Window Tinting FAQ
Q: I just had my windows tinted and now it's all hazy. It's been several days and it hasn't gone away.
A: You must have had a metalized film applied to your windows. Metalized window film has a much slower drying time. Under normal drying conditions such as hot summer days, it will take 1-2 weeks, but in the winter time, the drying time usually takes 30 days. Also, drying time depends on how much sun exposure the windows receive during the day, the more sun the faster the drying.
Q: Thanks for the great job you guys did on my windows. How do I clean my windows to ensure it lasts as long as possible?
A: We recommend a non-ammonia cleaner and a soft cloth, such as a baby diaper or T-shirt. You can use vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 10 parts water), or Windex with vinegar available at any store. Be sure to read the label that it does not contain ammonia. If you use a professional window cleaner, let them know which windows are tinted.
Q: I have dual pane windows. Can they be tinted?
A: Dual pane windows are very common in homes these days. Dual pane or thermal pane have two pieces about 1/2" apart with gas sealed in-between. The answer is yes! Your windows can be tinted but certain guidelines need to be followed, because dual panes are more vulnerable to stress than single pane windows.
Q: What is seal failure?
A: Seal failure occurs when the sealant between the two lites of glass breaks, subjecting the airspace to the surrounding environment. Since the sealant acts as the moisture barrier, if the seal breaks, condensation can develop in the airspace of the insulating glass window.
Q: Why do insulating glass unit seals break?
A: The environment inside an insulating glass unit can be affected by its external environment such as temperature and air pressure. Changes in temperature and air pressure put additional stress on the insulating glass unit's seals. The use of resilient sealants in the construction of the insulating glass unit can also cause the seals to fail. Most manufacturers, however, design and test their products to withstand significant changes in air pressure and temperature, thereby reducing the chance of failures. Nevertheless, seal failure will continue to occur simply because of the way in which insulated units are manufactured, shipped and installed.
Q: What can I do?
A: We advise our customers who have seal failure concerns to contact their window manufacturer. If your window manufacturer voids the warranty when the film is installed, you should ask for their test data supporting these warranty limitations.
Q: Why do commercial customers have window film applied in their buildings?
A: Most often, our commercial customers will purchase LLumar Window Films for tenant comfort and justify the purchase on Energy Cost Savings.
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- 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
- And more
Q: What is the Typical Energy Pay Back for window films?
A: Simple pay backs will vary depending upon the amount of sunlit glass exposure, the type of film, the type of glass, cost of fuel, the cost of application, and other variables. However, we have seen pay backs often range in the 2-5 year period, with some reported to be even less than 6 months.
Q: How is the window film applied?
A: Films are professionally applied by skilled, well-trained Authorized Mike’s Tint Shop 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, and protecting and/or moving furniture where necessary. Next, the window glass is cleaned using simple cleaning solutions (often water and ammonia) and razor blade 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.
Q: How long does window film last?
A: 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 upwards of 10 years and beyond, and several applications are still performing after 15 years. All applications have a minimum warranty period of five years (except exterior applications which are 2 years), and several films carry a 10-year commercial warranty, and even a lifetime residential warranty (lifetime for as long as the original purchaser owns their home).
Q: Will window film stop my furnishings from fading?
A: 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 is about 25%. The remaining 10% can be attributed to humidity, pollutants, interior lights, dye anchorage, and more.
Q: How do safety and security window films work?
A: Safety and Security Window Films are designed to make glass shatter-resistant by holding the glass pieces together when broken. Different from Traditional window films, Safety Window Films are made with thicker polyester and a much thicker, more aggressive adhesive system. The safety films are unique in the industry; they are built using a special micro-layered polyester technology which increases the film's tear resistance significantly. Pound for pound, the impact and tear-resistance of LLumar’s safety Films outperform all other films of similar thickness.
Q: How much does window tinting cost?
A: Window tinting prices vary depending on the type of tint applied and the specific vehicle. For window tint pricing estimates, see How Much Does Car Window Tinting Cost?
