You know that window graphics can transform a space. But that transformation can go two ways. Faded, weather-worn graphics can bring your business negative attention, they can erode consumer trust, and pull down employee morale. And having graphics in poor shape is a totally avoidable situation. Making deliberate choices about window graphics material early in the design process can help you ensure that in three months, your graphics are still vibrant, clear, and powerful. Material discussions are particularly important when the graphic installation is exposed to sunlight.

Explore what it means to use the “right” materials and see how doing that is good not only for the graphics, but also for the entire building.

The Perils of the Sun

It doesn’t take long for sunlight to affect a graphic. With the wrong material, you’ll start to see color loss as the graphics start to get cloudy before fading back into ghost-like images. This is caused by the sun’s UV rays. Our bodies use this ultraviolet radiation for vitamin D and to tan, but physical materials have no use for this form of energy, as it can cause chemical bonds to break down, which, over time, leads to visual and physical changes.

How the Window Graphics Materials Benefit the Building

Because it happens over time, most people don’t think about the effect that UV rays have on the interior of a space. With constant exposure to UV light, wall coverings can fade, wooden furniture will begin to discolor, and the physical structure of chairs and couches can break down as material dries out and warps.

You don’t have to keep the blinds down though, applying a UV curable window film can help you preserve your office interior while enjoying the view. Most UV window films can block 99% of UVA and UVB rays. You can get this protection with a clear UV window film, or you can incorporate a graphic design with material like LINTEC’s ECO-2200ZC. It’s possible to have both a design and protection with this material because the UV-blocking agent is added directly to the adhesive layer. You’ll receive UV protection while retaining 100% optical clarity for your design.

It’s important to note that if materials for window graphics offer UV protection, they do not immediately provide solar control. Solar control comes from specific types of films that can reduce glare and help stabilize temperatures in a room.

Interior Vs Exterior Installation Locations

There may be a number of different spaces in your office with window graphics exposed to the sun. Depending on the location, though, those exposure levels will be different.

• Windows like the ones you see in an office conference room that are facing East and South are used to brighten up the interior, so they have strong, consistent sunlight exposure. Window graphics in these areas are generally installed on the inside of the glass, so UV-rays become slightly distilled when passing through treated glass panes before they reach the graphics. It is still important though to have a layer of UV protection as part of the window film material.
• Glass spaces a little further inside the building, such as doors and architectural structures, may be exposed to inconsistent, indirect sunlight.
• Exterior windows and doors in a restaurant or retail space will be faced with the full power of the sun, along with other environmental elements. The material used in these spaces should be durable, scratch-resistant, and contain a layer of UV protection to maintain the integrity of the graphic messaging.

Benefits of Clear UV-Blocking Films

Ensuring that your window graphic materials incorporate a layer of UV-blocking offers a number of benefits, including:

• Maintaining clear site lines and not blacking out a window so occupants can still enjoy the sun from the windows.
• Providing your window graphics with protection to enable it to maintain the high-level of clarity and quality it was designed to have.
• Offering an additional level of protection for the interior of your space.

UV-curable films from LINTEC can provide these benefits while delivering stunning window graphics. They can be easily installed and cleaned without any special solutions. If your graphic is going into a high traffic area you can also add an overlaminate for scuff and scratch protection.

In some locations, the best option may be to use a clear UV film. This can preserve the architectural purpose of a space like an atrium while providing strong UV-protection.

LINTEC Has the UV Window Film Materials to Make Your Message Last

You want people talking about your window graphics, but for the right reasons. Using the right window graphic materials is one way to do that. When you have sun-facing windows, having the window film materials for your graphic that can provide clarity and UV protection can increase the graphic’s longevity and ensure the message it conveys is always clear.

Before you install window graphics that could fade fast and lead to issues inside as well, let the UV experts at LINTEC help you find the perfect window graphic materials for your space.