Just like everything in life, window film isn't black and white - at least not like it used to be. If you've done to any fancy tech companies, odds are they have the latest and greatest for nearly everything, and that includes window film. You'll walk by one moment and it'll be your typical frost around the conference room, but come back hours later and it's magically clear. 

That's the power of Smart Tint, a dynamic film that allows you to have the best of both worlds with the flick of a switch.

The Genesis of Dynamic Window Films

We're getting fancy here aren't we 😉.

Starting from the beginning, windows were pretty much generic - glass meant to be see through to observe your surrondings. At the time, what more could you want? It provided protection from the elements like rain and wind, while still being able to see out full and enjoy life.

However, with the recent movements to maintain our planet healthy, humanity started shifting towards energy-efficient and sustainable solutions, windows had to adapt. With options like argon gas within the glass panes, to tempered glass to reduce the risk of shattering, glass had evolve to more than just something you can see out of.

Architects and Engineers recognized the potential of Windows.

Thus they gave birth to window film. Let's get the overall definition of window film we all love out of the way:

Window film, sometimes referred to as tint, is a thin layer applied to the interior windows of residential and commercial properties. It's typically made of a polyester material called PET.

Long story short, the goal behind window film was to retrofit tempered glass with the enhanced capabilities of modern glass. Windows could now have the benefits of energy saving by blocking out the heat from the sun, blocking UV rays from damaging your furnishings and skin, reducing glare, and adding a sense of privacy and security.

Windows now have more impact towards aesthetics and comfort.

Businesses started using a special decorative window film that was coated with a texture to allow light to diffuse in, but add a significant amount of privacy for conference rooms, offices, entrances, you name it. It exudes luxury to them.

But it's never enough is it?

The Science Behind Dynamic Window Films

This one is for my fellow geeks out there who love tech talk.

Dynamic window films uses innovative technology that allows for real-time adjustments to the window's characteristics -one of the key players in this evolution is the use of smart materials, like electrochromic and photochromic compounds.

Electrochromic materials can alter their transparency in response to an applied electric current, enabling users to control the amount of light and heat entering a space. Photochromic materials, on the other hand, can change their color or opacity when exposed to different light conditions.

These materials are integrated into a thin film that can be applied to the window surface. Through a flick of a switch, people can control the state of the window film, giving you privacy when you needed, and an open space layout when you don't. This adaptability allows for the optimization of natural light, reduction of glare, and better management of indoor temperatures.

It's no longer a choice of permanently having peering eyes looking at you, or using ugly shades to cover up the conference room, or even having a consistent frosted pattern that doesn't let you know if people are in the office or not unless you peer in.

You now have full control.

The Future of Dynamic Window Films

Now here's the fun part - trying to guess and see what the future holds for us.

It's easy to see in the near future having an automated system for your smart tint, and even having it connected to the cloud for easy access using virtual assistants like Alexa, Siri, and the famous hot word "ok google". Being able to control your full meeting board by saying "Okay Google, go into meeting mode", your lights dim down, the projector turns on, and your window film fades from a clear view into the conference room into a frosted film to prevent peering eyes from glancing into your very serious, totally could not be summarized in an email, meeting.

For homes, just an idea, but for those who have hot tubs inside a sunroom but have neighbors that are too nosy, just flick the switch on specific windows you want to block out, so you're able to enjoy your natural light and environment, while blocking out the one person who may be ruining it.

Dynamic films don't have all the benefits of static window film live UV Protection, Glare reduction, and heat rejection, but in the future when that technology can be implemented, you're no longer compromising between benefits and aesthetics, you'll truly be able to have it all (well at a cost at least, who knows how expensive everything will be in the future).

Dynamic window films are a testament to the evolution of window technology. From static panes to responsive interfaces, these films have bought out the full potential of windows in architecture.

Now as much as we can keep thinking about the future, let's reel you back into the present. We have a variety of options that could fit your needs, and Sun Control of Minnesota is one call away (or one message away if you use our live chat feature). Reach out to our experts, and we'll get you set up with the right fit for you!

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