With summer approaching, one can’t help but think of long, sunny days. If you work on a yacht, however, those long, sunny days also mean really hot days, even inside where it’s air conditioned.

Triton advertiser V-Kool has a product that keeps the heat out and lets the light in. Read more about it from Scott Frishhertz, owner of V-Kool, which distributes the product in South Florida. Better yet, come meet him at our networking event on May 20, from 6-8 p.m., at Cafe Bluefish, 3134 N.E. Ninth St., near Sunruse Bouleveard and A1A.

Q. What is V-Kool?

V-Kool is a clear window film that rejects more heat than conventional window tint. V-Kool is manufactured by Southwall Technologies of Palo Alto, Calif. Southwall also has a version of V-Kool that is incorporated into glass during the manufacturing process.

Q. How is it different from regular window tint?

Window tint is dyed polyester; V-Kool does not contain dye. V-Kool is made of multiple layers of optically clear polyester sheets embedded with silver. The silver in the film is so fine it allows visible light to pass through while rejecting nearly all of the infrared rays.

Q. So is it better than tint?

When tint is applied to glass, it causes an increase in heat absorption, much like wearing dark clothing when in the sun. Heat absorption causes an increase in glass temperature. The heat in the glass radiates into the room.

V-Kool has an extremely low absorption rate and consequently, the glass doesn’t increase in temperature.

Also, tint decreases light transmission. With tint, the interior lights usually have to be turned on during dusk and dawn or even on a cloudy day. Because V-Kool is clear, it harvests the natural light from the sun while rejecting the heat.

Q. Did you invent this stuff?

No. The core technology was the result of a five-year, government-funded research project at M.I.T. (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the late 1970s in response to the oil embargo. The initial product was a film that is incorporated between layers of glass. In 1996, the film was developed into an aftermarket product applied to the inside surface of glass.

Q. It’s clear how it might be beneficial in the wheelhouse. Do yachts use V-Kool in other parts of the yacht?

Yes. V-Kool is often used in the entire yacht, especially on windows that don’t have exterior overhangs such as a sky lounge. The film can be applied to any location that has excessive solar heat gain.

Q. And you do more than yachts right?

Yes. We also install V-Kool in homes, condos and commercial buildings. The main advantage in all these applications is the lack of change to the building’s or vessel’s appearance.