Residential Case Study · Prahran
- Location: Prahran, Melbourne
- Property: Renovated Victorian residence
- Film: 3M Prestige 70
- Primary goals: Heat reduction and fade protection
- Application: West-facing windows and sun-filled atrium
A renovated Victorian home in Prahran had a very modern glazing problem. The renovation introduced large areas of glass, including west-facing windows and a sun-filled atrium. These spaces brought abundant natural light into the home, but also increased the amount of afternoon solar heat entering through the windows. With new flooring, furniture and interior finishes throughout the renovated areas, the owners were also conscious of the cumulative effects of UV exposure and sunlight on their interiors. The brief was therefore not simply to make the glass darker. The homeowners wanted meaningful solar control while retaining the bright, open character of the renovation.
The challenge: controlling afternoon sun without losing the light
West-facing windows can be particularly challenging in Melbourne because they receive direct afternoon sun when outdoor temperatures are often already at their highest. At this Prahran home, the amount of glazing amplified that exposure. The atrium was designed to fill the home with natural light, so using a dark or highly reflective film would have worked against one of the features the renovation was designed to create. There was also a second consideration. New flooring, furniture and interior finishes represented a significant investment, and prolonged exposure to sunlight can contribute to fading over time. The right film therefore needed to balance solar control, UV protection and appearance.
Why we recommended 3M Prestige 70
We selected 3M Prestige 70 because this project called for solar control without a heavily tinted or reflective appearance. Prestige 70 is one of the clearest films in the 3M Prestige range. It is designed to reject solar energy while maintaining high levels of visible light transmission and a low-reflection appearance. It also rejects at least 99.9% of UV rays, helping reduce one of the major contributors to fading of flooring, furniture, artwork and interior finishes. That combination suited this home particularly well. The large windows and atrium were important architectural features, so preserving natural light and the appearance of the glazing mattered alongside reducing solar heat.
What the manufacturer figures mean
For 3M Prestige 70 installed on 6.4 mm clear reference glass, 3M rates the film at:
- 68% visible light transmission
- 50% total solar energy rejected at normal incidence
- 59% total solar energy rejected at a 60° incidence angle
- at least 99.9% UV rejection
- no more than 9% visible reflection internally and externally
These are 3M manufacturer ratings under the stated reference-glass conditions. They are not measurements taken at this Prahran property. Actual performance varies with glass type, glazing configuration, window orientation and solar conditions.
Installation across the renovated living areas
UV Window Coatings installed Prestige 70 to the selected west-facing windows and glazing around the sun-filled atrium. The clear appearance of the film was particularly important in these areas. From inside the home, the objective was to preserve the connection through the glass and avoid making the renovated spaces feel noticeably darker.
The result
The completed installation provides the homeowners with additional solar control across some of the home's most exposed glazing while retaining the natural-light character of the renovation. Prestige 70 also provides at least 99.9% UV rejection, helping protect the new flooring, furniture and finishes from UV-related fading. Window film cannot completely prevent fading. UV is an important contributor, but visible light, solar heat, materials and other environmental factors can also affect how interiors age. For this project, Prestige 70 provided the balance we were looking for: solar performance and UV protection without turning the home's large areas of glass into dark or highly reflective windows.
Considering window film for your Melbourne home?
The right residential window film depends on more than how dark the film looks. Window orientation, glass type, solar exposure, privacy requirements and the appearance you want to retain all affect product selection. For homeowners looking for heat control with a clear, low-reflection appearance, explore our residential window tinting service and 3M Prestige window film range. Book a free assessment and UV Window Coatings can inspect the glazing, discuss the problem you are trying to solve and recommend the appropriate film for your home.
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