How does heat-shielding film work?

The vast majority of our heat-shrink films are made from PET (short for polyethylene terephthalate). This is a highly resistant, 100% recyclable plastic used in many sectors. You've probably already got some at home: water bottles and food packaging are made from it! 🧃

Inside a heat-shielding film, there are several layers:

1. A scratch-resistant "hard" layer. It guarantees the film's longevity.
2. An optically distortion-free tinted polyester. It guarantees perfect transparency through the film.
3. A bonding adhesive to connect all these layers.
4. A high optical quality polyester incorporating anti-infrared metallic particles. It provides the film's anti-heat property.
5. A pressure-sensitive adhesive offering excellent hold
6. A transparent liner to protect the adhesive, to be removed before laying.

As you can imagine, the most interesting layer is #4: the one that contains the most important properties of the heat-shielding film.

Some adhesives may have a slightly different composition, but the principle and operation remain the same for all. Don't hesitate to have a look at the product data sheets for details on each one in particular.

Now let's see how it all works. 🧐

It works thanks to tiny metal particles integrated into its structure. These particles, often made of aluminum, titanium or silver, block much of the sun's heat.

How does it work? By reflecting some of the sun's rays outwards and absorbing others to prevent them from passing through the glass.

The result is a more pleasant indoor temperature, while letting in natural light and preserving the view outside.

Thanks to this technology, the film helps to keep cool in summer while letting in natural light.

The percentage of solar energy rejection varies with each heat-shielding film. However, the more tinted the film, the more effective it will be against heat.

Some references, such as 3M transparent Prestige 70 outdoor solar protection film, are virtually transparent and still offer excellent protection against heat (up to 71% of solar energy rejected)! 🤩

In the case of 3M Prestige 70 transparent solar film, this impressive performance is due to the use of nano-ceramic technology developed and patented by the 3M brand.

Heat-shielding film means more comfort every day!

By blocking out some of the sun's rays, it helps maintain a more pleasant temperature indoors, whether in your living rooms, bedroom or office.

Less heat coming in also means less air conditioning, so energy savings and lower bills.

Another advantage: it filters out UV rays, considerably delaying the fading of your furniture, curtains or floors.

And depending on the model, it can also reduce glare or enhance safety by holding pieces of glass in place in the event of breakage.

In short, a small film that makes a big difference 😉