Specialty

Decorative Series

Whether your goal is to add some privacy or make a window aesthetically pleasing, our specialty flat glass window tint will do the job.

White Frost

• Highly decorative
• Creates privacy
• Translucent “frosted” glass look
• Suitable for most glass types
• 60" and 72" rolls are a 55% VLT
• Pressure sensitive

White Out

• Highly decorative
• Creates privacy
• Greatly reduces glare
• Glossy white color and appearance
• Pressure sensitive

Black Out

• Creates total privacy
• Eliminates glare
• Solid black matte color and appearance
• Pressure sensitive

Download our digital informational booklet which contains product details, spec data, glass compatibility information, and more. View PDF

Note: Window films can have slight color variations between rolls. Please exercise caution when matching projects that involve different rolls.

Dry Adhesive (CDF Adhesive)

Characteristics:

Activation Required: Dry adhesive is non-sticky to the touch and requires activation with a slip solution during installation.

Chemical Bonding: Over time, it undergoes a chemical bonding process with the glass surface, which gradually reveals an underlying pressure-sensitive layer.

Benefits:

Ease of Installation: Its non-sticky nature before activation allows for easier handling and adjustment on large windows, making it especially useful for architectural applications where precision is key.

Contamination Resistance: Less prone to contamination because it can be easily rinsed and re-applied during the initial installation phase without compromising the adhesive's effectiveness.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PS Adhesive)

Characteristics:

Immediate Bonding: Inherently sticky, it bonds instantly to surfaces upon contact, requiring no activation.

Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of applications, including automotive and architectural tinting, due to its strong, immediate adhesion.

Benefits.

Rapid Application: Ideal for quick installations, as it adheres firmly and quickly to the window surfaces without the need for a lengthy curing process.

Curved Surface Compatibility: The instant stickiness is particularly advantageous for curved or contoured windows common in automotive applications but can also benefit architectural projects with similar challenges.

Comparative Overview

While both adhesives are used in architectural window tinting, Dry Adhesive is often preferred for larger, flat glass surfaces where precision and the ability to manage contamination are priorities. Its delayed bonding process allows for adjustments during application, making it user-friendly and forgiving during the installation process.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, on the other hand, offers the advantage of instant adhesion, which can be beneficial in situations where quick application is necessary or for windows with complex shapes that require the film to bond immediately to avoid misalignment.

Ultimately, the choice between dry adhesive and pressure-sensitive adhesive depends on the specific requirements of the architectural window tint project, including the type of windows being tinted, the installer's preference for handling and application techniques, and the desired outcome in terms of appearance and performance.

Understanding the nuances beyond basic film-to-glass compatibility is key for successful window tinting, especially considering the impact of external shading. Shading from trees, buildings, or other structures can change throughout the day, creating a risk of thermal fracture where shaded and sunlit areas of the glass meet. This can increase the likelihood of the glass breaking due to thermal stress.

To avoid such issues, a detailed evaluation of the window's exposure to light and shade over the day is essential. This helps in choosing the right tinting material that suits the window's thermal conditions, preventing potential damage. Consulting our graphic below can also highlight risky shade patterns, aiding in effective tint planning. These steps ensure the longevity of the tinted window while keeping the building's occupants safe and comfortable.

Choosing the right type of glass is crucial for safely applying window tint, requiring an evaluation of the glass's specific characteristics. It's essential to determine whether the glass is single or double pane and its category—annealed, laminated, or tempered—each with unique considerations for tinting.

For single pane windows, understanding if the glass is annealed (prone to thermal stress but generally safe for tinting), laminated (offering safety and UV protection), or tempered (able to handle more thermal stress, ideal for variable temperatures) is key.

With double pane windows, recognizing the specific glass type becomes even more critical due to the added complexity from the airspace between the panes, which influences thermal stress, particularly under varied temperatures.

Other factors impacting tint installation include the window's size and thickness, which affect its strength and thermal stress capacity; the building's age, indicating possible pre-existing window issues; and the window's orientation, as direct sunlight increases thermal stress risks. Any previous glass failures should be examined for insights into potential vulnerabilities that tinting could worsen.

In essence, a thorough assessment of the glass type, window specifics, building conditions, and historical performance is vital for the safe, effective application of window tint, ensuring it enhances the building's efficiency, privacy, and aesthetics.

