Sputtered vs Deposited Window Film

Sputtered and deposited films are both metallized window films, but they're manufactured differently, and that difference shows up in performance and price.

Sputtered Film

Sputtered films are made by vaporizing metal alloys onto the film's surface inside a vacuum chamber. This process lays down very thin, even layers of metal, producing films that reject significant heat while staying highly transparent and avoiding a heavy mirrored look.

Deposited Film

Deposited films are made by heating metal in a vacuum chamber and letting it condense onto the film. This produces a thicker, more reflective layer than sputtering.

Which Costs More?

Sputtered films tend to cost more due to their more complex manufacturing process, but they generally offer better light transmission and heat rejection without a heavily mirrored appearance — which is why Flexfilm's Sputterflex line uses sputtering technology.