October 2022
Welcome to the October 2022 issue of Window Film News.
As the industry rights itself after the disruptions of the past two years, one thing is abundantly clear. The Australian and New Zealand window film industry is robust, resilient, adaptive and through the efforts of WFAANZ, poised to capitalise on new opportunities. In this issue we review the events and news affecting tinters and window film suppliers as we head into the hotter months.
Aussie team claims gold at the IWFA Tint-Off
Perth-based window film installers Complete Film Solutions won the Decorative Window Film division at the 2022 International Window Film Conference & Tint Off. Last month the annual IWFA conference and competition held in San Antonio, Texas, attracted hundreds of tinters from far and wide who compete in the architectural, automotive, paint protection and decorative divisions. The decorative film competition was a new category in 2022.
The winning team from Complete Film Solutions comprised Brent Caithness on install, Gayle Marshall on graphic design, and Chris Caithness who produced the design portfolio and wrote the design concept. According to Brent, it was his wife Chris who also encouraged him to enter the competition.
“Just getting to compete was a detailed process,” Brent said, “It involved Chris compiling a portfolio of past decorative jobs. From that submission, we were told we were one of four finalists and were invited to participate in the live finals. We were given the design theme three weeks before the event, so that’s when Chris, Gayle and myself really got to work.”
The theme was “What does the window film industry mean to you?”. The requirements were simple. On competition day each finalist would be given two hours and a window measuring 1900mm W x 1130mm H, on which they were to install at least one piece of film on one side and two pieces on the other.
Brent ended up installing over 60 pieces of film to surface one and two, which took him just on two hours.
Brent comments, “There were two reasons we decided to use this number of pieces – for decorative effect and due to the distance traveled to compete. To get to the US we had two long haul flights and a 20 hour stop over, and we didn’t want to risk the film getting lost in transit. So, all the design elements were planned and cut to fit within a 550mm tube, which passed as carry-on luggage.”
The end result was an intricate and eye-catching design that followed a sub theme: ‘From little things, big things grow’.
“One side of the glass represents the little things, with a small house that signifies our business’ humble beginnings,” Brent explains, “The big things side of the glass depicts what our business has grown into, with a train symbolic of our 15 year contract with Perth’s local train fleet and the LNG tanker representing our reputation for providing ‘out of the box’ solutions to difficult installs. This was inspired by a job we had a few years back installing film on six LNG Tankers that were on a ship off the north west coast of WA, which was completed while the ship was in motion between ports.
“The Perth cityscape highlights the larger projects we have the capacity to take on with our growing team,” Brent continues, “…and the black swan is our WA state emblem. The Norfolk pines are synonymous with Australian coastal ports and the fern is a nod to my New Zealand heritage. The way our graphic designer Gayle merged these different ideas to create two stunning and integrated images that work on both sides of the glass was really amazing.”
And just how did he get that massive trophy home on the plane?
“I had to take it apart,” Brent said. “I dissembled it and put in into the tubes I originally used to take the film pieces across to the States. My son and I put it back together as soon as we got home.”
Where it will undoubtedly be displayed for years to come.
Congratulations from WFAANZ to Complete Film Solutions for the massive win.
White paper gains traction
Shrinking the carbon footprint of mid-tier commercial and residential buildings is critical to Australia meeting its net zero carbon emission targets. This imperative prompted WFAANZ to release an industry white paper – Window Film & Decarbonisation: exploring the role of window film in the transition to climate positive buildings.
An industry collaboration, the report frames window film within the context of decarbonisation. By offering immediate energy efficiency benefit, window film moderates peak demand on utilities while easing the cost of living on home and building owners.
WFAANZ President, Ally Cronan, comments, “Window film is the unsung hero of green renovations. The white paper underpins the work of WFAANZ and our members in highlighting the impact of window film in terms of thermal performance, to clearly define its role within the decarbonisation framework.”
Once dubbed ‘thermal holes’, badly designed or inappropriate windows can be a major source of unwanted heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter – two factors directly influencing energy usage. Up to 87% of a home’s heating energy can be gained and up to 40% lost through windows.
Ally adds, “A building’s electricity and gas consumption is explicitly linked to the performance of its glazing systems, yet the expense of window replacement on the scale required to meet net zero goals is prohibitive. With window film, the energy efficiency of an existing window can be dramatically boosted at a fraction of the cost of window replacement, and with far less construction waste.”
A 2022 Berkeley Lab Window NBNL report found that 83% of solar energy is transmitted through a 3mm clear glass window. After a reflective 20% window film was applied, the level of solar transmission was just 12%.
The WERS For Film program provides independently verified energy ratings for window film products, which have been simulated by an Australian Fenestration Rating Council (AFRC) accredited laboratory. The ratings can be plugged in to energy rating software NatHERS, and are included in the material libraries for versions of Accurate, FirstRate and BERS. These ratings enable accurate comparisons of the energy performance of window films, with labels for their annual energy impact on a whole house, in any climate of Australia.
