Frequently Asked Questions - Superior Window Tinting

1. Are you bonded and insured?

Yes, our company is licensed, bonded and insured.

2. What will window film do??

Window film has many distinct benefits for both commercial and residential usage. Once applied, window film will have the following benefits/advantages:

energy savings / reduction in energy cost by reducing solar heat coming in during summer and preventing heat loss during winter.
eliminate over 99% of harmful ultraviolet rays.
protects furniture, art, and interior finishing such as flooring, draperies and carpets from fading.
reduces glare thus improving interior comfort for tenants, less eyestrain.
distributes temperature evenly inside, avoiding any hotspots
holds glass in place in the event of breakage or earthquake thus preventing personal injury or property damage.
protects glass from scratching when using anti graffiti film.

3. How is the window film applied? How is it installed? Can window film be removed later on? Is it easy or difficult to remove?

The first step is to inspect the windows and clean them thoroughly. Window films have a liner which, when removed, reveals an adhesive which is applied to the glass using water mixed with a cleaning solution. The film adheres to the glass by applying pressure by using a hard squeegee. Air bubbles and excess water are squeezed out after trimming the edges. Our professional installers cover surrounding areas with tarps and towels to make sure your floor or furnishings do not get wet. Upon completion of the film installation, furniture and window treatments are returned to their original places.

Window film can easily be removed by our professional installers should you opt to have them removed. Our installers have the proper tools and can do the job quickly, restoring your windows to its original state.

4. Do curtains and blinds have to be removed before installation?

Usually not. Curtains may just be pulled back and blinds pulled up. Furniture and accessories however need to be moved to allow at least 1 meter clearance from the windows to give our installers room to maneuver.

5. How long will it last?

Window film, depending on its application, can typically last between 10-20 years and even longer. We give a lifetime warranty for residential application and 10-12 years for commercial application.

6. How long will it take to install the film?

For residential installation, it may take up to 1 day to complete. For commercial application, it would vary depending on the square footage. A team of installers are available to work at night or in shifts in the case of a large commercial application such as an entire building.

7. Do the windows have to be washed?

Our professional installers will thoroughly wash the windows prior to installing the film. They will use the proper tools and washing solution to ensure all dirt, no matter how small, is removed. Towels and tarps are also placed on the floor and nearby furniture/fixtures as protection from excess water.

8. Does film go on the inside or outside?

Film is applied to the inside of the glass. However, film is applied to the exterior when:

It is an anti-graffiti film
It is applied to skylights
When there is no access from the interior.

With exterior application, due to effects of extreme weather condition, film will have a limited life and therefore have a shorter warranty.

9. Can film go on any type of window, even double-pane?

Yes, film can go on any type of glass, even double-pane. Actually, double-pane glass does not provide as much UV protection as window film. Superior will also guarantee glass replacement in case of thermal breakage.

10. Does window film have to be installed in hot weather? What if it is raining or humid?

Window film can be applied to glass under any weather condition. It is not recommended however, to install film when the outside air temperature is less than 30 degrees Fahrenheit ( o F.) as the cold air may cause the mounting solution to freeze on the glass which may damage the film.

11. I sometimes see bubbles or peeling on some window films. Will that happen and why does it do that?

These are probably from window film that is outdated. Today's film, when applied by our professional installers, will not peel or bubble. It may take however, a few weeks for the film to completely dry out. We have an excellent track record and thousands of satisfied customers who have referred us to other clients.

12. Will the windows be darker or a different color with the film on?

There is a wide variety of film we can apply to your windows depending on your needs. We can use very light film which maximizes natural night coming in yet has high UV protection and high solar heat rejection. These are a special line of films called spectrally selective film. On the other hand, for maximum privacy, we also have darker films where visible light transmission is very low. We also have the white frost which is used for certain office requirements or for privacy in bathrooms. This is an economical alternative to having sand blasted glass as the cost of applying white frost is a fraction of installing sand-blasted glass.

13. Can I be seen at night from the outside, especially with indoor lights on?

Again, using spectrally selective film is a solution for this. The film will not reflect the lights in the room back inside, which means people outside can't see in at night.

14. How are the windows cleaned with the film on?

Windows can be cleaned the same way either with or without film, with your usual cleaning solution, including ammonia based products like Windex. Although window film has a high scratch-resistant coating, abrasive pads should not be used. It is recommended to use a soft cloth or squeegee.

