This April, Celebrate National Window Film Day With 3M

At the end of the quarter last year, 3M made a global announcement that any new product launched in 2019 would incorporate a Sustainability Value Commitment that demonstrates how it drives impact for the greater good. This new corporate initiative further embeds sustainability practices into 3M’s core culture – something that the global company has been doing with window film since its very beginnings.

While St. Paul-based 3M manufactures hundreds of products globally, its window film products traditionally have provided consumers a mechanism to incorporate sustainability practices into their daily lives and reduce their own overall carbon footprint in their homes as well as in the workplace. 3M™ Window Film products are built to provide the ultimate safety and security, UV protection, reduction in energy and temperature and light control.

“Sustainability has always been at the core of 3M — but we’re looking to do more,” said Chief Technology Officer John Banovetz, who announced the new product requirement at the United National Climate Change Conference (COP24) on Dec. 5. “We are proud to formalize our commitment to this next step in innovating for a sustainable future.”

No one company has more experience with window film. In 1966, 3M received the first patent for window film. For decades, 3M has remained the world leader in adhesive and film technologies.

Reducing the Carbon Footprint

Studies show that an estimated 40 percent of heating loss in commercial buildings is due from windows. 3M™ Sun Control Window Films are designed to reflect the heat, cut down on the glare, and make room temperatures more comfortable. Through scientific analysis, this award-winning window film has proven to reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 9 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) because it can reject up to 79 percent of the sun’s heat. This means a room’s temperature can remain more even and moderate for those inside, and the HVAC system does not have to work as hard. This reduces the overall carbon footprint of a building or home and provides savings in energy costs for the consumer.

To further save on energy, 3M™ Low-E Window Films provide increased insulation performance, much like increasing the value of a typical single pane window to that of a double pane and a double pane to that of a triple pane. The professional installation of these films also results in additional energy cost savings.

Advanced Protection from UV Rays

Backed by science, innovation and technology, 3M rigorously tests its window films to withstand harsh conditions to improve the lives of those behind the glass. 3M™ Window Film is designed to block up to 99 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays, a leading cause of fading in home furniture and flooring as well as skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, window film is one of the recommended safeguards against UV damage.

What sets 3M’s film apart is the precision with which light waves are controlled as the waves pass through or are reflected off hundreds of layers of film. Compared to other films, 3M™ Prestige Series Window Films’ rate of performance surges as the sun’s angle increases. 3M™ Prestige Series Window Films reject up to 97 percent of the sun’s heat-producing infrared light and up to 60 percent of the heat coming through windows.

Using Natural Light Instead

3M™ Window Film allows consumers to optimize natural light, which means less power needs to be used keeping florescent bulbs burning. The innovation and science behind 3M™ Daylight Redirecting Film provides for the opportunity to bring natural light deeper into a building.

Studies show that buildings that use natural light increase employee productivity, boost retail sales, improve student test scores, improve patient recovery times, decrease rates of absenteeism and further reduce energy costs. The technology is placed in the upper portion of the window, which redirects the light toward the ceiling. Made of micro-structured prisms, the film optically redirects more than 80 percent of the daylight upward and more evenly distributes light in a room.

LEED Certification Assistance

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a third-party building certification program sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council. The program “provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.”

While the LEED Certification does not recognize products, it recognizes building construction methods to enhance a facility’s sustainability. Incorporating 3M™ Window Film products into the construction of a facility can add points to the application process for LEED Certification.

Safety & Security

3M™ Safety & Security Window Film and 3M™ Impact Protection Attachment Systems is designed protect people and property from a range of security concerns, including hazardous weather, bomb threats, forced entry and vandalism. The film is designed to keep broken glass together after impact and the attachment system keeps the glass safely in the frame. The system has been tested to industry bomb blast standards. 3M™ Anti-Graffiti Film provides surface protection against scratches, acid etching, gouges and tagging. Easily removed, this film provides 99 percent UV rejection which reduces fading of display merchandise.

National Window Film Day

This April, the nation will celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and National Arbor Day on April 26. On April 30, culminating a month-long recognition of the importance of environmental protection and sustainability, the window film community will celebrate National Window Film Day with public awareness campaign about the importance of window film. National Window Film Day is sponsored by the International Window Film Association; this year’s theme is “Go Green, Save Green.”

For 3M™ Authorized Dealers, this year’s National Window Film Day provides more than an opportunity to tout the importance of window film – it provides the opportunity to join 3M in its sustainability efforts and assist consumers in living more sustainable lifestyles.

Learn more about 3M™ Window Film from a dealer near you. Headquartered in Sarasota and Houston, Accent Distributing is one of three 3M™ Authorized Distributors for window film in the United States and works with 3M™ Authorized Dealers in nine states and the Caribbean. Accent Distributing can connect you with a dealer in your community. Visit AccentDistributing.com.