FAQ’s
- Have you noticed your draperies and furnishings are fading?
- Is your home hot on one side and old on the other side?
- Do you keep your blinds and/or draperies drawn because it is too bright in your home?
- Are you blinded while sitting next to your windows at certain times of the day?
- Would you like to lower your cooling cost in the summer months?
- Are your skylights cooking you and your furniture?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, we can help!
- Reduces fading of carpets, upholstery, and interior furnishings
- Rejects from 98-99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays
- Reduces your energy bill thereby helping to keep you warmerin winter and cooler in summer
- Increases your comfort by helping to eliminate “hot spots”
- Rejects up to 80% of the sun’s solar energy
- Reduces the sun’s glare
- Increases your level of privacy
- Enhances the appearance of a building by creating a uniform appearance
- Provides improved safety when glass is broken
It is generally accepted that UV radiation can be responsible for roughly 40% of all fading. In addition to ultraviolet radiation, other factors that cause fading include:
- 25% of fading is caused by heat
- 25% of fading is caused by visible light
- 10% of fading is caused by a variety of factors including artificial light, fabric dyes, age of the fabrics and the
humidity in your home or office.
No window film can completely eliminate fading.
SOLAR CONTROL WINDOW FILMS WILL PROVIDE MAXIMUM PROTECTION AND GREATLY REDUCE FADING.
Total Solar Transmittance: The percent of incident solar radiation to be directly passed through a window system.
Total Solar Reflectance: The percent of incident solar radiation to be reflected by a window system.
Total Solar Absorbtion: The percent of incident solar radiation to be absorbed by a window system.
Visible Light Transmittance: The percent of total visible light to be passed through a window system.
Visible Light Reflectance: The percent of total visible light to be reflected by a window system that can be seen visually.
Percent Ultraviolet Transmittance: Percent of total ultraviolet light to be passed through a window system.
Percent of Total Solar Energy Rejected: The percent of incident solar energy rejected by a window system, equals solar reflectance plus the part of solar absorption which is re-radiated outward.
Window film can be utilized as a strategy to help combat this issue. Please refer to the article we wrote on this subject by clicking HERE.
- Sunlight hits the window and a part of its energy is reflected away from the window.
- The glass absorbs some of the sun’s energy.
- A portion of the sun’s solar energy is transmitted thru the window film into the room.
- Part of the sun’s energy is absorbed by the window film and part is reradiated in and out of the room.
Next, a concentration of metal particles are “sputter coated” onto the laminated sheets of polyester. This “sputter coating” allows for the varying degrees of color as well as the degree of solar energy rejection’
- Use any normal household glass cleaning solutions or plain soapy water.
- Do not use any solution that contains abrasive material, such as baking soda, Comet, Softscrub, etc. Also, do not use anything sharp such as razor blades or scrubbing pads.
- Use soft clean lint-free towels or synthetic sponges to apply cleaning solutions.
- Use a soft cloth or rubber squeegee for drying the glass. Care must be taken when using a squeegee, as to not gouge the film with any sharp metal edges.
While most window film companies use scratch-resistant films, you should ask to make sure. If a company has an extra charge for a scratch-resistant film, you may wish to contact a few more companies for quotes. With today’s technology, scratch-resistant films are considered standard.
As the concept of window film was developed and improved, a demand required the improvement for better window films. With new architectural designs requiring window films to compliment the appearance of homes and commercial buildings, the manufacturing of sun control window films in a variety of colors became a reality.
With today’s modern technology, the window film industry will continue to improve the quality and performance of window films into the 2lst century.
The biggest problem in controlling comfort in homes and businesses is dealing with the radiant heat from the sun. The energy generated by the sun literally pours through windows and is absorbed by all it touches. The greater the glass area of a home or building, the more potential for excessive radiant heat gain.
One of the most outstanding characteristics of solar control window film is its ability to regulate or control the amount of solar energy that passes through the glass.
Your window tinting professional should be able to assist you in choosing the right window film to help with your comfort needs.
- Twisting stress from building movements
- Tensile stress from the weight of the glass itself
- Mechanical flexing stress; i.e. from the wind or pressure
- Impact stress from flying objects
- Thermal stress from absorption of solar radiation
While there are many different events that can contribute to glass breakage, the above are some of the primary causes of glass breakage.
Some safety and security window films will always have a longer dry-out period due to their increased thickness. Thicker films and a less than perfect drying climate will lengthen the dry-out period. Dry”-out times can vary from a few days to as long as several months.
