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Can architectural window film be installed on a car?

29 April 2019

It is understandable why many of those investigating options for automotive window films find themselves wondering: “Can architectural window film be installed on a car?”

After all, the broad purposes of automotive and architectural window films tend to be very similar. Whether you are looking to purchase window film to be applied to a building or a vehicle, you are likely to be interested in a product that can reduce distracting glare for occupants, while also preventing excessive heat gain and perhaps enhancing security and aesthetics, too.

However, the bottom line is that architectural window films are not recommended for application to the glass of an automobile window, and there are various good reasons for this.

The two popular types of window film have several vital differences

While the general benefits of automotive and architectural window film tend to be much the same, various technical differences between the two are likely to mean you will be wasting considerable time and money if you attempt to apply architectural window film to a car.

One key factor is that automotive window films are specially designed to shrink onto the curved glass that constitutes the typical vehicle’s windows. The adhesive of such film attaches itself to a vehicle’s glass in such a way that a smooth, seamless and wrinkle-free appearance can be achieved.

You cannot expect such a professional finish to be attained if you attempt to apply an architectural window film to your car window. This is largely due to the non-shrinking nature of architectural window films, which are usually applied to the flat surfaces of home or office windows.

It is also crucial to bear in mind the need for visibility through a vehicle’s window when you are looking to install a window film on a car. Some architectural window films are designed to reduce visibility through the glass to an extent that would pose a danger to drivers and other road users and pedestrians alike, if this film was applied to the window of a car.

Above all else, you should always have your film professionally installed

The question “can architectural window film be installed on a car?” is not the only one that must be answered. This is because, even if appropriate window film is selected for a given application, it must also be installed correctly in order to provide the best possible results.

It is for this reason, as well as the ease with which window films can be damaged if they are improperly handled, that we always recommend a professional installer fits any given window film – whether intended for automotive or architectural use.

Call the Stockfilms customer service team on 020 8441 0449 today, and we can advise you as to the most suitable window films for your desired application. Indeed, we can also provide free A4 samples of all of our products on request.

Can window film be used on low-E windows?

24 April 2019

While low-emissivity glass – or low-E glass as it is commonly described – can be a highly invaluable form of glass for preventing heat from escaping through a building’s windows, you may understandably have other needs that could be served by an appropriate window film.

A low-E coating on glass, after all, may be excellent for boosting a household or business’s  energy efficiency while reducing monthly bills and minimising the building’s carbon footprint, but it doesn’t address other needs that occupants may have – for example, to reduce glare or enhance the safety of the windows.

This is where the right window film can come in, which may lead you to ask the question: “can window film be used on low-E windows?”

The short answer is yes, it can be... but there are also some other factors to bear in mind.

The type of low-E coating makes a big difference

The biggest question is not so much whether window film can be used on low-E windows, but instead whether it should be.

How you answer this question for your own building will depend on such factors as the type of low-E surface used on your glass, as well as where the low-E surface is located in the window system, and what effects you desire from your window film in terms of minimising heat gain, reducing heat loss or other potential benefits.

Two basic types of low-E window surfacing exist. One of these is a conductive coating that is applied to glass during its manufacture, while the other is a more complex arrangement of multiple layers of metals and conductive coatings. This latter type is only deposited on the glass once it has been made.

The first type of low-E glass can help slightly in reducing the amount of heat that escapes from a building, but isn’t very effective at keeping heat levels low in a building in hotter conditions. The second type, though, is renowned at reducing heat within a building in this way, while also minimising how much heat is lost from a building through its windows.

If, then, you are buying window film with the specific intention of reducing heat gain within a building, it could work very well on low-E glass of the first, less effective type.

But location is a major factor, too 

However, the wisdom of using window film on low-E glass will also be largely determined by the exact location of the low-E surface in the window system.

For example, if the low-E coating is on the room-side surface of the innermost pane of glass, using window film may make the low-E glass less effective at reducing the amount of heat lost from the building, or eliminate this benefit altogether. This might not be such a great concern, however, if your chosen window film also offers strong heat loss reduction.

