Window films

Color and mirror films used for glazing facades of buildings allow you to create an individual appearance, while ensuring privacy and protection from solar radiation .

Films that protect against heat are usually applied to flat glass on the inside of the room to reduce the amount of penetrating infrared or ultraviolet radiation, visible light or radiation . Such films are painted or metallized (while being transparent to visible light) in order to turn solar radiation into infrared, which is then reflected into the external environment.

The same mechanism helps prevent heat loss from the room.

The cost of films quickly pays off: they can reduce energy losses by 30-50% .

Screen Protectors

Protective films are applied to prevent glass from breaking. Usually, when used in the commercial sector ( armored window ), these films are made of thick plastic (or special materials: polyester or lavsan ) and are designed to ensure glass integrity during strong impacts.

Most reinforcing protective films can prevent the breaking and formation of dangerous fragments during shock waves, for example, bomb explosions . Some companies have attempted to develop multilayer protective films that provide protection against destruction from firearms , but have not been successful.

Application of protective films also protects vehicles . These protective films are often also tinted and can be up to 400 microns thick (10 times thicker than conventional tint films).

A film layer (100 microns or more) can prevent the release of dangerous dagger-like fragments if a projectile or bullet enters its surface.

Design (architectural) films

Designer (architectural) films are usually painted with vinyl or matted.

Frosted film resembles “frozen” glass, scattering illumination. A similar effect is achieved by other glass matting technologies : more expensive sandblasting of glass or acid etching.

Vinyl films can have a color in a wide range of colors. These films are often used in conjunction with protective films.

Artistic tinting is one of the ways to create an individual appearance of cars, building facades, premises, furniture. The image (for example, the logo) is cut out by a plotter from decorative or architectural tinting films, after which it is fixed to the glass using an assembly film.

Information Security

Reflective "mirror" films complicate or make it impossible to capture information by the optical method, protective films - by the acoustic method (removal of glass vibrations by a laser), metallized - by the electromagnetic method.

Privacy Films

Tinted films provide privacy by reducing the amount of light passing through the glass. The most common color of tinted films is various shades of gray, from subtle blackout to almost complete absorption of solar radiation.

They can also be mirrored, providing an unobstructed view from the side of a less illuminated room, but the practically invisibility of the protected room from the side of a more illuminated room against the background of reflections. Professionally installed mirror films create a “one-way visibility effect”. The myth is widespread that such films provide absolute one-sided visibility in any conditions, but in fact this effect is not fully manifested and only if the film is less illuminated on the protected side, for which measures are necessary up to an additional “flood lighting” with the outside.

Films can also be opaque, being light-transmitting, but scattering (that is, without reducing the brightness of the lighting indoors, but not allowing you to see anything behind them).

Films reduce glare in the daytime.

However, at night, when the light source is inside the building, the films are subject to the effect of irisation (iridescence or rainbow), especially in fluorescent lighting . The resulting glare can be from almost invisible to very noticeable. Most often, the effect is manifested if one or more layers of the film contains metal sputtering, however, it can also occur in completely non-reflective films.

The best way to stop irisation is to prevent light from a fluorescent source from entering the glazing or use a different type of lighting.

Typically, window films are applied by specialists using special tools and adhesive and detergent compositions. If the film application technology is violated, bubbles, peeling or tearing can form, foreign inclusions (liquid droplets, dust, dirt) can get between the glass and the film, scratches or translucent stripes and spots, uneven cuts of edges can form. There is also the risk of accidentally breaking glass.

It is especially difficult to apply a thick protective film or film on the glass (bent) surface of the glass, for example, in a car.

Window films are usually applied after thorough cleaning and drying of the glass surface (a special cleaning agent and scraper are usually used) and treatment with soapy liquor before applying the film.

The edges of the film applied to the window glass are usually hidden behind a glazing bead holding the glass packet . A protective film is applied on the inside of the glass.

Most film manufacturers provide product warranty only when applied by a certified, experienced installer.

The removal process includes heating the film with a dryer or stripper (to soften the glue), peeling the film into small areas and dissolving the glue with an ammonia compound, which must then be carefully removed. When removing, as with application, there is a risk of glass breaking with insufficient care. Some tinting companies remove glass from the frame when applying tinting to ensure quality, making film removal extremely difficult for inexperienced installers.

• Protective film

• Automotive State Window Tinting Rules & Laws Chart International Window Film Association.