Ally concludes, “The WFAANZ mission is to connect those seeking to improve a building’s energy performance with reliable window film information, ratings and installers. The newly released WFAANZ white paper demonstrates how window film can reduce the carbon footprint of the Australian built environment through a network of professional installers and WERS-rated films.”
Have you seen these WFAANZ white paper articles in Green Review and Southeast Asia Building News? Review the full articles here.
Making a case for energy program inclusion
Government departments incentivise the uptake of products/renovations/upgrades that improve energy efficiency of existing buildings through various initiatives.
In August, WFAANZ leveraged the WFAANZ White Paper to secure a meeting with Energy Policy Advisor, Sarah Wademan, NSW Energy Ministry and Steve Buckley, Manager for the ESS Safeguard for Planning NSW.
The discussion centered on window film’s inclusion in two key programs:
1. NSW Government Rebate swap for solar and energy efficient upgrades program.
- Supports eligible renters, apartment dwellers or social housing tenants identify cost effective ways to reduce bills and improve energy efficiency
- Current approved upgrades – energy efficient dryers, air-conditioners, hot water systems, window shading and draught sealing
- WFAANZ requested window films be a recommended option
2. NSW Energy Security Safeguard
- The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) provides financial incentives for households and businesses cut electricity and gas use by making it cheaper to invest in an upgrade project
- WFAANZ requested window films be included as an Activity Definition under the Home Energy Efficiency Retrofits clause of the ESS
WFAANZ is compiling the report needed to secure the placement of window film in these programs, which includes commissioning modelling data and writing criteria definitions.
We will update WFAANZ members and WERS accredited individuals on the progress of these discussions, and will ensure both groups are fully briefed on the opportunity and know how to get involved.
WFAANZ joins ASBEC
WFAANZ was approved as a voting member of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) at its Council meeting on Wednesday, 27 July. ASBEC is the peak body of key organisations committed to a sustainable built environment in Australia.
As the leading association for the Trans-Tasman window film industry, WFAANZ actively promotes the sustainability benefits of window film as a retrofit building material.
Alison Scotland, ASBEC Executive Director, comments, “Our mission is to provide a peak collaborative forum for organisations who champion a sustainable future through policy, engagement and advocacy. We welcome the industry-specific insights and perspectives WFAANZ will bring to the Council and look forward to WFAANZ support to execute on our policy priorities.”
WFAANZ President, Ally Cronan, comments, “Membership of ASBEC will consolidate our efforts to promote the energy efficiency of window film and the important role our members can play in reducing the cost of living on Australian homes and businesses. Through this alliance with ASBEC,” Ally continues, “…WFAANZ joins with other like-minded industry groups to help shape a comprehensive decarbonisation roadmap.”
Eoin Geaney, WFAANZ Vice President, will represent WFAANZ on the Council.
Driving for excellence
The owner of this Tesla Model 3 drove from Brisbane to Hervey Bay for a complete ceramic film and paint protection package. New WFAANZ member CT Tinting exemplifying top notch workmanship.
If you have a picture of a job you’re proud of, email ally.cronan@optusnet.com.au.
Cancer Council dispels UV myth
Can you get burnt through an untinted window in a vehicle? According to this Cancer Council brochure entitled 10 myths about sun protection, the answer is yes you can. Untinted glass does reduce, but not completely block, UV radiation. For the best UV protection, window film is the solution. When this info was posted on the WFAANZ Facebook page, it reached 2,823 different people.
Architectural Window Film certificate
Congratulations to Chris Wingard, AlpineTint, for recently passing the WFAANZ Architectural Window Film Exam (previously called the Flat Glass Exam). Upon receiving this certificate, Chris can now participate in the online WERS For Film training and attain his WERS For Film accreditation.
“With all the interest in energy efficiency, sustainability and green renovations, the energy efficiency of window film has always been a huge selling point,” Chris said.
“In the area we operate (North East Victoria and Southern New South Wales including the Alpine region), where temperatures range from well below zero to the mid and high forties, the impact of window film on the thermal performance of a building is an integral message. With this in mind, having the credential of a WERS For Film accreditation will prove to our customers our proficiency in this field. I see it as a vital part of our business offering moving forward.”
The Architectural Window Film Exam is available for members and non members of WFAANZ, although our members receive significant discounts. It works like this – you’re sent an education guide that you study at your own pace. When ready, you contact WFAANZ and receive a login to complete the exam online.
For more information, here is the course flyer. Contact Michelle at info@wfaanz.org.au to order an education guide.
WEBINAR NEWS: WFAANZ will present the Architectural Window Film Exam as a webinar in the near future for our members. Stay tuned for dates and registration details.
