Our products start with a base of clear polyester film, much like videotape or photographic film.

An adhesive is applied to the film by the manufacturer, much like Scotchtape TM products, except the adhesive on a good window film is detacktified (not very sticky) to allow for adjustments during installation.  The film is adhered directly to your existing glass to change the performance of the glass, usually filtering out some portion of unwanted light.  A good quality film, professionally installed, should not noticeably diminish your view through the window.

The performance provided by a given type of film is determined by the coating(s) applied during the manufacturing process.   Specific coatings will affect appearance, heat-gain and ultraviolet transmission.  Films are rated by the amount of visible light which can pass through them once they are applied to single glass.  There are currently over thirty types of 3M Scotchtint ^TM window films available to meet a wide range of needs.  Your choice of material should depend on the final look and performance you would like to achieve.

  WILL THERE BE ANY SEAMS IN MY FILM?

Most films are available in widths up to sixty inches, and because of the amount of inventory we carry, we probably will have your film in the width you need.  Windows which exceed sixty inches in both height and width will require an installation of more than once piece of film.  In this case, the seam will consist of a neat line about one-eighth of an inch wide which will appear slightly darker than the rest of the film on the window. 

CAN FILM HELP ME IF I ALREADY HAVE TINTED OR 'low E" GLASS?   Yes, the addition of a window film will increase the performance of any treated glass.   Windows that already have a tint or a "low E" coating provide protection similar to that of window film.  We can assist you in determining the technical characteristics of your existing glass and how much additional protection the film will provide.

  HOW DO I WASH MY WINDOWS ONCE THE FILM IS APPLIED?

Once the adhesive is cured, you can wash your windows as you normally would.  Use of a squeegee is ideal, but a soft cloth is appropriate too.  Most of our films are made with an acrylic hardcoat which makes them ten times more resistant to abrasion than ordinary window films to provide exceptional clarity for the life of the film.

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