Q -What is Window Film?
A – Window film is optical grade polyester sheeting with colored dye and/or metal particles imbedded into its surface to reduce the transmission of solar heat, light, and ultraviolet rays through a pane of glass, simultaneously reducing glare.
Q – How Is Window Film Applied To Glass?
A – The film has a powerful adhesive on one side. Professional installers completely clean and prep the glass prior to installation. Using a special mounting solution, squeegee and stainless cutting blades, they prepare, fit and secure the film to the glass.
Q – Why Is Window Film A Better Choice Than Tinted Glass?
A – Window films provide numerous benefits including solar heat and ultraviolet rejection and they can be easily fitted to most existing glass, which makes them less costly than replacing windows with tinted glass. They also help protect occupants from flying shards of broken glass in the event of accidental breakage.
Q – Can The Film Be Scratched During Cleaning?
A – To help prevent minor scratches that can occur with cleaning, most window films come standard with a very tough, scratch-resistant coating.
Q – What Is Meant By “Curing” And How Long Does It Take?
A – The window film needs a minimum of 30 days to cure or dry.
Q – Will Window Film Really Stop Fading Of Fabrics?
A – There are six factors affecting fabric fading:
1. Ultraviolet Light
2. Visible Light
3. Heat and Humidity
4. Chemical Vapors (including ozone)
5. Age of Fabric
6. Dye Fastness
Clear single pane glass (1/8″ to 1/4″) will reject 23-28% of the ultraviolet light from the sun. Insulated glass is slightly better, rejecting 36-41%. Window films installed on glass reject 95-99% of solar ultraviolet light. Different types of clear glass and window systems will reject 13-29% of the solar heat. With window films, 80% solar heat rejection can be obtained. No window film can eliminate fading. It can, however, offer maximum protection from fading due to solar ultraviolet light and solar heat.
Q – What Do I Need To Know About Maintenance?
A – No cleaning for the first 30 days. Routine cleaning can be done safely with mild soapy water and a soft cloth or soft paper towel.
Q – How Long Will Film Last?
A – The effective life of window film will vary by the type of film, type of glass, window construction, compass orientation of glass, and in which part of the world the building is located. 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.
All quality window films for residential and commercial use are warranted by the film manufacturers for a minimum of five years (certain products may have extended coverage). The warranty includes an address to contact the manufacturer directly should any questions arise either before or after the installation of the window film.
Q – How Should I Clean My Windows After Film Is Applied?
A – Windows with film applied are easily cleaned without damage to their appearance as long as a few common-sense guidelines are followed:
1. Use a soft clean cloth, soft paper towel, or clean synthetic sponge.
2. Use a soft cloth or squeegee for drying the window.
3. Use any normal glass cleaning solution which contains no abrasive materials.
The availability of scratch resistant coatings as a standard feature of quality films has virtually eliminated the need for extra special precautions in cleaning.
Q – Will Window Film Kill My House Plants?
A – 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 a state of shock while it adjusts 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 colored ones), there is one sample test which can be done prior to film installation: 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.
Q – Can Window Film Be Used On Low E Windows?
A – Whether window film should be used on low E windows and how much you will benefit depends on three factors:
1. Type of low E surface used on glass.
2. Location of low E surface in the window system.
3. The desired amount of heat gain reduction, heat loss reduction, or other film benefits.
There are two basic types of low E surfaces on glass. One of these is a conductive coating put on glass as it is being made. It gives some heat loss reduction, but does little to reduce heat gain into a building. The second type is a more complex system of multiple layers of metals and conductive coatings deposited on glass after it has been made. This type of low E glass gives heat reductions of 30% to 50% in addition to reducing heat loss. Obviously there will be more heat gain reduction using film on the first type. If there is any question about the type you may have, ask your glass company or the window manufacturer to send you the specific information about your glass.
The location of the low E surface in your window system is also very important in deciding whether film should be used. If the low E coating is on the room-side surface of the innermost pane of glass, the use of window film may reduce or eliminate the heat loss reduction of the glass itself. This may be more than offset by the heat gain reduction/heat loss reduction properties of the films to be used. Most low E window systems, however, consist of double pane windows where the low E surface faces the air space between the panes. In this case, film can be installed without eliminating the heat loss reduction benefit of the low E glass. The type of window film you choose for low E glass depends entirely on your desired benefit -whether you want to reduce heat gain, control glare, prevent heat loss, reduce fading or enhance the safety of your windows and glass doors. Carefully consider all these benefits before making a final decision.