Stockfilms blog

Turn to us for dependable emergency and temporary protection window film

13 September 2019

Sometimes, you may not contact a window film specialist like Stockfilms with the specific intention of purchasing such a product for long-term, permanent installation. Instead, you may be in need of an emergency or temporary arrangement, and it is window films for precisely these purposes that you can purchase from our ‘glazier section’.

But what forms do these window films take, how do they work and in what specific circumstances may you have them fitted at the property for which you are responsible?

You can have faith in our emergency glazing film

Our emergency glazing film is, in many ways, exactly what it sounds like; a heavy-duty film that is only used temporarily while awaiting the removal or replacement of damaged glass.

We’ve probably all found ourselves, from time to time, walking past a shop, office, school or hospital where the glass in one or more of the windows has evidently been broken, judging by the fact that the affected windows have been boarded up. It’s hardly aesthetically appealing, so it shouldn’t be a great surprise that the window film industry has come up with this elegant alternative.

As the ‘emergency’ part of its name indicates, this type of window film is only applied to a window once the glass has been broken. It serves the purpose of keeping the glass safe and preventing it from cracking further until the glass is finally removed from the frame and replaced.

This window film is easy to use and cost-effective in public places like those cited above, and can even be fitted with no specialist training or tools – although of course, great care should always be taken in any situation where broken glass is present.

What about when you are undertaking building or restoration work?

Well, in that case, you are likely to appreciate the thin polyester and low-tac Temporary Protection film that we can supply to protect glass against dirt or scratching when such sensitive work is being undertaken. You may also use this film for the protection of glass panels during handling, transportation and installation.

This temporary protection film is clear, so it won’t hinder visibility through the glass. Purchase this product, and you can be sure of the window on which the film is installed being kept perfectly clean and unmarked throughout the building or restoration work.

Are you on the lookout for window film that will give you much-needed peace of mind during emergencies or in other circumstances where some form of temporary protection may be required for your glass? If so, we would be pleased to talk to you about your requirements, and present you with a free A4 sample of these or any of our other products, when you contact the Stockfilms team.

Our dedicated safety and security window films can be depended on in all manner of contexts

4 September 2019

As pleased as we are here at Stockfilms to be able to supply window films across a range of categories that can be instrumental in safeguarding the people and possessions within the buildings to which they are applied, we can also provide especially impressive dedicated safety and security films. These include internal, external and combined safety window films.

There are many ways in which the right film can boost safety

Your principal motivation for seeking out specialist safety or security window film may be to minimise the likelihood of your building’s glass breaking when it is placed under considerable stress. However, these window films can also further help to keep occupants safe by holding together shards of shattered glass that could otherwise be dangerous in a breakage situation.

The internally applied safety window films that we source from the Opalux brand are renowned solutions for precisely these purposes. 100-micron, 175-micron, 200-micron and 300-micron variants are all available, offering similarly high levels of visible light transmission while also all coming with 10-year warranties.

However, we also offer safety window films that are specifically designed to be fitted to the exterior surface of glass, with these normally being used alongside internal films to better strengthen and protect glazing units from both sides. Again, there are multiple versions of the film that one can order via Stockfilms – a 100-micron and a 175-micron film – and both offer superb optical clarity.

Finally, multi-laminate combined solar, safety and security films can also be purchased through us, and are popular among both Government entities and commercial organisations that demand especially high-performance safety in addition to solar control capabilities. Silver and matt white frost variants can be obtained in accordance with the most discerning requirements.

Would you appreciate advice and guidance when purchasing window films?

What do you expect in the safety or security window films that you order from a company like ours? Are you looking for a scratch-resistant coating, perhaps, or the effective screening of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays? What about reduced vision through the glass to further improve privacy and security, or effective solar heat and glare control?

These characteristics can all be provided by window films like those that Stockfilms supplies. So, why not get in touch with our professionals now to discuss your most specific needs, as well as to receive the best-value quote?

Anti-glare window films don’t cease to be important once the summer passes

30 August 2019

The reasons why you may look to purchase window film for a building with the specific intention of better protecting its occupants from the adverse affects of glare are fairly obvious in the summer – but does that mean it isn’t so vital to have such window film in place come the autumn?