Window film creates an efficient vapor barrier between the glass and the film. During the installation process, your window tinting installer will remove as much of the mounting solution as possible by using a squeegee, although a small amount will remain. Trapped installation moisture can cause small water puddles and/ or a slightly cloudy look. This is normal and should be expected. Do not attempt to pierce a water puddle during the dry-out period. This water and cloudy look will eventually dissipate. Attempting to pierce a water puddle in an effort to drain moisture will damage your film. This damage would not be covered by the warranty.
Films, utilizing all types of adhesives are installed in similar fashion. Most films are installed by using soapy water sprayed on both the glass surface and the film adhesive surface after the protective liner has been removed. The film is then positioned on the glass, cut to size, and squeegeed to remove excess water.
While most quality films are scratch resistant, no window film is entirely “scratch proof.” With a small amount of care and precaution, window film can provide you with years of service and protection.
“Spacers” or edge seals are placed between the two sheets of glass to create the airspace.
The seal between the glass sheets is accomplished through the use of a variety of different types of materials and sealants. In addition, a desiccant is incorporated into the edge seal technology to absorb water vapor that migrates across the seal.
The intervening airspace reduces heat transfer by conduction and convention through the glass. In order to increase the insulation performance of the IG unit, inert gases such as Argon and Krypton may be used to replace air between the panes of glass. Both Argon and Kryptonare invisible, harmless, odorless, and heavier than air, which results in slower convective movement and a reduction in heat transfer. IG units pose a risk of thermal stress fracture for many types of dyed or sputtered films that absorb excessive amounts of heat.
Window films reduce the transmission of damaging and harmful solar radiation. By increasing the amount of solar radiation absorbed and reflected by the glass, less solar energy can enter the building. When glass is subjected to the effects of solar radiation, the normal and immediate result can increase in the temperature. The sun naturally warms the glass as its powerful energy passes through. Glass with film has an increased ability to reflect and absorb solar radiation. Because window films are usually installed on the inside surface of the glass, increased amounts of solar radiation will be absorbed as it passes back and forth through the glass.
Some window films can cause excessive solar energy absorption in certain kinds of glass. The result can be extreme thermal expansion and stress, which can cause glass breakage or seal failure in an insulated glass (IG) unit. Additionally, thermal stress fracture can result from uneven temperature distribution across the surface of a glass plate. This is typically caused by partial shading of the window.
To avoid problems, you must select the correct window film for your glass. To do this, it is helpful to know how glass reflects, absorbs and transmits solar radiation and how its ability to reject solar radiation will change when a window film is installed. In the past, dark or highly reflective films were very popular and used to attain maximum solar energy rejection performance. Unfortunately, dark reflective films typically have high absorption ratings which can increase the risk of glass breakage and seal failure. Thanks to the technological and manufacturing advances used in todays window films, it is no longer necessary to purchase very dark films to achieve significant solar energy rejection performance. Todays high-tech films provide impressive performance without absorbing excessive amounts of solar energy. Best of all, these films save energy, reduce ultraviolet transmissions, increase interior comfort and give a contemporary appearance to a building or home.
Flying and broken glass can be a result of a variety of acts ranging from natural disasters, playing catch with your son or family pet, to vandalism or theft. Standard window film will hold broken glass inplace to some extent.
If safety of your glass is a concern, talk to your window tinting professional about their line of safety and security films. These films are thicker films designed with safety and security in mind. Most residential films are 2 milliliters thick. Safety and security films can range from a 4 milliliter thickness to up to a 14 milliliter thickness.
There are many potential users of safety film. It may be a home owner who lives next to a golf course, a storeowner with high priced merchandise in a display window, or anyone who wants to protect him or herself from injury due to broken glass. Flying or falling glass shards can result from terrorism, vandalism, smash-and-grab burglaries and natural disasters.
This outgassing interferes with the window film’s adhesive system, and results in bubbling between the plastic window and the window film.
It should also be noted that many window film adhesive systems when applied to plastics, will create a permanent bond. In the event that the film should have to be removed, it will be almost impossible to remove the film completely without damaging the surface of the plexiglass window.
- The type of window film installed
- The type of glass
- The construction of your windows
All quality window films for both residential and commercial uses are warranted by the film’s manufacturer. At the time of the printing of this booklet, most residential window films are warranted for at least ten years. Many window films installed on residential windows now carry a lifetime warranty.
Commercial films will depend primarily on the type of film installed. Most commercial window films are warranted from five to twelve years.
Due to the wide variety of window films now available, consult with your window tinting professional about the specific warranty of the film you select.
New growth and flowering may be retarded in the initial days after your window film is applied as the plant adjusts. In some cases where plants are in constant, direct light for long periods of time which causes wilting, the plant may actually thrive after window film is installed.
