UV Protection Window Film in Austin

How Austin Sun Fades Floors, Fabric and Art

Fading is driven mostly by ultraviolet light, with visible light and heat playing a smaller part. Austin gets a lot of clear days, and its southern latitude means intense sun for much of the year. A rug that sits in a patch of afternoon light will show a pale outline within a season or two, and a hardwood floor can end up with a lighter stripe where the sun crosses it every day.

Most standard window glass blocks only part of the ultraviolet range. Older single-pane windows, which are common in central neighborhoods, let more through. Many newer dual-pane windows block more, but the visible light and heat that still pass can contribute to fading over time.

Clear UV Window Film for Older Austin Houses

Some homeowners do not want any change in the look of their windows. That is common in Clarksville cottages, Tarrytown houses with original sashes and the bungalows around Zilker, where the old glass is part of the charm. Clear UV film is nearly invisible once installed, so the window looks the same from the street and from inside.

Clear film does little for heat or glare, which is the tradeoff. If a room also runs hot, a light spectrally selective film can block the same ultraviolet range while also cutting some solar heat. Many houses end up with clear film on north and south windows and a selective film on the west.

Because the film goes on the interior surface, it leaves original glass intact and can be removed later without harming the window.

UV Window Film for Collections, Instruments and Artwork

Austin has plenty of people who collect things the sun would happily ruin: concert posters, original art, mid-century furniture, vinyl sleeves, books and instruments. A guitar finish or a screen print can change color noticeably after years of sunlight through a nearby window.

UV film is the simplest protection for a room like that. It goes on the glass once and keeps working whether the blinds are open or closed. For especially sensitive pieces, we also suggest moving them out of direct sun, since film reduces fading but cannot stop all of it.

• Concert posters, prints and photographs
• Wood finishes on guitars and furniture
• Leather, silk and dyed fabrics
• Books and record sleeves on open shelves

UV Film for Skylights, Sunrooms and Doors in Austin Homes

Skylights and clerestory windows send sunlight straight down onto floors and furniture for hours. Sunrooms and glassed-in porches get it from three sides. Glass front doors and sidelights let it fall across the entry rug every morning. These are the spots where we usually find the worst fading during a quote visit.

Not every skylight can be filmed. Some are acrylic or have textured glass that film will not bond to, and some are hard to reach. We check each one and tell you whether film is practical or whether a shade or a replacement panel makes more sense.

Installing UV Protection Window Film in Austin

Clear UV film installs like any interior window film. We clean the glass thoroughly, apply the film with a slip solution, squeegee out the water and trim the edges. A room usually takes an hour or two, and a full house can often be done in a day.

There may be some light haze or tiny water spots for the first few days. That is moisture working its way out and it clears on its own. Hold off on cleaning the glass until it does, and afterward avoid ammonia-based cleaners, which can damage the film over time.