Case Study: Cooling Down IKEA’s Staff Areas — Without Touching a Thermostat

Not every project we take on is flashy or visible to the public—and honestly, that’s what made this one so satisfying.

We were called in by one IKEA location—not to do their showroom, not to overhaul the exterior—but to solve a problem quietly happening behind the scenes: the employee spaces were overheating. Offices, break rooms, and internal zones were heating up fast during the day. Sunlight was pouring through untreated glass, and it was turning those spaces into ovens.

Our job was simple: cool the space down without touching a thermostat—and without changing the look or feel of the building. We handled it the way we always do: precisely, cleanly, and with the right materials. For this one, that meant XPEL’s Clear View Plus 40.

The Quiet Power of the Right Window Film

Clear View Plus 40 doesn’t look like much when it goes on—and that’s exactly the point. It’s made for performance, not flash. This film is built to reject 94% of infrared heat, which is the part of sunlight that actually makes you feel hot when you're standing near a window.

But it also takes care of what’s called Total Solar Energy—basically, the full spectrum of energy coming through the glass. That includes:

• Infrared heat (the warmth you feel)

• Visible light (what you see)

• UV rays (what causes fading and long-term damage)

By the time we were done, this film was rejecting 62% of total solar energy on the single-pane glass in those employee spaces (and 52% on any dual-pane). That’s a major difference in temperature, light control, and overall comfort—and you don’t have to be an energy consultant to feel it.

Why Infrared and TSER Matter

Let’s break this down without the jargon.

Infrared heat = the sun’s invisible heat rays that make you feel like you're roasting. Clear View Plus 40 kicks out almost all of that.
TSER = the bigger picture of how much of the sun’s energy is being stopped at the glass before it ever becomes your problem.

So while infrared rejection makes the space feel cooler, TSER helps with energy efficiency—cutting down the workload on HVAC systems, reducing heat gain, and making things way more comfortable for the people actually using the space every day.

Installed, Forgotten, Felt

One of the reasons we like working with this film is that it’s subtle. There's no mirror tint. No weird hue shift. No one walks into the room and says, “Hey, did someone tint the windows?” They just notice it’s not as hot anymore. The glare drops. Screens are easier to read. The AC isn’t blasting constantly.

It’s one of those upgrades you feel more than you see—and that’s exactly what made it perfect for IKEA’s staff-only zones.

What the Film Did

After the install, here’s what those employee spaces gained:

• 94% infrared heat rejection

• 62% total solar energy rejection

• 99% UV protection

• 53% glare reduction

And of course, everything is backed by XPEL’s warranty, which we always pass along.

Why This Kind of Work Matters

It’s easy to focus on front-facing spaces—what the customers see, what’s visible from the outside. But for us, these behind-the-scenes projects are just as important. Employees spend full days in these rooms. The comfort level in those spaces directly affects how people feel, how they work, and how well they can focus.

And when something as simple as sunlight becomes a daily source of heat and distraction, there’s a smart fix for it. That’s what we’re here for.

Film Bros — Bringing the Temperature Down, One Pane at a Time

At Film Bros, we specialize in window film installs that do more than just look good—they solve real problems. Whether it’s a national brand like IKEA or a local shop down the street, we bring the same attention to detail and performance every time.

If you’re in the Greater Toronto Area or surrounding regions and you’ve got an overheating space—let’s talk. We’ll show you exactly how to fix it with the right film, for the right reason, and without overcomplicating the process.

Let’s make your space cooler—literally.

Book your free consultation with Film Bros today.

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