The figure that matters most: to compare how cool a film keeps you, look at TSER (total solar energy rejected). For darkness, look at VLT (light that passes through). IRR and UV rejection add detail but do not replace TSER.
What is solar heat made of?
The solar energy reaching your windows is roughly 3% ultraviolet (UV), 44% visible light and 53% infrared. UV damages skin and fades interiors. Visible light causes glare. Infrared is what you feel most as heat.
That is why a film that is merely dark (cutting visible light) is not necessarily cool, and a film that rejects 99% of infrared does not reject 99% of all heat. The figure that sums it all up is TSER.
Glossary
- TSER
- VLT
- Darkness
- IRR
- UVR
- UV400
- SHGC
- VLR
- Glare reduction
- Dyed, metallised, sputtered, ceramic, carbon
- Mil
- Hard coat
- Curing time
- Shrink to fit
- Warranty card
- TSER Total Solar Energy Rejected
The percentage of all solar energy a film rejects: UV, visible light and infrared together. This is the best single figure for comparing how cool a film keeps a car or room. The higher the TSER, the less solar heat gets in. The TSER of Indium film is 60–91%, depending on the series and type.
- VLT Visible Light Transmission
The percentage of visible light that passes through the film. The lower the VLT, the darker the film. For example, INDIUM 20 PLATINUM has a VLT of 69% (the lightest) and INDIUM 80 SILVER a VLT of 5% (the darkest).
- Darkness how tint is described in Indonesia
How tint is described in Indonesia: the higher the number, the darker the film looks. In the Indium names (20, 40, 60, 80), a higher number means a darker type, but the number is not an exact percentage, and the same number in two series can differ in darkness. The real darkness is the VLT. See window tint shades & VLT.
- IRR Infrared Rejection
The percentage of infrared the film rejects. Infrared is the part of sunlight you feel most as heat. Indium rejects 75–99% of infrared, depending on the series and type. Brands measure IRR at different wavelengths, so use it together with TSER, not on its own.
- UVR UV Rejection
The percentage of ultraviolet light the film rejects. UV burns skin, tires the eyes and fades dashboards, seats and furniture. Every Indium type rejects 99% of UV.
- UV400 UV protection up to 400 nm
A film that blocks UV up to a wavelength of 400 nanometres, the upper end of the UV range.
- SHGC Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
A number from 0 to 1 showing how much solar energy gets in through the glass. It is the opposite of TSER: an SHGC of 0.17 is roughly a TSER of 83%. Often used for building film.
- VLR Visible Light Reflection
The percentage of visible light the film reflects. High VLR makes glass look like a mirror from outside. Reflective films, such as the Indium Silver series, are made to reflect on purpose, to cut glare and give daytime privacy.
- Glare reduction
How much the film cuts glare from the sun and from other cars' headlights. Important for comfortable driving in the late afternoon and at night.
- Dyed, metallised, sputtered, ceramic, carbon window film technologies
The ways a film stops heat: with dye, metal particles, a thin metal layer, ceramic particles or carbon particles. See the full comparison in types of window film.
- Mil unit of thickness
Film thickness is usually given in mils (1 mil = 0.0254 mm). Automotive film is typically around 1.5–2 mil; safety and security film for buildings can be much thicker.
- Hard coat scratch-resistant layer
A protective top layer that helps the film resist scratches from window seals and cleaning.
- Curing time after installation
The time the installation fluid needs to evaporate and the adhesive needs to bond fully. Small water spots or haze during this time are normal. Keep the windows up for 3 days after installation. See window film care.
- Shrink to fit installation technique
Shaping the film with heat so it follows the curve of the windshield and rear window and can be fitted in one piece, with no seams.
- Warranty card proof the film is genuine
Proof that the film is genuine and was installed by an official dealer. Indium window film has an official 8-year warranty you can check online with the card number. See warranty check & claims.
How to read a window film spec sheet
Say a specification sheet reads: VLT 40%, TSER 60%, IRR 90%, UV 99%. That means 40% of visible light passes through (about 60% darkness), 60% of all solar energy is rejected, 90% of infrared is rejected at the measured wavelengths, and 99% of UV is rejected.
- Compare TSER between brands at the same darkness.
- Check VLT to see how dark the film really is.
- Make sure UV rejection is at least 99%.
- Ask whether the film contains metal if phone and GPS signal matter to you.
- Make sure there is an official warranty with a card you can check.
Indium window film specifications
| Indium Platinum Clear | Indium Silver Reflective | Indium Black IR Private | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | Platinum 20 | Platinum 40 | Platinum 60 | Platinum 80 | Silver 40 | Silver 60 | Silver 80 | Black IR 40 | Black IR 60 | Black IR 80 |
| VLTVisible light through (lower = darker) | 69% | 32% | 18% | 10% | 32% | 14% | 5% | 28% | 19% | 9% |
| UVRUV rejected | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| IRRInfrared rejected | 97% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 92% | 87% | 93% | 75% | 80% | 85% |
| TSERTotal solar energy rejected | 64% | 75% | 91% | 83% | 70% | 74% | 81% | 60% | 64% | 70% |
Every series in detail: Indium products.