Undoubtedly, a skylight in a home or an office instantly dials the glamour factor to 11 and lets in tons of natural light. However, this setup comes at a cost, as skylights notoriously cause glare, increase heat gain, and may even fade interiors due to constant sun exposure.
Thankfully, skylight window films are a viable, non-invasive way to keep these issues at bay. They will do wonders for skylight glare reduction, block out harmful UV rays, and preserve the amount of light in the interior.
As a result, you can squeeze the maximum value from the skylights without expensive renovations or drastic structural changes to the glazing.
What are skylight window films?
Generally speaking, window film is a multi-layered sheet applied to window glazing. Depending on the material used, these films affect the way light passes through the glass. While they can be purely decorative, tinting can also drastically reduce heat gain and minimize the amount of UV rays entering the space.
Skylight window film is designed specifically to address the problem of the sun’s rays continuously bombarding the skylight. Boasting different opacity levels, you can pretty much control how much light you let through and how much sunlight you’re blocking in the process.
Although non-invasive, installing specialized solar control film can reject 73% of solar energy while filtering about 20% of visible light. Different films have varying properties, making it possible to fine-tune the amount of light and UV transmission that improves the comfort and energy efficiency in the interior.
Key benefits of skylight window films
As mentioned, skylights can be problematic in homes and commercial spaces. For starters, the sunlight entering the room, especially during midday when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, can quickly make the interior into an inferno.
Aside from excessive heat buildup, the glare on workspaces or screens (like in an office) can add to the discomfort and even lead to eye strain or migraines. Considering that the consistent exposure may also fade furniture or floors over time, tinting the skylights is a sound upgrade.
Improved comfort aside, it’s worth pointing out that less heat gain in the summer will also make the space more energy-efficient by reducing the strain on HVAC systems - all that while preserving the aesthetic of the glazing with minimum effort.
Are window films the only option for managing solar energy?
When looking into glass roof heat reduction, skylight window films aren’t the only option.
There are blinds for skylights, and they’re better in circumstances where you want to block out light completely. That said, they also require a lot of cleaning, and because they physically stop light from getting in, your skylight will be pretty much rendered useless.
A similar thing applies to fancy external roof shades, which are installed above the outside surface of the skylight. These shades are expensive, block out the light, and require quite a lot of work, meaning they don’t fit the bill for easy management of solar energy.
In comparison, skylight window films reduce harmful UV rays, preserve natural light, are effective and relatively affordable.
How to choose the right film for your skylights
Choosing a film is not as easy as you may think, owing to the sheer number of characteristics and properties there are to choose from. Here are some factors you should take into account:
- Heat rejection: Ability to block out solar heat
- UV protection: Ability to absorb UVB and UVA light
- Glare control: How much visible light is transferred
- Type: Reflective or non-reflective (the former leads to a mirrored look and offers more privacy)
You should also consider the type of glass you have, as choosing the wrong film could also increase thermal stress. This is especially important for double-glazed glass that can develop issues like seal failure or cracking if the incompatible film is installed.
Are there any downsides to window tint?
While the benefits far outweigh any negative sides, it’s important to recognize that window film (especially high-grade exterior colour film) may alter the tone of the light.
Moreover, you should carefully evaluate if your skylight is compatible with modern skylight window films. For example, domed plastic skylights are quite common as they’re inexpensive, but they’re incompatible with window tint. The same applies to textured plastic skylights.
Lastly, due to the position of overhead glass, in most cases, you’ll have to hire a professional installer to eliminate the possibility of issues like bubbling or peeling.
Get the most value out of your skylights
Skylights are stylish additions to open spaces, but they make managing the sunlight a near-impossible endeavor. This is exactly why you should consider skylight window films, as they’re an affordable way to keep the heat and glare at bay, without making the room dark.
Choosing the right window film for your needs can make your head spin, so be sure to sift through our blog to better understand how different films in the diverse range of Solar Screen products work in the real world - you’ll thank us later.