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.