pearl Ceramic 6777
Blocks 33% Glare
Blocks 77% I.R.
Blocks 98%+ UV

Pearl Ceramic 5885
Blocks 42% Glare
Blocks 85% I.R.
Blocks 98%+ UV

Silver Reflective:

Silver films are very effective for fade control as long as inward visibility (such as a storefront application) is not a consideration.  The one exception in the Silver Series is the Silver 68% which is virtually invisible when installed on the window.  Because Silver films are such good heat blockers and heat is a key cause of fading, they are good choices for fade control if you do not mind the increase visible reflectivity (shiny appearance).

Neutral Residential Series:

These are our most popular fade control films.  For the majority of our residential customers, they provide the right combination of solar energy rejection without the increased visible reflectivity of a Silver Film.  In particular, the Neutral 35% (which is the medium shade) had been our #1 Best Seller for over 20 years.  It seems to represent the ideal "Happy Medium" in terms of shade, color, performance and reflectivity.  There are 3 films in the Neutral Series.  50% 35% & 20%.  The lower the percentage number, the darker the film.  Neutral 20% is not approved for application to double pane glass.  Neutral 50% and 35% are approved for application to double pane windows up to 40 square feet in size.  Double pane windows larger than 40 square feet should not be tinted with ANY film due to the risk of thermal shock fracture or seal failure.

Ceramic Films:  Compare To:

Huper-Optik
3M Prestige Series
Vista
V-Kool

Ceramic films are indicated for applications that require very high light transmission (being practically invisible) where maximum solar performance is desired.  Ceramic Films are not the highest performing films; however they are among the most efficient performing films when the requirement for light transmission (visibility) is high.

Generally speaking, here are a few applications where you would consider a Ceramic type film:

A requirement for inward visibility (such as a storefront display window)
A requirement from a homeowners association (or other architectural standard) that the film be completely undetectable
An architectural requirement that the visible light levels not be reduced by more than 15-35%

If your application requires high the best performance obtainable without reducing visible light, The Concord Pearl Ceramic Series is a good choice.  There are 4 films within the series 76% 68% 67% & 58%.  All of our Ceramic Films are approved for application to Double Pane glass up to 40 square feet in size.  Double pane windows larger than 40 square feet should not be tinted with ANY film due to the risk of thermal shock fracture or seal failure.

Dual Reflective Films:

Compare these to 3M "Night Vision" Films.  Note that this type of film is not like “night vision goggles”, which rely upon infra red sensing technology to help you see warm objects in the dark.  We are asked about this quite often because of the name 3M chose for their product.  We call ours exactly what they are; Dual Reflective.

The reason they are called "Dual Reflective" is because the measurable surface reflectivity of the inner surface and outer surface of the film is different.  Typically, the more reflective side faces the outside of the home or the building.  The purpose of building a Dual Reflective film is to provide high solar reflectance (on the outside) while still maintaining less visible reflectivity on the inside.  This becomes important if you have the lights on at night and want to preserve your view of the landscape outside your window.  Note that the same effect can be created with non–Dual Reflective films by simply dimming your lights at night if you want to see outside.  Since 3M introduced the "Night Vision" series, Dual Reflective Films have become more popular. If you like to leave the lights on inside at night and still see out, these films are worth considering.  Just don’t leave them on too bright!   If there is too much light, you won’t be able to see out no matter what film is on the glass!

One additional benefit of Dual Reflective Films is that they are all approved for double pane windows up to 40 square feet.  There are 4 films in the Dual Reflective Series 45% 35% 25% & 10% and all of them are approved for application to double pane windows less than 40 square feet in size.  Dual Reflective 10% is the darkest film approved for application to double pane glass.  Double pane windows larger than 40 square feet should not be tinted with ANY film due to the risk of thermal shock fracture or seal failure.

Sputtered Neutral Films:

These films are constructed with metal alloys; Nickel and Chromium and contain no dyes or pigments whatsoever.  The key benefits are longevity and performance stability over time.  Sputtered Ni-Chrome films are considered within the solar control industry to be among the most stable and durable.  The payback time will be longer on these films, due to the increased cost. 

One drawback of sputtered Ni-Chrome Films relates to the installation process.  These films tend to trap a larger percentage of the water used to apply them.  If they are not squeegeed out very thoroughly (and with the right tools) water will condense beneath them and the resulting fog can persist for a long time after application.  While they are an excellent choice, we suggest that you check with our friendly and knowledgeable tech support desk about which tools are best to use on this type of film.

There are four films in the Sputtered Nichrome Series.  60% 45% 35% & 20%.  Except for the 20%, they are approved for application to double pane windows which are not larger than 40 square feet in size.  The 20% is not approved for application to double pane windows. Double pane windows larger than 40 square feet should not be tinted with ANY film due to the risk of thermal shock fracture or seal failure.

Nichrome 60 is a good choice for Storefront Display windows.  The rest of the films in this series are popular for residential applications.

Sputtered Copper Films

These Bronze Films are essentially the same as the Sputtered Neutral Films above except that they are made with Copper.  They have an appealing architectural look which is often described as like a "shiny new penny".  These films are highly visibly reflective and look very much like a shiny new copper penny.

Similar to the Ni-Chrome films described above, sputtered Copper Films tend to retain a large amount of the installation water used to apply them.  If they are not squeegeed out very thoroughly (and with the right tools) water will condense beneath them and the resulting fog can persist for a long time after application.  While they are an excellent choice, we suggest that you check with our friendly and knowledgeable tech support desk about which tools are best to use on this type of film.  There are 3 different films in the Sputtered Copper Bronze Series 50% 35% & 20%.  All 3 films are approved for application to double pane glass.  Double pane windows larger than 40 square feet should not be tinted with ANY film due to the risk of thermal shock fracture or seal failure.

Questions?

Call and speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable solar control technicians.  The team at Concord Films has been working in the solar control industry since 1982.  You can rely upon our vast knowledge and experience to help you select just the right window film for application to your windows.

Concord Window Films
East Coast Warehouse
82 Mill Plain Road
Danbury, CT 06811
(203)798-0343