It is much more common, though, for low-E window systems to consist of double pane windows in which the low-E surface faces the air space between the panes. If this is the case for your own low-E windows, you will be able to install window film without the glass’s existing heat loss reduction benefit being eliminated.

The specific form of window film that you should select for your building will hinge on factors like the above and the other purposes that you intend the window film to serve – for instance, to reduce glare or limit heat gain in the building. 

If you are yet to have low-E windows installed in the given building, however, or if you desire a low-E effect for existing windows, we are pleased to be able to offer dedicated low-E window film that offers a host of other benefits alongside the traditional greater retention of heat within a room.

So, can window film be used on low-E windows? Yes it can be, but you will need to take into account all manner of practical factors and the intended benefits when you are looking to select a window film that can be depended on to deliver worthwhile results.

Can window film reduce glare?

1 April 2019

The need to reduce glare is one of the main reasons window films are purchased. They can certainly be a much more practical and convenient solution for reducing glare than many of the other common remedies, enabling you to continue using your building or vehicle the same way you otherwise would, without the need to deal with distracting and uncomfortable glare.

However, there are a few things that you will need to bear in mind before you purchase window films with the specific aim of tackling glare.

Is window film strictly needed for glare reduction anyway?

No one likes to be in an office attempting to work on an important assignment on their computer, only to find it impossible to view the screen properly due to the sunlight streaming in from outside. It’s a similar story for many conservatory users, who may find it difficult to have a face-to-face conversation with a friend or relative in their conservatory if glare is excessive.

However, before asking yourself “can window film reduce glare?”, you might be tempted to investigate other potential fixes for the problem.

The installation of blinds or shutters may be possible in a conservatory, for example, but you may also need to constantly fiddle with them over the course of the average day, to ensure the desired level of sunlight continues to come into the interior space.

Reroofing might be another remedy you have considered, especially for a conservatory, although this can be expensive. Other people may resort to wearing sunglasses, but again, it is a far from ideal solution.

Such problems help to show why window films have become so popular as a glare reduction method – and the great news is that you have many different types of window film to choose from.

We can supply a broad assortment of highly regarded window films 

While the answer to the question “can window film reduce glare?” is very much “yes”, it should be noted that a tint is required in whatever window film you choose if you are to prevent glare from coming through the glass.

Moreover, you will need to strike a balance between ensuring your chosen window film is sufficiently dark to reduce glare and ensuring it is still light enough to enable the desired level of daylight to pass through.

Here at Stockfilms, we can offer you a wide range of window films that are proven solutions for reducing glare, from internally and externally applied reflective window films and solar reflective films for polycarbonate windows, right through to sophisticated automotive window films such as those offered under the OPX NR Elite Duo name.

Simply call the Stockfilms team now, on 020 8441 0449, for an in-depth discussion of your requirements in relation to window film for reducing glare, as well as for the most competitive quote.

Does window tint block UV rays?

21 March 2019

One of the most common reasons for someone to buy window film – whether for a building or vehicle – is so that a greater level of protection can be provided against the potentially damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Whether it is known as window film or window tint, this product can be a highly efficient solution for filtering out UV rays when applied to glass.

However, it is important to check the specification sheet for any given window film before purchasing and having it installed for the express purpose of blocking UV rays. After all, the exact answer to the question “does window tint block UV rays?” differs from one film to the next.

Why would you wish to block UV rays anyway?

It has long been established that high levels of exposure to UV rays, whether indoors or outdoors, can have adverse implications for human health, in particular by heightening the risk of skin cancer. Such an effect can be caused by short bursts of high exposure, or instead the accumulative effects of more moderate levels of exposure over a longer period of time.

Overexposure to UV rays has also been linked to accelerated ageing of the skin and damage to the eyes. However, it should be noted that a lack of UV exposure can also have adverse consequences, due to the risk of vitamin D deficiency and associated disease.

