Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Control Products

Here you will find answers to most questions about our solar control products. If you don’t find an answer to your question here, please feel free to contact us today!
Window films and tints
Safety and security films
Solar and sun shades
Skylight solutions

Q. What areas do you service?
A. We service the Lower Mainland to Whistler, however we have dealers throughout British Columbia that may be able to assist you. Please contact us and we will locate a dealer close to you.

Window Film and Tint FAQs

Q. Will window film break my windows?
A. No – installing window film will not break your windows. When window film is installed it does cause your window to increase in temperature adding additional stress, however, the majority of window films are safe and offer a manufacturer’s glass break guarantees.

Q. Will window film stop fading?
A. Most people associate fading with ultraviolet light so it’s easy to assume that a window film that rejects 99% of the UV rays could eliminate fading. However, heat, visible light, and interior spot lights are also contributing factors. Ask our Solar Solutions Specialists for their recommendations.

Q. I just had film installed on my windows and there are some bubbles – What is that caused by?
A. Solargard window film is installed with a wetting solution and it takes time for the water to evaporate. The time can vary from 30 to 140 days depending on the thickness and the outside temperature. All films, when professionally installed, are warrantied against peeling, bubbling, and cracking.

Q. Can I get a film that gives me privacy at night?
A. A highly reflective film will give you privacy where the lighting is situated. For example, during the day, the light is usually greater on the outside and darker on the inside so you would have daytime privacy. At night, when the lights are on in the inside and it’s dark outside, you will have the reverse effect — you WILL NOT be able to see out and people from outside WILL be able to see in. If it’s a rainy day and you have lights on inside, you may have EQUAL visibility.

Q. What about the office buildings downtown – they have privacy all the time?
A. That’s what most people think because they usually see those buildings during the day, but next time you are down there take a look at night to see if anyone is burning the midnight oil and you will be able to see into the office.

Q. How do I clean the windows after the film is applied?
A. Use a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Do not use anything abrasive.

Q. My window cleaner scratched my film – can it be patched?
A. If you patched it, it would look like a patch. The film should be removed and replaced.

Safety Film and Security Film Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is there a film I can put on my windows to stop them from breaking?
A. No film will STOP glass from breaking, however, it can hold the glass in place once the window is broken.

Q. I don’t like the look of security bars but I have an office that I need protected – will security film work?
A. Armorcoat security window film ranges in thickness from 7 mil to 14 mil. The thicker the film the more secure it is and the longer it would take for an intruder to gain entry.

Q. How does the security film work?
A. Armorcoat is a security film that is applied over your existing glass. If the window is broken, the film holds the glass in place.

Q. If I have security film on my windows can someone still get through the glass?
A. Yes – glass is breakable – so depending on the thickness of the film if an intruder continues to smash the glass they can eventually get in. However, during the process they will be taking more time and making noise — two things intruders don’t like to do.

Q. How long would it take for an intruder to get in once they break the glass?
A.That depends on the type of glazing and thickness of the glass and film and how the intruder is trying to break in.

Q. Is there anything else I can do to help secure my office windows?
A. If you have a business then you most likely will have an alarm. Glass break detectors work very well with security film because the alarm goes off as soon as the window is broken, but they have to spend more time to smash through the glass and gain entry. The intruder would then have less or no time to gain entry — resulting in little to no loss of property.

Q. Do you sell glass break detectors?
A. No – you would need to purchase that from your alarm company and make sure you let them know you have security film on your windows as some detectors need to have their sensitivity levels adjusted.

Q. What colour is the security film?
A. Generally, security film is clear but is also available in a limited selection of tints.

Q. I heard that security film will help in an earthquake – how?
A. Security film holds the broken glass together and does not allow the glass to break into shards and rain down on people, resulting in less injuries.

Q. My office windows have been scratched and etched with acid – do you have anything to remove that?
A. No – but we can protect your windows BEFORE they are damaged. We have a clear film that when installed on the exterior of the windows, acid etching will not stick to and if they are scratched or damaged the film can easily be removed or replaced. This is generally less expensive than replacing damaged glass.