15. What happens if the film gets scratched?

If by accident, the film gets scratched, and is unsightly, the film can be replaced at minimal cost. This is what we call R&R, or remove and replace. In the case of anti-graffiti film, our film brands are made to endure a high tolerance of scratching such that it does not reach or scratch the glass itself. Replacing the anti-graffiti film, will, in this case, be only a small fraction of the cost or replacing the glass itself.

16. Do you sell film only, and can I install it myself?

No, we do not sell just the film. We do supply and installation and we recommend that film be professionally installed. Our installers are formally trained and have years of experience. It is most likely that if you try to install it yourself, it would take several trials before the window film is acceptable. Aside from this, special tools have to be purchased to have the film installed properly.

17. What will window film do if someone wants to break the glass or if there is an earthquake?

Film will hold glass intact in the event of it being broken. In the event of a burglary, it would take longer for a burglar to break through the glass. It may even cause the burglar to get frustrated and give up as he will take a considerable amount of time to completely break through the glass.

Glass without film can break into large pieces and fly, causing injury to persons as well as property. This is greatly minimized, if not totally avoided, when there is window film as the shattered glass will be contained within the sheath formed by the window film.

18. How much does it cost?

The cost of applying window film depends on such factors as:

size of window/s
shape of window/s
accessibility to window/s
type of window film to be applied
volume or total square footage of windows that will need film

There is also an extra charge to remove old film if the case applies.

We can visit your location at your convenience and after selecting the type of film to be applied, we can arrive at an estimate in a matter of minutes.

You can also email us your window sizes as well as other pertinent information and we can reply within 24 hours with a price range. See our Get an Estimate page

19. Will it void my warranty on my window?

Most window manufacturers and installers void their warranty on windows when film is applied. The good news is that our manufacturer will replace a window up to a certain amount should it break as a result of thermal stress. This amount usually covers the cost of glass replacement. The probability of this happening though, is very remote.

20. Who gives the warranties?

The warranty comes directly from our manufacturer, CPFilms, which is the world's largest producer of window film. We give a lifetime warranty for residential application and up to 12 years for commercial application. This manufacturer's warranty covers both materials and ( underline and ) labor.

The warranty covers peeling, cracking, de-metallizing, de-lamination and adhesive failure.

21. If I sell my house, will the warranty be carried over the new owner?

The warranty is given to the client who purchased the film and is not transferable to the new owner of the house or commercial property when sold.

22. How much is the energy savings from applying window films?

Amount of energy savings depends on the total area of windows, the type of window film used, building construction, and climate. Recent studies have shown that about 40% of a homes heat usage is a result of its window space and approximately 50% of a utility bill can be attributed to heating that space. Thus, window film plays a crucial role in reducing energy consumption. During colder months, window film also helps keep heat in.

New energy saving window films have been recently introduced which are low-E films. Low-E stands for low emissivity, a measurement of a surface's ability to absorb heat. The lower the emissivity, the less heat is absorbed by the glass and the more room heat is reflected back inside.

For commercial application, installing window film will lower all future power bills after window film is applied. You will realize a return of investment after only a few years. There is no doubt that you will realize energy savings on your succeeding energy bills after applying window film.

23. For commercial applications, can I get some sort of energy credit by installing window film?

Yes, initially data gathering will be conducted. With input such as window area, type of HVAC used, size, exposure, energy costs, etc., CPFilms will conduct a comprehensive energy analysis program and provide you with comparisons of selected window film, energy costs and payback periods. They have at their disposal energy engineers and technical staff to support your needs at no cost to you.

Aside from this, PG&E offers a one time rebate based on energy conservation. This will apply to films installed on east, west and south exposures of your building. We can supply and assist you with these forms.

24. Can you handle large installations, like an entire building or buildings?

Most definitely. We have had experience with entire offices, schools and buildings applying film to thousands of windows. Our team of professional installers can even work shifts should the need arise for installations having strict deadlines.

25. Do you do skylights? Can they be filmed?

Yes, we do skylight installation. Since this usually requires exterior installation, film will have a shorter lifespan due to exposure to weather conditions. As moisture can also accumulate on skylights, our installers apply sealant to the edges in order to minimize the effects of moisture.

26. Do you do cars?

No, we do not do cars. We specialize only in residential and commercial installation.