Understanding The Film To Glass Chart

What It is

The film-to-glass compatibility chart is a vital tool in the window tinting and film installation field, available on each of our flat glass product pages. This chart guides installers on selecting appropriate window films for different glass types, ensuring both safety and efficacy. It outlines:

• Glass Types: Listing varieties like clear, tinted, tempered, annealed, low-E, and insulated glass units (IGUs), noting how each interacts with window film.
• Glass Thickness: Detailing the window thickness range.
• Application Area: Indicating the square footage where the film will be applied.
• Product Shade: Showing available shades or Visible Light Transmission (VLT) levels.
• Compatibility Information: Providing compatibility details for glass and film combinations, with Flexfilm using symbols—a checkmark for compatibility, a triangle if pre-approval is needed, and an X for incompatibility.

The purpose of this chart is to prevent problems like glass breakage, seal failure in double-glazed units, and undesirable aesthetic effects. Glass can react to the added stress of window films in unpredictable ways, especially concerning heat absorption, which can lead to thermal stress and potentially crack the glass. By consulting a film-to-glass compatibility chart, installers can make informed decisions to ensure the longevity and safety of both the window film and the glass it's applied to.

Using a film-to-glass compatibility chart effectively is key to ensuring the right window film is applied to each type of glass, preventing potential issues like glass breakage, visual defects, and performance problems. Here's how to decipher and use one of these charts:

Understand Glass Types

First, familiarize yourself with the different types of glass listed in the chart. Common types include:

• Annealed Glass: Standard, untreated glass.
• Tempered Glass: Heat-treated for increased strength and safety.
• Laminated Glass: Consists of layers of glass bonded with interlayers, for safety and UV protection.
• Low-E Glass: Has a microscopically thin coating to reflect heat.
• Tinted Glass: Glass with added color or tint for reducing glare and heat.
• Insulated Glass Units (IGUs): Two or more glass panes separated by a vacuum or gas-filled space to reduce heat transfer.

Know Your Window Film Types

Our window films can vary widely in their properties and intended uses. Key types include:

• Solar Control Films: Designed to reduce heat and UV rays entering through the glass, such as our Chromoflex, Dualflex, and Sputterflex.
• Decorative/Specialty Films: Enhance aesthetics or provide privacy without significantly impacting the glass's thermal properties, such as our specialty films.
• Safety and Security Film: A thick film intended to hold glass together upon impact, such as our Safetyflex.
• Anti-Graffiti Films: A film designed to reduce damage caused by graffiti, etching, and tagging, such as our Vandalflex.

Reading the Compatibility Chart

A film-to-glass compatibility chart will typically have rows and columns, with rows representing different types of glass and columns representing different types of window film. Here's how to interpret the main components:

• Compatibility Indicators: Each cell where a row and column intersect will have an indicator for compatibility. This could be a simple "Yes" or "No," or more detailed with symbols or colors indicating the level of compatibility or specific considerations. Flexfilm uses symbols—a checkmark for compatibility, a triangle if pre-approval is needed, and an X for incompatibility.
• Special Notes: Look for any footnotes or remarks associated with specific combinations. These notes may contain crucial information about installation conditions, such as maximum film size or orientation, or warnings about potential risks like thermal stress.
• Consult Additional Resources: Some charts might reference external guidelines or standards, especially for more complex scenarios like large pane sizes or unusual glass compositions. Be ready to consult these resources for a deeper understanding.

Using the Chart Effectively

• Identify Your Glass Type: Know the specifics of the glass you'll be working with, including any coatings or treatments it may have.
• Match Your Needs with Film Types: Decide what you want the film to achieve (e.g., heat reduction, privacy) and find the corresponding film types in the chart.
• Check Compatibility: Find the intersection on the chart between your glass type and desired film type. Ensure the combination is compatible and note any special conditions.
• Follow Installation Recommendations: Adhere to any guidance provided in the chart or associated notes to ensure the film performs as expected and does not harm the glass.

Additional Tips

• When in Doubt, Consult Flexfilm: If your specific scenario isn't clearly addressed in the chart, or if you're dealing with a particularly sensitive or valuable piece of glass, reach out to Flexfilm for advice.
• Stay Updated: Film and glass technologies evolve, and Flexfilm may update their compatibility recommendations. Make sure you're using the latest version of any chart or guidelines.

Understanding and utilizing a film-to-glass compatibility chart ensures the safe and effective application of window films, protecting both the investment in the film and the integrity of the glass itself. You can learn more about our architectural flat glass products here.