Mirror tinting for plastic windows, pros and cons of tinting film, varieties, stages of the process

Toning has long ceased to be a privilege for office and retail spaces. Mirror tinting for plastic windows is steadily developing in the private sector, and such decor allows you to solve several problems at once. We understand the types, features and technology of gluing the material before purchasing it.

Popular mirror tinting Source edilportale.com

Film composition

The raw material for the production of film material is polyester; The ready-to-use film looks like this:

On one side, a layer of glue is applied to it, protected on top by an anti-adhesive (separating) sheet.
On the other side, a layer of metal is sprayed. For spraying, aluminum, nickel or titanium are used; less commonly, a sprayed layer of silver or bronze is found. Each metal gives the film specific properties.
To produce color film, special equipment is used - a laminator; the film material receives another layer of the selected shade. The technology makes it possible to obtain a durable structure that protects color from the destructive effects of ultraviolet radiation.

A variety of shades of tinting film Source alicdn.com

Types of tinting

Film is considered the simplest and most economical way to finish glass. It is applied from the inside of the structure using a soap solution or castor oil. But there are a number of other options:

Mass tinting. It is used directly when melting glass - various dyes are added to the hot mass. After hardening the material, it becomes resistant to mechanical stress and can be easily processed.
Paralysis. This technique involves applying a metal layer to the finished, still hot glass by spraying.
Vacuum coating. For this, a special chamber is used, in which glass is placed and its surface is coated with a special material.

Scope of application

A notable recent trend has been the covering of balconies and loggias with mirror coatings. In residential buildings, the film is used for windows, as well as for interior doors with glass. Great for decorating a door to a bathroom, hallway, or kitchen. Adds aesthetics and originality to the interior. This material predominates on the facades of shopping and entertainment centers, hotels and restaurants. It is also used for medical, educational, industrial and government institutions. Any building where human activity takes place can be made more cozy and comfortable with the help of tinting.

Previously, mirror film was in demand among car owners, but recently the government has banned covering car windows in this way. The high quality characteristics of mirror film, supported by an affordable price, have ensured stable and growing demand for this material. The production of such goods is carried out by both large and well-known enterprises and small, just developing companies. To ensure comfort and privacy, reduce the cost of air conditioning and heating, and improve the external advantages of the building, you should carefully consider the choice of material and perform its application efficiently.

Pros and cons of tinting

The first tint films were invented in the 60s of the last century for the automotive industry; their key feature was their ability to dim sunlight. Since then, the scope of their application has expanded significantly, and owners decide to tint their windows for the following reasons:

Initially, the only function remains the main reason for installation: the film still does an excellent job of protecting the interior from sunlight. Different types of material provide different degrees of protection as they provide different levels of darkness.
A polymer with a mirror effect reliably protects owners from nosy neighbors, which is especially convenient for rooms on the first floor.
Anti-vandal film materials make glass safer, and at the same time protect against external penetration attempts.

Different levels of tinting Source oknakomforta.ru

Some types of window tinting help retain heat in a room, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of plastic windows.
Tinting films are used in the design of glass and mirrors. Colored materials and those on which photo printing is applied are suitable for decorative processing.

The advantages of the polymer are limited to the following disadvantages:

Darkening in the room is only well perceived in bright sunny weather. On cloudy days and in the evening, the atmosphere in the room looks rather dull.
Tinting delays (reflects) part of the sun's rays along with their energy. The room does not warm up as well, which is important for the winter period.
The film transmits rays only of a certain spectrum, which is why everything in the room takes on an unnatural (for example, grayish) tint. The disadvantage does not appear if you choose the right color.

The film acts as a light filter Source bigcommerce.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in finishing materials and related work

How do tinted home windows look at night?

As mentioned above, tinted home windows look just like regular windows at night.

How tinted home windows look at night:

They transmit light and are almost completely transparent. This is due to the fact that there is a lot of light inside the room, which is not reflected from the film.
If you want to protect yourself from prying eyes, you need to cover your windows with curtains at night. This film protects from sunlight only during the daytime.

Film

Types of material

All qualities of the film work if you stick it correctly. It is understood that the metal-coated layer should face outward (towards the street), since it is this layer that reflects the light rays, creating darkness in the home. The following types of films are used as tinting for windows of a house or apartment:

Sun protection. It is usually chosen for the southern façade to protect the interior from overheating in the summer heat. The material retains a significant part of the light, due to which fabric on furniture and curtains fades less, wallpaper retains its color, and the brightness of glare on screens is reduced.
Transparent heat reflective. A type of sun protection option - protects against overheating, but at the same time does not reduce the quality of lighting in the house.
Mirror (reflective, metallized). It is used for rooms on lower floors. The material creates a one-way mirror effect from the outside (the view from the room does not change). It must be remembered that the effect disappears when the illumination in the room becomes higher than outside (for example, in the evening, when the lights are turned on).

Variety of tinting and its use Source 2gis.com

Protective (anti-vandal). A special type that increases the impact-proof properties of double-glazed windows is divided into classes (A1, A2, A3) with varying degrees of strength. Even a strong blow does not cause the glass to shatter into dangerous pieces, which is especially valuable for children. Anti-vandal coating reduces the risk of glass breaking and strangers entering the house.
Matte, colored. Applied for decorative purposes, it limits visibility and sets the desired appearance. The coating is widely used to decorate glass partitions in office and retail premises. If the partition breaks, the coating will reduce the risk of injury.

