CUSTOM COLOUR FOR CHURCH

By printing onto window film, The Window Film Company is able to create bespoke solutions for use in an almost endless range of situations, so when an Essex based church wanted to give their existing plain glazing the look of stained glass, they knew where to come…

St Albans Church in Hornchurch benefits from a large expanse of glazing, with windows an integral feature of an entire side of the building. The glass provides obvious benefits, not least the amount of natural light that passes through to illuminate the large building, but the clear glass was uninspiring and the church decided an upgrade was in order.

The Window Film Company was approached with a clear brief, to deliver a decorative solution that would not have a negative impact on natural light transmission. By printing onto optically clear film it is possible to create custom designs, which can then be applied to glass, instantly transforming the appearance. On this occasion, representatives of the church had identified the desired design and this was provided to The Window Film Company’s in-house print and graphics team.

Using the measurements of each of the 79 panes, the pattern was manipulated to ensure that it flowed across the expanse of glass, making sure that when it was applied, it appeared without any breaks in the design. Proofs and printed samples were supplied so that both the film and design could be viewed and experienced in-situ. The colour in the design had been printed at a level to deliver both a vibrant finish as well as the maximum possible light transmission, and with the proofs agreed, printing commenced.

The print was carried out using one of The Window Film Company’s UV printers, the high quality ink and advanced print process delivering the best and clearest finish possible. With the print complete, each panel was checked, cut and finished by hand – every job is completed in house to maintain complete quality control.

It is the job of the Operations team to organise the logistics involved in each installation. On this occasion, there were two key considerations. Firstly, the fitting had to take place on a specific day of the week. The church is always busy and there was a small window of opportunity for the work to be carried out. As such, a time and date was agreed well in advance. The second issue was the location of the glass. At its highest point, the glazing was over 8 metres off the ground, meaning that access equipment was going to be required. All of The Window Film Company’s installation teams are fully trained, including PASMA qualifications which allow them to work with powered access system. A scissor lift was utilised for this installation.

The fitting took place on the agreed date, with each of the panels fitted perfectly to create a colourful pattern across the church’s windows. The stained glass effect was effective immediately, giving the church a brighter, inviting and more interesting feel.

For more information on how The Window Film Company can transform your glass with printed designs and graphics, contact one of the team on 01494 794477 or by emailing info@windowfilm.co.uk