1. How do Vista Sun Control Window Films work?

As an introduction, it is best to understand what happens when sunlight strikes an object, let's say, glass on windows. Sunlight is either reflected, absorbed or transmitted by or through the glass. On a regular 1/8" clear glass, around 6% is reflected back 5% is absorbed by the glass and 89% is transmitted through the glass. When surfaces inside the room absorb this, it is converted to heat.

Vista Premium Sun Control Window Films are designed to reduce the amount of heat transmission through window glass by increasing the solar reflection (not necessarily visible reflection) and solar absorption of the glass.

Typical coloured or dyed films work primarily through increased heat absorption. The colour absorbs the solar energy at the glass, thus reducing direct transmission into the room, much in the same way as blinds and curtains do. These films only offer marginal performance when compared to reflective films.

Vista Sun Control Window Films have been precision coated with metals to provide moderate to excellent solar reduction. The Vista SpectraSelect Series uses a unique state-of-the-art ceramic coating technology that allow a lot of visible light transmission therefore providing clear solar control solutions to showrooms, residences, museums and commercial storefronts. All of the Vista films reduce ultraviolet rays by 99.9%, which is the highest in the window film industry. This helps protect the adhesive from fading, and in doing so, also helps protect whatever ins inside the room (furnishings, artwork, carpet, hardwood floors) from fading.

2. What are Vista Low-E films and what do they do?

Vista Low-E (or Low Emission) Films work much in the same way as the sun control films except that they offer an increased performance against cold weather heat loss. The construction of these films enable the metal coating th reflect more of the interior room heat back into the room where it is needed. This improves comfort by reducing the potential draft feeling near the window, and also saves on heating costs.

3. Why do commercial customers have Vista Premium Sun Control Film applied in their buildings?

Commercial customers have Vista Window Films applied to their buildings to improve tenant comfort, lower heating and cooling operating costs, lower utility demand costs, improve aesthetics by providing a uniform exterior appearance, improve safety and security, extend A/C equipment life and valued alternative to adding more A/C equipment.

4. What is the typical energy payback for Vista Sun Control Window Films?

Simple paybacks will vary depending upon the amount of sunlit glass exposure, the type of film, the type of glass, cost of fuel, cost of application and other variables. However, we have seen paybacks in the range of 2 - 4 years. Our company does free energy audits for commercial buildings with at least 2,500 square feet of glass.

5. How is Vista Window Film applied?

Vista Window Films are professionally applied by our skilled, factory-trained installers, who strictly adhere to the International Window Film Association's (IWFA) standards. Almost all of these films are designed to be installed to the interior side of the glass.

The first step is to prepare the window area for the application, placing drop cloths on the floor, protecting, and/or moving furniture when necessary.

Next, the window glass is cleaned using a special cleaning solution called X-100 and razor blade scrapers. Then the film is sprayed with X-100 solution for proper positioning and applied to the glass. Using professional grade squeegees and following proper techniques, the application is completed by removing excess solution, trimming the edges leaving a 1/16" gap on the sides and a final squeegee technique to dry the edges.

6. How long does it take for Vista Window Films to dry?

We suggest allowing 30 days for the film to fully dry and cure. During this curing process, it is natural to have small water bubbles, which will disappear as the film dries in as little as a few days to 30 or even 45 days, depending on weather conditions. Once fully cured, Vista Window Films will look great and will perform for many years to come.

7. Can I install Vista Window Films myself?

No, Vista Window Films require professional application and our installers are thoroughly trained and experienced in performing this high quality work. In this way, our customers will enjoy the benefits of Vista Window Films and have the comfort and peace of mind of the Vista warranty.

8. How do I clean Vista Window Films?

After 30 days, you may clean Vista Window Films using normal household cleaning solutions, including ammonia-based products such as Windex and a soft, lint-free cloth or towel. You may also use a rubber squeegee to clean the film. Abrasive products which could scratch or damage the film should not be used.

9. How long does Vista Window Films last?

Vista Window Films are made durable to last for many years, depending upon the type of the film applied, type of glass it is applied to, and the particular climate in which it is applied. Most applications last up to 10 years and beyond and several applications are still performing after 15 years. All applications carry a 10 year commercial warranty and even a lifetime limited residential warranty.

