Quick answer
These are the published performance numbers for the EDGE architectural window films Texas Tinted installs on Houston commercial buildings: visible light transmission (VLT), reflectance, shading coefficient, solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), total solar energy rejected (TSER), U-value, UV and infrared rejection. We also install HITEK architectural films and 3M™ films. Use these tables to shortlist a film, then ask us for the full data sheet for your glass.
For architects, facility managers and property managers
A film proposal should be backed by numbers you can check. This page lists the values EDGE publishes for each film, so you can compare heat rejection, light and reflectivity before a sample ever goes on the glass.
Every value below comes from EDGE’s product sheets. We don’t round them up or add our own claims.
Interior solar control lines
Applied to the inside of the glass. Pristine keeps a near-clear look; Silver and Bronze reject the most heat and give daytime privacy; Cool Alloy sits between them.
| EDGE line | Shades (VLT %) | TSER | Glare reduction | IR rejection | UV | Look |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pristine | 30, 40, 50, 70, 80 | Up to 59% | Up to 61% | Up to 89% | 99% | Lighter shades keep a near-clear view |
| Cool Alloy | 20, 35, 60 | Up to 65% | Up to 78% | Up to 83% | 99% | Reflective |
| Silver | 20, 30, 40 | Up to 78% | Up to 79% | Up to 94% | 99% | Silver reflective, daytime privacy |
| Bronze | 20, 35 | Up to 81% | Up to 75% | Up to 93% | 99% | Warm bronze-copper tone, daytime privacy |
EDGE publishes these interior lines as “up to” values, which describe the best-performing shade in each line, not every shade. All four are dye-free with a scratch-resistant hard coat.
UltraView dual-reflective film
More reflective outside than inside, so offices get heat, glare and daytime privacy control with less mirror effect on the inside of the glass at night. Note how interior reflectance (VLR in) stays well below exterior reflectance.
| Film | VLT | VLR out | VLR in | SC | SHGC | TSER | U-value | UV | IR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UltraView 5 | 6% | 56% | 15% | 0.23 | 0.20 | 80% | 0.96 | >99% | 94% |
| UltraView 15 | 14% | 48% | 21% | 0.29 | 0.25 | 75% | 0.96 | >99% | 91% |
| UltraView 25 | 27% | 27% | 14% | 0.47 | 0.40 | 60% | 0.99 | >99% | 81% |
| UltraView 35 | 38% | 13% | 8% | 0.63 | 0.55 | 45% | 1.02 | >99% | 50% |
Nature film
Less reflective outside than the darker UltraView and Silver films, for daytime privacy without a strong mirrored look where building rules limit reflectivity.
| Film | VLT | VLR out | VLR in | SC | SHGC | TSER | U-value | UV | IR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature 10 | 9% | 19% | 12% | 0.36 | 0.31 | 69% | 0.95 | >99% | 83% |
| Nature 20 | 19% | 29% | 17% | 0.40 | 0.34 | 66% | 0.96 | >99% | 86% |
| Nature 30 | 28% | 21% | 10% | 0.51 | 0.44 | 56% | 0.97 | >99% | 73% |
X Series exterior film
Applied to the outside of the glass when an interior film would put too much heat stress on it, or when the inside can’t be reached. Exterior Silver 15 has the highest TSER on this page, at 85%.
| Film | VLT | VLR out | VLR in | SC | SHGC | TSER | U-value | UV | IR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ext Silver 15 | 14% | 72% | 69% | 0.18 | 0.15 | 85% | 1.01 | >99% | 94% |
| Ext Silver 35 | 36% | 42% | 39% | 0.41 | 0.36 | 64% | 1.05 | >99% | 89% |
| Ext Cool Alloy 20 | 20% | 27% | 25% | 0.37 | 0.32 | 68% | 1.02 | >99% | 83% |
| Ext Cool Alloy 40 | 40% | 14% | 13% | 0.46 | 0.46 | 54% | 1.04 | >99% | 56% |
| Ext Pristine 70 | 68% | 9% | 8% | 0.61 | 0.53 | 47% | Not listed | >99% | 88% |
| Ext Pristine 80 | 78% | 9% | 9% | 0.68 | 0.59 | 41% | Not listed | >99% | 76% |
“Not listed” means EDGE’s sheet gives no U-value for that film. More on when exterior film makes sense.