As paradoxical as it may seem, glare from the sun may actually turn out to be a greater problem for many of us during the darker and colder months than it is at the height of the summer. This is due to the sun being lower in the sky in the fall and winter period, meaning that when light hits a surface, it will also reflect such a lower angle compared to the situation in the summer.

This is not to suggest that anti-glare window films are unimportant during the warmest and sunniest months; after all, the best such window films are also frequently excellent at repelling excess heat that may otherwise easily pass through the glass. As a consequence, they can represent a superb all-round solution for making the interior of a building more comfortable, whatever the time of year.

We have an all-encompassing range of films for controlling glare

The widespread perception that glare from the sun is generally a summer problem can unfortunately be blamed for many specifiers or end users failing to take the need for anti-glare window films seriously when the autumn and winter months roll around.

Thankfully, here at Stockfilms, we can make it straightforward for you to select a film that perfectly suits every requirement of your organisation and building. There are almost as many different types of innovative and effective anti-glare window films in our product range, in fact, as there are circumstances in which they may need to be bought and fitted.

Reflective window films, low mirror films, tinted films and even coloured varieties can all be ordered from us, with many of these products coming in both internal and external variants, given that practical factors may dictate the film must be applied specifically to the inside or outside surface of the glass. All manner of colours and appearances are also available to suit the particular architectural or stylistic requirements that the given building may have.

Don’t neglect the need for film to protect against glare at this time of year

The summer may be coming to an end, but the requirement for effective window film certainly isn’t. Call the highly capable and knowledgeable customer service team at Stockfilms on 020 8441 0449 today, and you’ll be able to receive the highest standard of advice on the right film for your building or setting, along with a free A4 sample and competitive quote.

Why might you feel the need to buy anti-fog window film?

12 August 2019

A need to tackle condensation on windows may not be the first reason that comes to many people’s minds for purchasing window films, but it is undoubtedly a great priority for a considerable number of our customers here at Stockfilms.

It is precisely for this reason that we offer two varieties of anti-fog window film – a 100-micron and 50-micron version – although aside from this difference, these products’ technical specifications, features and benefits are much the same.

What could these innovative films do for your intended application?

Whether you purchase our 100-micron or 50-micron anti-fog window film, you will receive a product that has repeatedly proven its effectiveness in the prevention of condensation on window glazing.

Condensation, of course, can so easily occur in a room where the humidity is high. When you install one of these specialised and highly rated window films, however, you can be confident that the anti-condensation layer incorporated into the product will spread the water across the surface of the glass, thereby helping to preserve good vision through the window.

These two window films are both clear and single-ply, in addition to incorporating an acrylic pressure adhesive. They also both transmit 87% of visible light, reflect 11% of visible light and reject 18% of total solar energy. Not only can you look forward to a high level of performance from this type of window film, however, but longevity is also assured, these trusted products coming with a two-year life expectancy.

Wide-ranging advantages for a wide range of circumstances

Notwithstanding their formidable anti-condensation properties, these anti-fog window films also bring a host of other features and benefits. These include their high optical clarity, with a clear and non-tinted appearance guaranteed, as well as their scratch-resistance that ensures they can stand up to most non-abrasive window cleaning methods. A high level of ultraviolet (UV) rejection is also incorporated into these films, which helps to prevent interior furnishings from fading prematurely.

Finally, this anti-fog window film can also be applied to most types of glass with the minimum of fuss. This helps to explain why it is such a popular product for circumstances that might otherwise necessitate the expensive and disruptive large-scale replacement of existing glazing.

Would you like to learn more about what the installation of this type of window film could do for your own intended space where condensation is a major risk? If so, simply get in touch with our proactive customer service team here at Stockfilms today, and we would be delighted to advise you, as well as to provide a free sample and present you with the best-value quote.

For both summer heat rejection and winter heat retention, consider our Low-E films

6 August 2019

While the recent elevated temperatures and the associated discomfort that can result in the workplace have naturally been the chief concern for many of us over the last few weeks and months, when your organisation is in the market for solar control film, it also shouldn’t overlook the undesirability of the opposite situation. We are, of course, referring to the possibility of considerable heat being lost from your buildings through the windows during the looming colder months.