Australia passes Climate Change Bill
On 8 September 2022 federal parliament passed the Australian Government’s Climate Change Bill 2022 and consequential amendments, setting Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets into law.
More information here.
New NCC now available online
The Australian Building Codes Board published the National Construction Code 2022 on the October 1 2022. NCC 2019 (including Amendment 1) remains effective until 1st May 2023, at which time the new NCC will become nationally effective.
It can be accessed here.
Vale Rob Tait
On July 6 the Australian window film industry sadly lost one of its legends, Rob Tait. Rob was renowned as one of our industry’s most prolific tinters. On hearing the sad news Crystal Gross from Tint Daddy’s put together a gesture of condolence on behalf of the window film industry. Sentiments from tinters and industry stakeholders were compiled and sent with flowers and a gift basket to ensure Rob’s family were aware of the effect he had on our industry, and the people who knew him. Many thanks to everyone involved. Below is a story about Rob written by his friend and fellow window film installer, Lawrence Howes.
Remembering Rob Tait, by Lawrence Howes
Rob Tait started in the film industry way back in the mid 70’s and never lost his passion for the product and how it was fitted, particularly in auto, hence his business name CAR TINT, which he operated for 40+ years. He will be remembered by many as a gentleman, fastidious in his work and customer service plus of course his general knowledge of the film product.
I first met Rob back in 1977 in the days where we would mix up the adhesive on the day to adhere the film to the glass and I regularly spoke tint talk with him right until his last weeks. The tint industry has lost a true professional and I have lost a friend.
RIP Rob Tait, 5/1/1952 — 6/7/2022.
QUOTES OF NOTE
Kidsafe recommends safety film
According to Kidsafe QLD, an average of 220 children aged 4 and under present at Queensland hospital emergency departments each year as a result of glass injury. To prevent accidents, Kidsafe suggests: “Consider using safety film on low level areas”
Facility Executive
“Window film as a building retrofit solution can be one of the quickest and simplest energy conservation measures available, as well as the most cost effective.” – Facility Executive magazine.
Health benefits
“Being exposed to bright light or glare” – a common cause of an eyestrain headache, according to the Mayo Clinic. Reduce glare by installing window film and enjoy the natural light without the discomfort.
Seeking sustainability
“Existing buildings are in competition with new buildings to attract new tenants. But we are seeing a changing mindset among tenants. Tenants are looking for a high-quality building, not necessarily a new one. A high-quality building is one that aligns with a tenant’s sustainability targets.” — Jason Yang, Senior Sustainable Building Design Consultant, Arup.
Red Energy
“Window films are a cost effective way of reducing solar heat increases through your windows” advises Red Energy, in its guide to energy efficient windows.
RACE for 2030 CRC
“A bespoke home retrofit, addressing needs identified through a whole-of-home assessment could reduce an average home energy bill by up to $1,600 per year.” Finding from the “Pathways to Scale: Retrofitting One Million+ Homes” report released by the Reliable Affordable Clean Energy for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre (RACE for 2030 CRC).
ASK AWAY
Is it UV or visible light that contributes to fading and glare?
Fading is a complex phenomenon that has many variables dependent on the site specifics and location such as:
– direction – north, east, west, south facing
– geography, sun inclination, time of day, season
– weather
– heat/temperature
– visible light levels
– humidity
– air pollutants
– the quality of dyes/coatings/pigments etc. in furnishings and building materials and their inherent resistance to fading
– etc etc.
As a rule of thumb, the global window film industry has come up with a general guide for fading contributing factors which has fading being caused by 40% UV light, 25% heat, 25% visible light and 10% other factors such as humidity, pollutants, etc.
UV is the largest contributor, but other factors also add to the amount of total fading. Most film manufacturers will nominate a fade reduction % for their products based on this 40/25/25/10 rule of thumb.
Is it possible to a have safety film and low e film applied to upgrade typical float glass installations to address both upgrading to meet AS/NZS 2208 and energy performance? Is there a single product that would do both?
None that exist in the market at present. Applying a safety film first then the low E film over the top would certainly provide all the safety and energy control advantages. The thing to consider in these installations is whether the manufacturer will offer a warranty for such a dual layer install, so the installer is advised to check this with their film supplier first.
Why do reflective films reflect from the outside in daylight, but become reflective to the inside at night allowing external vision through?
Best way to explain this is to set up a scenario. Say you’re standing on the street in daytime looking at a reflective house window. Because it’s a bright sunny day it is a much lower light level inside the home than out on the street. Let’s assume the film on the house has a VLT of about 30% which means its darkness only transmits 30% of visible light to pass through it either way. The light in the room, albeit not overly bright, still is visible and that visible light is travelling out through the window to the street where you are, but the film then cuts that light down by 70% as it passes through the film.
