[BCMA] Window film to reduce reflections

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Hi Elizabeth

I agree that you are not likely to see much effect from a direct treatment of the windows themselves - the issue is not necessarily glare, but reflection and refraction which are properties of glass, glare or not. There are thermo-sensitive and light sensitive glass options that change their properties based on the amount of ambient light, but they are very expensive to retro-fit.

You really have to balance off what your primary concerns are, at this point. Is your primary focus the day time foot traffic looking in, the protection of the artefacts, or the internal light and passive heating from the glass? [I am assuming that your concern is likely not the drive-by traffic, as the museum is set back from the road and the viewing time of vehicles would be minimal].Once you've made that determination, then let that guide your actions.

If I make the assumption that you enclosed the items for conservation purposes [ie the items needed to be protected from the elements, one of which is light] the best way to decrease the effect of ambient sunlight on your display and windows would be to place a shadowing device between the viewer and the window. This would negatively affect, of course, the street impact of the display at night, which seems to be a preferred outcome. It might also be difficult to achieve given your relationship to the Visitor's Centre and the parking lot surround.

If you wish to retain the walk-by impact, your best bet would be to shade the windows from above as much as possible, using awnings or possibly an overhead trellis with a climbing vine native to the area. Using a vine of some sort on the trellis has its own inherent challenges, but the loss of leaves in the winter would continue to provide some passive warming effect in the winter. You would probably need to have a fairly wide trellis to give sufficient shading of the windows for the bulk of the day. This might prove attractive to people seeking shade on sunny summer Quesnel days.

Best of luck

Darryl MacKenzie, Curator
Delta Cultural Centre


From: bcma-bounces at lists.vifa.ca [mailto:bcma-bounces at lists.vifa.ca] On Behalf Of Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2019 2:29 PM
To: bcma at lists.vifa.ca
Subject: [BCMA] Window film to reduce reflections

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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