You may be thankful, then, to learn of the Low-E – standing for ‘low emissivity’ – energy control films that we are delighted to supply to both specifiers and end-users.

The term ‘Low-E’ refers to the special coating applied to these films’ interior-facing surface, and which could greatly assist in reducing how much heat escapes through your buildings’ glazed areas in the winter. As a result, not only could you help to reduce the heating expenditure required for the buildings in question, but you could also look forward to a much-enhanced carbon footprint.

Silver reflective or neutral? They’re both options with us

As those who have previously shopped for solar control film from Stockfilms will be aware, our team takes great pride in sourcing products that cater to the different aesthetic requirements of our customers. Sure enough, this ethos is also apparent in our choice of Low-E films, of which both neutral and silver reflective variants are available.

These two highly regarded energy control window films share certain benefits, including the reduction of excessive heat and glare during the summer, the better retention of heat within a room during the winter, a lower energy tax liability, quick retro-fit installation and the screening of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Those opting for the silver reflective film, however, also get to enjoy a much higher level of glare reduction of 82%, even if the neutral film’s equivalent figure of 45% can also make a very significant positive difference to the experience that a building’s occupants will have while working. In any case, the neutral film represents a more logical choice for those prioritising higher visible light transmission – 48%, as opposed to the silver reflective film’s 16%.

Trust only Stockfilms as a provider of this industry-leading solar control film

Mindful of the fact that all of our customers naturally have different needs when it comes to the sourcing of window film, the Stockfilms team is skilled and experienced in assessing those needs and recommending the best-suited product.

For an in-depth discussion with our professionals as to which solar control film or other product might be the best one for your intended application, as well as to request free A4 samples and a competitive quote, please don’t hesitate to call us on 020 8441 0449.

Frosted window films can provide so much more than privacy

18 July 2019

The most obvious application of a window film with a frosted effect may be to enhance privacy, but it is easy to overlook the vast range of ways in which the very best such window films make this possible – as well as what other purposes our industry-leading products in this category can serve.

This much is demonstrated by the extensive stock of frosted window films that we can offer at present from no fewer than three of the most respected brands in the window film world today: Opalux, Mactac and 3M.

We can cater to your privacy requirements, without compromise elsewhere

One of the greatest concerns that both specifiers and end-users can frequently have when they are considering investing in privacy screening films, is ensuring that privacy can be provided at the same time as allowing a good level of natural light through the window.

Thankfully, this is a priority that can be addressed by Opalux’s present translucent frosted window films such as the Fine Acid Etch Bronze, Fine Acid Etch Smoke or Fine Acid Etch White film. The latter is an especially popular choice of frost film for rooms where 24-hour total privacy is required, representing a more flexible alternative to privacy glass over a building’s lifetime.

Alternatively, you may take the greatest interest in our MACal frosted window films. These particular products deliver an exceptional performance both indoors and outdoors, and may be your choice if you wish to decorate your windows or glass decor with an etched, frosted or sandblasted effect. Two matt finishes are available for these acclaimed films: frosted and dusted.

Finally, we would also urge you not to overlook 3M’s highly respected glass films if you are interested in creating unique ‘special effects’ on your windows. Whether you opt for the dusted or frosted varieties of the 3M window films we offer in this category, you can look forward to not only superb two-way privacy, but also sustained high light levels, quick retro-fit installation and the scope to incorporate graphics into the film, as could help to perpetuate your brand’s corporate identity.

Simply give the Stockfilms team a call today for more information

Could any of these frosted window films – or the other privacy, solar control or safety-oriented products elsewhere in our range – be the right ones for your own intended application?

Whatever your priorities, by calling Stockfilms today on 020 8441 0449, you can receive the advice and guidance that you require to make the most informed choice at the first attempt, and are even welcome to request free A4 samples before committing to any purchase. Then, we will be delighted to present you with the most competitive quote for the film that ideally suits your needs.

Make sure you only purchase heat control films that also make perfect aesthetic sense

16 July 2019

It doesn’t exactly surprise us here at Stockfilms that we receive so many enquiries about heat control films at this time of year, when temperatures are at their most elevated. However, it’s also vital that if you are a specifier or end-user looking to invest in such window films, you are aware of the other requirements these products must fulfil in the context of your particular application.

