3M Prestige 40 External Keeps The Lifts Working In Surrey

Oh my goodness... the lifts were not operational due to the sun's radiant heat causing mechanical failure. Only the best would do. 3M Prestige Solar Window Film were able to save the day because they reject more of the sun's radiant heat than any other range of external window films.

Solar Window Film Saves The Day in Surrey

Customers were climbing and descending up to 7 storeys with their shopping.

The glazed lift shafts serving the seven-floor multi-storey car park in Horsham in Surrey would not operate on hot days because the sun's radiant heat would cause them to malfunction.  The council had no choice but to close the use of these lifts until the issue was resolved. Determined shoppers struggled with the stairs in the meantime.

WindowTreat’s proven experience in delivering complex solar window film solutions in Surrey commercial environments made us the right partner to resolve the issue.

3M Prestige External solar window films contain no metals and therefore enjoy greater longevity than other external solar window films.  3M Prestige 40 External improves the aesthetics of this building that now stands proudly over the cafe area and gives shoppers a much-improved experience.  The lifts are significantly cooler and operate all year round.

The initial investment for 3M Prestige 40 is greater than other external solar window films, however, in this case, it provides fantastic value making it an excellent investment.

Why? 3M Prestige 40 External Has The Longest Life Expectancy

This means that associated costs are avoided such as expensive powered access equipment to reach 30 metres high, closing the lift shaft and the outside area, protecting the slabs from being damaged by 4 tonnes of access equipment, and removing the aged film and replacing it. Then there is the project management and leadership to make a complex project like this safe and successful.

3M Prestige 40 External Takes The Edge Off Glare

Looking out on a sunny Surrey day in Spring and Autumn was a dazzling experience. 3M Prestige 40 External improves visual comfort. If we were doing the project now we might have installed 3M Prestige 20 External to act as sunglasses for customers in the lift shaft. However, we are proud to solve the Surrey heat issue with probably the best solar window film on the planet.

3M Haze Privacy Window Film (Frosted Window Film)

The 7-floor glass lift shaft provides an impressive view over Horsham, however, it also enables a view in, which put this delicately, creates a dignity and modesty issue for those in dresses inside the lift.

3M Haze is more opaque than most frosted window films and, in the opinion of most customers, is more aesthetically pleasing. Its polymeric structure (sorry about the science) means that it outlasts the monomeric 'trade' frosted window films usually on offer. Greater longevity could have been achieved with a cast vinyl such as 3M Dusted Crystal. However, the 3M Prestige 40 External rejects virtually all the radiant heat and UV radiation as well as half the natural light. Consequently, there is 3 to 4 times less damage to the 3M Haze meaning that it will enjoy a nice long life.

Kick Plates Designed By WindowTreat Prevent Vandalism

The glazing in the lift shaft was being kicked and smashed by vandals. WindowTreat proposed Hammerglass and steel kickplates up to waist level to prevent the glass from being frequently broken.

The design had many air holes at the top of the kickplates in order to prevent a heat build-up between the laminated glass and the kickplates. Why? Thermal stress of the glass can occur when the centre of the pane is greater than 35 degrees compared with the edge of the glass, which is shaded within the frame.

Hammerglass passes the EN356 Axe Test and provides a view out 

The council chose metal kick plates to reduce the investment required.