Clear Defense anti-graffiti film
A clear, sacrificial layer for storefront glass, mirrors and other high-traffic surfaces. When it’s scratched or etched, the film is removed and replaced instead of the glass.
- Visible light transmission up to 89%
- 99% UV rejection
- Available in 4 mil and 6 mil
- Used in retail, hospitality and transportation
Decorative film
EDGE decorative films add privacy between glassed sections and can be cut into gradients and patterns.
- Blackout
- Whiteout
- Dusted Crystal
- Frost
- 99% UV rejection
See privacy and decorative film for where it’s used.
What each column means
VLR is visible light reflectance, outside and inside. SC is the shading coefficient, an older measure of solar heat gain compared with clear glass; lower is better. U-value measures heat moving through the glass; lower insulates better.
| Measurement | What it tells you | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Visible light transmission (VLT) | The share of visible light that passes through the glass and film. | Lower VLT means less glare and more daytime privacy, but darker rooms. Darker is not automatically cooler. |
| Total solar energy rejected (TSER) | The share of the sun’s total energy (visible, infrared and UV) kept out of the room. | The best single number for comparing heat control between films. Compare values quoted on the same glass. |
| Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) | The fraction of solar heat that ends up inside, from 0 to 1. | Lower is better for cooling. Engineers and energy models use SHGC; it is roughly 1 minus TSER. |
| Infrared (IR) rejection | How much of a selected band of infrared light the film blocks. | Often measured over a narrow band, so it can look higher than the film’s real heat performance. Use TSER to compare. |
| UV rejection | How much ultraviolet light is blocked. | Most quality films block 99% or more. UV is one cause of fading; visible light and heat also contribute. |
| Visible light reflectance | How mirror-like the glass looks, measured outside and inside. | Drives the building’s exterior look, landlord and association approvals, and the night-time mirror effect indoors. |
| Emissivity and U-factor | How easily the window loses or gains heat by radiation and conduction. | Low-e films lower emissivity, which improves insulation. Relevant for winter comfort and older single-pane glass. |
Film makers publish these values for the film on a reference glass, usually clear single pane. On other glass the numbers change, so ask for the data for your glass type.
How to use these numbers
- Compare TSER for heat, not shade or IR rejection alone
- Check exterior reflectance against building and association rules
- Check interior reflectance if people work there after dark
- Match VLT to how much daylight the space needs
- Ask for data on your glass: values change on tinted, low-e and insulated glass
Samples, data sheets and approvals
We bring samples to install on your glass, the full EDGE product data sheets, and the film-to-glass check for each glass type. That’s usually what a landlord, property manager or architect needs to sign off.
Glass comes first. Film absorbs part of the sun’s energy, which warms the glass. Most glass handles that easily, but large panes, heat-absorbing tinted glass, insulated units, partly shaded panes and chipped edges can be stressed by the wrong film. We identify each glass type and check it against the film maker’s film-to-glass guidelines before recommending anything. When an interior film isn’t a safe match, an exterior-mounted film or a different film often is.
Films from 3M™, EDGE and HITEK carry manufacturer warranties of 10 years or lifetime, depending on the film line and how it is used. Your proposal names the film and its warranty in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Which EDGE film rejects the most heat?
In EDGE’s published data, X Series Exterior Silver 15 has the highest TSER at 85%, followed by the Bronze interior line at up to 81% and UltraView 5 at 80%. The right film also depends on your glass, light needs and building rules.
What is the difference between UltraView and Silver film?
UltraView is dual-reflective: it is much less reflective on the inside than the outside (UltraView 15 reflects 48% outside and 21% inside), which helps the view out at night. Silver film is mirrored on both sides; the exterior Silver 15 reflects 72% outside and 69% inside.
Are these numbers measured on my glass?
No. Film makers publish values on a reference glass. On tinted, low-e or insulated glass the numbers change, so ask us for the data for your glass type.
Do you install HITEK architectural film too?
Yes. We install HITEK architectural films and 3M™ films as well as EDGE, and recommend a film after checking your glass and goals.
What does “up to” mean on the interior lines?
It is the value for the best-performing shade in that line. Lighter shades in the same line reject less heat and glare.
Plan your commercial window film project
Tell us about the building and the problem you want to solve. We’ll set up a free consultation and site assessment, then send a written proposal. Prefer to talk? Call or text (832) 492-5314.