Frequently Asked Window Film Questions

Solar Control Films are designed to reduce the amount of solar heat transmission through window glass by:

1. Increasing the solar reflection (not necessarily visible reflection)
2. Increasing solar absorption through the glass.

Typical colored or dyed films work primarily through increased absorption. The color absorbs the solar energy at the glass, thus reducing the direct transmission into the room. These films are not as effective as reflective films for reducing heat. Reflective films are films that have been precision coated with metals. These metalized films are designed to increase the solar energy reflection of the glass. Newindow Reflective Films range from moderate to excellent in solar performance (heat gain reduction).

All Newindow Solar Control Films are made to be transparent and optically clear. The ultraviolet protection in the adhesive system is there to protect the adhesive, the metals, the polyester film, and the abrasion-resistant coating from UV degradation. This UV protection will also help protect home and office furnishings.

• Lower heating and cooling operating costs
• Lower utility demand costs
• Utility rebates
• Improved tenant comfort
• Improved aesthetics, uniform appearance
• Improved safety and security
• Extended A/C equipment life
• Valued alternative to adding more A/C equipment

Most often, our commercial customers will purchase Newindow films for tenant comfort and justify the purchase through energy cost savings.

Newindow Films films are professionally applied by skilled, well-trained 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 protecting and/or moving furniture where necessary.

Next, the window glass is cleaned using simple cleaning solutions (often detergent and water) 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.

We suggest allowing thirty (30) days for the film to fully dry and cure. During this curing process, it is normal to have small water bubbles and/or a hazy appearance. These will disappear as the film dries; depending upon the film type and weather conditions, drying may take 30 (or even as much as 60) days or as little as a few days. Once dried, Newindow films will look great and perform for many years to come.

The cleaning process for a filmed window very similar to cleaning ordinary windows. Before cleaning though, make sure the film has fully cured. We generally recommend waiting 30 days after the film has been installed before its first cleaning. When cleaning, follow this procedure:

1. Use any normal glass cleaning solution which contains no abrasive materials. Typical off-the-shelf cleaners are acceptable.
2. After spraying the cleaning solution on the window, use a soft clean cloth, soft paper towel, or clean synthetic sponge to wipe it off. Normal scrubbing with these materials is fine, but make sure not to scrub aggressively with anything abrasive.
3. To finish, use a soft cloth or squeegee for drying the window, and avoid any cleaning tools that may scratch the film.

All Newindow films window films require professional application. Our team has the experience and/or training to help identify unique or unusual circumstances that may affect either the installation or performance of a particular product in a given situation, that might not otherwise be noticed. Professional installation will ensure your satisfaction and provide you with the warranty protection you deserve. From product selection to professional installation, to providing industry-leading warranty programs, our Newindow Films experts will ensure customers are completely delighting with their window film purchase and product performance

Yes, but it depends on where you live. In British Columbia, window film installation that reduces solar heat gain is exempt from PST. See https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/taxes/sales-taxes/publications/pst-132-building-home-improvement-stores.pdf for more information. Many electric utility companies offer rebate dollars for customers who installed window film. We recommend you contact your utility company for any incentive programs.

For commercial buildings, window film installation may also help you attain Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED). Credits and potential certification. LEED, is a highly- recognized green building certification program. You can learn more at use usgbc.org/certification.

Yes. In most cases, window film can be very beneficial when used in conjunction with Low E Glass.

Whether window film should be used on Low E windows and how much you will benefit depends on 3 factors.

1. Type of Low E Surface.
2. Location of Low E Surface on the window
3. The desired amount of heat gain reduction, heat loss reduction, or other window film benefits that you are looking for.

There are two types of Low E surfaces on glass.

1. Conduction coating put on glass as it is being made It gives some heat loss reduction, but does little to reduce heat gain into a building.
2. More complex system of multiple layers of metals and conductive coatings deposited on glass after it has been made. This type of Low E Glass gives heat reductions of 30% to 50% in addition to reducing heat loss.

Obviously, there will be more heart gain reduction using film on the first type Low E Glass. If there is any questions about the type of Low-E Glass you have, ask your glass company or the window manufacturer to send you the specific information about your glass.

The location of the Low E surface in your window system is also very important in deciding whether film should be used.

• If the Low E Coating is on the room-side surface of the innermost pane of glass, the use of window film may reduce or eliminate the heat loss reduction of the glass itself.  This may be more than offset by the heat gain reduction/heat loss reduction of properties of the films to be used.
• Most Low E window systems, however, consist of double pane windows where the Low E surface faces the air space between the panes. In this case, the film can be installed without eliminating the heat loss reduction benefit of the Low E glass.

The type of window film you choose for Low E glass depends entirely on your desired benefit — whether you want to reduce heat gain, control glare, prevent heat loss, reduce fading or enhance the safety of your windows and glass doors. Carefully consider all these benefits before making a final decision.

In most cases, if a house plant is already receiving adequate light, the use of window film will not harm it. New growth or flowering may be impacted, as the plant may take a few days to adjust to the light change. If a particular plant normally wilts by the end of a sunny day, it can actually thrive better with film installed. Although there are some obvious guidelines in determining what, if any, effect window film will have on a plant (for instance, dark green plants need less light than lighter colored ones), there is one sample test that can be done prior to film installation; simply move the plant to an area with less sunlight for a few days. In addition, most nurseries or local agriculture agencies can advise you whether a particular plant needs closer to maximum or minimal light.

