Window Films

Window films have been gaining popularity among home owners in Canada and U.S to be installed at home for various functions. There are now many designs and patterns available in the market. Generally, most window films fall into one of the two types – the adhesive-based or the adhesive-free. Adhesive-based glass films are those that comes with adhesive produced as part of the vinyl films. For this type of film, you will remove the backing paper and stick the glass film on the glass window or glass door.

There is another type of self-adhesive window films that are popular to home owners especially those who love to do things the DIY way. These type of glass films do not have any sticky material or glue. It can still stick to the glass by itself through static action. There are many benefits of using this type of self-adhesive window films. It is easier and less messy to install the film, and the best thing is, when it comes to time for redecoration, you can also easily remove them by just peeling them off.

You can install both types of glass films by yourself or employ a group of professionals to do it for you. However, with the advent of the adhesive-free window films, things are much easier for you to install it by yourself. In fact, all adhesive-free window films are meant to be installed as a DIY project. Putting up a glass film on a small or average-size window would usually take about 15 minutes. For very large glass panel, the installation will take approximately 30 minutes if you work in a group of two persons.

To install the self-adhesive glass films, follow the following procedures. Firstly, you should thoroughly clean the glass surface of any dirt and dust. For this purpose, a normal window cleaning solution will do. You might also need a scrapper to scrap off any paint remnants off the glass. To be able to successfully install glass films beautifully on the glass window require that you take extra effort to thoroughly clean the glass. Otherwise, air bubbles that are trapped during installation would be difficult to be get rid of.

If you are putting up window films for the first time, it is adviseable that you start off with a smaller pane window. As your confidence grow, you may install it for larger window. Take measurement of your glass window, and generally cut the window film to its intended dimension to fit the window. At this stage, you need not to be too particular about actual dimension. The window film should be cut at slightly larger dimension compared to the window. You have the opportunity to trim it to fit at later stage.

Fill up a spray bottle with soapy solution. This solution can be mild window cleaning detergent. Spray the surface of the glass wet with the soapy solution. Do not worry too much as the spray solutions will drip down the glass surface. Remove the backing paper that is attached to the self-adhesive window film and be careful not to allow the window glass film to touch anything as it may attract dust that is difficult to clean off.

Position the glass film on the glass surface, and allow it to “float”. At this juncture, you do not need to worry about its final position. If you have cut your glass film to be slightly larger than the window, then, the glass film should be able to cover the entire window. Spray more soapy solution on the surface of the vinyl film. Now, use a squeegee to squeeze out any solution and bubble beneath the window film. The glass film will self-adhere to the glass surface as the soapy solution is being squeezed out.

Use a utility knife to carefully trim the window film to fit the exact size of the glass doors or glass window. To remove the window film, just peel it off from the corner. Many window films allow you to reuse this window film on other windows. Alternatively, you may even store them for future usage.

As there are many attractive designs in the market, it is easy to get distracted and ending up buying the wrong window film. Always ask yourself, why you are buying the window films. Do you intend to install it to enhance the beauty of your house, to cut glare, reduce heat or to add privacy? Different designs of self-adhesive window films are manufactured to meet different needs of home owners.

Among some of the reasons why home owners install window film for their home is to add privacy. For this purpose, there are few types of window films that may be suitable. You may choose the opaque window film that obscure view, the etched glass film that consists of frosted pattern or if you want to be creative and different, why not try stained glass window films.

If you want to fully obscure the view, then use the full frost opaque window film. There is also the lighter version – the lite frost that can also be used but it will allow you to see shadows of people behind the door or window. The lite frost may suit you well if you want to add privacy to an office door or a private study room in your house.

Self-adhesive glass films can be installed safely on shower doors and bathroom windows to add privacy. They are usually manufactured to be able to withstand heat and moisture and as the window films are self-adhere to the glass by static electricity, there is no worry that the window film may come off.

If your intention to use window films is to enhance the look of your house, then you can consider the etched glass window film or the stained glass window film. This design consists mainly of frosted window with a variety of other patterns that makes it look like it is originally etched. Popular choices among home owners include repeating geometric pattern in the form of octagonal blocks. There are also those with nature inspired designs. For example, installing etched glass film with leaf designs on a glass door that leads out to your garden is great.

For those who like Victorian era design, go for stained glass window films. There are other considerations when using stained glass films, but generally, you would want to install them at a location which is the focal point of your home. Examples of such location include the dining hall, a window next to a grand staircase or your dining hall. During daytime, light that shines in from the outside will create a grand master piece of art for your home, and at night time, the lighting from your house will shine and create an artscape for visitors outside.

When you use window films, you are able to transform even very ordinary glass to look as if it costs hundreds of dollars. It is economical and enhances the look of any glass for your home. There are other reasons why home owners install window films.

Self-adhesive window films that are installed for your home is able to filter out at least 90% of ultra-violet from sunlight. UV ray is the spectrum from the sun that causes your upholstery in your home to fade in color. That is why self-adhesive window film is also known as solar control window film.

It also reduces glare and this provide you with a more comfortable experience when you are watching TV or looking at the computer monitor. In addition, the window film also helps to keep heat out of your home and during summertime, you do not need to turn up your air-conditioner so much. When winter comes, then the window films also help to keep heat within your house and this help you to save on your electricity bill on keeping your heater down.

There are now many ways where you may purchase self-adhesive window film to be installed in your home. The most popular way is to buy it from the internet. However, as in any other types of purchase, make sure you check the reputation of the company or merchandiser that is selling the product. Buy only from those with good reputation. You may ask them to provide you with satisfactory customer’s testimonials. Window films usually comes in warrantee between 3 to 5 years, but the product can usually last twice as long as its warrantee.

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