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Q&A
FAQ's
How
do
Solar
window
films
work?
Window
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
through
the
glass.
Reflective
films
are
films
that
have
been
precision
coated
with
metals.
These
metallised
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).
All
clear
films
are
made
to
be
transparent
and
optically
clear.
The
ultraviolet
protection
in
the
adhesive
system
is
there
to
protect
the
adhesive,
the
metals,
the
polyester
film,
and
the
abrasion
resistant
coating
from
UV
degradation.
This
UV
protection
will
also
help
protect
what
is
behind
the
film
(home
and
office
furnishings)
too.
Films
are
protected
with
our
patented
abrasion
resistant
coating
for
long-term
durability
and
maintained
appearance.
How
do
Solar
window
film;
Low
E
Insulation
films
work?
Low
E
films
work
much
in
the
same
way
as
the
sun
control
films
except
that
they
offer
an
increased
performance
against
cold
weather
heat
loss.
The
patented
constructions
of
these
films
enable
the
metal
coating
to
reflect
more
of
the
interior
room
heat
back
into
the
room
where
it
is
needed.
This
improves
comfort
by
reducing
potential
draft
feelings
near
the
window,
and
may
also
save
on
fuel
costs,
especially
in
commercial
buildings.
The
LE
films
are
also
protected
with
our
abrasion
resistant
coating
for
long-term
durability
and
maintained
appearance.
Why
do
commercial
customers
have
Solar
window
film?
Improved
tenant
comfort.
Improved
heating
and
cooling
costs.
Lower
utility
demand
costs.
Improved
aesthetics,
uniform
appearance.
Improved
safety
and
security.
Extended
Air
Conditioning
equipment
life.
Valued
alternative
to
adding
more
A/C
equipment.
Most
often,
our
commercial
customers
will
purchases
window
films
for
tenant
comfort
and
justify
the
purchase
with
great
energy
cost
savings
for
the
building.
What
is
the
typical
energy
pay
back
for
Solar
window
films?
Simple
paybacks
will
vary
depending
upon
the
amount
of
sunlit
glass
exposure,
the
type
of
glass,
cost
of
fuel,
cost
application,
and
other
variables.
Paybacks
can
be
from
6
months
to
15
years.
How
is
Solar
window
film
applied?
Solar
window
films
are
applied
by
skilled,
well-trained
fitters.
Most
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
and
razor
sharp
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.
How
long
does
it
take
for
Solar
window
films
to
dry?
We
suggest
allowing
at
least
thirty
days
for
the
film
too
fully
dry
and
cure.
During
this
curing
process,
occasionally
there
may
be
small
water
bubbles
and/or
a
hazing
milkiness
appearance.
These
will
disappear
as
the
film
dries;
depending
upon
the
film
type
and
weather
conditions,
drying
may
take
as
much
as
30
days
or
longer,
dependent
on
ambient
and
building
temperature.
Once
dried,
films
will
look
great
and
perform
for
many
years
to
come
guaranteed.
Can
Solar
window
film
be
fitted
by
anyone?
No,
Solar
window
films
require
professional
application;
our
fitters
are
thoroughly
trained
and
experienced
in
performing
high
quality
work.
In
this
way,
our
customers
will
enjoy
the
benefits
of
window
films
and
have
the
comfort
of
the
manufacturer's
warranty.
How
do I
clean
my
Solar
window
film?
After
30
days,
you
may
clean
Solar
films
using
normal
household
cleaning
solutions,
excluding
ammonia-based
products
and
a
soft,
lint-free
cloth
or
towel.
You
may
also
use
a
squeegee
to
clean
the
films.
Abrasive
products,
which
would
scratch
or
damage
the
film,
must
not
be
used.
How
long
does
Solar
window
film
last?
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.
Most
applications
last
over
15
years
and
beyond.
Some
applications
are
still
performing
after
25
years.
How
do I
remove
the
old
film
from
my
windows?
