Architectural Window Film Suppliers
March 16, 2022Dual-Reflective Window Film
March 31, 2022Frequently Asked Questions About Architectural Window Film
Whether you want to reduce sunlight, increase privacy, protect your windows, architectural window films are an excellent solution for your residential and commercial buildings.
Architectural window film is strong polyester laminate designed to enhance the look and performance of your existing windows. These films control the amount of solar energy that passes into room spaces and are designed to improve the performance of windows and provide endless decorative opportunities. This article provides answers to the frequently asked questions about architectural window films.
What Can I Expect from My Freshly Installed Window Film?
Your newly installed window film will have a dimpled textured appearance when you look through it, especially for sputtered metal films. Sometimes you will notice milky or clouded looks in spots.
This should not cause alarm as it is part of the normal drying process. The cloudiness and lumpiness will disappear as soon as the moisture evaporates through the film. Depending on the type of film you use, humidity, and temperature, your film will be completely dry within three to eight weeks. Normal curing will take between one and eight weeks, depending on how thick your film is.
Is Window Film Transparent?
Like windows, there is no utterly transparent film. Many windows have some kind of hue, only that the human eye does not perceive it.
The amount of transparency of your architectural window film depends on your preference. Window films come in different designs, colors, and tints. An optically clear film will be ideal if you want a window film for solar control. This will protect you from solar glare while allowing a fantastic outside view.
Will Solar Film Darken My Home?
The short answer is it depends. Due to the current advancement in window film technology, you don’t necessarily need a dark tint for protection against ultraviolet rays, heat, and glare. While you may want darker shades to improve daytime privacy and performance, there are many different solar film tint options, including clear with many benefits.
Will Window Film Harm My Houseplant?
As long as your houseplants get enough light, installing window films will not harm them. On the contrary, window film will ensure that your plant receives enough sunlight to thrive while protecting them from scorching heat.
The best part is that you can get the light transmittance percentage for each film you shop with Scorpion. Scorpion will help you choose the best window film based on your needs and plant requirements. For example, darker tinting will come in handy if you have delicate plants. On the other hand, optically clear UV filtering film would be ideal for plants requiring full sun.
The bottom line is as long as your privacy film allows light to penetrate, it will not affect the growth and health of indoor plants. However, your plants may require some time to adjust to the change in environment. Sometimes you may want to move your plants to various parts of your space to see how they respond.
Will Architectural Window Film Reduce Glare and Eyestrain?
This is a primary concern for most people, especially now that many people work from home. Luckily, one of the benefits of window film is that it can reduce glare and eyestrain.
Ideally, solar window control window film protects from direct sunlight. It reduces the amount of sunlight that gets into your space to ensure you don’t strain when looking at monitors or TV. Our window film reduces up to 99% of UVA rays to protect your eyesight.
Will Window Film Lead to Glass Cracking?
Yes, installing the wrong window film can cause the glass to crack. Some of the reasons that can cause glass breakage include:
- Thermal stress from solar radiation
- Mechanical flexing stress
- Tensile stress from the weight of the glass
- Twisting stress
- Impact stress from hail and flying objects
The type of film will only impact thermal stress. The use of window films and other factors such as tight-fitting drapes and overhangs will increase thermal stress. Besides, different types of glass (clear versus tinted, annealed versus tempered) have varying absorption rates and varying levels of thermal stress.
That means it is crucial to choose the appropriate window film for glass. If you work with Scorpion, we will conduct an onsite visit to get as much details as possible about the project to ensure we recommend the right window film for your specific windows to avoid cracking.
How Do I Care and Maintain My Windows after Window Film Installation?
High-quality window films are scratch-resistant. If you follow common guidelines, you can clean your window film easily without damage.
As a rule of thumb, avoid using hard, sharp, or metallic objects when cleaning your window film to prevent damage. Use a soft clean cloth, a clean synthetic sponge, or a soft towel alongside ammonia-free and non-abrasive cleaner for better results. Avoid blue ‘Windex with ammonia D’ and any colored cleaners because they contain ammonia that will damage your film.
How Do Window Films Impact Double-Glazed Windows?
This is another major concern for many customers. However, window films will not affect the seal of a double-glazed window even when applied to the inside pane of an insulated glass unit.
Whether your seal will fail depends mainly on the quality of the materials used and the workmanship of your insulated glass unit. As such, it is highly unlikely that a high-quality double-glazed window will get damaged when installing a window film.
Will Window Film Save My Energy Costs?
One of the major benefits of architectural window film in homes or commercial buildings is energy efficiency. After all, energy bills are highest during summer and winter.
