Before we begin, let’s get one thing clear. Crystal clear, in fact, because window “tint” can be crystal clear. “Tint” is an old term for an ancient concept.
You see, when commercial office window tinting first became popular, businesses only had the option of choosing from a range of different tints, somewhat like sunglasses for a building. But times have changed, technology has evolved significantly, and modern commercial office window tinting can pretty much look any way you want it to.
Perhaps you want it crystal clear, as we said earlier. Perhaps you want it colorful. Maybe you want something in between? Read on to learn why modern business leaders and building managers are choosing office building window tinting – which doesn’t have to be tinted.
Why Window Tinting Office Buildings Might Be a Good Idea for You
Here are some of the most popular reasons why business leaders like you are choosing window tinting for their buildings. If you get inspired by any of the ideas below and want to see how they would look on your building, contact NGS to set up an in-depth 3D Building Modeling session, so you can check out your options in action.
Here are the 5 reasons why window “tinting” may be right for you:
1. Security
There are many different ways that you can improve security for your building but, quite frankly, not all building security solutions make sense. For example, putting bars on your windows turns your building into a prison, and replacing 100% of your glass with polycarbonate panels is simply not cost-effective (though polycarbonate in key areas is extremely effective).
However, there are affordable and effective measures you can take that will increase your building security. 3M Mirror Film can provide a one-way privacy window film that helps your security team maintain full visibility of your interior, without giving away their presence.
Even better, the 3M Ultra window film series is designed to slow thieves and shooters down long enough for law enforcement to arrive on the scene and protect your people and assets.
2. Enhancing the View
If your building has impressive and spectacular views, you want to make sure that you can see them clearly. You’re certainly paying for the views… so why would you hide them behind distracting glass glare and ugly blinds?
Sun reflective window film is an easily installed, low-cost solution that highlights that view you’ve invested in, so you can show it off to your clients. NGS offers 3M sun control window film options, such as the 3M Prestige series, a spectrally select film that’s not only crystal clear, it also has the highest ratio of light transmission to heat rejection when applied to the exterior of dual-pane glass. Clearly put, window film allows for more glare-free, natural light along with unimpeded views.
Don’t forget your stunning nighttime views! The cityscape at night is also a breathtaking vision, and you shouldn’t have to block it with the reflection of your interior office lights. Make the most of your nighttime views with 3M Night Vision film.
3. Lowered HVAC Costs
Our planet just experienced the hottest summer ever recorded, and most business leaders are at least a little worried about what the coming winter might bring. Nobody wants to keep paying ever-increasing heating and cooling costs.
One commonly overlooked advantage of window film is its ability to reduce your heating and cooling costs throughout the year – it’s like insulation for your windows! Low Emissivity (“Low E”) Film, such as 3M Thinsulate, can transform a single-pane window into the thermal performance capabilities of a double-pane, or transform a double-pane window into the performance of a triple-pane.
Even better, achieving these benefits by installing window film gets you all the performance at a fraction of the cost of what it would take to replace all your windows, which means you’ll get double savings.
4. Lowered Lighting Costs
The second-most expensive cost in your commercial building comes from your lighting needs. At this point, it’s a workspace truism that natural light is better for employee productivity than artificial light, but natural light can increase problems like productivity-killing glare. Distracting glare is one of the reasons why window-filled offices are still paying too much for artificial lighting.
Flexible solutions such as 3M Daylight Redirecting Film rely on microscopic structures within the film to give you the ability to lower your lighting costs by comfortably redirecting up to 80% of natural light onto the ceiling. In addition, Daylight Redirecting Film can extend natural light as deep as 40 feet into the office, glare-free.
This provides you with an advantage on both ends: lower expenses and higher employee productivity. How can you lose?
5. Interior Aesthetics
One of the problems with motivating employees in an office building is that office buildings look too much like… office buildings. A University of Texas study showed that drab, colorless, featureless workspaces induced feelings of sadness and depression in workers. To us, that sounds like a recipe for disengagement and high turnover.
Patterned and frosted privacy window film is one of many window film options that can bring variation into an office environment; printed graphics are another motivation-boosting film solution. One example, 3M Fasara decorative window films, are textured, patterned, colored, and frosted, so they can be used in a variety of ways.
Will your company choose to make colorful, die-cut logos for branding, or use 3M Mirror Film as a beautiful one-way privacy window film that sets apart open office areas and conference rooms? Perhaps you’ll use solar window film to reduce glare like Delta did in the Atlanta Airport, or you’ll turn to smart film that changes glass from clear to opaque using your smartphone. The sky’s the limit with flexible window films.
You Can “Tint” More Than Just Your Windows
At this point, it’s clear (crystal clear!) that the idea that commercial office window tinting has to be tinted is a misconception. However, many business leaders also have a misunderstanding about where they can use office building window tinting.
Take note: You can tint more than just your windows and glass.
Today’s high-tech film solutions can be applied anywhere: from your floors to your ceilings, indoors and out. Some film solutions, like 3M DI-NOC, can be applied to the outside of your building to update your façade at a fraction of the cost of a remodel; other film solutions, like Casper Cloaking Film, can be used to filter out light from a TV screen in a conference room, so your strategic discussions stay private from outside eyes. Modern films can even cover the entire exterior of your building with a massive graphic!
There’s a lot more to “window” films than most people expect and investigating your options can get a bit overwhelming. That’s why it’s a smart choice to explore your options with an expert who can guide you toward appropriate solutions that will work for your office buildings.
NGS is the expert you’re looking for.
As the #1 Commercial Window Film Company in the U.S., NGS offers the guidance and expertise you need to select the right film for your offices – and we also have a nationwide team of installers who can get your film on your building in record time. Need a custom solution? We can handle that too with end-to-end services, including printing and design, that covers your whole project from concept to completion.
Check out the commercial office window tinting brochure to discover more of your options.