It is therefore not desirable or advisable for anyone purchasing window film to attempt to completely eliminate exposure to UV rays.

However, it is still understandable that you may be looking for window film that can specifically filter out a large proportion of UV rays, especially if you are concerned about the rapid deterioration of interior furnishings that elevated sun exposure can also cause.

We can supply a variety of renowned window films

Here at Stockfilms, we are experienced in sourcing a wide range of window film options for both specifiers and end users, including when there is an obvious need for UV protection.

If, for instance, you are seeking tinting solutions that can be applied to office windows to shield the occupants of a building from elevated levels of UV exposure – especially those working closest to a window – you may be interested in our various Opalux solar control films that can provide up to 99% UV rejection.

In addition, we can supply automotive window film that is equally effective at blocking UV rays, as could be invaluable for anyone who – whether for work or personal reasons – is required to spend a large amount of their time behind the wheel of a vehicle. Our OPX NR Elite Duo films, for example, all reject as much as 99% of UV light.

Call 020 8441 0449 today, and our team here at Stockfilms will be able to provide you with the most competitive quote for any of our window film or tinting options, whether for a building or vehicle.

 

How are window films installed?

11 March 2019

While window films widely vary in terms of where they are meant to be applied, the installation process tends to follow broadly similar principles for both architectural and automotive window film.

 

What you must know before applying window film

 

Window films are very thin sheets of material that must be carefully handled by the person carrying out the installation. This can make the window film very susceptible to damage or improper application, which is why we would always recommend that it be installed by someone who has been professionally trained to handle and install such film.

 

Indeed, there is a wide range of things that even the most seasoned professional installer must be mindful of prior to applying a window film. They must ensure the window frame has been suitably prepared and pre-cleaned, for example, to minimise the scope for dust particles to get under the film, although this is difficult to avoid completely.

 

The installer must also avoid creasing or folding the film, or attempting to install it in a draughty or dusty environment.

 

It is also vital not to apply window film to a surface for which it has not been designed, and to make use of the appropriate application tools, including such items as a hard squeegee, soft window cleaning squeegee, razor scraper, knife and spray bottle.

 

The stages of a successful window film installation

 

The question of how are window films installed naturally differs slightly from one window film to the next. However, the step that must always be followed is the complete and thorough cleaning of the window, which is also the single most important step of all.

 

This will be followed by the preparation of the window film, which typically includes the removal of the film from the box, the pre-cutting of the film width at least 10mm wider than the window and the thorough soaking of the window with solution.

 

Once the cut film is being held up by an assistant or placed against the solution-soaked window with the release liner facing the installer, it will be necessary to remove the release liner, as part of the process of applying the film to the window with the help of a squeegee.

 

Finally, the window film must be suitably trimmed and the surface sprayed again with application solution, prior to the use once more of a squeegee to complete the application process. Splicing of the film will also be necessary, however, if the window to which the film is being applied cannot be covered with a single piece of film.

 

Contact Stockfilms for informed advice in relation to window films

 

Whether you require further guidance with regard to how are window films installed, or you would instead like to request samples or discuss with us the best choice of window film for your specific circumstance, you are welcome to call the Stockfilms team today on 020 8441 0449.

While window films widely vary in terms of where they are meant to be applied, the installation process tends to follow broadly similar principles for both architectural and automotive window film.

 

What you must know before applying window film

 

Window films are very thin sheets of material that must be carefully handled by the person carrying out the installation. This can make the window film very susceptible to damage or improper application, which is why we would always recommend that it be installed by someone who has been professionally trained to handle and install such film.

 

Indeed, there is a wide range of things that even the most seasoned professional installer must be mindful of prior to applying a window film. They must ensure the window frame has been suitably prepared and pre-cleaned, for example, to minimise the scope for dust particles to get under the film, although this is difficult to avoid completely.

 

The installer must also avoid creasing or folding the film, or attempting to install it in a draughty or dusty environment.

