Glare Reduction Window Film in Charlotte

Glare Problems in Charlotte Home Offices and Media Rooms

A large share of Charlotte's workforce works in banking, finance and corporate offices, and many of those people now spend part of the week at a desk at home. The spare bedroom that became an office was rarely designed for screens. If the desk faces a window, the monitor washes out. If it faces away, the reflection of the window sits right in the middle of the screen.

Media rooms and family rooms have the same problem with TVs. A west window opposite a big screen makes afternoon viewing difficult, and closing the blinds turns a bright room into a cave. Glare reduction film lowers visible light transmission at the glass by a chosen amount, so the screen stays readable and the room stays lit.

Lake Norman Glare Reduction Film for Waterfront Homes

Houses on Lake Norman in Cornelius, Davidson and Mooresville are designed around the water view, and that view usually faces west or south across open water. Sunlight reflects off the lake surface at a low angle, so glare reaches deep into rooms and rises up from below, where roof overhangs don't help. Docks, boats and light-colored decks add more reflected light.

Lakefront owners generally don't want a dark film that dulls the view they paid for. A neutral glare film that cuts brightness without a strong color cast keeps the water looking natural. For the worst west walls, a light dual-reflective film can reduce glare and heat further while looking less mirrored from inside than outside.

Winter Sun and Glare Through South Windows

Glare isn't only a summer issue. From Thanksgiving into February the sun crosses low over the southern tree line, and its light slants far into rooms through south-facing windows that are shaded in July. Kitchens and living rooms facing south can be hard to use in the middle of a clear winter day, with light bouncing off counters and floors.

A light glare film on that south glass keeps the winter sun's warmth while trimming its brightness. Charlotte winters are mild enough that most homeowners welcome the free solar warmth in January and only want to stop squinting at the kitchen island. A low-reflective film also keeps the night view out to the yard looking like plain glass. A film with modest visible light reduction and low reflectivity fits that job.

• Low winter sun deep into south rooms
• Late-afternoon summer sun on west glass
• Reflected light off Lake Norman and pool decks
• Bright light behind TVs and monitors

Picking the Right Glare Reduction Level

Every glare film carries a VLT number, short for visible light transmission, which says how much daylight survives the trip through it. A film that passes more light keeps rooms bright and suits mild glare. One that passes less handles severe glare but makes the room noticeably dimmer on a cloudy day. Most homes land in the middle.

The best way to choose is to see it. We bring samples of several levels and place them on the problem window during the time of day when glare is worst. You look at your own screen or your own view through each one. Neutral gray and slightly bronze tones look most natural, and low-reflective films avoid the mirror look at night.