FAQ

Solar control or energy saving window film is a thin layer of film usually about 50 microns (2 mil) thick that can be installed on the interior or exterior of glass surfaces in commercial buildings, homes, auto vehicles, boats and also on certain grades and thicknesses of polycarbonate sheets; such films are most often than not made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a thermoplastic polymer resin which derives from the polyester family. PET Films are made ultra clear and have a very good tensile strength, the dimensional stability of the product is excellent and its ability to accept a variety of solar heat resisting treatments either embedded or sandwiched through layer formation or sprayed on makes it extremely versatile and much cheaper compared to glass that is factory treated with solar deflecting capabilities. 
Window films or solar control films are generically categorised by their construction components (dyed, pigmented, metallized, ceramic, nano, sputtered or chemical vapour deposition), and for their intended use (architectural, automotive or marine), by substrate type (glass or polycarbonate), and/or by their technical performance (solar control, safety and security or privacy). All high quality Solar Control films are UV-stabilized, and have some level of infrared deflecting properties in its structure, window films when applied on glass panes drastically reduces the amount of solar heat and radiation caused by the sun’s rays.
Window films are best installed by a professional or company that specializes in such installations even though there are D.I.Y. kits available for those who have a skilful hand and would like to get hands-on and give it a try themselves.
The International Window Film Association, founded in 1991, provides unbranded information about window films and we at Aloka try our best to follow guidelines and recommendations set out by them as a policy in maintaining the highest standards. 
Colored sun control or solar control films reduce the amount of heat by absorbing solar energy and dissipating them outward and through the glass pane, reflective films reflect solar energy from a glass pane at a much higher rate owing to it reflective capability. Reflective metalized films are coated with a thin layer of mixed metalized nanoparticles and are more effective in reducing the amount of heat energy that enters through a glass pane.
There are also high performing nano ceramic films which come quite close to reflective films.

Sun control window films are applied with the help of a mild solution of shampoo and water which is sprayed on to the glass pane that has been thoroughly cleaned and prepped earlier. 
The film has a micro layer of adhesive which is usually less than 5% of the entire thickness of the film, this ultra thin sensitive layer of adhesive is activated with a shampoo and water solution and takes roughly 48 hours to dry and bond to the glass pane. 
To install the film, the ultra thin liner on the film must be peeled off first and a good and even spraying of shampoo water solution must be applied to both the exposed adhesive layer on the film and the glass pane, the film is then gently placed from the top most part of the glass allowing gravity to let the rest to settle down on to the glass in a general lose manner, once the film has settled on the glass, the installer will then adjust the film by pushing it either way required and until all edges of the glass is covered. 
Note that, the films must always be cut with an additional allowance of at least half inch on all sides so as to allow precision trimming once the film is placed on the glass. 
Another light spraying of water and shampoo is sprayed on top of the film and the excess water shampoo between the glass and the film is them squeezed out with the help of a heavy squeegee.  
It is best to use a PH balanced shampoo such as Johnson’s baby shampoo for the water shampoo mixture, usually a ratio of 2 teaspoons of shampoo to 1 litre of water should be fine if you are installing in hot glass conditions or even 1 teaspoon is sufficient. 
Some film manufacturers recommend that their slip solution or shampoo is used for best results. Always best to read instructions on such containers first as they are extremely concentrated and you could end up using way too much risking the adhesive not bonding to the glass whereby blisters could appear over a short period of time.

Sun control or solar control window films are best installed on glass. Films may stick to certain smooth plastics such as polycarbonate or acrylic sheets, but they may not last as long as opposed to using it on real glass, besides, using film on acrylic or polycarbonate sheets must be very carefully calculated based on thickness square foot area, for instance a 5 foot tall 4 foot wide panel should ideally be 6mm or thicker.

There are many types of film performing at various levels depending on factors such as the amount of light allowed in, the type of materials embedded within or layered on it. Films we offer deflect anything from 40% to about 85% solar energy and 99% UV rays. UV stabilized film helps prevent fading of furniture, paintings, ornaments, drapes, other display items, flooring and carpets. We have a very wide range of products running across 9 manufacturers to suit almost every possible need. For instance, there are solar control films made specifically for showroom windows where visibility inwards is an absolute essential, these films typically reduce 99% UV and about 35% to 50% solar heat energy. There are high performance film that can reduce as much as 85% to 90% solar energy, these films are sometimes either dark or are reflective on one or both sides. There are also nano ceramic and infusion type films which provide almost the same level of heat deflection and have similar properties which are almost transparent as well, these films tend to be slightly on the more expensive side.

