Gulf Construction Online - LLumar films shield buildings from heat

Green Buildings

The Applied Science University ... heat transmission greatly reduced with LLumar film.

LLumar films shield buildings from heat

01 May 2018

Products from LLumar, a leading global brand of architectural window films, can boost the green credentials of buildings and thus enable them to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) certification, a top official at the LLumar division of Bahrain-based Ebrahim K Kanoo tells Abdulaziz Khattak of Gulf Construction.

With LLumar, you have the tools to raise the style, performance and safety of buildings to new levels, says Jamie Bowen, general manager of LLumar Bahrain.

“Whether your clients are looking to improve occupants’ comfort, lower energy costs, enhance privacy, protect against glass breakage or help deter thefts or forced entry, LLumar is the choice of more architects and designers around the world and for good reason,” Bowen adds.

With LLumar products – which are backed by a market-leading manufacturer’s warranty – customers can earn up to nine Leed points, helping to design sustainable projects, he points out. The buildings get a more uniform appearance and a rapid return on investment.

Bowen ... focused on saving energy.

LLumar is a green product that eliminates materials (frame and glass) ending up in landfill. This is done by upgrading the glass rather than replacing it.

LLumar Bahrain, Bowen says, takes its commitment to sustainability very seriously.

“To support the government’s initiative of educating people about the importance of saving energy, we’ve been running our own awareness campaign simultaneously with theirs. Our campaign started in July 2016 and is still ongoing. The main objective is to save energy.”

Giving brief technical details of the products, Bowen says, LLumar window films can assist with obtaining up to nine Leed points in the following areas: light pollution reduction (1 point); optimising energy performance (1 to 3); improving thermal comfort (1); providing daylighting and views (1 to 2); innovations in operations and upgrades (1); and optimised use of alternative materials (1).

So how does LLumar help in reducing light pollution? Bowen explains that LLumar window film eliminates light trespass from the building at night since most films reduce light transmission by 50 per cent or more. This helps improve visibility to the night sky and reduces the impact on nocturnal environments.

Also, these window films can save energy by five to 15 per cent, thus enabling the improvement of the building’s Energy Star rating.

Furthermore, LLumar films reduce the environmental impact as it allows material procurement from local and regional sources for use in upgrades of buildings.

LLumar films are made entirely in the US.

From Buckingham Palace to the Vatican, LLumar products have been enhancing iconic buildings around the world for decades, with proven results.

In Bahrain, two recent projects have been the Applied Science University (ASU) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba).

Bowen says the large glass dome of the ASU allowed excessive heat to pass through – and even at full capacity, the air-conditioning was not able to cool the building sufficiently. The same problem was present at the building’s entrance and in some offices. The heat transmission from the outside was greatly reduced after LLumar film was installed, he points out.

Alba’s administration building ... retrofitted glass with LLumar films.

LLumar’s more recent project, which is ongoing and almost 80 per cent complete, is for Alba’s administration building whose glass had been discoloured after several years of exposure to the harsh weather. After consultation with LLumar, Alba decided to retrofit its glass instead of replacing it. The outcome was magnificent, says Bowen.

“The added benefits of LLumar films will be heat reduction, glare reduction, added comfort and energy saving,” he says.

Among other regional projects where LLumar films have been installed are the Administration Office Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The local LLumar dealer recommended the use of the LLumar R-15BL SR HPR for the building. This heat-control, premium reflective film offers 75 per cent total solar energy rejection, 11 per cent visible light transmission, and 99 per cent rejection of damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Meanwhile, for Al Rajhi Bank branches in the Saudi capital, LLumar’s Air 80 window film was used because of its combined benefits of heat control, high visible light transmission and UV protection. With a nearly clear tint, Air 80 is hardly noticeable but still rejects 43 per cent of solar energy and blocks more than 99 per cent of damaging UV rays.

Other projects in the region where LLumar films have been installed include sports clubs, towers, restaurants, and commercial areas.