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Acronyms and Terminology in the World of the Window Film/Tint

Words like VLT, IR, TSER, and UV will be come across frequently when researching or looking for options in buying window tinted films. However what are those words or jargon carrying in terms of meaning?

UV: Ultraviolet

Ultraviolet radiation is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength ranging from 10 nm to 400 nm. It is one of the most harmful content in sunlight that causes damage to human eye, skin and furnishings interiors.

UVR: Ultraviolet Rejection

The percentage of UV rate that is rejected can reach up to 99% in the current window tinted film industry market. The significant factor and main features that everyone should consider when purchasing window tinted films is that it becomes the significant factor and main features.

VLT: Visible Light Transmission

Visible Light Transmission is define as the ratio of visible solar energy which is the measurement of how much sun energy between 380 and 750 nm that travels through the glazing system with the fraction of solar energy that reaches the human eye.

The proportion of visible light that a vehicle, structure, or home’s outside film or tint permits to pass into its interior is the VLT value. This regulates how much light you want to enter based on your preferences.

The lower the value of VLT% (decreases), the darker the tinted film gets, blocking more light from the outside. For example, a film with a 50% VLT value allows 50% of outside light to pass through and enter the room, whereas a film with 5% VLT value only allows 5% of external light to pass through and into the premises.

The VLT you should now

The industry professionals would generally use a film’s colour and VLT value to identify it when referring to film or tint. For instance, charcoal 5% refers to a tint that is 5% VLT with the colour charcoal. Similarly, green 50% refers to a green tint film with a VLT of 50%. 

Therefore, if someone says “charcoal 5%,” you will immediately understand that the colour is charcoal and that the VLT is 5%, meaning that the inside is relatively dark because only 5% of light is allowed in.

This will give you a general idea of how window film/tint manufacturers, retail stores, and distributors and suppliers normally name their product lines as the standard in the market industry.

IR: Infrared

Infrared radiation with longer wavelengths than those of visible light is identified as such by humans.  In conclusion, even though it is not visible to our eyes, we can still can feel it. Basically, in essence, it’s heat!

IRR: Infrared Rejection

The total amount of Infrared light (IR) that was rejected.

TSER: Total Solar Energy Rejected

The total solar energy rejected is a measure of how much solar energy is being rejected. The total solar energy rejected carries the meaning of total solar energy that is rejected in the form of percentage = (total solar energy that is rejected)% . 

The higher TSER % is indicating a higher amount of solar energy deflected. This is because TSER contains all the 3 main elements: Visible light, Infrared and Ultraviolet.

Technical to measure

The majority of window film and tinting shops in the industry use infrared rejection (IRR) as a benchmark to measure heat rejection , even though IRR only represent 1/3 of TSER internationally. However, TSER is used worldwide as an international standard benchmark measurement as it provides a more precise method of evaluating heat rejection. 

The more accurate technique is to measure heat rejection level by taking into account of incorporating all 3 principal factors which is Visible light, Infrared and Ultraviolet.

PLY

The term “ply” is used to indicate how many various multiple number distinct layers of polyester film were utilized in the production of a specific window film product. 

A 3ply product would be constructed with three separate layers of various types of polyester film as opposed to a 1-ply product, which would have just one layer of polyester film.

MIL ( THICKNESS )

Mil is the standard unit of measurement used to declare the thickness of window film in the industry . In market industry, basically, you must use Mil to determine film’s or tint’s thickness. 1 Mil is equivalent to One thousandth of an inch  ( .001″ ) = 1 Mil represent 25 Microns.

house-window-film

In short, we sincerely hope that you found this information helpful and beneficial. With this fundamental knowledge, selecting the appropriate window films will be much easier based on your needs.

Most window film and tinting shops in the industry use infrared rejection (IRR) to present heat rejection. However, TSER is used worldwide as an international standard benchmark measurement. Because it provides a more precise method of evaluating heat rejection. The more accurate technique to measure heat rejection level is to take into account of incorporating all 3 principal factors.

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Understand the VLT, IR, TSER, and UV

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