Frequently Asked Questions
Browse by Topic
General Questions
General questions about window films and how they work and preform.
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 paybacks often range in the 2-5 year period, with some reported to be even less than 6 months. See your 3M authorized 3M Window Film Dealer to analyze the potential energy savings in your commercial property.
3M Sun 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 mild to excellent in solar heat rejection performance (heat gain reduction).
All 3M Sun Control Films are protected with our patented Abrasion Resistant coating for long term durability and maintained appearance.
NO! Residential films are specially made to control heat, fade and glare and add safety from broken glass without you even noticing a film has been installed. Window film comes in a wide variety of shades. We are careful to help you choose the proper film type for the particular need you have.
- 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
Most often, our commercial customers will purchase 3M Window Films for tenant comfort and justify the purchase by Energy Cost Savings.
Nothing stops fading. Window 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.
Keep in mind the articles to be protected; if they have a typical life of 5 years then they may last 10 years to much longer depending on the performance of the film selected. However, if the typical life is only 2-3 weeks, then the expectation should be expressed in terms of months.
As a general rule of thumb, ultraviolet (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 and more.
No, the ultraviolet (UV) protection that we use in our proprietary adhesive system is indefinite. It does not lose its effectiveness over time. In fact, we tested an actual glass sample from The Dumbarton House, Washington, DC. This was a ten-year old application and the ultraviolet transmission still measured to factory standards.
Safety and Security Window Films are designed to make glass shatter-resistant by holding the glass pieces together when broken.
Safety and Security Window Films are made with thicker polyester and a much thicker, more aggressive adhesive system. Ultra Films are unique in the industry; they are built using a special micro-layered polyester technology which increases the films tear resistance significantly. Pound for pound, the impact and tear-resistance of 3M Ultra Films outperform all other films of similar thickness.
Warranty Questions
General warranty information, questions and concerns about window film.
NO! Your existing window warranty is assumed in detail by the window film manufacturer warranty amendment. We are careful to make sure that you have this coverage when required. Our customers have always appreciated this because now your windows are covered by a much larger company than your window manufacturer!
The application of 3M™ 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.
3M's thirty (30) years of experience with applying 3M™ Window Films to different types of glass enables us to make proper film/glass recommendations and minimize the potential for glass breakage. In addition, we support these recommendations with our 60-month glass breakage warranty against thermal shock fracture. Should the glass break within 60-months of application, 3M; will replace the glass (maximum $500.00 with a $25.00 consumer deductible, or 5% of replacement cost, whichever is greater per claim), and the dealer will replace the film.
No, 3M™ Window Films do not cause seal failure. We've been applying 3M™ films to insulated windows for over 30 years with several millions of square feet of film applied to date.
When recommended films are applied to the inside pane of an insulated glass unit, there will be some absorption (except with clear safety films) of the sun's 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 20 F degree 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. 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.
Risk of seal failure is greatly determined by the quality of workmanship and the quality of the materials that go into building the insulated glass units. The best guard against seal failure is to purchase well-made units from reputable window manufacturers that have solid experience and histories with insulated units.
NO! Our Window films are warranted never to bubble, crack, peel, de-laminate, fade or discolor for life! 3M is a leader in adhesive technology and has held the patent on this product since 1966. No other film type has this industry leading technology!
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 are still performing after 25 years. Most applications carry a lifetime residential warranty and commercial applications carry a 10-12 year warranty (non-transferable). Specialty designer/patterned films and exterior mount films are typically 5 years.
Installation Questions
Questions about the installation procedures and guidelines.
Much in the same way you clean your windows now. After thirty days, you may clean window Films using normal household cleaning solutions, e.g. Windex, and a soft, lint-free cloth or towel. You may also use a squeegee to clean the film. While these films are very abrasion resistant, abrasive products which could scratch or damage the film should not be used.
When the window film is installed the installed measures and cuts the window film larger then the actual window and trims is down during installation. In order to insure proper installation and lifespan the window film must have a small gap (1/16 to 1/8, sometimes more depending on the window film and the type of windows being installed) between it and the window frame. This insures the window film will not bubble up years after the installation. Some window films can be more noticeable then others due to the darkness or lightness of each window film.
Window Films are professionally applied by skilled, well-trained Authorized Dealer 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 joy) and non-abrasive razor blade scrapers. Then, the film is sprayed with a slip solution (baby shampoo or joy 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 blot to dry and seal the edges.
