Almost half of the sun’s energy comes as invisible near-infrared heat. That is what makes rooms uncomfortable and, if you use air conditioning, what pushes up your energy bills.
3M Prestige Exterior blocks up to 97 per cent of this heat while keeping your windows bright and welcoming.
It is also angle-selective. In summer, when the sun is high, it rejects even more heat (around 10 per cent extra at about 60 degrees). In winter, when the sun is low, more gentle warmth is allowed through, giving you passive solar gain.
Reflective films can create a double view on dull days, showing the inside of your room as well as the outside. Prestige Exterior is different. It has less reflectance than glass, so your views stay natural and your windows look unchanged.
Prestige Exterior is built from hundreds of ultra-thin layers, each tuned to reflect a slightly different part of the heat-carrying near-infrared spectrum. Together they send away the heat while allowing natural daylight through.
All of these layers combined are thinner than a single Post-it note. That is why Prestige is almost invisible to the eye yet so effective at cutting discomfort.
By contrast, traditional metallised films rely on a single shiny layer. That layer reflects heat but also makes the glass look mirrored and can interfere with mobile signals. Prestige achieves better near-infrared rejection without any metals.
Because there are no metals, Prestige will not interfere with Wi-Fi or mobile phone signals. Metallised reflective films can cause problems where reception is already weak.
Prestige Exterior is backed by a 10 year warranty on vertical glass and 7 years on sloped or horizontal glass, including skylights.
In practice, Prestige Exterior often lasts about twice as long as metallised exterior films, which usually carry only 5 to 7 year warranties. The first Prestige Exterior installation, in Switzerland over 14 years ago, is still performing today.
The reality is that it is rarely the film that fails. Most issues are linked to installation quality:
Choosing a careful, accredited installer is every bit as important as choosing the right film.
Every version of Prestige targets heat-carrying infrared. The difference lies in how much daylight and glare you prefer.
Tip: Mix up different grades of 3M Prestige Exterior on different elevations of your home. PR40X on the sunniest side and PR70X elsewhere for a seamless indoor look.
Prestige Exterior is an investment in comfort and clarity.
Prestige Exterior cannot be installed on glass with self-cleaning coatings such as Pilkington Activ™. In those cases we recommend an interior solution or an alternative design.
For solar heat and glare control in homes, Prestige Exterior is our first choice. It intercepts heat before it reaches the glass and carries stronger warranties.
We do not recommend interior Prestige for heat control. The only time it is suitable is where you want fading reduction or skin protection and cannot apply a film externally.
3M Heritage
3M invented window film in 1966. Since then their technology has been trusted worldwide and their products have become part of daily life. In fact, most of us are rarely more than a few metres away from a 3M product. Prestige Exterior represents the very best of that heritage, combining scientific innovation with practical comfort in your home.
PR20X and PR40X will darken the glass. PR70X is almost invisible. PR90X is invisible.
No. Prestige contains no metals, so it will not affect Wi-Fi or mobile reception.
Prestige Exterior has a 10 year warranty on vertical glass and 7 years on sloped glass, but in practice it often lasts far longer. Many installations are still going strong after 14 years.
The film itself is rarely the weak point. Issues are usually caused by installation errors such as contamination under the film, edges cut too tight to the gaskets, or corners lifting over time.
Prestige lasts longer, looks more natural, will not affect mobile signals, and performs better at rejecting near-infrared heat.
Yes. Prestige Exterior is one of the only films warrantied for sloped and horizontal glass.
No. Prestige Exterior cannot be used on glass with self-cleaning coatings such as Pilkington Activ™.
Yes. It blocks 99.9 per cent of UV, the main cause of fading.
Yes. It blocks 99.9 per cent of UV, the main cause of fading.
Yes. Prestige Exterior is one of the only films warrantied for sloped and horizontal glass.
Interior Prestige is only suitable where external installation is impossible. For real heat and glare control, exterior Prestige is always better because it stops the heat before it enters the glass.
Contact Our Specialists
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01256 345580.
Our receptionist will gladly schedule a consultation for you.
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