Window film & glass glossary.
Plain-English definitions for the terms on your estimate, spec sheet or window label, for homes and offices.
A
Annealed Glass
Standard glass. It breaks into large, sharp pieces. Most older home windows are annealed.
Anti-Graffiti Film
Clear film on the outside of glass that takes scratches and etching. When it's damaged, we replace the film instead of the glass.
Attachment System
A way to anchor security film to the window frame, so the whole pane stays in place when the glass breaks.
B
Bird-Safe Film
Film with a visible dot or line pattern that helps birds see the glass, so they don't fly into it.
C
Ceramic Film
Film made with ceramic particles instead of metal. It blocks heat with little reflection and doesn't affect cell signals.
Contamination
Tiny specks of dust trapped under film. Careful prep keeps it to a minimum, and industry standards define what's acceptable.
Curing (Drying Time)
The time for water under new film to dry out. Haze and small water pockets are normal while film cures.
Curtain Wall
The glass and aluminum skin on the outside of many office buildings. It hangs from the structure and doesn't carry weight.
D
Daylight Install
Film cut to the visible glass only, stopping at the frame. Standard for solar and decorative film.
Dual-Pane (Insulated) Glass
Two panes of glass with a sealed air or gas space between them. Also called an IGU. Film choice must suit dual-pane glass.
Dual-Reflective Film
Film that's more reflective outside than inside. It cuts glare and heat but keeps a clearer view out at night than a standard mirror film.
Dyed Film
An older, low-cost film colored with dye. The dye can fade and turn purple. We don't install dyed film on homes or offices.
E
Edge Gap
The small space left between the film and the window frame. It lets the film dry and keeps edges from lifting.
Emissivity
How much heat a surface gives off. Low-E coatings and films have low emissivity, so they hold heat inside in winter.
Exterior Film
Film made for the outside of the glass. We use it when an inside install isn't possible or could put stress on the glass.
F
Film-to-Glass Chart
The manufacturer's guide to which films are safe on which glass types. Following it keeps your glass and seal coverage in place.
Frosted Film
A translucent decorative film that looks like etched glass. It gives privacy day and night and still lets light in.
G
Glare Reduction
How much a film cuts bright light compared to plain glass. Matters most for TVs, computer screens and west-facing rooms.
Gradient Film
Decorative film that fades from frosted to clear. Common on office conference rooms and home bathroom windows.
H
Heat-Strengthened Glass
Glass about twice as strong as annealed. It breaks into larger pieces than tempered glass. Common in office buildings.
I
IR Rejection
The percent of infrared heat a film blocks. Brands measure it over different ranges, so compare TSER instead when you can.
L
Laminated Glass
Two layers of glass bonded with a plastic layer between them. It cracks but holds together when broken.
Low-E Glass
Glass with a factory-applied metal coating that reflects heat. It limits which films are safe to add, so we check before quoting.
Low-E Window Film
Film with a low-emissivity coating. It blocks summer heat and holds warmth inside in winter, like adding insulation to the glass.
M
Mechanical Attachment
An attachment system that bolts a metal bar over the film's edge into the frame. The strongest option.
Metalized (Sputtered) Film
Film with very thin metal layers that reflect heat. Strong heat rejection, usually with a more reflective look.
Mil
A thousandth of an inch, used to measure film thickness. Solar film is usually 1 to 2 mil. Security film can be anywhere from 4 to 25 mil.
Mullion
The frame piece between two panes of glass, running up and down or side to side.
N
Neutral Film
A low-reflective film with a soft gray tone. It cuts heat and glare without a mirror look.
O
Opaque (Blackout) Film
Film that blocks all view and almost all light. Used for media rooms, storage areas and covered displays.
S
Seal Failure
When the seal on dual-pane glass breaks and fog or moisture shows up between the panes. Film doesn't fix it, and the glass needs replacing.
Security (Safety) Film
Thick, clear film that holds broken glass together. It slows break-ins and keeps shards in place during accidents and earthquakes.
Shading Coefficient
An older heat rating that compares glass to plain single-pane glass. Lower is better. You'll still see it on some film spec sheets.
SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient)
The share of the sun's heat that gets through the glass, from 0 to 1. Lower is better. California's energy code uses SHGC for windows.
Spandrel Glass
Opaque glass in a curtain wall that hides floor slabs and building systems between windows.
Spectrally Selective Film
Film that blocks infrared heat but lets most visible light through. It keeps rooms bright and views clear. 3M Prestige is one example.
Storefront Glazing
The aluminum-framed glass system at street level on shops, restaurants and office lobbies.
T
Tempered Glass
Heat-treated glass about four times stronger than annealed. It breaks into small pebbles. Required in doors, showers and glass near floors.
Textured (Obscure) Glass
Glass with a pattern pressed into the surface. Film can't bond to it.
Thermal Stress
Strain when one part of a pane heats up more than another. Too much can crack glass, which is why film must be matched to the glass.
TSER (Total Solar Energy Rejected)
The percent of the sun's total energy, including UV, visible light and infrared, that the film keeps out. The best single number for comparing heat performance.
U
U-Value (U-Factor)
How fast heat moves through the glass. Lower means better insulation. Most solar films change it a little. Low-E films lower it more.
UV Rejection
The percent of ultraviolet rays the film blocks. Quality films block 99% or more. UV is a main cause of fading and is harmful to skin.
V
VLR (Visible Light Reflectance)
The percent of visible light the glass reflects. Higher numbers look more mirrored. Films list inside and outside reflectance separately.
VLT (Visible Light Transmission)
The percent of visible light that passes through the glass and film. Lower means darker. The number in a film's name, like Prestige 70, often refers to its VLT.
W
Wet Glaze Attachment
An attachment system that bonds the film's edge to the frame with a bead of structural silicone.
Which film type fits your glass?
A quick side-by-side. Your estimate includes a film-to-glass check for your exact windows.
| Film type | Look from outside | Heat rejection | Night view out | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrally selective | Near clear | ●●●●● | Clear | Homes with views, offices that want daylight |
| Ceramic | Low reflection | ●●●●● | Clear | Homes, offices with sensitive cell or Wi-Fi needs |
| Neutral | Soft gray | ●●●●● | Mostly clear | Glare and heat without a mirror look |
| Dual-reflective | Mirrored | ●●●●● | Clearer than mirror film | West-facing rooms, TV glare, hot offices |
| Metalized reflective | Mirrored | ●●●●● | Reflects inside at night | Large office glass with heavy sun |
Ratings are general. Exact numbers vary by product line and shade.
Have a question instead? Visit the Help Center →Not sure which film you need?
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