On 12 August 2026, the sky over Ticino put on a rare show: a partial solar eclipse. At its peak, around 8:17 p.m., the Moon covered roughly 92% of the Sun (91.83% in Lugano at 8:19 p.m.). A captivating sight, and a reminder of just how much energy the Sun pours onto us every single day.
Watching it safely required certified glasses. But the Sun doesn't only reach us during an eclipse: it passes through every window in your home, office, shop and car, all year long. And that's exactly where protection becomes an everyday matter.
Watching the Sun: your eyes always need protecting
Looking at the Sun with the naked eye, even when it's 92% covered, can seriously damage your retina. To watch an eclipse safely you need glasses certified to the ISO 12312-2 standard: sunglasses won't do, nor will smoked glass or a window film.
This is an important point to make clear: the solar films we apply to windows are there to protect spaces and people from the everyday Sun, not to look directly at it. They are two different things.
The Sun comes through every window, all year round
Even without an eclipse, the Sun's rays pass through every glazed surface. UV rays fade furniture, fabrics, parquet and displays; the heat turns an office or a car's interior into a greenhouse; direct light causes glare and tires your eyes.
In Ticino, with summers getting hotter, this is a real problem for homes, shops, offices and vehicles. A good solar film works quietly 365 days a year, cutting heat and harmful rays without taking away the light.
How we protect your home, shop and car
Whether it's your home, your shop window or your car, we help you choose the right film for your goal, throughout Italian-speaking Switzerland. The quote is free: all it takes is a few photos and rough measurements.
- Solar control films for windows and glazing in homes, offices and shops: they block up to 99% of UV rays and much of the heat, while keeping the natural light.
- UV window tinting for buildings and commercial spaces: less heat, less glare and furnishings protected from fading.
- Car window tinting: greater comfort and privacy inside the cabin, with solutions compliant with Swiss law.
- Professional installation: quality films applied to the highest standard, long-lasting and removable.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch the eclipse through a window film or a tinted car window?
No, absolutely not. To watch the Sun safely you need ISO 12312-2 certified glasses. Window films and tinted car windows don't provide the protection your eyes need: they're designed to protect spaces from the Sun, not to look directly at it.
How much heat and how many UV rays do solar control films block?
Professional films block up to 99% of UV rays and a significant share of the Sun's heat, lowering the indoor temperature and protecting furnishings and fabrics, all without giving up natural light.
Is car window tinting allowed in Switzerland?
The rear side windows and the rear windscreen can be tinted. For the windscreen and front windows, Swiss law sets precise limits: we always propose compliant solutions. When we prepare your quote, we assess together what's permitted on your vehicle.
Do films damage the glass? Can they be removed?
No. Professional films don't damage the glass and can be removed or replaced in the future, leaving no residue when applied correctly.
Do you apply films to shop windows and offices too, not just cars?
Yes. We handle glazing for homes, offices and shops with solar control films and UV window tinting, as well as car window tinting, throughout Ticino.