The figure that matters most: to compare how cool a film keeps you, look at TSER (total solar energy rejected). For darkness, look at VLT (light that passes through). IRR and UV rejection add detail but do not replace TSER.
What is solar heat made of?
The solar energy reaching your windows is roughly 3% ultraviolet (UV), 44% visible light and 53% infrared. UV damages skin and fades interiors. Visible light causes glare. Infrared is what you feel most as heat.
That is why a film that is merely dark (cutting visible light) is not necessarily cool, and a film with high infrared rejection does not reject that much of all heat. The figure that sums it all up is TSER.
Glossary
- TSER
- VLT
- Darkness
- IRR
- UVR
- UV400
- SHGC
- VLR
- Reflective & non-reflective
- Glare reduction
- Dyed, metallised, sputtered, ceramic, carbon
- Mil
- Hard coat
- Curing time
- Shrink to fit
- Warranty card
- TSER Total Solar Energy Rejected
The percentage of all solar energy a film rejects: UV, visible light and infrared together. This is the best single figure for comparing how cool a film keeps a car or room. The higher the TSER, the less solar heat gets in. Miracle window film: 19–68%, depending on the series and shade.
- VLT Visible Light Transmission
The percentage of visible light that passes through the film. The lower the VLT, the darker the film. For example, BLACK 20 has a VLT of 63% (the lightest Miracle shade) and BLACK 80 a VLT of 4% (the darkest).
- Darkness how tint is described in Indonesia
How tint is described in Indonesia: the higher the number, the darker the film looks. In Miracle shade names (for example BLACK 20 to BLACK 80), a higher number means a darker shade, but the number is not an exact percentage. The real darkness is the VLT. See window tint shades.
- IRR Infrared Rejection
The percentage of infrared the film rejects. Infrared is the part of sunlight you feel most as heat. Brands measure IRR at different wavelengths, so use IRR together with TSER, never on its own.
- UVR UV Rejection
The percentage of ultraviolet light the film rejects. UV burns skin, tires the eyes and fades dashboards, seats and furniture. Miracle window film rejects up to 99% of UV, depending on the series and shade.
- UV400 UV protection up to 400 nm
A film that blocks UV up to a wavelength of 400 nanometres, the upper end of the UV range.
- SHGC Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
A number from 0 to 1 showing how much solar energy gets in through the glass. It is the opposite of TSER: an SHGC of 0.40 is roughly a TSER of 60%. Often used for building film.
- VLR Visible Light Reflection
The percentage of visible light the film reflects. High VLR makes glass look like a mirror from outside. Reflective film such as Miracle Silver reflects light on purpose, for privacy and heat rejection; non-reflective film such as Miracle Black does not.
- Reflective & non-reflective how the film looks
Reflective film looks mirror-like from outside, while non-reflective film looks plain black. The difference is explained in types of window film.
- Glare reduction
How much the film cuts glare from the sun and from other cars’ headlights. Important for comfortable driving in the late afternoon and at night.
- Dyed, metallised, sputtered, ceramic, carbon window film technologies
The ways a film stops heat: with dye, metal particles, a thin metal layer, ceramic particles or carbon particles. See the full comparison in types of window film.
- Mil unit of thickness
Film thickness is usually given in mils (1 mil = 0.0254 mm). Automotive film is typically around 1.5–2 mil; safety and security film for buildings can be much thicker.
- Hard coat scratch-resistant layer
A protective top layer that helps the film resist scratches from window seals and cleaning.
- Curing time after installation
The time the installation fluid needs to evaporate and the adhesive needs to bond fully. Small water spots or haze during this time are normal. Keep the windows up for 3 days after installation. See window film care.
- Shrink to fit installation technique
Shaping the film with heat so it follows the curve of the windshield and rear window and can be fitted in one piece, with no seams.
- Warranty card proof the film is genuine
Proof that the film is genuine and was installed by an official dealer. Miracle window film comes with an official warranty of up to 3 years, depending on the series, which you can check online with the card number. See warranty check and claims.
How to read a window film spec sheet
Say a specification sheet reads: VLT 40%, TSER 60%, IRR 90%, UV 99%. That means 40% of visible light passes through (about 60% darkness), 60% of all solar energy is rejected, 90% of infrared is rejected at the measured wavelengths, and 99% of UV is rejected.
- Compare TSER between brands and series at the same darkness.
- Check VLT to see how dark the film really is.
- Check UV rejection: the higher it is, the better your skin and interior are protected.
- Ask whether the film has a metal layer if phone and GPS signal matter to you.
- Make sure there is an official warranty with a card you can check.
Miracle window film specifications
| Specification | BLACK 20 | BLACK 40 | BLACK 60 | BLACK 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VLTVisible light through (lower = darker) | 63% | 29% | 12% | 4% |
| UVRUV rejected | 45% | 71% | 89% | 4% |
| IRRInfrared rejected | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| TSERTotal solar energy rejected | 19% | 33% | 38% | 38% |
| Specification | SILVER 20 | SILVER 40 | SILVER 60 | SILVER 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VLTVisible light through (lower = darker) | 45% | 34% | 19% | 10% |
| UVRUV rejected | 86% | 73% | 82% | 93% |
| IRRInfrared rejected | 17% | 37% | 64% | 64% |
| TSERTotal solar energy rejected | 28% | 43% | 64% | 67% |
| Specification | HR 40 | HR 60 | HR 80 |
|---|---|---|---|
| VLTVisible light through (lower = darker) | 23% | 15% | 25% |
| UVRUV rejected | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| IRRInfrared rejected | 40% | 40% | 70% |
| TSERTotal solar energy rejected | 47% | 50% | 68% |
| Specification | LR 40 | LR 60 | LR 80 |
|---|---|---|---|
| VLTVisible light through (lower = darker) | 23% | 15% | 5% |
| UVRUV rejected | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| IRRInfrared rejected | 40% | 40% | 70% |
| TSERTotal solar energy rejected | 47% | 50% | 68% |
Compare every series on the products page.