What are window films?
What types of window films are there?
What are the primary benefits of the different
window films?
Does window film cut down on the light I want
coming through the window?
Are there other benefits from using window films?
Does window film stop fading?
Do window films provide extra protection if a
window is broken?
How are window films installed?
What is the life span of window film?
How is the film protected when it has been applied
to the glass?
Can window film be applied to all kinds of glass
including double-pane?
Will window film cause glass to break?
How will window films affect my plants?
Why is professional installation the wisest
choice?
What can you expect with “Accredited Solar
Control Specialist” installations?
What
are window films?
Window films are very thin polyester-based products, which
are coated and laminated with different metals and dyes. These
films are applied to the surface of the glass facing the interior
of a building or home. The fastest growing use of window films
are by home owners and companies engaged in energy savings,
glare reduction, ultra violet protection, heat reduction and
retention, safety, security and graphics.
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What types of window
films are there?
There are basically five types of window films available on
the marketplace, safety/security films, solar control films,
spectrally selective solar control films, graphic designer
films and automotive films.
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What
are the primary benefits of the different window films?
Safety/security window film: Safety/security films are clear
laminated polyester films that when bonded to glass, contribute
making the complete window stronger. It hinders and slows
down smash and grab burglaries, and during explosions or natural
disasters keeps glass together to minimize human injury and
destruction.
Solar Control: When applied to residential
or commercial windows, solar control window films provide
control over solar heat gain, glare reduction, occupant comfort,
fade reduction, shatter resistance, reduced energy costs and
more.
Graphic designer: Graphic and specialty film
come in numerous varieties such as; frosted, etched, blackout,
and numerous graphic colours to name a few. These films can
also be used with computer cutters for custom designs and
logos and are a great alternate to the usual costly and time
consuming elegance of specialty glass.
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Does
window film cut down on the light I want coming through the
window?
An objection often raised against the installation of window
film is the reduction of the visible light being transmitted
through the glass. Although different window films can reduce
the different amounts of visible light being transmitted through
a window (the darker the film the less light transmitted),
it is not as much as one would perceive.
The reason is that the human eye is like a lens of a camera,
it can adjust to the reduction of light and will offset a
large portion of the light reduction. For example, a thermal
or double pane window, lets in approximately 78% of visible
light but the perception of the human eye is only 89%. When
a 60% visible light transmission film is applied to the window
the eye perception is 82%. Similarly, a 33% film is perceived
as a strong 68% light transmission.
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Are
there other benefits from using window films?
Most window films can successfully block at least 99% of damaging
ultraviolet radiation. Conventional single pane glass lets
in 150 times more UV radiation, the chief cause of fading
and deterioration. UV radiation is not the only cause of fading,
but it will delay fading more significantly than any other
applied film currently available.
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Does
window film stop fading?
Ultra violet, visible light and heat make up approximately
ninety percent of fabric fading. A window film with a visible
light transmission of 15% stops almost 80% of fabric fading
while a window film with a visible light transmission of 60%
stops approximately 60% of fabric fading by confining the
amount Ultra violet, visible light and heat entering through
the window.
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Do
window films provide extra protection if a window is broken?
If a window that has had window film applied to it is broken,
the film can help prevent the glass from falling into the
room. In the event of broke glass, window film will limit
injury and damage to people and property. Even if a window
breaks, the window film will keep out the weather until the
glass can be replaced. The thicker the film the better it
is. In fact safety/security films have proven tested standards.
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How
are window films installed?
Window films are installed by trained authorized dealers.
If you would like to know of an authorized dealer near you
contact us through e-mail or 1-877-569-TINT (8468).
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What
is the life span of window film?
The effective life span of window film depends on the types
of film, glass, and climate. There are documented cases of
film lasting 12 to 22 years or more in some instances. This
should not, however, be assumed to be the normal expected
life. In Canada, most professional grade window films should
last over ten years. Most window film warranties are for at
least ten years.
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How
is the film protected when it has been applied to the glass?
Almost all window films are coated with a durable, clear scratch
resistant coating made of silicon.
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Can
window film be applied to all kinds of glass including double-pane?
Window film can be applied to most clear or tinted windows
including insulated glass, however, some restrictions and
limitations may apply. Window films are designed for application
to glass only.
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Will
window film cause glass to break?
Glass breaks when it is stressed. There are five types of
stress, which may cause glass breakage:
1.Thermal Stress - from absorption of solar radiation.
2.Tensile Stress - from the weight of the glass itself.
3. Mechanical Flexing Stress - from wind.
4. Impact Stress - from flying objects, hail, baseballs, etc.
5. Twisting Stress - from building or window frame sagging,
settling or shifting (as in an earthquake).
The first type, thermal stress, is the only one which solar
window film may effect. The use of window film will increase
the thermal stress on sunlight glass. However, there are also
other factors which will increase thermal stress such as:
partial shading of windows from overhangs or trees, tightly
fitting drapes or blinds, signs or decals on windows, heating
and cooling vents directed at glass and more. In addition,
different types of glass (annealed versus tempered, clear
versus tinted) have different solar absorption rates and will
withstand different degrees of thermal stress. Window Protect
has all the information regarding various film to glass combinations
to best protect against glass breakage. Window Protect solar control
films have optional glass breakage and seal failure warranties
available.
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How
will window films affect my plants?
In most cases, if a house plant is already receiving adequate
light the use of window film will not harm it. New growth
or flowering may be retarded, and, for a few days, a plant
may go into state of adjustment while it gets used to the
light change. If a particular plant normally wilts by the
end of a sunny day, it will actually thrive better with film
installed. Although there are some obvious guidelines in determining
what, if any effect window film will have on a plant (for
instance, dark green plants need less light than lighter coloured
ones), there is one sample test which can be done prior to
film installation: that is, merely move the plant to an area
with less sunlight for a few days. In addition, most nurseries
or local agriculture agencies can advise you whether a particular
plant needs closer to maximal or minimal light.
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Why
is professional installation the wisest choice?
Professional dealer installers have film-to-glass recommendations
from their manufacturers to use in assisting the customer
in selecting the correct film for the particular windows and
product benefits desired by that customer.
Professionally installed films look better longer and are
usually more likely to perform to specifications for their
warranted lives, or even longer, than those improperly installed.
Professional dealer installers have experience and/or training
which can help them to identify unique or unusual circumstances,
which might affect either the installation or performance
of a particular product in a given situation and might not
otherwise be noticed.
The warranties offered on quality films installed by professional
dealer installers usually cover costs of removal, costs of
replacement film, and costs of reinstallation. Film purchased
elsewhere will likely only be covered for costs of replacement
film in the event of a problem or product failure.
Remember that the best film installed improperly or used in
a situation where a professional dealer installer might not
otherwise install that particular film will likely not live
up to the customer’s expectations.
It is the responsibility of the installing dealer, as well
as the informed consumer; to determine which window film product
will best suit their need. Working with an International Window
Film Association (IWFA) accredited “Solar Control Specialist”
assures the consumer that the dealer they are working with
has successfully completed testing on important areas of technical
and installation expertise.
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What
can you expect with “Accredited Solar Control Specialist”
installations?
· Knowledgeable sales consultants
· High quality materials and installation
· Manufacturer warranties covering product failure
· Glass thermal shock fracture and IG unit seal failure
coverage
· Confidence you are dealing with an industry professional
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