Where there is concern about possible plant growth being affected, it is recommended that owners move the plant, as a test, to another part of the room to simulate a less lighted area before the window film is applied. This move will help to judge what the potential affects might be. In addition, it may be wise to consult a local nursery for advice, which is also recommended in the case of exotic plants.
The installation begins by clearing access to the windows. Any furniture or window treatments should be moved to the side or out of the way to provide easy access to the windows. Care should be taken since window treatments are very expensive.
Your window tinting installer should cover any flooring or carpeting in front of the windows. Drop cloths should be used to protect the flooring from the water solution used during the installation process.
The next step is to properly clean the glass and frame. Your installer should pay special attention to remove any foreign particles from the glass and from around the edges of the window, such as paint, varnish caulks, etc. The window is then squeegeed dry.
The window film is now ready for the actual installation. A release liner is pulled from the top of the film to expose the adhesive on the film. While the film is being peeled, soapy water is sprayed on the film and window. This helps to reduce the static electricity generated by the liner removal and allows for proper positioning of the film on the window. A final check for excess water both under the film and around the framing is done.
Finally, any drop cloths are picked up and removed. Any window treatments that may have been moved are replaced along with any furniture moved back into place.
Your window tinting professional should discuss the potential problems with you and determine what to do with any decals. If they are not highly raised above the glass, window film can be applied over them. However, this will create a poorer bond on the decal than on the glass. More highly raised stickers should be scraped off.
Burglar tape and alarm contacts are also found on windows. Tape is usually only slightly raised above the surface of the glass. Film can be installed over such an irregular surface, but customers should be advised that the installation will not be top quality. Alarm contacts, however, should be removed before applying film, but should not be done by the window film installer. It is better to ask you, the customer, to contact your security company to remove and replace the alarm contacts.
During the window tinting installation process, most installers use a soap and water mixture (such as baby shampoo or a dishwashing liquid, such as “Dawn”). Your window tinting installer will use this mixture to both clean and install the window film. This soap and water solution is recommended as it does not stain or discolor any fabrics, woodwork or paint.
The cost of tinting skylights can be slightly higher than tinting other windows. This is due to the difficulty and height of most skylights as well as the length of the tunnel leading to the windows.
The benefits of tinting skylights are tremendous. With the sun’s rays being more direct in the spring and summer, window films will reduce the fading of items below the skylights. Window films also reduce the heat coming in through your skylights by 50 – 80%.
The application of window film to skylights is more restricted versus tinting other windows in your home or business. Home or business owners should consult with their window film professional and be aware of any restrictions.
Most window film manufacturers make a few products for exterior applications. As these films are subjected to an extreme amount of weathering and may easily be abused because of their location, or as a result of careless window cleaning, they have a somewhat limited life. These products generally have limited warranties for shorter periods of time. Weather conditions need to be considered in the installation of exterior window films. When an exterior application is needed, high winds,
cold temperatures (outside air temperature less then 40 degrees F), rain and snow can prevent installations from being scheduled. Please remember your window film professional is at the mercy of “Mother Nature”.
There is little sense in applying window film to windows that have frames that may need to be stained or painted. This could lead to stained paint splatters on the film itself which would need to be cleaned off. Some cleaning agents would damage the film requiring the film to be replaced.
Other reasons could be the potential for damage to the film due to the high amount of activity in a construction environment. Also, in many cases, there is a high level of dust and particles, such as wood dust or carpet fibers, in a construction area that could become trapped between the glass and the window film.
The best, most convenient time to install the window film is just before your furniture is placed in front of your windows and before the window treatments have been installed. However, this is rarely the case.
Thermal stress may also occur if the sheet of glass has not been installed with the appropriate amount of care.
An example of this would be if the edge of the glass is either chipped or damaged. In cases where tinted glass is tempered or strengthened, the application of window film is unlikely to result in the glass cracking or fracturing.
If you have tinted glass or are unsure if your glass is tinted, ask your window tinting professional which films are safe to install. Though the selection of films is limited, there should be a film available to solve your solar control needs.
For the above reason, we strongly recommend that any wired glass window not be tinted.
If your wired glass window receives no direct sunlight or it is an interior window and has a smooth surface, this window may be considered for tinting.
- Window films are available at a variety of automotive self-service stores as well as many home improvement stores for the do-it-yourselfer.
- Window films that are available at automotive self-service stores are very limited.
- The selection of window films that are available at home improvement stores do not come with any type of manufacturers warranty. These films also come in a very limited selection.
Only your window tinting professional can offer the quality, variety of selection, and manufacturer-backed warranty that gives you the best window film for your money. Though the process of installing window film appears quite simple, your window tinting professional has the training and expertise along with years of service to provide you with the best films available. Most high quality window films are available with superior warranties as well as glass and seal-failure warranties.