COVERING ALL YOUR BURNING FAQs

Most jobs take just one day (because our installers are some of the best in the city) but we’ll need an idea of what your project is to tell you for sure.

Let’s put it this way: The only sign you’ll find that our expert installers were ever there is the new window film or graphic on your window or surface. 

We’ll give you a handy one-sheeter on after-care when our installers are done so you never have to wonder or guess what you should do. 

We’re so glad you asked! During installation, we use a mounting solution to position and activate the film’s adhesive while on the glass. We squeegee out as much of this out as we can, but there’s always a bit left behind. This moisture can cause small bubbles and/or create a slightly cloudy appearance. But not to worry! This is part of the curing process and is most certainly temporary. 

That depends. Cold and cloudy weather prolongs curing time while warm weather and direct sunlight speeds it up. Thicker safety and security films or films with specialty coatings have a longer curing time (30-90 days). 

If you’re worried about the length of time your film is taking to cure, you can always give us a call!

The good news? You don’t need to (and shouldn’t) clean your windows for 30 days after installation! After that, most glass cleaners will work or you can save money and make your own cleaning solution. An easy recipe is of ½ ounce of liquid dish soap and 1 quart of water. 

Just make sure to use a clean, soft cloth or synthetic sponge for window washing, and another soft, cloth or soft rubber squeegee for drying. 

We don’t recommend using paper towels for cleaning.

Yes! Solar film blocks ultraviolet rays which does not have any negative effect on the natural growth of plants. Plants require chlorophyll, which comes from the absorption of visible light. That light is then converted to energy (food) for the plant. Solar film filters the direct light. This removes harmful UV rays and leaves behind the light spectrum that your indoor plants need. 

We are perfectionists here at TINT’D. If there was a hair or something stuck in our window film at home or at the office, it would drive us nuts. We bet it would drive you nuts, too. 

Industry installation standards set out by the International Window Film Association (which we are member of) is the 6-foot rule: If you can’t see any dirt, fingerprints, debris, hairs or fibres, creases, nicks and tears, edge lift, distortion, scores and scratches or air bubbles from 6 feet away, it’s acceptable.

We don’t think that’s acceptable at all. If we can see something from ANY distance, we’ll make it right. Even in that means redoing the section. 

3M™ Prestige series is our most likely recommendation here. The Prestige 70 is optically clear and provides 22% glare reduction. It also rejects 50% of the total solar energy and has an interior & exterior visible light reflection of 9%. There is no noticeable difference to the appearance of your windows––and you get to reap the rewards of keeping cool during the summer and warm during the winter.

Great question. Glass breakage happens for several reasons and they’re all stress-related. Let’s break them down:

First, there’s thermal stress that results from absorption of solar radiation. Then there is tensile stress, from the weight of the glass itself. You’ve also got mechanical flexing stress caused by wind exposure, impact stress (aka, stuff flying at it), and twisting stress from the building or window frame sagging or settling. 

Thermal stress is the only one which film may affect. The use of window films will increase the thermal stress on sunlit glass. However, there are also other factors which will increase thermal stress, like: 

• Partial shading of windows from overhangs
• Tightly fitting drapes or blinds
• Signs or decals on windows
• Heating and cooling vents directed at glass

In addition, different types of glass (annealed versus tempered, clear versus tinted) have different solar absorption rates. They will withstand different degrees of thermal stress. We can easily take a look at what you have so you have all the facts before you make a decision.

Metallic reflection creates daytime privacy––you might know it as the one-way mirror effect. 

Here’s how it works: When the sun shines through an exterior-facing window with a metallic film installed, it creates a metallic effect. This allows the people on the inside to see out, but the people outside unable to see in. 

When the roles are reversed and it’s dark outside but lit inside, those outside will be able to see in. Those inside will see a reflection of themselves.

Currently, there is no film product on the market that will allow for clear visibility through the interior side of the glass during both the day and night.

No, but it still offers fantastic protection. 3M™ Safety & Security Window Films make glass harder to penetrate and holds shattered pieces in place. This makes it harder (and louder) for intruders to get in, and keeps you and your property safe from severe weather and broken glass. 

For an even higher level of protection, the 3M™ Impact Protection Attachment System securely fixes the filmed window to the frame. This turns your window into a robust shield capable of withstanding forced entry, earthquakes and even bomb blasts.

Fading is caused by solar heat, UVA and UVB rays and visible light. To cut down on frustrating fade, you need to block the exposure. We typically recommend solar films. These films block 99.9% of the harsh UV rays but also block up to 79% of total solar energy.

But alas, nothing stops fade completely. Other contributors of fading are humidity, pollutants, interior lights and dye anchorage. 

Here’s the skinny on window film and fade: Depending on the kind of film you go with, we can reduce solar heat and harmful UV rays as well as visible light and heat to prolong the life of your stuff as much as 2 to 5 times.

Sure! Window films are a window treatment applied to windows and glass surfaces, designed to reduce the amount of solar heat transmitted through the glass and increase safety and security. 

The films help increase solar reflectivity, reject solar heat, and reduce incoming ultraviolet light, which in turn:

• Improves comfort
• Improves energy savings
• Increases privacy
• Increases fade protection
• Reduces glare
• Increases safety and security
  
  

All of this can be achieved with one film! 3M™ Window Films reject up to 79% of the sun’s heat to help keep rooms at more even, moderate temperatures.

No. When we apply films to the inside of an insulated unit, there will be some absorption (except for clear safety and security films) of solar energy. This increases the temperature of the glass. Some of this heat will transmit to the airspace, slightly raising the temperature of the air space. But even a 20º increase will result in a less than 3% change in air pressure––properly maintained units are designed and tested to withstand 22% changes in air pressure. 

No. In fact, bird deterrent markers save millions of birds from certain death by window strike each year in Canada alone. As far as the ecological footprint of production and installation of window film and graphics, TINT’D recycles up to 90% of our waste material. This includes the plastic liners that back your window film before we adhere it to your window. 

We choose biodegradable paper-based wiping napkins used during the installation process over non-recyclable, non-biodegradable options or cloth rags that need to be laundered after each use. 

We compost our office food waste and recycle all packaging accepted by local recycling facilities. We take the time to sort our waste to make sure nothing goes in the garbage unless there’s no other place to put it. 

We also use LEED-certified low VOC ink for our graphics. In addition, we use an industrial-grade air scrubber to remove airborne debris generated during the production and cutting processes. This keeps our lungs safe and your graphics defect-free.

Our partnership with 3M™ means you can choose materials that build towards LEED certification for your building or home.