Window tint film is a thin film retrofit upgrade coating that can be installed to the interior of glass surfaces in automobiles, boats, homes and buildings. It is made from Polyester material which is usually 2 to 7 mils thick (about 0.002 to 0.007 inches). Two or more layers of the film are bonded together to form multilayered barrier against everything, from Ultra Violet rays, Infrared rays to scratches. In the process of window tinting, heat rejection film is applied to the interior of flat glass windows to reduce the amount of infrared, visible light, and UV radiation that may enter through the windows.
Uses of window tint film
Window tint film has many uses which include the following; UV filtration, thermal insulation, heat and glare reduction, safety and security, privacy, protection from graffiti, decoration/ increase aesthetic value, signage and branding. Also correctly applied mirror film can create one way mirrors.
Types of window tint film
There are many types of window tint films that are available in the market from variety of manufacturers. Below are the different types of window tint film according to how they are manufactured.
Dyed films
It’s also known as colored window film. This is the most basic type of tint film. It contains a simple layer of dyed film, which not only absorbs heat, but also reduces onlooker visibility. It is commonly used in automobiles and outdoor vehicles. In its production, color is added during the melting and stretching process. Normally, there are some impact cock pit visibilities from within the vehicle, but this shouldn’t worry you because it will be minor. Due to the application of the dyed tint film on the interior side of vehicle windows, the heat rejected by the film is partially stored in the glass itself and the external air movement serves to draw most of this built up heat away during normal driving. This is the cheapest film available in the market.
Deposited films
Manufacturing of this type of film involves a more intricate process in which the film is drawn through a tank containing certain types of metal ingots (usually nickel or aluminium). The pressure in the tank is then reduced creating an artificial vacuum, which is then filled with argon gas and the ingots are heated, causing the metal to emit particles that move to the film surface. Deposition technology is relatively inexpensive and mostly used, however it is limited by the types of metals that can be used in the manufacturing process, resulting in a fairly restrictive product line with few options.
Sputtered (Metallized) films
This process is a bit more complex than deposited films. Sputtering is also done in a vacuum chamber, the same way as in deposited film, but the metalizing characteristic is achieved at the atomic level. When manufacturing sputtered films, electromagnetic fields, argon gas (or any other type of inert gas) is directed towards the metal. This process causes very small groups of molecules to separate from the metal and uniformly deposit onto the film. Unlike deposited films where very limited number of metals can be used, sputtering can be done with over 20 different types of metals; this makes the process more versatile and results into much lighter and thinner coating. It gives a rich color appearance which many people may appreciate. Metalized films are a bit more expensive that dyed films. Best tinting shop in columbus