After all, it is during this sunny season that your buildings will be shown off to best advantage – but not so much if you fail to select window films that help to make such a great impression.

Effectiveness at reducing heat gain shouldn’t be your only requirement from window film

You may take an interest in our heat control films in the first place due to how they can help to reject the excessive heat gain that could make your buildings a less-than-pleasurable place for your occupants to be. Sure enough, we offer an extensive variety of window films that can repel a large proportion of solar energy, at the same time as significantly reducing glare and transmitting a level of visible light that suits the practical requirements you have for the given space.

There is a significant cosmetic difference, however, between our reflective window films and such options as our low mirror, tinted, coloured and specialist heat control films that cater to a variety of aesthetic priorities.

As with our reflective window films, we offer low mirror window films in both internal and external variants, with these products being an excellent choice if a more neutral tinted look is desired, at the same time as a good level of heat and glare control. We can also provide non-metallised tinted window films in a range of shades, which enables varying levels of daytime privacy to be achieved.

You might also turn to Stockfilms for coloured window films that enhance the decorative appeal of any glass while achieving optimal heat and glare rejection. Or perhaps your given application would best suit a Clear Heat Control film (SO-70IR-iSR) that very much lives up to its name, being almost invisible in appearance, but still delivering a good heat control performance?

Don’t accept anything less than industry-leading heat control films

With architectural and automotive window films available in our stock to cater to every visual and practical requirement here at Stockfilms, there’s no need for you to look further for proven, sophisticated and cost-effective heat control films.

Give our friendly and receptive customer service team a call today on 020 8441 0449, and we’ll be able to guide you in the direction of the most suitable window film for your particular requirements, followed by the best possible quote.

You’ve got plenty of options for internally applied low mirror window films

26 June 2019

Deciding between different window films intended to enhance solar heat and glare control isn’t just about comparing the performance statistics for these products. That’s because, whether you are an end-user or specifier, aesthetic considerations will always come into play, and it is here where our low mirror window films for internal application can truly prove their worth.

As synonymous as window films often are with a highly reflective appearance, this isn’t always a desirable aesthetic for many of our customers, who may nonetheless still desire a good level of solar heat and glare control in whatever product they select.

So, what do these films offer other than low reflectance?

Whether you are interested in internally applied low mirror window film mostly on account of its low visual impact or its performance, it is important to carefully compare the relevant figures for these products, given that they don’t offer identical levels of solar heat and glare control.

Our Bronze 20 (SO-20SB-iSR) film, for example, sports a muted bronze hue from both inside and outside the building to which it is applied, and only transits 20% of visible light, while reducing glare by 77% and rejecting 75% of total solar energy. This compares to the Bronze 35 (SO-35SB-iSR) product for which the equivalent figures are 35%, 53% and 55% respectively.

One can observe a similar trend across our assortment of Neutral Grey low mirror internal window films. This range begins with a Neutral Grey 20 (SO-20NG-iSR) film that, in accordance with its name, allows the transmission of 20% of visible light, while achieving 80% glare reduction and rejecting 70% in total solar energy. The Neutral Grey 50 (SO-50NG-iSR) product at the other end of this range, meanwhile, enables 50% of visible light to be transmitted; it also lowers glare by 45% and rejects 50% of total solar energy.

Finally, our trade customers are also able to choose between Cool Grey 20 (TSO-20CG-iSR), Cool Grey 35 (TSO-35CG-iSR) and Cool Grey 50 (TSO-50NG-iSR) films; the former of these rejects a greater proportion of total solar energy, and also achieves the most pronounced level of glare reduction.

We can guide you towards the most suitable choice for solar heat and glare control

We realise here at Stockfilms that our customers frequently begin their search for window film with widely varying applications, circumstances and requirements in mind, thereby increasing the importance of them receiving the best possible advice before committing to a purchase.

Such advice is precisely what the seasoned technicians in our team are excellently qualified to provide, alongside the most comprehensive and competitive quote for your needs. Simply call 020 8441 0449 today for the best-tailored support and pricing information.