The choice of window framing is crucial for the safe application of window film, as it affects how well the glass can handle thermal expansion from sunlight absorption. Framing systems with flexible and strong materials like rubber gaskets, aluminum, steel, or vinyl are suitable, accommodating glass expansion without causing damage.

In contrast, rigid frames, such as those made from concrete or using sash designs, may increase the risk of glass cracking or breaking under thermal expansion, particularly with the added layer of window film.

The sealant's condition also matters; over time, sealants may harden and lose elasticity, making them less able to cope with the glass's expansion and contraction, thus raising the risk of failure. Meanwhile, resilient sealants can adjust to these changes, decreasing damage risk.

The color of the outdoor glazing stop is another consideration; darker colors absorb more heat, adding thermal stress that could worsen expansion issues, particularly in directly sunlit windows. Moreover, the design of the indoor structural pocket must allow for adequate glass expansion to avoid increased pressure and potential breakage.

In essence, successful window film installation on flat glass requires evaluating the framing system, sealant condition and type, outdoor glazing stop color, and the indoor structural pocket design. These factors determine the window's capacity to withstand thermal stress from the film, ensuring a secure installation.

The location and orientation of heating and cooling vents are crucial for the safe and effective use of window film on flat glass surfaces. Vents directing air towards the glass can cause temperature variations, potentially leading to thermal stress. Heating vents can create hot spots by warming a cooler glass surface, while cooling vents can induce thermal shock by cooling a heated glass surface. These temperature changes, especially under the added stress from solar energy absorption and window film, can compromise the glass and film's integrity.

Positioning vents away from the glass helps maintain a consistent temperature across the window, reducing thermal stress risks and supporting the durability of the glass and film. Evaluating the heating and cooling system's layout, including air flow direction and vent proximity to windows, is vital. Adjusting vent direction or using diffusers to avoid direct air flow onto the glass can create a stable environment for window film application.

In essence, careful management of heating and cooling vent locations and orientations is key to minimizing thermal stress and maximizing the window film's benefits without risking the window's structural integrity.

Design Winter Temperature is crucial for choosing the right window film, as it must endure the local minimum temperatures without losing effectiveness or damaging the glass. Films not designed for the locale's winter conditions might become brittle or fail to insulate properly.

Altitude affects window film due to changes in barometric pressure. At higher elevations, lower air pressure can increase stress on double-pane windows, potentially leading to damage when combined with the thermal effects of window film. Selecting a film that can withstand these pressures is vital.

Adjacent Reflecting Surfaces, such as water, other buildings, or snow, can increase sunlight and heat reflection, raising the risk of thermal stress on the glass. It's important to consider these factors by choosing films with high heat rejection or altering the environment to reduce reflection, ensuring the film's effectiveness and the glass's integrity.

When installing window film on Low-E (low-emissivity) windows, it's crucial to consider several factors due to Low-E glass's special features designed to improve energy efficiency by reflecting infrared light and retaining heat. Key considerations include:

• Compatibility with Low-E Coatings: Choose a window film compatible with the Low-E coating to maintain its energy-saving benefits. Some films can enhance, while others might undermine, these properties.
• Thermal Stress Risk: Adding film can increase thermal stress, potentially causing glass breakage due to temperature differences across the glass surface. Select a film that manages heat transmission without creating significant thermal imbalances.
• Warranty Considerations: Ensure installing window film doesn't void the window's manufacturer warranty. Check warranty terms and consult with both window and film manufacturers.
• Visual Aesthetics and Light Transmission: The addition of window film can alter window appearance and the amount of natural light entering. The impact on building aesthetics and interior lighting should be considered.
• Energy Efficiency Goals: Aim for a window film that complements the Low-E glass's energy efficiency, enhancing without compromising its functionality.

Consulting a professional installer experienced in both Low-E glass and window film is recommended to navigate these complexities, ensuring the film supports the window's performance and the building's energy efficiency and comfort effectively.

Please be aware that applying our flat glass film through unprofessional or do-it-yourself (DIY) methods does not come with a guarantee of success or assurance against potential future complications. While DIY installation might seem cost-effective and convenient, the absence of professional expertise can lead to improper application. This might result in issues such as bubbles, peeling, uneven tinting, performance discrepancies, or even damage to the glass itself. Furthermore, any future problems arising from a non-professional installation might not be covered under our product warranty. To ensure the best results and maintain your product warranty, we highly recommend opting for installation by a qualified professional. This approach not only secures a successful outcome but also safeguards against the risk of avoidable issues down the line.