As described by Solar Gard, window film is a laminate of strong, high-quality, optically clear polyester films and metalized coatings bonded together by special adhesives. They are treated and coated by vacuum metalizing, sputter coating, chemical dyeing or pigmentation. On one side is a scratch-resistant coating with a mounting adhesive layer and a protective release liner on the other side. During installation, the protective liner is removed and the side of the film with the adhesive is applied to the interior surface of glass. Window film can be clear, colored or patterned and are made in various thicknesses for solar and safety/security usages. The films are used for commercial and residential applications to reduce solar heat gain, glare and fading or for patterned decoration. Other films are used to improve safety and security.

Solar radiation consists of 3 primary components: visible light we can see, infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) rays which we can only feel. Polymers inside the film blocks some or most of the infrared (rays that cause heat gain) and ultraviolet rays (UV-A and UV-B that can cause cancer). Removal of these rays helps protect occupants or assets inside cars or buildings from hotspots, fading, premature aging and certain types of cancer. In addition, film reduces glare by absorbing or reflecting visible light passing through glass.