Window make-over for Newtown terrace
Security windows
The owners of a residential terrace in Sydney’s inner west loved the natural light and ventilation provided by their windows.
Expansive glass doors opening onto their private courtyard were another favoured feature, giving their living area spaciousness and bringing the outside in.
The flipside, however, was various heat, glare, fading, security and privacy problems.
A solution was urgently needed and the owners soon discovered that window film would be an easy and inexpensive solution to these issues.
Sunscreen Window Tinting was brought on board to provide advice about the ideal window film options for them.
Rear courtyard
- Issues: heat, glare, fading, security
- Film solution: 3M Scotchtint S25NVAR400 Solar Control & Security film
The terrace opened up into a north east facing courtyard through large glass sliding doors. This caused a number of problems such as the heat and glare from the morning sun making the room unbearable and also fading the brand new timber floors.
Another major issue was security, as the large amount of glass would be a potential entry point if smashed.
The quick, clean and no fuss installation of 3M Scotchtint s25NVAR400 Solar Control & Security film, available from Sunscreen Window Tinting, transformed the room overnight, providing 59% heat reduction, 72% glare reduction and a 78% reduction in fading.
In terms of security, the multilayered film forms an optically clear, tear and penetration resistant, tough transparent skin that holds broken glass together under extreme force.
In practice this means that in a smash and grab or break-in situation, the offender would almost certainly be deterred. Research confirms that if glass is not smashed initially a second or third attempt is most unlikely.
Street facing windows
- Issue: Privacy
- Film solution: 3M Scotchtint CS20
The terrace is located on a busy street with pedestrians and traffic going past on a regular basis. So blinds were closed all day for privacy’s sake. This resulted in the apartment being dark and the occupants losing their view.
After 3M Scotchtint CS20 film was installed, pedestrians could no longer see inside, yet the occupants could see out clearly.
The owner found they could leave the blinds open all day, with confidence that their privacy was maintained. This transformed the room by allowing light to enter.
Jeremy Wu from Sunscreen Window Tinting comments, “There are a variety of window film products at our disposal, which we can tailor to meet our client’s specific needs.
“Protection from the sun’s harmful rays, reducing heat, glare and UV rays and therefore lowering energy bills are common factors in a home owner’s decision to use window film.”
“The other benefit is that the external façade gets a make-over, which usually adds value to your home. Furniture and fabrics have a longer life too.”
29-Jul-2008