[BCMA] Window film to reduce reflections

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

What I have done in the past, both with our museum outside window displays and when I was working retail years ago is to combat the reflection aspect with one or two single concentrated spot lights on only part of the item in the window.  The spots are usually located directly above the window at some sharp angle to the item, casting a beam of light only across part of the item, not the entire item.  I learned a long time ago that you can rarely combat a storefront window reflection unless the glass has been installed with an outward tilt at the top when framed. This is not practical once building construction is completed. With focusing intense light to only a part of the item, you still can bring focus to objects in a window even though there is the reflection of the outside blocking the majority of what is inside. It may not show the entire object, but it does focus attention (and curiosity) on part of it.  It is also an old theatre trick I used as a lighting designer using scrim and scrim reveals. 

Speaking of scrim material is yet another idea. One-way vision film. Take a very good image of the items at night in each window segment, then have that image screen printed on non-reflective "scrim" and apply to the outside of the windows.  I am referring to the kind of sunscreen film that has an image on one side (the outside) but has small holes which act as more of a screen on the inside.  Two problems solved at once; screening of extra sunlight/heat/uv coming in full force during the sunny days, and visual image of the actual item during the day from the outside. At night, the lights from behind will show through the scrim as if nothing was there. We currently have two of such banner screens on our front gates.  Image shows outside, but from inside it is almost transparent.

at your service,

Lewis Bartholomew
Founder & Executive Director

mrbarth at alberniproject.org
250-897-4611
Hours Tues - Sat  10-4

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HMCS ALBERNI MUSEUM and MEMORIAL
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On 2019-03-11, at 2:29 PM, Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv. wrote:

> In 2017 we enclosed two outside exhibit spaces that display some of our larger transportation artifacts and mining equipment. Last year we installed large photo murals which provide a backdrop/context for the displays.  The spaces are lit at night and are quite impactful.  Unfortunately we did not use non- glare glass in the many large windows of the enclosures.  During the day (especially  in the summer) it is difficult to see into the displays from a distance due to the reflections on the glass.  ( Images attached)  
>  
> I was hoping that someone could recommend a film that could be applied to our existing windows to cut down on the reflections.      Most of the products advertised online  highlight the their ability to filter UV  and to prevent people from seeing into an office space, but we essentially want the reverse.   
> I have a quote through a local supplier and we will test it’s effectiveness by just doing one window, but I am not overly confident of the results.
>  
> If anyone else has encountered a similar problem and can make recommendations I would appreciate hearing from you.
>  
> Thank you.
>   
> Elizabeth Hunter
> Museum & Heritage Manager
> City of Quesnel
> Quesnel & District Museum & Archives
> 705 Carson Ave. Quesnel, BC  V2J 2B6
> 250-992-9580   www.quesnelmuseum.ca
>  
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