Madico, a world leader in solar control and safety window film, has recently pointed out the following facts and fiction when it comes to solar window film performance claims.

Facts:

• All solar performance, (transmittance, reluctance and emittance) for Madico's Solar Control Window Films meet NFRC 300.
• NFRC 300 determines the energy performance of fenestration systems.
• The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a non-profit organization that rates and labels window systems through the International Glazing Database which lists the properties of glazing materials.
• As per the NFRC, Total Solar Energy Rejected (TSER) is based on the solar energy reaching the glass directly on a 90 degree angle
• Solar Energy =  Infrared (53%) + Visible Light (44%) + Ultraviolet Light (3-4%).
• All three components generate heat when allowed to enter your building and need to be included in the measurement of IR rejection.
• NFRC uses the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient to measure the solar heat rejection and this calculation includes IR rejection.

Fiction

• Solar control properties based on various angles of the sun are also recognized by the NFRC and are pertinent to the film or solar control glass performance.
• Manufacturers are acting responsibly when claiming high IR blocking capabilities based on one component of the solar spectrum.