Glare can be a severe problem all year round. Left unchecked, bright light can pass through glazing and make for a very difficult and uncomfortable environment. It can make it difficult to focus on screens or colleagues, and in particularly bad cases, continued working in conditions exposed to glare can lead to eyestrain and other health issues.
Applying specialist glare-reduction window film can alleviate the issue, and The Window Film Company was engaged to provide a solution to an ongoing problem at a large facility in Hampshire.
The issue
The Sainsbury’s distribution centre in Basingstoke is a vital part of the logistical operations of the supermarket giant. The building is a hive of activity for 24 hours a day, with staff working constantly inside. The building features a large expanse of windows, and this is causing a problem. During the day, bright sunlight would stream through the glass, making vision difficult.
Much of the work carried out inside the building requires the use of forklift trucks and other vehicles, so an uninterrupted view with no distractions is paramount. The Window Film Company was approached to deliver a year-round glare-reduction solution.
The solution
High Reflective Silver is an advanced window film that delivers several benefits. It can help maintain a moderate internal temperature by reflecting a portion of solar energy before it enters a property and has a chance to warm it. It can also slow the fading process by blocking 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. On this occasion, however, its most important function was as an excellent glare reduction product.
Once applied, the film reduces glare by over 80%, blocking the harshest light without blocking the view or sacrificing natural light.
The nature of the building meant that an internal application of the film wasn’t possible – large storage racks prevented the necessary access to the glass. In addition, many of the affected panes, 48 in total, were at a height requiring powered access equipment to reach them. Using this equipment on-site would have caused too much disruption to daily operations, so an external installation was agreed.
This was made possible by using an external grade of the chosen window film, which is equally effective and specifically designed to meet the extra demands of being on the exposed side of the glass.
Each of the panes was over 1.1m in width and just under a metre in height, with the majority of the glazing well above ground level. The installation was undertaken by a team of The Window Film Company’s experienced and fully qualified fitting crews, utilising a ten metre scissor lift to complete the work.
The result
The mirrored appearance of the film meant that the film was a perfect aesthetic fit, giving the glazing a modern and professional look. From a performance point of view, the film was effective immediately – cutting out the majority of the glare while still allowing natural light to pass through into the premises.
With the glare substantially reduced, the facility had vastly improved working conditions, with all staff able to rely on a comfortable environment.
