| Q: I just had my windows tinted and now it's all hazy. It's been several days and it hasn't gone away. |
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A: You must have had a metalized film applied to your windows. Metalized film has a much slower drying time. Under normal drying conditions such as hot summer days it will take 1-2 weeks, but in the winter time the drying time usually takes 30 days. Also, drying time depends on how much sun exposure the windows receive during the day, the more sun the faster the drying. |
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| Q: Thanks for the great job you guys did on my windows. How do I clean my windows to ensure it lasts as long as possible? |
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A: We recommend a non-ammonia cleaner and a soft cloth, such as a baby diaper or T-shirt. You can use vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 10 parts water), or Windex with vinegar available at any store. Be sure to read the label that it does not contain ammonia. If you use a professional window cleaner, let them know which windows are tinted. |
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| Q: I have dual pane windows. Can they be tinted? |
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A: Dual pane windows are very common in homes these days. Dual pane or thermal pane have two pieces about 1/2" apart with gas sealed in-between. The answer is yes! Your windows can be tinted but certain guidelines need to be followed, because dual panes are more vulnerable to stress than single pane windows. |
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| Q: What is seal failure? |
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A: Seal failure occurs when the sealant between the two lites of glass breaks, subjecting the airspace to the surrounding environment. Since the sealant acts as the moisture barrier, if the seal breaks, condensation can develop in the airspace of the insulating glass window. |
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| Q: Why do insulating glass unit seals break? |
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A: The environment inside an insulating glass unit can be affected by its external environment such as temperature and air pressure. Changes in temperature and air pressure put additional stress on the insulating glass unit's seals. The use of resilient sealants in the construction of the insulating glass unit can also cause the seals to fail.
Most manufacturers, however, design and test their products to withstand significant changes in air pressure and temperature, thereby reducing the chance of failures. Nevertheless, seal failure does and will continue to occur simply because of the way in which insulated units are manufactured, shipped and installed. In fact, the insulating glass manufacturers association (SIGMA) has found normal seal failure to be at a rate of 1.5% of the installed units. |
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| Q: Does window film cause seal failure? |
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A: Our product has never been shown to be the cause of seal failure. Manufacturers continuously analyze how window films affect temperature and pressure within the airspace of an insulating glass unit. Results indicate that on a clear insulating unit, even our most popular residential film 35 neutral only increases the summertime airspace temperature by no more than 22 degrees, a pressure increase of only .55psi (pounds per square inch). Put into perspective, most manufacturers of insulating glass units design their products to withstand a pressure change of 3.30 psi, over six times the film's potential pressure increase! |
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| Q: What can I do? |
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A: We advise our customers who have seal failure concerns to contact their window manufacturer. If your window manufacturer voids the warranty when the film is installed, you should ask for their test data supporting these warranty limitations.
Manufacturers of insulating glass windows:
Andersen Windows
612-439-5150
Pella Corporation
515-628-1000
HGP Industries
609-234-9222
Temperglass, Inc.
419-666-2000
Marvin Windows
218-386-1430
Viracon, Inc.
507-451-9555 |
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| Q: How Do Window Films Work? |
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A: Solar Control Films are designed to reduce the amount of solar heat transmission through window glass by increasing the solar reflection (not necessarily visible reflection) and solar absorption of the glass. Typical colored or dyed films work primarily through increased absorption. The color absorbs the solar energy at the glass, thus reducing the direct transmission into the room. These films only offer marginal performance when compared to reflective films. Reflective films are films that have been precision coated with metals. These metallic films are designed to increase the solar energy reflection of the glass and some of the absorption. Reflective films range from moderate to excellent in solar performance (heat gain reduction). |
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| Q: Why Do Commercial Customers Have Film Applied in their buildings? |
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A: * Improved Tenant Comfort
* Lower Heating and Cooling Operating Costs
* Lower Utility Demand Costs
* Utility Rebates
* Improved Aesthetics, Uniform Appearance
* Improved Safety and Security
* Extended A/C Equipment Life
* Valued Alternative to adding more A/C Equipment and more.
Most often, our commercial customers will install Window Films for tenant comfort and justify the purchase on Energy Cost Savings. |
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| Q: What is the Typical Energy Pay Back for Window Films? |
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A: Simple paybacks will vary depending upon the amount of sunlit glass exposure, the type of film, the type of glass, cost of fuel, cost of application, and other variables. However, we have seen pay backs often range in the 2-5 year period, with some reported to be even less than 6 months. |
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| Q: How is the Window Film Applied? |
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A: Films are professionally applied by skilled, well-trained personnel. Almost all of our films are designed to be applied to the inside of your glass. The first step is to prepare the window area for the application; placing drop cloths on the floor, protecting and/or moving furniture where necessary. Next, the window glass is cleaned using simple cleaning solutions (often water and ammonia) and razor blade scrapers. Then, the film is sprayed with a slip solution (detergent and water) for proper positioning, and applied to the window glass. Using a professional grade squeegee and following proper techniques, the application is completed by removing excess water, trimming the edges, and a final squeegee technique to dry the edges. |
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| Q: How Long Does Window Film Last? |
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A: Window Films are made durable to last for many years; just how long may depend upon the type of film applied, type of glass it is applied to, and the particular climate in which it is applied. |
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| Q: Will Window Film Stop My Furnishings From Fading? |
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A: Nothing stops fading. Our films are designed to reduce the major causes of fading (ultraviolet light, visible light, and solar heat), thus prolonging the life of your furnishings, perhaps as much as two to five times. |
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| Q: How Do Safety and Security Window Films Work? |
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A: Security Window Films are designed to make glass shatter-resistant by holding the glass pieces together when broken. Different from standard window film, Security Window Films are made with thicker polyester and a much thicker, more aggressive adhesive system. |
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