The life span of the film depends on various factors like compounds used in its manufacture to how it’s applied on the glass, the orientation of the windows, geolocation etc. There are many instances that films have lasted for more than 15 years when installed and cared for correctly. Some films come with a 5 year warranty period, low warranty periods is not an indicator that that the film is poor quality but is specifically made for temporary use,  like when you are a tenant and will lease a building for just 5 years. Longer warranties are usually products that are made to last longer and would similarly cost a little more, the maximum warranty period offered on window film is 15 years. Film manufacturers who claim their product offers lifetime warranty are usually hyping it up and not being truthful, no film can last a lifetime, the adhesive will begin to fail, so will the base material owing to the sun’s powerful radiation, take it from us, no such film will be manufactured as it makes no sense to do so.
Most modern buildings now consist of anything above 70% glass all around, this also means additional solar heat radiation getting into the building. While glass is much cheaper than most other building materials the energy consumption in maintaining and keeping the interior temperatures at a comfortable levels could end up being very high. Applying an energy efficient film on your glasses is key to saving on high air conditioning costs.
We can help you choose a film that not only suites your buildings specifics but one that fits your budget as well.

NO! There is no such film that provides 100% one-way visibility at all times. However, reflective films prevent visibility from outside in owing to its reflective properties during the day time when the sun is bright outside and vice-versa during the night. Usually, the mirror like reflectance works where greater light intensity is applied on the outside. To achieve a near one-way visibility factor at night; as in when the outside is darker than the inside, you would have to have a brighter light source placed on the outside at an angle away from the glass to achieve almost nil visibility in from the outside.

Yes, there is. Blackout and Whiteout films completely block out visibility, whiteout film allows dull filtered light in but with zero visibility out whereas blackout film cuts out 100% light and visibility, thus preventing visibility from both sides. 
Blackout film is ideally suited for applications where zero light has to be maintained particularly in lab environments or for dark rooms for film processing etc, whiteout films are used for absolute privacy in places such as restrooms, surgical theaters etc.

Yes it is in many ways, not only does applying of sun control window film on plain glass work out to be much cheaper, it has many other advantages as well. It has far superior heat rejection properties compared to factory tinted glass panes, it stops harmful UV rays (up to 99%), dissipates and reduces solar heat radiation far greater than factory treated glass, has Infrared, and other heat reduction capabilities that specially coated glass cannot match, besides the very important fact that films will offer some level of protection from flying shards of splintered glass through accidental breakage or impact. Hence it’s far more superior and versatile compared to tinted glass. When a glass pane that has been factory tinted breaks, it’s virtually impossible to match it unlike a glass pane tinted with film, unless you plan to keep several dozen sheets of that glass in storage for a number of years in case of breakage. Window tint however can always be matched as there are hundreds of hues and tints available, in some instances you can combine two films to match your existing glass color to visually look identical. Remember, one other important factor, in five years time if you decide to change the building color or you simply want to change the color of your interiors, all you need to do is simply change the film, where as replacing glass panes will cost you way much more and will be far more time consuming.

UV rays pose serious health risks, excessive exposure can cause skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, cataracts in the eyes and serious other problems. Ultraviolet radiation also cause furniture and upholstery to fade and decay very rapidly. Sun control or solar control window films comes with a UV-stabilised layer which cuts out up to 99% of the harmful UV rays. However, it should be noted that UV rays are just one of the components in the solar energy spectrum. Other components such as heat, infrared radiation and light also cause some level of skin or eye problems and destruction to other objects. The degree of UV protection offered differs from film to film, so the extent of fading will depend on the type of film used. Ultraviolet radiation is divided into several wavelengths with each wavelength having its own spectrum. These wavelengths vary between 100nm to 400nm. UV-C has the shortest wavelength in the UV spectrum, which does not reach us as it is blocked out and destroyed by the earth’s ozone layer. UV-B is within the 280nm to 320nm range and a small percentage of this reaches the surface of the earth and can cause photosensitive damage to our skin. Those with sensitive skin will end up with enlarged blood vessels resulting in blisters which could lead to other issues. UV-A which is within 320nm to 400nm wavelength is where the big problem lies as more than 90% of all UVA radiation usually reaches the earth’s surface. This is the danger area which we must be careful of it as this radiation can penetrate the deep dermis of the skin resulting in pigmentation of the skin, prolonged or long-term exposure can lead to premature skin aging and skin cancer.  

