For historic museums, sunlight can be both a blessing and a curse.
Natural light enhances the visitor experience, brightening galleries and highlighting intricate details of priceless objects. But it also carries invisible threats, ultraviolet (UV) rays that fade fabrics, crack wood, and shorten the lifespan of artifacts.
That’s why many cultural institutions are turning to UV protection window film as a discreet, highly effective safeguard.
In Washington, D.C., the Old Korean Legation Museum faced exactly this challenge.
With over 35 windows spread across a 147-year-old building, the institution needed a way to protect its valuable antique furniture and artifacts without compromising historic integrity or visitor experience.
The solution came through AP Corp’s expert installation of museum-grade window film designed specifically for preservation.
Let’s dive deeper into the project!
The Challenge: Sunlight in a Historic Building
The Old Korean Legation Museum isn’t just any property. Built in 1877, the three-story structure once served as a key site of U.S.–South Korean diplomacy.
Today, it operates as a public museum, housing a collection of antique furniture, textiles, and cultural artifacts.
The problem was simple but serious:
- UV damage risk: Direct sunlight threatens to fade fabrics, bleach wood, and deteriorate delicate surfaces.
- Historic integrity: Any solution had to be virtually invisible, preserving the look of 19th-century windows.
- Visitor experience: The museum wanted to keep natural light flowing, since darkened rooms would diminish ambiance.
- Technical complexity: With 35+ windows, some curved, the installation had to be precise and non-invasive.
Protecting the artifacts without disrupting the character of the building was a delicate balancing act.
The Solution: Spectrally Selective Window Film
After consulting with the museum, AP Corp selected Avery Dennison’s Spectrally Selective SPE Light 45 film, specifically engineered for sensitive environments like museums and historic buildings.
Why this film was ideal:
- Blocks 99% of harmful UV rays
- Preserves natural light and visibility
- Nearly invisible once applied, no impact on the historic windows’ appearance
- Provides heat rejection for added energy efficiency
This choice allowed the museum to protect its collections while keeping rooms bright and welcoming for visitors.
As one installer noted:
“Great film for historical buildings and museums. It lets in all that beautiful natural sunlight while blocking heat and the sun’s harmful UV rays.”
Precision Installation Across 35+ Windows
Executing the project required technical expertise and attention to detail.
The AP Corp team included James (a lead installer known for precision and “zero callbacks”), Chris (a specialist in curved windows), and Kyle (a new apprentice learning on the job).
The process followed meticulous steps:
- Surface prep: Cleaning every window thoroughly to eliminate dust and debris.
- Wet application: Applying film with a solution to allow repositioning.
- Precision alignment: Positioning film with zero tolerance for gaps.
- Bubble removal: Using squeegees to eliminate imperfections.
- Trimming & heat treatment: Cutting excess material with precision and using heat tools for curved glass.
- Quality checks: Multiple inspections per window to meet museum standards.
Special care was taken with the building’s curved windows, which can trap air bubbles or leave visible seams if not handled properly. The installers’ experience ensured flawless results.
As another team member explained:
“If you leave any sort of gap, then a beam of light will just shoot its way in. That’s unacceptable in a preservation project like this.”
The Outcome: Protection Without Compromise
The completed installation delivered exactly what the museum needed:
- Artifact preservation: UV rays blocked, extending the life of antique furniture and exhibits.
- Visitor experience: Natural light still fills the building, preserving the warm atmosphere of the historic rooms.
- Invisible finish: Visitors can’t see the film, which is the point. As one installer put it, “You’re really not supposed to see this film.”
- Energy benefits: Reduced heat gain means lower cooling costs during D.C. summers.
The museum no longer has to rely on unsightly plastic covers or heavy drapes. Instead, it has a discreet, long-term solution that protects priceless history while enhancing visitor enjoyment.
Why UV Protection Matters for Museums
The Old Korean Legation Museum’s project underscores a universal truth for cultural institutions: artifacts don’t just need to be displayed; they need to be preserved for future generations.
UV protection window film offers several key advantages to museums:
- Prevents fading: Fabrics, paintings, and paper artifacts keep their color and integrity longer.
- Protects wood and leather: Furniture and decorative pieces resist cracking and discoloration.
- Maintains natural lighting: Visitors can still enjoy the space without artificial dimness.
- Cost-effective: Film installation is far less expensive than artifact restoration or replacement.
- Energy savings: By rejecting solar heat, window film reduces HVAC strain in older buildings.
For museums housed in historic structures, window film is especially valuable because it delivers all these benefits without altering the look or fabric of the building.
A Model for Preservation Projects
By completing this project, AP Corp demonstrated how technical skill, product knowledge, and respect for history come together to create a lasting impact.
The museum’s staff can now focus on their mission of education and cultural preservation, knowing the building’s windows are no longer a silent threat to its treasures.
As one museum representative observed after the installation:
“All that beautiful light is let in, but the heat and UV rays bounce right off. The antique furniture is protected for years to come.”
Conclusion: Protecting History Through Innovation
The Old Korean Legation Museum now stands as a prime example of how modern technology can safeguard historic artifacts without compromising authenticity.
By choosing UV protection window film, they preserved the building’s character while shielding its treasures from invisible damage.
For cultural institutions facing similar challenges, AP Corp offers tailored window film solutions that balance preservation, aesthetics, and visitor experience.
Get a free quote from our experts today!