Window
films
are
designed
to
bond
the
film
to
the
window
glass
for
many
years.
Yet
when
it
is
time
to
remove
the
film,
removal
can
be
performed
by
following
a
relatively
simple
process.
First
try
to
pull
the
film
off
by
lifting
and
peeling
the
film
from
a
corner.
If
removing
the
film
is
difficult,
spray
the
film
with
a
solution
of
detergent
and
water
and
cover
with
a
plastic
film
(e.g.
bin
liner).
Allow
to
soak
for
several
minutes.
Next
the
adhesive
residue
left
on
the
glass
can
be
sprayed
with
a
detergent,
ammonia
and
water
solution
and
scraped
with
a
four
inch
razor
blade
tool.
Unfortunately,
other
window
films
are
not
necessarily
designed
for
removal
in
their
future.
They
can
prove
to
be
particularly
difficult
to
remove,
and
may
require
more
drastic
measures.
What
warranty
comes
with
Solar
window
film?
Window
films
are
warranted
to
maintain
their
solar
properties
without
bubbling,
peeling,
cracking,
or
crazing.
Many
of
our
films
are
warranted
against
discoloration,
too.
Films
which
are
not
of
dyed
polyester).
Should
the
product
prove
to
be
defective,
armorcoat
and
comfort
zone
windows
will
warrantee
the
film
for
a
lifetime
on
residential
homes
and
10
years
on
commercial
buildings
free
of
charge.
Do
Solar
window
films
cause
glass
to
break?
No,
Solar
window
films
alone
do
not
cause
glass
to
break.
However,
we
do
understand
that
the
application
of
Solar
Guard
will
increase
the
temperature
of
your
sunlit
glass,
which
will
increase
the
stress
on
the
glass
edges.
The
quality
of
those
glass
edges
and
several
other
factors
(external
shading,
interior
shading,
glass
history,
type
of
film
size/shape
of
glass,
indoor-outdoor
temperature)
all
contribute
to
the
potential
risk
of
glass
breakage.
Our
years
of
experience
with
applying
window
films
to
different
types
of
glass
enables
us
to
make
proper
film.
Glass
recommendations
and
minimizes
the
potential
for
glass
breakage.
Do
Solar
window
films
cause
seal
failure
when
applied
to
double
glazed
windows?
No,
window
films
do
not
cause
seal
failure.
Solar
window
films
have
been
installed
onto
double
glazed
windows
for
over
25
years
with
many
million
of
square
feet
of
film
applied
to
date
world
wide.
When
recommended
films
are
applied
to
the
inside
pane
of a
double
glazed
unit,
there
will
be
some
absorption
of
the
suns
energy,
which
will
increase
the
temperature
of
the
glass
pane.
Some
of
this
heat
will
transmit
to
the
airspace,
slightly
raising
the
airspace
temperature.
However,
even
a
7°C
increase
(unusual
for
most
films)
will
result
in a
less
than
3%
change
in
air
pressure,
whereas
properly
made
units
are
designed
and
tested
to
withstand
22%
changes
in
air
pressure.
Risk
of
seal
failure
is
greatly
determined
by
the
quality
of
workmanship
and
the
quality
of
the
materials
that
go
into
building
the
double
glazed
units.
The
best
protection
against
seal
failure
is
to
purchase
well
made
units
from
reputable
window
manufacturers
that
have
solid
experience
with
double
glazed
units.
Will
Solar
window
film
stop
my
furnishings
from
fading?
Nothing
stops
fading.
Films
are
designed
to
help
reduce
the
major
causes
of
fading
(ultra
violet
light,
visible
light,
and
solar
heat),
thus
prolonging
the
life
of
your
furnishings,
perhaps
as
much
as
two
to
five
time.
Keep
in
mind
the
article(s)
to
be
protected;
if
they
have
a
typical
life
of
five
years
then
they
may
last
10
years
longer
depending
on
the
performance
of
the
film
selected.
