Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Adding Window Film upgrades your existing windows by improving energy efficiency, cutting glare, and reducing damage to furniture due to fading. It also helps make occupants feel more comfortable within a home or commercial building.

Most windows can be filmed in 15 minutes with minimal or no disruption to building occupants.

Window Film is around $5-10 per square foot installed, which is only 5-10% of the cost of window replacement depending on the application.

The energy savings depend on many factors, such as the existing type of glass, existence of overhangs, your location (climate), and energy rates in your area. However, for most buildings, high-performance window films can reduce energy costs from 5 to 15%.

Though they provide similar energy savings, window films are much cheaper to install than replacement window – about 5-10% of the cost. Therefore, the capital investment is much lower for window film. Many projects produce a simple payback in less than three years (when including utility company rebates) – equivalent to a 33% return on investment!

The installation of window films is very safe. Manufacturers provide our installers with a list of recommended applications they are confident are safe when the recommendations are followed. Plus, most manufacturers provide warranties against glass breakage and seal failure. Ask your Window Film Pro for specifics about these warranties.

In many cases, there is so much solar heat gain before window films are installed that shades or blinds must be kept closed. By applying energy-saving window film, blinds and shades can remain open, allowing more light into the building than before film installation. Plus, window films come in a variety of light transmissions, from very dark (0% light transmission) to very light (80% light transmission).

Many utilities offer specific rebates for window film installation for both residential and commercial applications. Often window film is specifically listed as one of the rebate-eligible products. Other times window film qualifies under the “Custom Measures” option (commercial applications only).

According to U.S. Department of Energy statistics, solar heat gain through windows is responsible for about one third of a building’s cooling costs. Energy-saving window film that can reduce solar heat gain by 75% or more can significantly reduce the run time of air-conditioning systems or allow them to operate at lower load conditions. This can reduce cooling costs in commercial buildings by as much as 30%, lengthen HVAC equipment life, lower maintenance costs for air-conditioning systems, and allow for replacement of cooling equipment with smaller, less expensive equipment.

No. Window Film will maintain the natural colors of your interior spaces. With less need for draperies, curtains, blinds, and shades, rooms may actually brighten significantly.

In fact, window films can assist with as many as 9 LEED Certification points (out of the 32 required for Silver LEED Certification). For more information about Window Films and LEED Certification, see www.usgbc.org/leed. The energy savings provided by window films can also assist buildings with their Energy Star Labeling requirements.

A tax credit directly reduces your income tax, unlike a deduction, which reduces the amount of income subject to tax. The credit then directly increases the tax refund you receive or decreases the amount you have to pay.

Window Film helps combat the problems of fading, glare and damage to furniture. Most importantly, it helps make occupants feel more comfortable in the room.

Absolutely. Window film reduces glare and helps eliminate eye fatigue.

The sun will often damage window treatments such as draperies, curtains, blinds and shades. Window film helps protect furnishings, including window treatments.

Yes. Up to 75% of the heat is rejected by Window Film. You need not be afraid of installing beautiful windows for fear of too much heat.

If the window breaks, the window film should hold the glass in place, thus reducing an incidence of injury or damage to furnishings.

Yes. Window Film is professionally installed and can fit virtually any size and shape of flat-glass window.

Most professionally installed Window Film comes with a residential lifetime warranty and 10 year commercial warranty against cracking, peeling, adhesive failure or demetallizing.