No. Professionally installed Newindow films will not distort your view and are essentially clear beyond the film’s shade or color. During daylight, our solar reflective film will reduce the view from outside looking in, creating privacy., That is not the case from the inside looking out. However, during the night, when the inside is brighter than the outside, the reflection that was on the outside during daylight, may create a reflective property inside.

While it’s nearly impossible to eliminate all risk of fading, Newindow Films Films can significantly reduce the amount of fading for interior furnishings — protecting the flooring, artwork, drapes, and furniture that experience damaging sunlight from nearby windows.

This depends on the film type, glass type, window construction, orientation, and geographical location of the building.

All Newindow Films window films are covered by a warranty for some specified time. Most residential installations receive 10 year warranty and Commercial Installations receive a 5 year warranty. There are some specialty films that have different terms; for example, exterior films are warranted for 3 years on vertical glass, 2 years on sloped glass; and decorative films usually have a 7 year coverage.

The warranty coverage is based on extensive internal testing by the manufacturer and our own years of experience in the field. It is common that we see the films last well beyond their warranties, sometimes as long as 15-20 years.

Along with saving you money on cooling costs in the warm summer months, architectural window film helps retain interior heat to help you reduce heating costs in the winter. Year-round, the sun’s ultraviolet rays cause colors to fade, fabrics to fray, and woods to crack. This damage to your furnishings, flooring, and artwork becomes worse over time. Newindow Films window films blocks 99% of harmful UV rays, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in sun damage while helping to preserve the beauty of your home or office. Our films improve the comfort of your space throughout the year, despite the temperature, by making windows more energy-efficient — and conserving all that energy benefits the environment too.

Newindow film products are warranted to maintain their solar properties without bubbling, peeling, cracking, or crazing. Many of our films are warranted against discoloration, too. (Those which do not use dyed polyesters). Should the product proved to be defective, the manufacturer and their authorized dealer will replace the film and provide the reapplication labor free of charge.

The application of Newindow films will increase the temperature of your sunlit glass which will increase the stress on the glass edges. The quality of those glass edges and several other factors (external shading, interior shading, glass history, type of film, size/shape of glass, indoor/outdoor temperature) all contribute to the potential risk of glass breakage. Consult with a  Newindow Films team member to ensure the best type of film is used for your glass type.

All Newindow Film products are safe and warrantied for most types of insulated windows. Madico has trained its dealers extensively on recommending to clients the ideal film for their homes or offices.

If you have custom windows or factory-tinted glass, Newindow Films will consider such variables as the condition of the window unit, the size and shape of the glass, the amount of external shading, and the balance of internal/external temperatures when recommending window film(s). Madico supports these recommendations by offering the most generous window-failure warranty in the industry.

Our films are 100 percent safe for single-pane windows.

Unfortunately, nothing completely stops fading. Newindow films are designed to help 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 article(s) to be protected; if they have a typical life of five (5) years then they may last ten (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 about 25%. The remaining 10% can be attributed to humidity, pollutants, interior lights, dye stability, and more.

Newindow Films‘ Safety and Security Window Films are designed to make glass shatter-resistant by holding the glass pieces together when broken.

Newindow Films‘ Safety and Security Window Films are made with thicker polyester and a much thicker, more aggressive adhesive. These films are unique in the industry, being built using a special micro-layered polyester technology which increases the films’ tear resistance significantly. Pound for pound, the impact and tear resistance of our Safety and Security Films outperform all other films of similar thickness.

No, Newindow Films‘ Safety and Security Window Films are not hurricane-proof, earthquake-proof, bullet-proof, bomb-proof, nor burglar-proof. Again, they are designed to make the window glass more shatter-resistant.

In the event of a windstorm, these films may have a significant safety and security value. They can reduce the risk of injury from flying shards of broken glass, and possibly help prevent debris and water penetration through the window depending on the severity of the storm (and the type of glass, framing system, size and velocity of objects, and more).

In an earthquake, these films can reduce the risk of serious injury from flying shards of broken glass, and possibly prevent glass from falling out of a home or building. Again, much may depend upon the severity of the quake (and the type of glass, framing system, and more, too).

Bullets: these films are not designed to stop bullets.

Newindow Films‘ Safety and Security Window Films were originally developed to address international concerns and needs for improved safety and security against terrorist acts of bombings. These films can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury from flying shards of glass due to blasts, however, much depends upon the severity of the blast and the proximity of the window glass to the blast (and glass type, framing system, and more too).

Newindow Films‘ Safety and Security Window Films are a low profile, high-performance measure of security in the battle against ‘smash and grab’ crime. The tough, shatter-resistant qualities of the film can hold the window glass together even if a brick (or similar object) were actually to pass through the glass. The thief must now make a choice; continue to attack this window, try another window, or move on. Time is short, and often they move on. However, if they are determined to gain entry, they will get in. It is generally recommended that the property have proper alarm systems in addition to applied Safety and Security Window Film.