No it shouldn’t. While we know that plants do rely on photosynthesis to live and grow, and that they need to absorb some of the sun’s radiation in processing sugars and proteins as food, there are several studies which indicate that the red and blue visible light are the portions of the solar spectrum most effective in increasing photosynthesis and thereby increasing plant growth. Eliminating UV radiation should not affect the growth of houseplants, however, reducing visible light and infrared light will slow the process of photosynthesis. Reduced temperature or temperature swings can shock plants and impede their growth. Plants are however very flexible and usually adapt to change. There are plants that won’t fare well and some will actually do better given some shade and reduced direct heat. 

Sun Control or Solar Control Window Film reduces the amount of heat let in through glass panes, rendering the air-conditioning more effective and keeping the interiors cooler. The air-conditioners don’t have to work as hard constantly to keep the temperature down and therefore needs far less energy to function. Most often, your ROI or return on investment when using the right film could actually be as
little as 18 months, from there on the film starts paying you back in energy savings on your electricity bills. Sun Control or Solar Control Window Films also extends the life of the air-conditioners by making them have less work load. The extent of power saved (varying from 10% to 40%) will depend on the type of film used since different films have different heat rejection capabilities and properties, do talk to
us, we deal with 9 international brands and can offer you more than 600 different variations and options unlike any other direct importer or installer.

Yes, you can. Installation is fairly easy but is somewhat risky nevertheless as even experienced installers do have problems with dust particles and bubbles. It’s best, therefore, left to a professionally trained installer to do the job, thus preventing dust particles or bubbles from appearing between the glass and the micro thin layer of adhesive on the film. If you however feel daring and feel you’d like to give it a go, we would definitely like to help you install film on your own, do give us a call, we will be glad to assist and guide you.

The range of sun control or solar control film stocked and offered by us include reflective film, non
reflective film, high-performance glare reduction film, opaque and blockout film, gradation film, designer privacy films, solar safety
& security window film from 9 global manufacturers giving you near  600 options to choose from.

No, Sun control or solar control window film is not fully scratch resistant. Even glass tends to get scratched or scraped if not cared for properly. Most films we offer have some level of scratch resistance in varying levels, some are with a scratch-resistant
coating (SRC) which are especially useful in cases where the glasses need to be cleaned regularly and maintained in a pristine condition, like showroom or shop window fronts, restaurant windows, display cases etc. These windows can be cleaned on a regular
basis without concerns about scratches provided proper cleaning methods are followed. If proper care is given to prevent scratching of the surface after installation, you can have great looking window panes for several years without any problem. Usually its best to use a mild shampoo water solution sprayed on and swiped off with a squeegee wiper. Stubborn fingerprint marks or oily splatters can be treated with extra shampoo and wiped gently with a microfiber cloth or baby sponge and then squeegeed off as mentioned earlier.  

While a film will not prevent a glass pane from breaking, it does prevent it from splintering and sending out dangerous glass shards which could cause serious injury, it would also hold all broken glass particles in place until the glass pane is replaced. This is an invaluable safety feature. For instance, during storms, cyclones or on accidental impact, it can prevent sharp shards of glass flying around and causing any fatality or serious injury. It also provides safety during earthquakes when glass can simple fracture and fall several floors down. During terrorist attacks, a lot of injuries are caused by flying glass shards or splinters. Sun Control or Solar Control Window Film will reduce this to a great extent but are not the best option, to have the best effect its best to go for a solar shatterproof safety film if you have such a risk assessment.  Regular solar control films also offer a certain amount of protection or deterrent against burglary, break ins or theft, because of their shatter-resistant properties. Thieves cannot make a hole in a glass easily in one easy go by smashing it to get at the goods inside, thus offering some deterrent in preventing the theft. Most sun control or solar control window films for buildings are 50 microns or 2 mil thick, for additional safety against shattering glass panes, it is advisable to use a safety film first as a base layer before using a sun control or solar control film on top of it in the case of shop fronts or showrooms, there are also safety films that offer much better solar properties depending on the intended use. Clear solar shatterproof films usually don’t come with very high solar energy rejection, hence the need of a base layer of shatterproof clear film and then a high performance heat deflection film on top particularly for shop windows, displays and large public areas that require clear glass panes. Shatterproof safety films come in varying thicknesses varying from 2mil to 21 mil.