As a
general
rule
of
thumb,
ultra
violet
(UV)
is
approximately
40%
of
the
cause;
visible
light
is
about
25%
and
heat
about
25%.
The
remaining
10%
can
be
attributed
to
humidity,
pollutants,
interior
lights,
dye
anchorage,
and
more.
Does
the
ultra
violet
protection
lose
its
effectiveness
over
time?
No,
the
ultra
violet
light
(UV)
protection
that
we
use
in
our
proprietary
adhesive
system
is
indefinite.
It
does
not
lose
its
effectiveness
over
the
life
of
the
film.
How
do
Armorcoat
Safety
and
Security
window
films
work?
Armorcoat
safety
and
security
window
films
are
designed
to
make
glass
shatter-resistant
by
holding
the
glass
pieces
together
when
broken.
Different
from
Solar
Guard
film,
Armorcoat
window
films
are
made
with
thicker
polyester
and
much
thicker,
more
aggressive
adhesive
system.
For
further
protection
an
attachment
system
can
be
used
in
conjunction
with
the
window
film.
Are
Armorcoat
films
storm
proof,
bullet
proof,
burglar
proof,
and
bomb/explosion
proof?
No,
they
are
designed
to
make
the
window
glass
more
shatter
resistant.
Armorcoat
films
were
originally
developed
due
to
the
international
concerns
and
needs
from
improved
safety
and
security
against
terrorist
acts
of
bombings.
These
films
can
significantly
reduce
the
risk
of
serious
injury
from
flying
shards
of
glass
due
to
blasts;
however,
much
depends
upon
the
severity
of
the
blast
and
the
proximity
of
the
window
glass
to
the
blast
(and
glass
type,
framing
system,
and
more).
Our
films
are
not
bullet
proof.
Armorcoat
films
are
a
low-profile,
high
performance
measure
of
security
in
the
battle
against
'smash
and
grab'
crime,
the
tough,
shatter
resistant
qualities
of
the
film
can
hold
the
window
glass
together
even
if a
brick
(or
similar
object)
were
actually
to
pass
through
the
glass.
The
thief
must
now
make
a
choice;
continue
to
attack
this
window,
try
another
window,
or
move
on.
Time
is
short,
and
often
they
move
on.
However,
if
they
are
determined
to
gain
entry,
they
will
get
in;
even
through
a
brick
wall.
It
is
generally
recommended
that
the
property
have
a
proper
alarm
system
in
addition
to
Armorcoat
window
film.
Armorcoat
films
protect
adults
and
children
from
the
potentially
lethal
effects
of
accidental
impact
into
non
safety
glazing.
Armorcoat
films
conform
to
EN
12600.
In
the
event
of
extreme
weather
conditions,
these
films
may
have
significant
safety
and
security
value.
They
can
reduce
the
risk
of
injury
from
flying
shards
of
broken
glass,
and
possible
help
prevent
debris
and
water
penetration
through
the
window
depending
on
the
severity
of
the
weather
(and
the
type
of
glass,
framing
system,
size
and
velocity
of
objects,
and
more).
In
an
earthquake,
these
films
can
reduce
the
risk
of
serious
injury
from
flying
shards
of
broken
glass,
and
possible
prevent
glass
from
falling
out
of a
home
or
building.
Again,
much
may
depend
upon
the
severity
of
the
quake
(and
the
type
of
glass,
framing
system,
and
more).
Will
Armorcoat
film
keep
my
glass
from
breaking?
This
is
difficult
to
answer
with
any
degree
of
certainty.
Window
glass
varies
in
strength
from
piece
to
piece,
as
each
cause
of
breakage
varies
in
velocity.
So,
if
an
Armorcoat
protected
window
were
impacted,
yet,
failed
to
break,
it
would
be
difficult
to
determine
if
the
glass
alone,
the
film
alone,
or
the
film
and
glass
together
resisted
the
breakage.
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