What are the benefits of window film?

High quality window films offer the following…

99.9% ultraviolet (UV) light reduction resulting in:

• Significant fade protection for furniture, carpet, artwork, wood, draperies, etc.
• Reduced fabric, textile and wood deterioration
• Reduced exposure to UV radiation, which has been linked to skin cancer
  

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• Increased comfort
• Reduced air conditioning costs
• Reduced HVAC equipment wear and tear/maintenance
• Increased fade resistance

• Glare reduction

• Daytime privacy

• Attractive accent to home, business and car windows

• Scratch resistant hard coating (standard on most films) protects against:

• Accidental abrasion and product deterioration from normal cleaning
• Hazy appearance typical with plastic type materials

• Increased shatter resistance resulting in:

• Increased safety for your family and friends/ increased peace of mind
• Heavy gauge security films offer significant benefits from:
• Natural disasters such as earthquakes, violent storms, high winds, etc.
• Vandalism, terrorist bombings, smash and grab theft, etc.
  
• Decrease Scratching/ graffiti (glass tagging) on exterior windows, restroom, mirrors, elevator doors and any other vulnerable smooth surfaces.

Film basics

Window films are composed of a polyester substrate. During manufacturing a scratch resistant coating is applied to one side of the film and a crystal clear mounting adhesive is applied to the other side. The adhesive is protected by a clear release liner.

Professional installation

Proper cleaning of the glass is an essential part of quality film installation. Once the glass is prepared the installer will precisely cut the film to the exact size of each piece of glass. When the release liner is removed from the film, the adhesive side of the film is applied to the inside surface of the glass with the aid of a mounting solution which is then squeegeed out. The film requires a period of time to dry. During this drying process there may be changes in the optical clarity. A hazy appearance may occur which is normal and will go away. Professionally installed films look better longer and are more likely to perform to specifications for their warranted lives, or even longer, than those improperly installed.

Professional dealer installers have experience and 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.

Time Frames

Installation of window film is clean and unobtrusive and most homes can be completed in one day.

Commercial building installations vary by building size and scope of work; however the job can be completed with minimal disturbance to building occupants.

There are six factors that cause fading of fabrics, carpet, wood, etc. 

1.  Ultraviolet Light 
2.  Visible Light 
3.  Heat and Humidity 
4.  Chemical Vapors (including ozone) 
5.  Age of Fabric 
6.  Dye Fastness 

What causes fading?

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 99.9% of solar ultraviolet light. 

Different types of clear glass and dual pane window systems will reject 13-29% of the solar heat.  With window films, 83% 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.

The effective life of window film will vary by the type of film, window construction, compass orientation of glass, and in which part of the world the building is located. Quality window films can last 25 years or more.

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.