 

It is also vital not to apply window film to a surface for which it has not been designed, and to make use of the appropriate application tools, including such items as a hard squeegee, soft window cleaning squeegee, razor scraper, knife and spray bottle.

 

The stages of a successful window film installation

 

The question of how are window films installed naturally differs slightly from one window film to the next. However, the step that must always be followed is the complete and thorough cleaning of the window, which is also the single most important step of all.

 

This will be followed by the preparation of the window film, which typically includes the removal of the film from the box, the pre-cutting of the film width at least 10mm wider than the window and the thorough soaking of the window with solution.

 

Once the cut film is being held up by an assistant or placed against the solution-soaked window with the release liner facing the installer, it will be necessary to remove the release liner, as part of the process of applying the film to the window with the help of a squeegee.

 

Finally, the window film must be suitably trimmed and the surface sprayed again with application solution, prior to the use once more of a squeegee to complete the application process. Splicing of the film will also be necessary, however, if the window to which the film is being applied cannot be covered with a single piece of film.

 

Contact Stockfilms for informed advice in relation to window films

 

Whether you require further guidance with regard to how are window films installed, or you would instead like to request samples or discuss with us the best choice of window film for your specific circumstance, you are welcome to call the Stockfilms team today on 020 8441 0449.

 

What is window film used for?

1 March 2019

Window film is a self-adhesive polyester film that is designed to be applied to glass. You may purchase window film for any of a wide range of purposes, such as:

Saving energy

There has never been a greater emphasis than there is today on reducing energy use as much as possible – not only for reasons of environmental friendliness and social responsibility, but also to save money. Solar control films can be instrumental in lowering the need for air conditioning or heating within a space.

Filtering ultraviolet (UV) rays

Window film like that offered by Stockfilms can block the passage through glass of up to 99% of UV rays. You may therefore buy window film to act as a ‘sunscreen’, protecting your skin from the harm that high levels of sun exposure can cause. UV protection film can also help to slow down the fading of furnishings.

Reducing glare

Whether you are in a building or behind the wheel of a car, glare can be extremely annoying, while also preventing you from concentrating on any task you may be trying to perform. We sell a series of glare reduction films here at Stockfilms that can cut down on glare, in much the same way as sunglasses.

Improving safety and security

Safety and security films don’t only strengthen glass against the risk of breakage in the event of attempted intrusion or vandalism, but also help to boost the safety of the glass if it does break. Such window film helps to hold together dangerous shards of glass, which greatly minimises the likelihood of injury to any occupants of the building.

Maximising privacy

We supply various window films here at Stockfilms that are intended to maximise privacy. You may request a translucent privacy screening film, for instance, that provides two-way privacy but still enables a good level of natural light to pass through the glass. One-way privacy film is also popular among customers that wish to prevent bystanders from easily looking into a property from the outside.

Enhancing appearance

The likes of reflective, tinted and coloured window films may all be used at least partially for aesthetic reasons, in conjunction with other perks such as solar control. Various shades are available to enable a specifier or end user to achieve precisely the look that they desire for the windows of a domestic or commercial building or even a vehicle.

While there are many potential answers to the question “What is window film used for?”, the above are some of the most common. Don’t hesitate to contact the Stockfilms team today, such as by calling 020 8441 0449 or completing and submitting our straightforward online form, to learn more about the window film we can supply to match your most demanding requirements.

How our latest car window films bolster driver safety, security and comfort

19 February 2019

Many of us don’t quite realise the great degree to which we depend on our vehicles each and every day, until an event or circumstance comes to pass that compromises our use of them.

You may have had such an experience yourself, driving along only to suddenly have to deal with excessive glare that adversely affects your ability to see the road ahead. Alternatively, you may have found yourself sweltering in excessive temperatures behind the wheel, or even had your car broken into, with important items stolen. 

It is such problems – and many more – that the car window films we supply here at Stockfilms may go a long way to preventing. Indeed, we presently have a complete selection of OPX NR Elite Duo films that you are likely to be happy to recommend to customers of your dealer or fitting business.