Solar and Sun Shades Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I want to reduce glare but don’t want to lose my view – do you have something that will do this?
A. Yes – in order to reduce glare you must reduce light. Our custom made Newco solar roller shades will reduce up to 97% of the glare as well as heat and UV radiation.

Q. Do these shades provide privacy?
A. Solar shades will give “daytime” privacy or where the outside light is brighter than the light inside. If you have lights on at night then people can see in. If you do not have lights on then you will have privacy.

Q. Do you have shades that will give privacy?
A. We do have a line of room darkening roller shades that will reduce light, heat, and give you privacy day and night.

Q. I have an arched upper window – should I install a solar shade?
A. No – roller shades must be horizontal and cannot follow an arched or angled detail. If you require a product to accommodate this type of window, we may be able to make a fixed frame into one of these shapes. Please feel free to contact us for a consultation.

Q. I have an upper window and I don’t want cords hanging down – what are my options?
A. We have motorized shades that can be hard wired, remote, or battery operated. If you have an existing home then the remote plug in or battery operated shades would be the most economical. If you are renovating or building, the hard wired is a great option.

Q. Do your shades come in different shades and colours?
A. All of our shades are custom made in our Burnaby plant to your specifications. We have materials that range from 80% to 99% shading and are available in a variety of colours.

Q. I have skylights that I want to cover on the inside – how can I do that?
A. We can install our solar roller shades on a tension roller or motorized application. Please contact us for more details.

Q. Can I install the shades myself?
A. Certainly – they are as easy to install as a venetian blind.

Skylight Shades and Solutions Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I have a sunroom and it is too hot to use in the summer months – do you have anything to keep out the heat?
A. Several of our products will help reduce the heat gain coming into your sunroom. Since sunrooms are all unique it is best to have one of our Solar Solutions Specialists give you a free in-home evaluation and make their recommendations.

Q. I have a bubble skylight – can I put a film on it?
A. No – and there are two reasons. First, glass and film expand and contract at the same rate, however, plastic and film do not. When there are temperature changes the expanding and contracting can form “fingers” or pockets in the film and the only way to remove the film would be to scrape it off and you would damage the plastic. Second, you cannot put something flat on something curved so you would not be able to install the film in one piece.

Q. Do you have anything I can put on a bubble skylight?
A. Yes – SUNBLOCKERS. They are a vinyl coated fibreglass mesh material that is a completely do-it-yourself inexpensive method to reduce large amounts of heat gain, UV rays, and glare. These can also be professionally installed.

Q. I like the heat to come in in the winter – can the sunblockers be removed?
A. Absolutely – the sunblocker is easily installed with a bungy cord around the four corners of the skylight and can be removed as quickly as it was installed.

Q. How do I clean the sunblocker?
A.You can scrub them down with a soft brush and mild detergent, rinse, and hang out to dry. Once dried, roll up and store for the winter.

Q. Can my skylight sunblocker stay up all year round?
A. Definitely – the materials are designed to withstand hot and cold temperatures.

Q. What is the life expectancy of a sunblocker or frame installed on the skylight exterior?
A. If they are removed every fall and re-installed in the spring, you should expect them to last 15-20 years. If you leave them up year round, they should last anywhere from 10-15 years.

Q. I have a flat glass skylight that cannot be easily accessed from the outside – how can I reduce heat coming in?
A. We also manufacture the mesh material in varying degrees of shading in a fixed frame. This is a heavy duty aluminum frame that fits the interior or exterior of the skylight opening.

Q. Can I open the frame?
A. No – the frame is stationary and held in with a top and bottom “h” channel or turn buttons. They can be removed but you would not do this on a daily basis.

Q. Do you have something I can open?
A. Yes – we have solar shades. See more information on our Solar Shades page.

Got More Questions About Our Different Solar Solutions?

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!