Is The Window Place USA an authorized vendor for government window film procurement?

Yes. The Window Place USA is a SAM.gov-registered vendor (CAGE Code: 52MH9, DUNS: 807327700) and an authorized distributor of Saint-Gobain SolarGard architectural window films. We accept GSA SmartPay and P-Cards for federal and municipal procurement of ASTM F1642-compliant Armorcoat blast mitigation films and solar control films.

Which window film is recommended for school safety and delayed intrusion?

For school safety applications, we recommend SolarGard Armorcoat Safety and Security Window Film in 8-Mil or 14-Mil thicknesses. These films are tested to delay forced entry, buying critical time for law enforcement response, and hold shattered glass together to minimize injury during impact events. Both the 8-Mil and 14-Mil products are certified to ASTM F1642 blast mitigation standards.

Does SolarGard Ecolux 70 Low-E qualify for the Federal Energy Tax Credit?

SolarGard Ecolux 70 Low-E window film may qualify for the 30% Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit (Section 25C, IRS Form 5695) under the Inflation Reduction Act for qualifying residential installations through December 31, 2032, subject to an annual cap of $1,200. Consult your tax advisor to confirm eligibility for your specific installation.

Does The Window Place USA ship window film to all 50 states?

Yes. The Window Place USA ships factory-sealed SolarGard master rolls via FedEx Ground and Freight to all 50 states. Orders placed before 2:00 PM EST are eligible for same-day dispatch. We do not offer overnight or expedited shipping options.

Improving Home Comfort: How DOE-Recommended Window Films Reduce Glare and Heat

Posted by The Window Place USA on Mar 17th 2026

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Efficient Window Coverings. Retrieved from [https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-window-coverings](https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-window-coverings). U.S. Department of Energy. Update or Replace Windows. Public domain.

The Problem with Sun-Facing Rooms

Every home has that one room—the sunroom, the west-facing living room, or the master bedroom with the beautiful bay window—that becomes unbearably hot and uncomfortably bright in the late afternoon.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) notes that "in cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat" [1]. This massive influx of solar energy not only drives up your air conditioning bill but also creates harsh glare that makes it impossible to watch television, work on a computer, or simply relax.

To solve this problem, the DOE recommends retrofitting existing windows with solar control window film.

Beating the Heat Without Losing the View

Homeowners often try to mitigate solar heat gain by closing the blinds or pulling heavy drapes. While this blocks the sun, it also plunges the room into darkness and completely eliminates the view outside.

Window film offers a superior alternative. The DOE states that surface-applied window films "help block against solar heat gain and protect against glare and ultraviolet exposure" [1]. Because the film is applied directly to the glass, it functions continuously. As the DOE points out, window films "can be useful for homeowners who don’t want to block views with other window treatments, but who have issues with glare and solar heat gain" [1].

How to Choose the Right Film for Comfort

When selecting a window film to improve room comfort, it is essential to understand how the film performs. The DOE recommends looking for films rated by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) [1].

To maximize comfort, you need to balance two key metrics:

NFRC Rating Metric	What It Means for Home Comfort
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)	Measures how much heat passes through the film. The DOE advises: "The lower the SHGC, the better the film is at blocking heat gain" [1].
Visible Transmittance (VT)	Measures how much visible light passes through. The DOE notes: "The higher the VT, the more potential for daylighting" [1].

For a room that suffers from severe glare, you might choose a film with a lower VT to act like "sunglasses" for your window. For a room where you want to maximize natural light but still block the heat, you would look for a spectrally selective film with a high VT but a low SHGC.

A Low-Cost, DIY Upgrade

Improving your home's comfort doesn't require a massive renovation budget. The DOE explicitly lists "add solar control film" as a recommended step to update existing windows for efficiency [2].

Furthermore, the DOE acknowledges that window films "are available for do-it-yourself projects" [1]. By purchasing a supply-only roll of professional-grade film, you can easily apply the material yourself. This DIY approach allows you to dramatically increase the comfort of your sun-facing rooms for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional installation crew or replacing the windows entirely.

The Window Place USA: DIY Comfort Solutions

The Window Place USA provides homeowners with NFRC-rated solar control window films designed to drastically reduce heat and glare. Reclaim your sun-facing rooms with our easy-to-install, supply-only rolls.

Stop suffering through hot afternoons and harsh glare. Contact us today to find the perfect film to improve your home's comfort: inquiries@thewindowplaceusa.com | (866) 274-2769.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will window film make my room cooler?
Yes. By rejecting up to 80% of solar heat before it enters the room, window film can significantly reduce the temperature in sun-facing rooms, making them much more comfortable [1].

Does window film help with glare on my TV?
Absolutely. Window films reduce the harsh visible light (glare) that washes out television and computer screens, much like wearing a pair of polarized sunglasses [1].

Are window films hard to install myself?
No. With a little patience and the right tools, homeowners can easily install window film on flat glass. The DOE notes that these films are widely available for DIY projects [1].

References

[1] U.S. Department of Energy. "Energy Efficient Window Coverings." Energy Saver. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-window-coverings
[2] U.S. Department of Energy. "Update or Replace Windows." Energy Saver. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/update-or-replace-windows