Sometimes, shade material may be better suited to your needs than window film

21 June 2019

Are you seeking a solution that will enable you to allow natural light into a room, but not the excessive heat and distracting glare so often accompanying it? In which case, you may be dissatisfied with a situation in which the occupants of the given space have to continually adjust fabric shades on the windows during the day – which may lead you to look into window film.

It isn’t always conventional window film that represents the best answer to such a quandary, though, as is perhaps especially well-demonstrated by our shade material. We give you various options for shade material, which is also a great choice for situations where there is sometimes a need for privacy, and sometimes not.

Which varieties of shade material can we offer at present?

At the time of typing, Stockfilms offers no fewer than four different shade material products: bronze/bronze, bronze/silver, grey/silver and grey/silver/grey.

The specifications of these shade material options are not identical, so it’s well worth carefully considering these differences before making your selection. It is our grey/silver and grey/silver/grey products that offer the most impressive glare reduction, for instance, in excess of 90%.

Of these two films, it is the grey/silver/grey option that is the thickest at 100 microns, this product incorporating an additional layer of silver metallised polyester between the films to maximise heat rejection while still ensuring a low-impact appearance to the glass.

This same extra layer is also present in the 100-micron bronze/bronze shade material, which is bronze in colour to ensure a neutral look in the room. This particular film provides good solar heat and glare control, as well as full or partial privacy, protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays to minimise the fading of interior furnishings, and good visibility from the inside looking out.

Finally, we can also offer a 75-micron bronze/silver film that is silver to the exterior face, thereby helping to ward off prying eyes from outside. The silver also reflects away more heat than a more neutral appearance would make possible.

Allow us to help you in selecting the right window film

As you can see, different window film or shade material options suit different priorities, so it’s important to be sure about your own pressing needs when you come to specify one of these products. Call the Stockfilms team today on 020 8441 0449, and we’ll be able to assist you in choosing the product in our range that will best answer those needs, and at the right price.

Coloured vinyls from us are just the thing for injecting creativity into windows

6 June 2019

We will always be proud here at Stockfilms of the exceedingly wide range of applications for which our window films can be used. However, some of our products are certainly better known than others, with one of our perhaps unjustly overlooked ranges surely being our selection of coloured vinyls – of which transparent, translucent and opaque versions are available.

Why would you wish to buy these distinctive window films?

Naturally, the exact settings in which one may be inclined to install window films like these may vary according to the variant that is selected.

As one might expect, our transparent coloured vinyls are a popular choice among those specifiers and end-users that are interested in creatively decorating windows without compromising the ability to see through them. We are pleased to offer MACcrystal 8400 vinyls that are transparent, coloured and glossy; no fewer than 16 different colours are available for them, and they are often used in the manufacture of illuminated signs made from opaline acrylic sheets.

As aforementioned, though, translucent coloured vinyl window films are also available, and as their name indicates, they do still allow the passage of plenty of natural light into a room; however, they also have a role in enhancing privacy. While our MACal 9700 vinyls in this category usually appear translucent when backlit, they tend to look opaque when they aren’t illuminated.

If you want to go opaque, go opaque...

Finally, opaque coloured vinyl is another speciality of ours – or more specifically, white, black and coloured variants of our MACal 9800 Pro window film. Customers can choose between a matt or gloss finish for the black or white versions of this product, whereas if one opts for the coloured film, some 99 hues are available.

All of these opaque 66-micron window films are designed for long-term interior and exterior graphic applications where high performance is expected.

Sure enough, they incorporate a specially formulated acrylic adhesive to enhance their durability, and can be expected to last for between five and seven years, whether they are used for equipment identification, fleet marking or window graphics.

It couldn’t be simpler to enquire to our professionals

Would you appreciate further advice and guidance so that you can be sure of selecting the window films from our extensive online range that will best serve your intended purposes? If so, not only are we able to help you in this regard, but we always recommend, in any case, that our customers first get in touch with our technical department before placing any order.

Simply call 020 8441 0449 today to talk through your priorities for your next window film purchase, and to request a great-value quote from one of the industry’s most trusted wholesale distributors.