07/07/2017 Mark

Glare Reduction

CoolGlass Glazing Enhancements » Solutions » Glare Reduction

Glare Reduction

The Glare from Summer and Winter suns need to be treated very differently

If you're wearing sunglasses inside or are ducking behind your computer monitor or have random pieces of A4 paper stuck around the office in an attempt to stop the blinding light from the sun you dazzling you you really need to call us immediately.

To reduce annoying or distracting glare can cause eye strain leading to headaches and operational difficulties so you need to reduce the amount of light that is transmitted through your glazing in the same way you would use sun glasses to reduce the brightness and protect your eyes when outside. It is also your employers responsibility under Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992 to provide a comfortable working environment.

Very often the tinted glass that comes standard in offices and conservatories isn’t dark enough to reduce the glare and make the space usable to either work in and use day to day, using a window film you can tailor the level of tint to the individual requirements required on a room to room basis.

Summer glare from a high sun and winter glare from a low sun are two very different beasts and need addressing often in different ways.

This image clearly shows the reduction required to make a conservatory roof glare free; we can reduce glare by a massive 95%

A special film which is design for polycarbonate glazing can reduce annoying glare by over 80% making the space much more pleasant to be and making things like TV and tablet screens readable.

People often think that by installing a dark film will make the space dark. That would be true if you were to install it in a room with only one window but when you are dealing with conservatories or office windows or facades which are mainly glass then no is doesn’t. Your eyes will naturally adjust to the ambient light levels just the same as walking in to a shop on a sunny day for example which has no windows and just artificial lighting.

With a correctly specified window film you have space which is easy on the eyes and will of retained a clear view out leaving you with a lighter and more aired space than with a traditional window covering such as a black out blind or curtain.

Summer sun requires at least 50% – 80% of thelight to be reduced to be effective we can help you find the level you need during our on site survey. At these levels it keeps a room usable all year round whilst allowing more natural light in than a closed traditional fabric window covering.

Careful consideration is still required but that is where our consultation and site surveys will ensure you are getting the right products you need.

With the dark Metalux polycarbonate film on the roof and the Medium Sterling 40 film from Solargard on the windows this Full south facing conservatory is a relaxing space to spend time in and with a completely clear view of this customers immaculate garden but now without the horrible squinting.

Winter sun due to the low angle means that you are often looking directly into the sun (which is never recommended) requires over 95% of the light to be blocked often making a window film impractical on darker winter or over cast days so we often would recommend and offer choice of a screen or film anti-glare foil blind which gives you the flexibility to raise the blind when not needed.

A polyester screen anti- glare blind was fitted in this instance to a petrol station cashiers window who were unable to read the till screen and the the extreme sun made it difficult of the bar coder ready to work. This enabled the blind to dropped to the level required and still see the forecourt through it to safety monitor vehicles outside.

These black fabric screen blinds enabled the stylists in this hair salon to work without the sun causing a distraction when working and keeping their client comfortable while they were having their hair cut.

Contact us by calling 01673 818 157 or get in touch.