While window tint film will not stop heat during summer or cold in winter, it can help reduce the amount of sunlight and energy that gets into your building. Window film reflects ultraviolet rays from the sun to reduce the temperature during the summer months. The film reflects heat back into the building during the winter to reduce heating costs.
Can Window Film Eliminate Temperature Imbalances in My Home?
Another benefit of architectural window films is that they help eliminate those uncomfortable hot or cold zones in your building. A high-quality window film installed by professionals can minimize temperature fluctuations and allow you to have comfortable moments in your space.
With window film, you get up to 82% solar energy rejection, reducing unwanted heat from the sun to create a more comfortable space.
How Do I Select a Window Film?
Choosing the best film can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. The best part is that we can help. Window film professional installers from Scorpion will point you in the right direction—we consider your needs and recommend the right film for your building to ensure you get the most from your window film.
How Long Does Installation Take?
The exact time your installation will take will depend on your needs and the installer you choose. In most cases, film installation will take place in a single day. When booking your appointment with us, let us know about any time constraints. We will adjust to your needs to ensure your project gets done according to your schedule.
Can I Install the Film Myself?
If you are DIY savvy, you can install the window film yourself. You can get various films from many home improvement stores, although they have limited options in their selection styles.
If you want high-quality films with a manufacturer’s warranty, work with highly experienced professional film installers. Scorpion offers a wide range of professional films with a manufacturer-backed guarantee. Our installers are highly experienced to ensure you get the best results.
Will Window Film Prevent Break-In?
While window films will not necessarily prevent break-ins, they can slow burglars down. More specifically, window films are tear-resistant and strengthen glass to delay intruders. This is good news because burglars don’t want to be delayed or face a strong deterrent.
Another benefit of window film is that it will not shatter into fragments when knocked. However, it is crucial to state that your window film will remain a viable deterrent measure as long as your window’s framing system holds together.
What Does My Warranty Cover?
You can expect to get up to a 15-year warranty for commercial installation and a lifetime warranty as a homeowner. Depending on your glass type, the film installed, and your building location, a professionally installed film can go past their warranties. That said, warranties cover different issues, including:
- Cracking
- Peeling
- Adhesive failure
- Bubbling
As you can see, the manufacturer warranty covers the film’s failure prematurely. However, it does not cover scratches, wear, tears, or damage due to abrasive cleaning methods and products and homeowner or user behavior.
How Long Does Window Film Last?
Different types of window film are made from different materials that serve various purposes and affect their lifespan. That said, how long your window film lasts will depend on multiple factors, including:
- Was the window film installed properly?
- Interior and exterior applications
- Is the application horizontal or vertical?
- The orientation of the installation—south-facing window may not last long as an east-facing window
What are the Different Types of Window Film?
One of the challenges that new customers face is understanding the different types of window films. In this section, we look at the different types of architectural window films:
Reflective Film
A common type of window film for both residential and commercial settings is reflective film. It protects from energy and light from the sun and other sources that would otherwise pass through the glass.
Neutral Film
This type of film is designed to reduce the amount of heat getting into your house without altering window colors. It helps save on cooling costs without reducing the amount of natural light entering your home.
Dual-Reflective Film
Dual-reflective films fall in the reflective film category. This type of film reduces the amount of light entering in and out of the window.
Decorative Film
This type of film is designed to add patterns to windows and increase your home or office privacy. Colored or frosted window tints offer privacy and make windows more appealing.
Insulating Window Film
While conventional applied solar window film can reduce the need for cooling energy (reduces solar heat gain), it may not be as helpful during the winter. Adding insulation to your film will help improve energy efficiency in all seasons.
Spectrally Selective Film
This type of film works differently from other conventional solar films—it does not use shading or reflectivity to reject solar energy. Ideally, the spectrally selective film is designed to allow maximum visible light transmission while rejecting Infra-Red wavelengths and UV. It significantly reduces glare and improves visibility.
Safety and Security Film
Besides light and heat protection, some films protect against impact by a foreign object. Of course, the glass can still break due to external aggressions, but the film will prevent shattering and ensure that the glass holds. It can also delay break-ins.
Anti-graffiti Film
Anti-graffiti film would be ideal for commercial and government facilities as it helps reduce the time and costs associated with removing graffiti manually.
Have Other Questions About Architectural Window Films?
There you have it. Those are the answers to the common architectural window film questions. We hope that we’ve answered some of the questions you have too. If you have other specific questions about window films that need professional guidance, we’re here to help. Get in touch today, and our professional window installers will provide the appropriate help.