Causes Of Fading
UPDATED (1/31/22):
Below we have 'temporarily' updated our Fade Chart so that our customers can have the most up-to-date information available.
What Causes Fading?
This question is still under debate but many of you may have seen these 'official' specifications representing the causes of fading.
- 40% Ultra Violet Rays
- 25% Visible Light
- 25% Heat (SHGC, the lower this number the better)
- 10% Miscellaneous (indoor lighting, humidity)
The above percentages have been thought to be accurate, but new compelling data tells us differently.
What Really Causes Fading?
For many years we have suspected that the damage from visible light has been greatly underrated. According to NFRC these assumptions now have proven to be correct. Unfortunately there aren't any official charts available that depict the actual fade calculations as stated by the standard of NFRC 300 but that hasn't stopped us from forwarding you the information you deserve. What we do know is that visible light from the sun has a lot more to do with fading then previously thought. In fact, it may be as damaging as U/V radiation but until we see the official numbers this 'educated' guess is the closest we can get for now. So this strongly suggests that 'heat' does not have as big of an affect to the cause of fading as previously thought!
A new updated chart would look closer to the following:
- 40% Ultra Violet Rays
- 40% Visible Light
- 10% Heat
- 10% Miscellaneous (indoor lighting, humidity)
We now have new sophisticated and portable meter's available to us that will 'as-accurately-as-possible' display the 'fade reduction' percentages on any solar film product (or glass sample). These meter's are designed to replicate the NFRC 300 standard as closely as possible. These meters will perform a Total Damage Weight reading or 'Tdw' which is the most accurate fade reduction calculation available to us. You will see this term in most glass manufacturer's data specifications. The methodology is based on the work of Jurgen Krochmann in Germany.
We will gladly show you this demonstration during your free consultation.
Why Solar Film?
Solar window tinting targets the three sun related facts that account to an estimated 90% of the reason why furnishings fade. Obviously, the higher combined percentage that's rejected, the better fade protection you can achieve. For best fade reduction results we would obviously recommend you specifically target UV and Light, this doesn't mean you have to settle with a dark film. Even a 50% visible light transmission (VLT) window film is considered light tinting within the industry. The higher the VLT number, the lighter the tinting. For example, a 40% VLT window film (medium light) should give you better fade protection then the same exact product but at 50% VLT.
There is no product that can 'eliminate' fading 100%, but a good quality window film is usually your best option to combat "premature fading". So much attention is geared to protecting your valuables but consider taking a few hints from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Reducing your exposure to UV radiation will lower your risk of developing skin cancer
