Help keep your van or fleet cooler with a roof film that works without electrical power.
A vehicle roof absorbs heat throughout a sunny day, adding to the temperature inside. For delivery drivers, fleet operators and businesses carrying temperature-sensitive goods, that extra heat can make the working day harder and increase the demand on cooling systems.
3M™ Cooling Film is a white exterior film applied to suitable vehicle roofs. It reflects more than 85% of incoming solar energy and releases heat naturally, helping reduce heat build-up in the vehicle below.
Cooling Film at a Glance
Temperature reductions are 3M figures and are not guaranteed for every vehicle. Results depend on sunlight, weather, roof construction, insulation and vehicle use.
How 3M Cooling Film Works
The film helps manage heat at the roof in two ways. Its highly reflective surface sends much of the sun's energy away before the roof can absorb it. It also has high thermal emissivity, which means it releases absorbed heat towards the sky.
Together, these properties help limit the heat passing through the roof. The film itself needs no wiring, battery connection or external power. Where air conditioning or refrigeration is fitted, reducing solar heat gain can help lower the workload on those systems.
Installing the Film
The film is applied dry. Its 3M™ Controltac™ and Comply™ adhesive technologies help the installer position the material and release trapped air. The installation plan accounts for roof curves, rivets, fittings and the condition of the existing surface.
Why This Could Benefit Your Business
- Improve comfort for drivers and passengers by helping limit interior heat build-up.
- Reduce heat exposure to cargo, particularly in vehicles that make frequent stops in the sun.
- Support lower cooling demand, with potential fuel or electricity savings depending on the vehicle and its operating conditions.
Cooling Film for Vans and Transport Fleets
Delivery Vans and Commercial Vehicles
Delivery rounds often involve repeated stops, with drivers moving between the cab and a warmer load area. A reflective roof film can help reduce solar heating during those stops and while the vehicle is on the road. It is worth considering for courier fleets, parcel deliveries and trade vans where summer heat is a recurring problem.
Electric Vans and Fleets
Air conditioning uses battery energy. By helping reduce the heat entering a suitable vehicle, cooling film may reduce the energy needed for cooling. Any effect on driving range depends on the vehicle, route, weather and cooling system, so we recommend assessing the benefit against your own fleet operations.
Refrigerated Trucks and Trailers
For refrigerated vehicles, reducing heat gain through the roof can help lessen the load on the refrigeration system. This may support lower energy use while helping manage heat exposure to cargo. Cooling film supports the vehicle's existing refrigeration and insulation; it does not provide temperature-controlled storage on its own.
Watch the 3M Cooling Film Videos
Explore 3M Cooling Film through the videos below, then speak to our team about your vehicle or fleet.
Vehicle Film Expertise in Sussex
The Sussex Sign Company has been helping businesses with signage and vehicle branding since 1995. Our dedicated Vehicle Wrapping Centre at Goddards Green, near Burgess Hill, gives you a local team to discuss your roof, vehicle use and installation requirements.
We work with businesses in Brighton & Hove, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and across Sussex. Cooling film can also be considered alongside a vehicle signwriting or wrapping project, with the roof treatment planned separately from your printed branding.
Questions About 3M Cooling Film
How Much Cooler Could My Vehicle Be?
3M publishes interior temperature reductions of up to 5.5°C and roof surface reductions of up to 16.6°C. These are separate measurements. Actual performance varies with the conditions, vehicle design, insulation and roof coverage, so a specific temperature reduction cannot be promised.
Will It Help in the UK?
The film is designed to reduce solar heat gain, so its benefit depends on how much sun reaches the roof as well as the vehicle's construction and use. UK savings should be assessed for your own operation. Tell us about the heat problem you want to address and we can discuss suitability.
Can It Be Applied to Any Roof?
Suitability needs to be checked first. The film is designed to conform to curves, corrugations and rivets, but roof condition, material, coatings and fittings all affect the installation. Send us clear roof photographs with the make and model of your vehicle to start the discussion.
Can the Cooling Film Be Printed?
The film has an opaque white finish and is not printable. Cut vinyl graphics can be applied over it, but covering the cooling film reduces its cooling performance. We can discuss how to combine the roof treatment with branding on the rest of your vehicle.
How Long Does It Last and What Is the Warranty?
3M lists an expected performance life of seven years, which is an unwarranted estimate. The product literature separately states a five-year 3M™ MCS™ Warranty, subject to the applicable terms and installation requirements. We will confirm the warranty available for your proposed application when quoting.
What Maintenance Does It Need?
Keeping the film clean helps maintain its reflectivity. 3M recommends cleaning at least four times a year, and more often in dirty environments, using a wet, non-abrasive cleaner suitable for high-quality painted surfaces and without strong solvents.
How Much Does Installation Cost?
The price depends on the roof area, surface condition, access, roof fittings and the number of vehicles. Send us your vehicle details, roof photographs and fleet size for a tailored quotation. We will confirm material availability and installation lead times with your quote.
Discuss Cooling Film for Your Vehicle or Fleet
Looking to reduce summer heat in a van, improve passenger comfort or explore lower cooling demand across a fleet? Contact The Sussex Sign Company to discuss 3M Cooling Film and find out whether it suits your vehicles.
Call our Vehicle Wrapping Centre on 01444 226373 or our Portslade team on 01273 424900.
