Window film

Window film, also called window tint, is transparent plastic film or metallic laminate which is applied to glass windows. It is available in many different compositions with varying effects on the optical and mechanical properties of the underlying glass. Because window film is applied to finished glass it is easier to install and less costly than chemically altered specialty glass.

Primary properties

Heat rejection films are normally applied to the interior of flat glass windows to reduce the amount of infrared, visible light, and UV radiation entering windows. Such films are either dyed or metalized (which can be transparent to visible light) to convert incoming solar radiation to infrared radiation, which is then rejected back through the glass to the exterior. They usually cost 10-15% more than regular windows but can reduce energy loss by as much as 30-50%.[1] [2] To keep the sun's heat out of the house, the Low-E coating should be applied to the outside pane of glazed windows. If the windows are designed to provide heat energy in the winter and keep heat inside the house (typical of cold climates), the Low-E coating should be applied to the inside pane of glazed windows.[3] Such films also reduce the amount of visible and ultraviolet light entering a window, and are often applied to reduce fading of the contents of a room. Silvered film may also be employed to the same end.

Security films are applied to prevent glass from shattering. Typically applied to commercial glass, these films are made of heavy-gauge plastic and are intended to maintain the integrity of glass when subject to heavy impact. The most robust security films are capable of preventing fragmentation and the production of hazardous glass shards from forces up to and including bomb blasts.[4] These security films ( if applied properly) can also provide protection for vehicles [5]. These security films are often tinted and can be up to 400 micrometres thick, compared to less than 50 micrometres for ordinary tint films. If anchored correctly they can also provide protection for architectural glazing, in the event of an explosion. [6] There are benefits to adding film to almost all types of glazing (even laminated glass). A layer of film (of 100 micrometres thickness or greater) can prevent the ejection of spall when a projectile impacts on its surface, creating small dagger-like shards of glass that can cause injury.

Graphic design films are generally colored vinyl or frosted. Frosted finish films closely resemble sandblasted or acid-etched glass, while vinyl films are available in a range of colors. Both types of films are commonly used in commercial applications.

Privacy films reduce visibility through the glass. Privacy film for flat-glass commercial and residential applications may be silvered, offering an unimpeded view from the low-light side but virtually no view from the high-light side. It may also be frosted, rendering the window translucent but not transparent. Privacy films for automobiles are available in gradients of darkness, with the darker tints commonly known as "limo tint".

Correctly applied mirror film can create one way mirrors as seen on the UK reality program ' Big Brother ' [7]

Other benefits includes protection for passengers in the rear, protection from harmful Ultra Violet (UV) rays, more effective and practical than stick-on blinds, essential cooling for pets, greater privacy, reduces visibility of valuables, reduces glare and reflection on LCDscreens and can offer protection for those suffering from extreme photo-sensitive conditions or skin sensitivity such as lupus .

Films are available with almost any conceivable combination of the above properties.

Certification & standards

The thicker window films known as safety and security window film are designed to perform under extreme conditions, and as such there are specific standard criteria these films should meet, such as American standards ANSI Z.97, CPSC 16 CFR 1201, Cat II (400 ft-lb), and the British Standards BS 6206 (Class A, B & C). The European Committee for Standardization offer the EN12600 standard Classification of Resistance of Glazing to Impact. Often, building codes dictate that a film must have a report verifiying that it has met at least one of these standards.

Solar window film is usually subject to less critical testing. However, standards are in place to maintain a level of quality in the industry. The ANSI Standards ASTM E903 and ASTM D1044-93 relate to the Solar/UV transmission properties, and abrasion resistance respectively. The larger window film manufacturers use these standards to guarantee the quality of their raw materials and finished products.

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Regulations for automotive use

File:Window tint car.JPG

Window tint on a convertible in America. Tint on the front window is lighter than on the back window because of window tint laws.

Automobile window tinting, by its nature, reduces the visible light transmittance through a car's windows. This can be problematic at night, when motorists must be able to see through the windows of other vehicles in order to spot hazards which would otherwise be obstructed. Police officers also want to be able to identify the passengers in a vehicle.

In many jurisdictions, there are laws to ensure darkness of films do not present a danger to motorists.

In the United States, the federal Department of Transportation specifies a minimum of 70% visible light transmission (VLT) for window tinting on the windshield and the windows to the immediate left and right of the driver. The DoT does not specify any VLT requirements for any other windows [8]. Individual states can pass laws that go further than the requirements set forth by the DoT. The DoT regulates commercial vehicles, not private vehicles. Links to state laws that govern tinting on private vehicles can be found in the external links section. Private vehicles may have tint on the windows to the immediate left and right of the driver as dark as 20% VLT, depending on the state.

In Canada, automobile tinting laws are set at the provincial level.

In the UK regulations dictate that all front windows in front of the B post can have no less than 70% light transmission [9] and windscreens are only allowed tinting outside the sweep of the windscreen wipers to a maximum of 6 inches from the top of the windscreen downwards of the drivers vision is in no way obscured, sometimes known as a 'top tint'. Police in the UK are increasingly cracking down on illegal tinting on vehicles.[10]

In Singapore the LTA requires window tint on the windscreen and front side windows to have at least 70% VLT, and at least 25% for the rear windows.[11]

Installation

Window films are usually professionally installed; however, most films require few specialized tools to install and may be installed by consumers. Incorrectly installed films may bubble or peel.

It is especially difficult to install tint film on auto glass with curvature, for example, in the case of rear windows of cars, because of the care required in cutting and sizing the film. Auto tint is best installed by professionals; without the proper tools and techniques, amateur filming is prone to bubbling and separation from the glass.

Window film is typically installed after surfaces are throughly cleaned and wiped, typically using a commercial cleaner and a scraper blade, and then a simple soap solution is squirted on the glass before the film layer is mounted. Most manufacturers will only warranty thier window films when installed by a certified, trained installer.

Removal

Window tint and the adhesive that adheres it to the glass is difficult to remove. While it is generally best done by experts, the consumer can remove it with appropriate materials and care. The process involves heating the film with a hair dryer or a steamer to soften the adhesive, pulling the film off in small sections, and dissolving the glue with a strong ammonia solution which may then be wiped off. Some professional tinting companies remove the glass during tint installation for a perfect finish, making removal of the film very difficult for the novice.

External links