Why may your customer be interested in such renowned products?

The Stockfilms team is aware that when you are attempting to sell the opportunity to purchase one of our acclaimed car window films to your customers, it is not the fact that they are excellently-engineered two-ply polyester films that will necessarily most persuade them to buy. Even these products’ superb clarity, high-performing colour stability or accompanying manufacturer’s warranty may not be instrumental in convincing drivers to have them fitted to their vehicle.

Instead, your customer will want to know that the film you apply to their car will resolve real-world problems. This is precisely why the latest OPX NR Elite Duo films make so much sense.

You may advise your customer to invest in these car window films due to their exceptional ability to reduce heat and glare and in the process, maximise driver comfort. Alternatively, vehicle owners may be especially attracted to the non-reflective black appearance of these films that helps so greatly to enhance privacy and security, thereby also making opportunistic thievery much less likely.

Ultraviolet (UV) protection is another major reason to specify such car window films, with up to 99% rejection of potentially harmful UV rays being provided across the entire OPX NR Elite Duo range.

Different window tints for different needs – but the same brilliant performance

Speaking of the wider range, it is important that you carefully consider which exact window film of ours under this banner represents the best choice for your customer’s most pressing concerns.

There is a considerable difference between the OPX NR Elite Duo 5 film, for instance, which allows only 5% of visible light to be transmitted and rejects 43% of solar energy, and OPX NR Elite Duo 70. The latter allows the transmission of a whopping 70% of visible light, and rejects just 23% of solar energy.

Nonetheless, there will almost certainly be car window films in our present industry-leading selection to address even highly demanding needs, being relatively easy to install and then providing consistently reliable performance for the driver on a day-to-day basis.

To learn more about the variety of products that we would be delighted to bring you here at Stockfilms, and to receive advice that will better enable you to choose the right solutions, please call 020 8441 0449; we will then also be able to provide you with a competitive quote.

For both aesthetic and practical reasons, our OPX NR Elite Duo films are a winner

6 February 2019

The OPX brand is one that we are pleased to be able to offer for many reasons here at Stockfilms – not least because in a crowded field of car window films, they cater to all of the obvious requirements that vehicle owners, fitters and dealers alike could have.

OPX window films have a reputation for catering to both aesthetic and practical needs with equal aplomb, and the situation’s no different as far as our complete range of OPX NR Elite Duo films is concerned.

From security and privacy to the utmost in heat and glare reduction

Car owners who ask your business about whether you can fit window films to their vehicle may do so at first out of a wish to lessen the amount of glare they are forced to deal with when driving. Heat reduction is a frequent desire among such customers too, with both being vital to enhancing in-car comfort.

The above are certainly strong practical considerations, as is ultraviolet (UV) protection – and those who turn to your fitter or dealer with an interest in OPX window films should be reassured, too, by the up to 99% filtering of potentially harmful UV rays that all products in the NR Elite Duo range provide.

However, your customers may be just as intrigued by the non-reflective black appearance that characterises all of these OPX window films, whether they opt for the OPX NR Elite Duo 5 option with its 43% solar energy rejection rate and 5% visible light transmission, or instead the OPX NR Elite Duo 70 film at the other end of our range. The latter enables 70% of visible light to be transmitted, while rejecting 23% of solar energy and reflecting 7% of visible light.

Such an external appearance may be especially appealing to those who wish to enhance the privacy and security of their vehicle, by having a window film installed that makes it more difficult for passers-by to see what is stored inside.

Seek our advice and guidance today about our industry-leading OPX window films

Whether you wish to discuss with us in greater detail the suitability of any of our OPX window films for the likely requirements of your own dealer or fitting business’s customers, or you would instead like to immediately request a quote, the entire process couldn’t be quicker or easier.

Simply call 020 8441 0449 now for all of the help that you could require when specifying OPX window films that represent the best match to the needs of your customers for their vehicles. 

