- Author
- Beers, P. E.
- Title
- Remedial Window Film Applications: Appearance, Durability, Longevity, Cost.
- Coporate
- Glazing Consultants, Inc., North Palm Beach, FL
- Keywords
- cost benefit analysis | glass | windows | case histories | occupants
- Identifiers
- remedial window films; life cycle; Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC; Anchored Film System, Midwestern United States; Downey City Hall, Downey, California; San Carlos School District, San Carlos, California; CK's Restaurant, Tampa, Florida; Manufacturers Bank Building, Encino, California; 600 Third Avenue, New York, New York; First Florida Tower, Tampa, Florida; Metropolitan Life Headquarters, New York, New York; KB Airport Center, Los Angeles, California
- Abstract
- Glass is a major exterior component on most residential and commercial structures. It allows building occupants to look outside, it lets light in, while at the same time, it keeps the elements out. Problems with glass and how it has been incorporated into buildings has created a market for remedial window films. While the main use of window film has been to improve energy performance of glass, other non-standard applications are emerging. Film manufacturers are now marketing remedial window films for applications which include enhanced structural performance of glass, blast resistance, forced entry resistance and for retention of fractured glass in the window frame. This report will explore many remedial window film uses, as well as performance claims made by film manufacturers. It will compare the cost of maintaining a remedial film application over the life span of a building versus the cost of utilizing properly specified glass. The in-service performance of remedial window films will be analyzed, with particular attention given to appearance, durability and longevity of the product. A series of Case Studies will be presented, documenting the performance of remedial window film on specific projects. Finally, the author will set forth his conclusions based upon the data gathered for and presented within this report, including comparisons of film to properly specified glass.