Also known as sun blocking film or window tint, window film is a thin, transparent layer of polyester-based film with a scratch-resistant and highly reflective coating. If you wish to boost privacy inside your home without blocking sunlight, it is a convenient and cost-effective option.
There are several steps involved in its installation and each must be done precisely. That’s why we recommend that you hire a professional glass company like ours to do it.
But, if you are keen to do it yourself, then follow these tips.
Let’s get started.
Essential Steps to Follow for Residential Window Films Installation
Below are a few vital steps to installing window film in your home.
Pick the Right Type
There are four kinds of window films available. Evaluate your home design and requirements to choose the one that caters to those needs.
1. Heat Control Window Films
These help you control your home’s air conditioning costs by reflecting the sun’s heat. They also help to block harmful UV rays. In this way, your home feels cooler and more pleasant and you do not have to run your air conditioner for long.
2. Glare Control Window Films
These stop the discolouration of floors and furnishings by preventing the passing of UV rays into your home. You may also install these window films to reduce solar energy transmission through the windows.
3. Decorative Window Films
As the thinnest of window films, these decorative films reflect or absorb negligible heat. Their key purposes are to add privacy or beautify a room. They are sold in diverse etched patterns such as opaque frosted and stained glass to keep away prying eyes. They are also the most expensive window films.
4. Privacy Control Window Films
These come in mirrored, black and frosted patterns. While the frosted films allow light to pass through the windows, the mirrored ones offer optimum privacy during the day. Black window films block light and provide privacy during the day.
Clean the Window
First, make a mixture of one gallon of bottled water and one teaspoon of baby shampoo. Soak a microfiber cloth in this mixture and use it to clean your glass window well. Apply adequate pressure to remove built-up grime or paint from this window.
Do not use any other shampoo apart from a ‘no-tears’ baby shampoo. This is because other shampoos may contain vinegar or ammonia which can damage your window film.
Use a low lint cloth to dry the frame and glass after you have cleaned them. (Low lint cloths can be safely used on dry and sensitive surfaces without leaving behind cotton or paper fibres on the window film. They also prevent contamination.)
1. Unroll the Window Film
Make sure that the surface onto which you unroll this window film is clear and flat, and keep the film’s liner side up when unrolling. (The liner side is rolled to the outside and is smooth to the touch. If you rub the tint against itself, then the sticky side is the tint and the smooth side is the liner.) Then cut it in such a way that the film’s width and length are one inch larger than that of the window on which you want to install this film.
2. Remove Its Backing
Use two pieces of transparent tape to remove the backing of the window film. Spray the mixture you made in the first step onto the glass side surface of the film. Make sure your hands are wet and clean when taking away the backing. This prevents the film from getting spoiled by fingerprints.
3. Stick the Window Film to the Wet Glass
Keep the surface of the wet film parallel to that of the wet glass. Then start sticking the film onto the glass. Some window films have a factory-cut edge which you need to line up along the glass edge to overlap the glass frame.
4. Remove Bubbles from the Window Film
Prior to removing the bubbles, spray the solution onto the window film. Then press your hands on the middle of the film and slide them towards the edges to remove the bubbles. Then remove the bubbles from the middle to both the sides and then from the bottom. Remember that the window film remains wet when you are removing the bubbles.
5. Press Into the Corners and Edges of the Window Film
If your window film kit has a plastic card squeegee, use it to press the window film into the edges and corners. Otherwise, you can use your palm.
6. Get Rid of Excess Window Film
Use a utility knife to remove the excess film from the edges. Stop when you get near a corner. Then trim back from the corner to have a complete cut. Repeat this approach to trim the excess window film along the remaining corners and edges.
7. Remove Excess Moisture from Beneath the Window Film
Spray on the film again and squeeze it just like you did so in the previous steps. Wrap the plastic card from the installation kit with a layer of microfiber cloth to push excessive moisture out from below the film.
8. Wipe the Window
Clean the window properly. Then wait half an hour for the film to adhere to the glass. You need to wait 4 to 7 days for it to completely cure. This waiting can stretch longer than a week when you have applied multiple pieces of film.
Installing a solar protection window film helps you enjoy maximum privacy, reduces your energy bills, and prevents the discolouration of floors and cabinets. You should install this film to strengthen your window glass and make it difficult to break or get damaged. Use these steps to install this film. If you are not confident, contact Academy Glass. We offer the best glass repair, maintenance and other services to customers in Toronto and elsewhere in the GTA.