Yes, most films can be installed in bathrooms or in areas that are fairly damp or wet  with high moisture content in the air, the only downside is that you need to make sure that they are well attached at the time of installation and that glasses are given a heat gun treatment at low temperature on the reverse side for better bonding effect. This is a fairly tricky operation and must be done by someone who really knows how to control a heat gun and its temperature settings, you could end up with the film getting scorched or worse the glass may break if too much heat is applied in one spot or unevenly. 

Yes, sun control or solar control films are available as safety solar control window films as well which is affixed as one single layer. Not all shades of sun control or solar control window film options are offered though. Given the wide range we deal in, we of course could give lots of choices to select from.  Do call us to find out more on this. 

The time taken to affix film to glass depends upon various factors, like the place of application, access to the glass, the installer’s efficiency, type of film, time of application etc. Normally, it takes between 5 to 10 minutes to apply film on
an area of one square meter. An experienced installer can install roughly about 28m² (300f²) on flat glass on a regular building from inside, external applications are very complex and will take much longer. On vehicles, usually a team of two can do a luxury sedan in about 2 hours, here the method of installation requires a lot more skill and other types of work such as heating and molding of film, film insertion and edge treatment to prevent curl off from window shutter roll down etc.

Yes, there are many manufacturers who make outside weatherable films or exterior films as they are commonly known. These films are generally with stronger adhesive and stick the glass much better than the films used inside, however, natures elements will take it toll and the films usually last only 5 to 7 years, that too if it is maintained properly.  Before films are affixed outside, you need to make sure that the glass panes are well cleaned and free of any dust, grime or oily residue from smog or vehicle fumes. External Solar Control or Energy Saving Films can be use on the inside as well but may have different color and appearance to it as it was designed for outward appearance. Sri Lankan weather conditions and the high content of dust does not go well with exterior films, therefore it is advised that you go with a film that can be installed from inside.

The curing time for the window films to fully bond to a glass pane depends on the type film used, time of the day the film is applied etc.  Depending on weather conditions and the film type, it may take up to 30 days or sometimes more for the film to fully dry and bond to the glass, however, light and gentle cleaning can commence even 24 hours after application if absolutely necessary provided that the windows have been exposed to direct sunlight for at least 8 hours.

One of the great advantages of Sun Control or Solar Control Window Film is that it doesn’t need special care after installation. Windows can be cleaned using a soft lint free cloth or preferably a microfiber cloth with a solution water and mild shampoo. Usually a mix of 2 teaspoons of mild shampoo in a litre of water sprayed on and squeegeed off gently should do. Gently dab off the squeegeed off water solution with a soft cloth and your windows would look pristine clean thereafter.  Do not use any rough or abrasive material such as newspaper or rough cloth to clean the side of the glass where the film has been affixed, this could leave scratches on the film. Many people make the mistake of using glass cleaner, you are no longer dealing with a glass but a window film, glass cleaners are no good as they have ammonia and other bleaching agents, which will damage the film.  

The advantage of window film is that you can change it whenever you want, unlike permanently tinted glass. This is best done by a professional though as you could scratch the glass or even worse break it as the bonding layer is very strong, but if you are
confident and feel up to it; here’s how you get about removing the existing layer of film and preparing your glass panes for a new color or shade of Sun Control Window Film:
Step1: Peel off the film from all corners with the help of a knife cutter or blade, be careful not scrape or scratch the glass.
Step2: Spray water on the adhesive sticking to the glass pane, window cleaning liquid could also be used for this.
Step3: Scrape off the sticky adhesive on the glass with the help of a scraper, ventilate the area as the adhesive could emanate gasses that irritate the eyes or skin. For extremely stubborn glue residue that just won’t come off, spray on Isopropyl Alcohol (surgical spirits – C3H8O) to loosen it up and then scrape off carefully. Careful with the scraper, if it is held wrong it could lead to scratching the glass and damaging it or even worse hurting yourself.
Step4: Wipe the cleaned glass with a cloth which is lint free, discard of the sticky adhesive carefully without getting it on clothing or carpets etc.
If you have any particular question that’s not been answered by this FAQ and overview on Sun Control, Solar or Energy saving Window Film, please email your questions  to naren@alokageneraltrading.com or info@alokageneraltrading.com we will be glad to be of assistance.