3M today announced the U.S. debut of its Exterior Window Film Prestige Series, the latest offerings in the company’s portfolio of energy-conservation solutions. Available in three gradients to meet unique needs for both new buildings and retrofit projects, the films are applied on the outside of windows to reduce the risk of thermal stress, particularly on windows with multiple glass panels.
3M’s Prestige Exterior Series is based on nanotechnology consisting of hundreds of ultra-thin layers – in total, less than the thickness of one Post-it® Note – enabling the films to provide superior heat control and glare reduction while preserving exterior and interior window views.
All three film grades – Exterior PR40, Exterior PR70 and Exterior PR90 – are designed to block up to 99.9 percent of damaging UV rays, mitigating the sun’s fading effects on upholsteries, carpets and wallpapers. Exterior PR 90 has the highest visible light transmission (VLT) available for solar window films in the market, reducing the amount of sunlight entering the building by at most 1% while nearly doubling the amount of solar energy rejected on a single pane of 1/4" thick clear glass, significantly improving internal temperatures.
These 3M’s window films also contain no metals, eliminating corrosion risk and preventing interference with wireless and cellular signals. The films’ unique characteristics recently contributed to Exterior Prestige Series film being installed on the official residence of Howard W. Gutman, the United States Ambassador to Belgium.
“Since 3M earned the world’s first patent for window films over four decades ago, the company has produced reliable solutions to lower customers’ energy costs and provide an accelerated return on investment,” said Pam Kellenberger, business manager, Energy Conservation for 3M’s Renewable Energy Division. “The Prestige Exterior Series underscores our unmatched expertise in developing advanced optical films and adhesives, and our commitment to innovation ensures that 3M will maintain its position as a leader in energy conservation for decades to come.”