Doyle Window Tinting

3M Scotchtint Window Films Common Questions

How Do Scotchtint Window Films Work?	Scotchtint Sun Control Films are designed to reduce the amount of solar heat transmission through window glass by increasing the solar reflection (not necessarily visible reflection) and solar absorption of 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 only offer marginal performance when compared to reflective films. Reflective films are films that have been precision coated with metals. These metallic films are designed to increase the solar energy reflection of the glass and some of the absorption. Scotchtint reflective films range from moderate to excellent in solar performance (heat gain reduction). All Scotchtint Sun Control Films are protected with our patented Abrasion Resistant coating for long term durability and maintained appearance.

How Do Scotchtint Plus All Season (LE) Films Work?	Scotchtint Plus All Season Films, or Low E films, work much in the same was as the sun control films except that they offer an increased performance against cold weather heat loss. The patented constructions of these films enable the metal coating to reflect more of the interior room heat back into the room where it is needed. This improves comfort by reducing potential draft feelings near the window, and may also save on fuel costs, especially in commercial building. The LE Films are protected with our abrasion resistant coating for long term durability and maintained appearance.

Why Do Commercial Customers Have Scotchtint Film Applied in Their Buildings?	Improved Tenant Comfort Lower Heating and Cooling Operating Costs Lower Utility Demand Costs Utility Rebates Improved Aesthetics, Uniform Appearance Improved Safety and Security Extended A/C Equipment Life Valued Alternative to adding more A/C Equipment And more Most often, our commercial customers will purchase Scotchtint Window Films for tenant comfort and justify the purchase on Energy Cost Savings.

What is the Typical Energy Pay Back for Scotchtint Window Films?	Simple pay backs will vary depending upon the amount of sunlit glass exposure, the type of film, the type of glass, cost of fuel, cost of application, and other variables. However, we have seen pay backs often range in 2-5 year period, with some reported to be even less than 6 months.

How is the Scotchtint Window Film Applied?	Scotchtint Films are professionally applied by skilled, well-trained Authorized 3M Dealer 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 water and ammonia) 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.

How Do I Clean My Scotchtint Window Film?	After thirty days, you may clean Scotchtint Films using normal household cleaning solutions, including ammonia based products, e.g. Windex, and a soft, lint-free cloth or towel. You may also use a squeegee to clean the film. Abrasive products, which could scratch or damage the film, should not be used.

How Long Does Scotchtint Window Film Last?	Scotchtint Window Films are made durable to last for many years; just how long may depend upon the type of film applied, type of glass it is applied to, and the particular climate in which it is applied. Most applications last upwards of 10 years and beyond, and several applications are still performing after 15 years. All applications have a minimum warranty period of five years (except exterior applications which are 2 years), and several films carry a 10 year commercial warranty, and even a lifetime residential warranty (lifetime for as long as original purchaser owns their home).

Will Scotchtint Window Film Stop My Furnishings From Fading?	Nothing stops fading. Scotchtint Films are designed to 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 articles to be protected; if they have a typical life of 5 years then they may last 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 anchorage, and more.

Does the Ultraviolet Protection Lose Its Effectiveness Over Time?	No, the ultraviolet (UV) protection that we use in our proprietary adhesive system is indefinite. It does not lose its effectiveness over time. In fact, we tested an actual glass sample from The Dumbarton House, Washington, DC. This was a ten-year old application and the ultraviolet transmission still measured <1%!

How Do Scotchtint Ultra High Performance Safety and Security Window Films Work?	Scotchshield Ultra Safety and Security Window Films are designed to make glass shatter-resistant by holding the glass pieces together when broken. Different from Scotchtint, Scotchshield Ultra Window Films are made with thicker polyester and a much thicker, more aggressive adhesive system. The Ultra Films are unique in the industry; they are built using a special micro-layered polyester technology which increases the films tear resistance significantly. Pound for pound, the impact and tear-resistance of Scotchshield Ultra Films outperform all other films of similar thickness.