10. What is the warranty for Vista Window Films?

Vista Sun Control Films are warranted against crazing, peeling, demetallizing, bubbling, delaminating or discolouring when properly installed according to the manufacturer's film-to-glass recommendations on suitable interior surfaces of glass windows by our company. For residences, this warranty is extended to the original consumer for as long as they own and live in the home where the Vista Window Film was installed and is not transferable. For commercial installations, this warranty is extended for 10 years from the time of installation. If the film fails to comply with the warranty, the manufacturer will replace the non-conforming or defective film at no cost to the consumer. Additionally, our company shall provide removal of defective film and installation of the new one at no charge.

The manufacturer also warrants against failure of the glass due to:
- Seal Failure for a period of 36 months if covered by original seal unit manufacturer
- Thermal Shock Failure due to high thermal stress for a period of 60 months

11. Do Vista Window Films cause seal failure when applied to insulated (double-pane) windows?

No, Vista Window Films do not cause seal failure. It has been applied to millions of square feet of glass and it has not been known to cause seal failure.

When recommended films are applied to the interior pane of an insulated glass unit, there will be some absorption (except for clear safety films) of the sun's energy, which will increase the temperature of the glass pane. Some of this heat will transmit to the airspace, slightly raising the airspace temperature. However, even a 20°F increase (unusual for most films) will result in less than 3% change in air pressure, whereas properly made units are designed and tested to withstand 22% changes in air pressure.

Risk of seal failure is greatly determined by the quality of workmanship and the quality of the materials that go into building the insulated glass units. The best guard against seal failure is to purchase well-made units from reputable window manufacturers that have solid experience and histories with insulated units.

12. Will Vista Window Films stop my furnishings from fading?

Nothing stops fading. Vista Window Films are designed to dramatically reduce the major causes of fading (ultraviolet light, visible light and solar heat), thus prolonging the life of your furnishings perhaps by 3 to 10 times.

As a general rule, ultraviolet light is approximately 40% of the cause, visible light contributes to about 25%, solar heat is about 25% and 10% comes from other causes such as humidity, pollutants, dye anchorage, colour fastness, interior lights and chemicals.

Vista Window Films reduce 99.9% UV, which is the highest in the window film industry, blocks off solar heat up to 75% and reduces glare by as much as 84%, so depending in the type of the film chosen, Vista Window Films is the best window treatment against fading.

13. How do LLumar Magnum Safety & Security Films work?

LLumar Magnum Safety & Security Films are designed to make glass shatter-resistant by holding the glass pieces together when broken.

These films are made from DuPont Teijin's Mylar Film and are usually clear and comes in thicknesses ranging from 4 mil to 15 mil and use a much thicker, more aggressive pressure-sensitive adhesive system.

14. Are LLumar Magnum Safety & Security Films hurricane-proof? Bullet-proof? Burglar-proof?

No., LLumar Magnum films are not hurricane-proof, earthquake-proof, bullet-proof, bomb-proof or burglar-proof. Again, they are designed to make the glass more shatter-resistant.

In the event of a windstorm or an earthquake, these films may have significant safety & security value. They can reduce the risk of injury from flying shards of broken glass and possibly help prevent debris and water penetration through the window depending on the severity of the storm or earthquake, the type of glass, framing system, size and velocity of objects.

Llumar Magnum films are a low-profile, high-performance measure of security in the battle against "smash and grab" crimes. The tough, shatter-resistant qualities of the film can hold window glass together even if a brick were actually to pass through the glass. The thief must now make a choice - either to continue trying, or just move on. Since time is essential for these burglars, most probably, they will just go away. However, if they are really determined to get in and the facility doesn't have an alarm system, eventually, they will get in. It is recommended to have the proper alarm system in addition to LLumar Magnum film.

These films are not designed to stop bullets.

15. Will window film on my glass kill my plants?

While screening of UV radiation helps protect carpets, art works and interior furnishings and fabrics, it has no adverse effects on plant health. This is because the photoreceptors in plants typically absorb in the visible light wavelengths of 450 nm, 660 nm, and 730 nm. Laminated glass, which has a UV absorbing interlayer of PVB, is commonly used in greenhouses and atriums to help protect flower color and reproductive development from the damaging effects of UV radiation. With a solar control film (which can block well over 99% of UV radiation), one needs to be chiefly concerned with the amount of visible light blocked. Films that have a Visible Light Transmission of 29% or greater should present no special problem for most plants.

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