So back to you on the street where your eyes are taking in visible light and you are looking at the reflective window. The reflective window is bouncing / mirroring visible light back to you which is a high lux level as it’s from the sun, however at the same time there is the light from the room coming to you through the film.
Privacy film works because the balance of the reflected sunlight and the transmitted room light, and the fact the sunlight is many times brighter than the room light which was lower to start with and was then cut down 70% by the film. So, your eyes trying to take in the available visible light mostly sees the bright, reflected light from the film – which swamps the small amount of light coming from the room inside the house.
At night, the effect completely reverses. There is very little light outside to enter into the room, and lights inside become the dominant light source. Just like in the day, your eyes are being overwhelmed with the light mirroring off the reflective film and the tiny amount of light from maybe street lights or moon light is being cut down 70% and can’t compete with the much brighter room light.
For commercial buildings wanting a reflective film for heat rejection and/or daytime privacy, we typically install a reflective film that looks the same from each side. It’s a single layer reflective product because commercial buildings don’t typically operate at night, so the fact you are getting a mirror appearance inside at night does not matter.
For a residential home it is more common to install what’s called a dual reflective film. This is a reflective layer just like the commercial film, but it’s laminated to a low reflective film as well. When installed the reflective side faces the street and the low reflective side faces the room. This then means that privacy is achieved during the day, but at night the home owner doesn’t get the strong mirror look on their windows, which is typically not what people want. This is when curtains or blinds complement films. Films will provide the heat rejection and daytime privacy while allowing the curtains or blinds to remain open giving you access to daylight and the view, and then at night when you need privacy and there’s nothing much to see outside in the dark, you can close the curtains or blinds.
MEMBERS
Introducing Michelle Bracken
The WFAANZ secretariat is now managed by Michelle Bracken, who took over from Deb King earlier this year. Michelle handles all membership registrations and monitors the info@wfaanz.org.au email. She’s the one to contact with requests or enquiries. We welcome her to the WFAANZ family.
From Michelle: “A big thanks to the executive committee and association members who I have already had the pleasure of meeting and working with. Everyone has been really welcoming and it’s wonderful to interact with people who are so passionate and knowledgeable. There is certainly a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes at WFAANZ that I’m loving learning about.
I have come from a clubs background, predominantly in the golfing industry, as an Operations Manager leading large teams in the hospitality sector, training, attending board meetings, AGMs, working closely with directors, industry governing bodies and associations.
I applied for this role as it seemed like an interesting way to apply some of the skills and learn more in an industry of interest. I look forward to working with you all to grow and strengthen WFAANZ and the Australian and New Zealand window film industry.”
Welcome new members
- Tactical Tint Australia, VIC
- CT Tinting, QLD
- Jim’s Tinting Glen Waverly, VIC
- My Tint, VIC
Tinter catch up at Crown on tonight
Call out to the Melbourne tint community. WFAANZ treasurer Andrew Booth has organised a tinter’s catch up from 7pm, Friday 21st October at the Crown Casino Sports Bar. Everyone’s welcome to come and enjoy a casual and informal night catching up and sharing stories with those in the film business. Image source: visit victoria.
Make membership mean something
If you don’t make your WFAANZ membership mean something, you won’t maximise your return. An easy way to explain to your customers how your membership benefits them is by including this blurb on your website:
About the Window Film Association of Australia and New Zealand
As the peak body for the Australian and New Zealand window film industry, WFAANZ represents close to 200 installers, manufacturers and distributors of window film, serving as a unified voice advocating for the benefits of window film technology.
Established in 1992 as an independent, non-profit association, WFAANZ sets performance guidelines for its members, which includes a strict code of conduct and compliance with all relevant Australian and New Zealand regulations and standards. WFAANZ members receive exclusive industry information and have access to training programs and technical bulletins.
As a proud member of WFAANZ, you can rest assured of (insert your company name)’s commitment to working to the highest industry standard.
Visit www.wfaanz.org.au for more information.
Solving problems for decades
For a trip down memory lane, check out this ad from The Courier Mail, 1977. So much has changed in terms of performance, durability, composition, installation, adhesion, but the benefits remain the same, with window film providing a convenient and cost effective solution to heat, glare and fading.
Origins story
WFAANZ was established in 1992 when it successfully overturned a NSW government ban on auto tint. The need for an industry body to defend the interests of tinters is as pressing now as it was then. Now in its 30th year, WFAANZ continues to ensure window film has a seat at the table when government and industry make decisions that impact installers.
Working together
Energy programs, training announcements, new NCC, Australian Standard committees debating safety film, VLT regulations – WFAANZ is right now working on numerous fronts to represent the interests of tinters. If you’re a tinter who cares about standards, wants to grow the industry, and recognises the power of a united voice, then you should join.
For further information about the ways WFAANZ can work with you, feel free to email info@wfaanz.org.au.
Stay safe and be well.
From Ally Cronan, WFAANZ President