 

 

Acclaimed car window tinting films that provide so much more than a tint

15 January 2019

If your firm is a professional vehicle dealer or fitting business, it’s understandable that you may wish to expand the amount of choice of products available to your customers, and therefore the profits that your business enjoys, by beginning to offer car window tinting films.

You may even be moved to offer such films in the first place by customers approaching you with a specific interest in some kind of window tinting solution for their vehicle.

Tinting can, of course, provide a ‘cleaner’ and more consistent look for the windows of any cars to which such a film is applied. It can also be useful for enhancing privacy and security – but these are far from the only reasons for an organisation like yours to offer such window films, or for a vehicle owner to have them installed by you.

OPX NR Elite Duo window films cater to a variety of requirements

Some of the benefits to the vehicle owner of the two-ply optically clear, non-metalized polyester films sold under the OPX NR Elite Duo name will be less expected than others.

Your customers may be initially drawn to these sophisticated films on account of their non-reflective black appearance, which is the case whether one opts for the NR Elite Duo 5 film, the NR Elite Duo 70 variant, or indeed any of the options in-between.

Those numbers, by the way, denote the percentage of visible light that is transmitted through the given film – so 5% in the case of the NR Elite Duo 5 product, right up to 70% when the NR Elite Duo 70 film is specified. This enables you to easily recommend and supply a film to a given customer of yours, in the knowledge that it will closely match their stated priorities.

However, these advanced car window tinting films are also known for their excellent filtering of potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays – up to 99% across all of the provided options – as well as their superb glare reduction qualities, with both of these characteristics being invaluable in improving the driving experience. Levels of heat reduction, too, are good with these films.

Talk to us now about the perfectly suited automotive films that we can supply

Whether you have long turned to our team here at Stockfilms for all of your organisation’s requirements as far as window films for vehicles are concerned, or you are instead enquiring to us for the first time, we would be delighted to present you with a highly competitive, tailored quote.

The finest car window tinting films will always have advantages that extend far beyond tinting – and few such products on the market today demonstrate this quite as well as the OPX window films that can presently be sourced through Stockfilms. 

 

 

 

OPX window films make a major difference to the driving experience

8 January 2019

While car ownership is undoubtedly a matter of great pride and passion for all manner of individuals up and down the UK, it also can’t be denied that it takes relatively little to mar the driving experience for many of us. How many times, for instance, have you found yourself cursing excessive glare or elevated heat levels when sat behind the wheel?

These are also frustrations that customers of your dealer or fitting business are likely to have had on a surprisingly regular basis.

This is precisely why it pleases us so much here at Stockfilms to be able to offer competitively priced, but also dazzlingly effective OPX window films that your customers are likely to greatly appreciate having applied to their vehicles.

Automotive window tints that are actually worth the hype

The OPX window films that we have in stock here at Stockfilms right now are those of the NR Elite Duo range that take the form of two-ply, optically clear and non-metalized polyester films.

We give your business no fewer than six variants of this acclaimed window film to choose from, in accordance with your customer’s specific preferences and requirements. These range from the NR Elite Duo 5 film that permits the transmission of only 5% visible light, right through to the NR Elite Duo 70 product, which – as its name indicates – enables 70% visible light to be transmitted.

Our OPX window films also vary with regard to the exact proportion of solar energy that each of them rejects; more specific information can be found on the relevant product pages on this website.

Nonetheless, whichever of these films you select, you can expect a wide range of immensely beneficial qualities for the driver. All of these films are black and non-reflective in appearance, for example, and deliver excellent glare reduction, in addition to good heat reduction.

Another universal benefit provided by these OPX window films is exceptional protection against the potentially harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays, with every one of them delivering 99% filtering.

Place your order now to give your customer peace of mind

With each of our OPX window films also being available in widths ranging from 507mm (20”) to 1524mm (60”), and comprehensive manufacturer warranties also provided, you have a lot of options before you to assist you in selecting the product that best suits your customer’s needs.

Call the Stockfilms team today, on 020 8441 0449, for a competitive quote in relation to any of our highly rated, sophisticated and effective OPX window films.