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Quick answer: Put each quoted number beside its name, test basis and reference glass. Two large percentages are not comparable until you know they describe the same thing.
This worksheet is for comparing actual proposals. For definitions, keep the window film numbers guide open alongside it.
Start with product identity
Write the manufacturer, film line and exact shade for each window group. “Premium ceramic” or “high-performance film” does not identify a product you can check later.
Ask for the current technical sheet that matches the quote. If one supplier changes the product during discussion, update the comparison rather than carrying over the old figures.
Copy the label, not just the percentage
NFRC’s applied-film fact sheet explains the importance of reference glazing. Use a separate row for each property:
| Information | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Exact product and shade | ||
| Glass used for the published values | ||
| Visible-light figure and its label | ||
| Solar-gain or total-solar figure and its label | ||
| Infrared claim and stated wavelength range | ||
| Indoor and outdoor reflection information | ||
| Suitability for my actual windows |
Do not fill a missing cell with a guess. Ask the provider to explain whether the available figures permit a fair comparison.
Translate the claim into your decision
If your main concern is heat, ask which comparable figure best describes unwanted solar gain. If your main concern is a bright television reflection, ask what the sample shows from your seat. If the concern is nighttime privacy, move to the privacy sample guide; a solar figure does not answer that question.
Product footnotes can specify a limited infrared range. Do not convert such a percentage into a household cooling or electricity-saving promise.
Keep the conclusion readable
Finish the sheet with one sentence: “I prefer this option because it preserves the daylight I want while addressing the afternoon sun on the table.” Add any unresolved question below it.
A completed comparison does not need a technical winner in every column. It needs enough clear information for you to understand why the proposed product fits your windows and priorities.
Sources for this guide
These references provide background for the topics discussed. Manufacturer information describes the named product or method and is not a recommendation for every project.