Frequently Asked Questions

General questions

Will the film make the room dark?
Will the film scratch?
What about condensation?
Do the films cut out UV?
How long will the film last?
Why are some films not suitable for double glazing?
How do I choose the correct film for heat and glare reduction?

Installation, maintenance and removal

How easy is the film to install? Do I need two people?
What tools do I need?
How do I measure up?
Do you offer an installation service?
How do I keep the film clean?
How easy is the film to remove?

General questions

Will the film make the room dark?

Films will definitely reduce the visible light transmitted into the room. If the room is very bright with a lot of glass to start off with this shouldn't be a problem. If the room is quite dark in the first place then choose a film where the Visible Light Transmission is above 45% (see the Visible Light Transmission column in our Range Table). Note that the human eye is designed to adapt to lower light levels and will therefore perceive the room to be brighter than it is. In fact the reduced light level is only really noticeable where the film has a visible light transmission of below 45%.

Will the film scratch?

Our films are manufactured using an advanced ultra-transparent polyester just a few microns thick, with an anti-abrasive (anti-scratch) coating and resistance to discolouration. The coating is designed to reduce the risk of scratching with normal (but careful) handling.

What about condensation?

The films will not be affected by condensation.

Do the films cut out UV?

All of our films cut out between 95% and 99% of UV rays. They help to reduce fading of interior furnishings. For the UV performance of each film, see our range summary table.

How long will the film last ?

The film should last for many years. There is a 10 year warranty against peeling, cracking and demetallization.

Why are some films not suitable for double glazing? M

Customers often ask us why some films are not suitable for double glazing.

Films work by a combination of reflection of radiation and absorption of radiation. The more radiation the film absorbs, the more it and the glass it is attached to, will heat up.

Double glazing already has the effect of trapping heat between the two panes - if you add a film with a high absorption to double glazing, the heat build up between the panes maybe sufficient to crack the glass.

So we only recommend films with low absorption coefficients for double glazing. If you need high performance (high heat and glare rejection) with double glazing then you are best to get an EXTERNAL film. This goes on the outside pane and stops the heat from reaching the area between the panes in the first place.

How do I choose the correct film for heat and glare reduction?

First of all have a look at our Glass compatibility table and work out which films are suitable for your type of glass. For example only two films are suitable for a Polycarbonate conservatory roof.

Then decide if you want a mirrored film or a tinted film. A mirrored film is mirrored on the outside and stops people seeing in during the day. A tinted film allows two way vision.

Where relevant decide between internal or external. Internal films are easier to fit on windows, external films are often easier to fit on roofs, depending on access.

Check the Range at a glance table to compare performance statistics for the different films. Most people opt for the dark films which have high heat and glare reduction; however this goes hand in hand with lower visible light transmission - ie a darker room. You may prefer a lighter film which doesn't darken the room.

Installation, maintenance and removal

How easy is the film to install? Do I need two people?

The films are very easy to install, and are ideal for self-fit DIY. Anyone with a very basic DIY knowledge will be able to install the film.

Installation is simple as long as you follow the instructions and make sure the glass is clean. The film can be installed by one person - we give instructions for one person installation and we have a short "one-man" video.

What tools do I need?

You will need a knife to cut the film, a ruler or straight edge, a tape measure or ruler for measuring, scotch tape, a squeegee, paper towel, a spray bottle containing a solution of 1 litre of water and 50 ml of dishwashing detergent.

We provide fitting kits containing a knife, a squeegee and a spray bottle for £9.95.

Click here to read our instructions.

How do I measure up?

Measure the width first across the glass from frame to frame. Then measure the height from frame to frame. It is best to round up your dimensions to the nearest 5 mm to allow for trimming.

Do you offer an installation service?

Yes we do. Please call our customer service line giving your location and the number of pieces of film and their sizes.

How do I keep the film clean?

Look after the film in the same way as glass. Use a damp lint-free cloth; do not use brushes, fabrics or abrasives. You can also use standard glass cleaning products and a squeegee.

How easy is the film to remove?

The film can be removed with a glass scraper and warm soapy water. If the film is large, first score the film into manageable strips with a sharp knife. You may also use a hairdryer to gently heat up the film before using the glass scraper. If there is any glue residue left on the glass, use a bit of lighter fluid from the local newsagent to dissolve the glue.

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