Airport window film: Balancing security and aesthetics

The best way to describe effective airport design is a seesaw. On one hand, airports need to ensure the safety of their passengers and find ways to enhance their security measures. On the other hand, they also need to create a traveler-friendly environment.

Fortunately, with modern airport window film, it’s possible not only to improve the airport’s security but also maintain (and in most cases upgrade) its visual design.

How does airport window film boost security?

Safety window film for airports is a special film applied to the window surface that significantly increases its resilience. By combining multiple layers of flexible materials, such as polyester, the film absorbs the brunt of the impact and holds the shards of glass together, preventing glass breakage if any sort of impact occurs.

Naturally, airport film comes in different forms. For instance, an airport bomb blast film drastically reduces shattering during violent impacts and explosions, protecting occupants from harm and minimizing material damage, thus making it easy for airports to protect their terminal envelope.

Security film for terminals can also provide protection against other forms of damage. In addition to being able to slow down or stop intrusions (depending on the composition of the film), it can also protect glass surfaces from vandalism (scratches or graffiti) with some types even preventing condensation ideal for humid environments.

It’s possible to apply window film in airside and landside areas, providing the well-needed perimeter hardening, all the while offering clear apron visibility for airside operations.

Visual impact of airport window film

When you consider its resilience, it’s easy to assume that the safety window film for airports will ruin the appearance of glass, especially in applications where you require plenty of natural lighting. While this may have been the case a few decades ago, modern window films actually won’t make the interiors dark.

Think of it this way safety window films are almost undetectable as they are designed for maximum efficiency, completely transparent, and transmit as much as 86% visible light. This is important as it maintains the airport’s daylight strategy, while also supporting wayfinding for passengers without disrupting the passenger flow.

But what about glare?

The biggest problem with glass surfaces is that they can cause a lot of glare, which, of course, can be a detriment to passenger comfort and may even cause visual fatigue. Fortunately, window film diminishes glare while still letting the maximum amount of light pass through, allowing airports to create a more pleasant environment in passenger and staff zones.

Preserving the current design and visual continuity of the terminal is important, but it’s also possible to elevate the look of an airport by employing decorative glass film. The options are almost limitless. For example, you can decorate interior glass surfaces and implement striking designs by selecting from multiple patterns without sacrificing the functionality or the level of light. Alternatively, you can completely obfuscate the view on one side of the glass, which naturally helps the facility meet any privacy requirements and can significantly enhance the visual balance in concession areas.

Either way, since window films come in a large variety of colors and styles, airports can easily add to their aesthetics without making massive structural changes.

Benefits of airport window film

Though a higher level of security and style are certainly the main advantages, investing in window film for transportation hubs also comes with plenty of other benefits, including:

• Increased energy efficiency: Window film can regulate the interior temperature by rejecting or retaining heat, which naturally leads to greater energy savings. This is especially helpful in the summer when film protects the building from solar heat, increasing comfort and reducing the strain on HVAC systems.
• UV protection: Modern window film blocks harmful UV rays, preserving the color of interior furnishings and protecting personnel and passengers from skin damage.
• Minimally invasive: Anti-shatter film can be installed on any window, meaning it can be implemented with minimal disruption to daily airport operations.
• Easy maintenance: Window film is not only easier to clean than bare glass, but it also requires less frequent cleaning as the materials used keep down the amount of dirt accumulation.
• Cost savings: Installing film helps preserve existing window surfaces and extend the life cycle of glazed assets, which naturally reduces initial costs. The slashing of maintenance needs and increased energy efficiency directly translates to long-term savings.

Conclusion: The perfect symmetry between security and aesthetics

Airport window film takes the frustration out of airport design for the simple reason that it eliminates the choice between overall security and the preservation of visual identity.

However, it’s not just about reaching full equilibrium between these two aspects. The strategic value of investing in specialized window films is apparent when considering the bigger picture. People passing through your terminal will find the experience more enjoyable, and you get to erase the need to replace full glazing systems all the while setting the facility up for long-term cost savings.

So, it’s not really two birds with one stone, but rather, an entire flock.