Low-E Window Film in Fort Lauderdale

Low-E Window Film in a Fort Lauderdale Climate

A low-emissivity film carries an extremely thin coating that turns back long-wave infrared, the heat that warm surfaces give off. Old single-pane glass in Broward heats up through the afternoon and then glows that warmth onto whoever sits near it, so a desk by the window feels hot even when the thermostat reads normal. The coating damps that effect, and many low-E products also reflect a slice of incoming sunlight.

The result is a window that behaves more like modern glass. Seats near the glass feel cooler, the perimeter zone is easier to condition, and the cooled air inside does not lose as much to the glass. On the few cool winter mornings Broward gets each year, the same film slows heat loss, but that is a side benefit here, not the main reason to install it.

Buildings in Broward That Benefit From Low-E Film

Low-E film pays off where a lot of original, unimproved glass is still in service. Many schools, churches, civic buildings and low-rise offices in Broward were built before modern energy codes and still have original glazing. Mid-century office buildings along Federal Highway and Andrews Avenue, older churches with tall windows, and classroom wings in public and private schools all fit the pattern.

Replacing that glass is expensive, and in Broward it usually means moving to impact-rated windows, which raises the cost further. Low-E film is a way to improve the existing glass while a building plans for eventual replacement, or where replacement is not affordable.

• Schools and classroom wings with original glass
• Churches and fellowship halls with tall windows
• Mid-century low-rise office buildings
• Civic and community buildings

Low-E Film Compared With Standard Solar Film

Standard solar control films focus on reflecting or absorbing incoming sunlight. Low-E films add a coating that also limits radiant heat transfer through the glass in both directions. In practice, a low-E solar film handles the incoming sun on sunny elevations and also improves comfort on shaded elevations where the glass still warms up from the outside air.

Low-E films are usually a little more expensive than standard solar films, and they are best on single-pane glass. On newer insulated or impact glass that already has a factory low-E coating, adding a low-E film brings much less benefit, and compatibility needs checking. We look at the glass before recommending low-E film.

Low-E Film for Schools, Churches and Civic Buildings

Schools, churches and public buildings often have tight budgets, approval processes and schedules built around the calendar. We provide written scopes, product data and options at different price levels for boards and facility committees. Installs can be planned for summer break, weekday evenings or other times the building is empty.

For school districts and government buildings, we can supply data for energy reports and grant applications. We do not promise specific savings, but we provide the performance values engineers and consultants need to evaluate the upgrade.

Installing Low-E Window Film in Occupied Buildings

The film goes on the room side of each pane. Big campuses are split by wing or floor and scheduled around classes, services or office hours, with drop cloths down and furniture moved back afterward.

Low-E coatings can be more sensitive to scratching than standard films, so cleaning methods matter. We provide clear instructions and recommend soft cloths and approved cleaners on filmed glass.