Heat-Absorbing Tint or Film

Windows and other glass elements in architecture can have the potential to allow heat to escape from a building during the winter and allow heat into a building during warmer months. Unless the windows are made to prevent that heat transfer, a building would require more energy for heating and cooling the interior. One way to prevent heat transfer is with heat-absorbing tint or window film. Often an aftermarket application, window tint—a type of window film made specifically to darken the glass or reflect light—will reduce glare and absorb solar heat from the outside. Certain colors, particularly bronze, green, or gray tint will lower heat transfer (prevent heat from entering or leaving through a closed window) by up to 45 percent. Lowering the heat transfer reduces the energy costs for keeping the building interior stable. While heat-absorbing films are made to be practical, they also do offer a certain decorative element, though not on the scale that decorative window film provides. Decorative film does not generally provide heat-absorbing properties.