Average prices in the Russian Federation

The total price for tinting a PVC window will depend on the application method - factory or manual, the type of film, the area and type of glazing in the wall, stained glass window, on a balcony or loggia, as well as on who will perform the work - the owner or a third-party organization and for how long Warranties are offered for installation.

Note! Good warranty conditions for darkening PVC glass are considered to be conditions of 5 years and above.

For materials

Average prices for material per 1 m2:

sun protection film, 600 rub.;
athermal film, 800 rub.;
anti-vandal film, 700 rub.;
decorative film, 600 rub.;
vinyl film, 800 rub.;
mirror film mSilver, 750 rub.;
tinting film Bronze RUB 652;
armoring film SF 100 CL 672 rub.

For services

The cost of tinting services for PVC windows solely depends on the characteristics of the double-glazed window and the modification of the film. The cost is calculated individually for 1 m2 of glazing. The price includes auxiliary materials, glass preparation and the tinting process itself. When working at height, the cost increases; for glazing the 1st floor, the average prices for applying protective film are:

sun protection film, 400 rub.;
athermal film, 420 rub.;
anti-vandal film, 450 rub.;
decorative film, 300 rub.;
vinyl film, 450 rub.;
mirror film mSilver, 500 rub.;
tinting film Bronze 500 rub.;
armoring film SF 100 CL 500 rub.

For a factory product

Average cost of double-glazed windows with factory darkening per 1 m2:

sun protection package, RUB 6,900.
STOPSOL FOENIX GRAY double-glazed glass, RUB 6,000;
glass bronze, bulk, 10 mm, 2700 rub.;
glass bronze, bulk, 5 mm, 1120 rub.;
glass bronze, bulk, 4 mm 925 rub.

Reference. Installation of tinted factory double-glazed windows costs the customer from 4,000 rubles. for 1 m2.

Tinting: what to consider

If you're considering tinting the windows in your home, the pros and cons aren't the only things you need to know about this technology. Tinting differs not only in the effect created, but also in its location:

Internal films are glued to the glass from the side of the room or even inside the glass unit. Materials intended for indoor use are extremely varied in palette and percentage of darkening.

Color tinting creates an unusual effect Source amazon.com

Installation methods

Selected depending on the area of the surfaces to be pasted. It is impossible to carry out work on large areas without special equipment and professional craftsmen.

You can tint the windows of your own apartment yourself in two ways:

permanently - without removing the glass unit;
with a glass unit recess.

In the first case, the window tinting film is glued directly to the installation site of the window opening.

To improve the quality of the sticker, it is recommended to remove the glass unit before starting the procedure. If the glass unit cannot be easily removed, it is left in the frame to avoid deformation of the structure. It's better to paste it permanently

Stages of gluing glass on PVC windows

One wrong move can ruin the material. Therefore, the installation process requires accuracy, attention and concentration from the performer; In this case, window tinting with film consists of the following stages:

The glass is cleaned as much as possible using a sponge and detergent. Then apply and clean off the soap solution several times using a spatula. The procedure efficiently removes the smallest specks of dust and degreases the surface.
The film (usually a roll) is laid out on a flat and clean base. Measure out a fragment of the required size, cut it with a knife with an allowance around the perimeter (1.5-2 cm is enough).

The final stage of window tinting Source twowaymirrors.com

Is it possible to do the work yourself?

It is quite possible to do the tinting of PVC windows with film yourself at home, the main thing is to take into account all the technological nuances, otherwise you can violate sanitary standards for lighting in residential premises and reload the glass in such a way that the double-glazed window will fail.

Factors that can increase internal stress in glass when installing colored protective film on a PVC window:

Absorbing solar energy, the glass heats up and expands, and when the temperature drops at night, it contracts.
If the glass is not uniform and has a film on the surface glued to the inside, then stress will arise, which can contribute to its destruction.
Therefore, only homogeneous double-glazed windows of good quality can be tinted with film.
It is not recommended to tint glass installed in very rigid frames, for example metal ones without shock-absorbing gaskets; the metal will prevent the glass from expanding and this can lead to cracks.
If the glass is only partially covered with film, uneven heating can also lead to a crack at the film installation boundary.

Important! An assessment of the likelihood of thermal stress forming in the glass should be carried out taking into account such factors as: sheet thickness, angle of inclination, model of the glass unit, its size and the altitude angle of the sun in a given area.

Installation of the film can be done in two ways: with the removal of double-glazed windows - a higher quality method and without removal - the simplest. If the home craftsman has little experience working with double-glazed windows, then it is better not to touch it, since there is a high probability of it splitting or breaking the seal. In this case, you need to invite specialists or tint the PVC window with film without dismantling the glass block.

What will it take?

In order to stick the film for tinting PVC windows efficiently and for a long time, you do not need particularly complex tools, since it comes out of the factory with a transparent and reliable adhesive layer. But it is very important to strictly follow the technology.

When cutting tint film with a standard width of 1.52 m, it is necessary to take into account a margin of 4-5 cm around the perimeter.

A home handyman, as a rule, can choose everything he needs in his tool case:

A spray bottle should be selected with a good fine spray of at least 1 liter volume.
A thin, pointed utility knife with a blade of at least 9 mm.
Polyurethane or silicone forcing, since it is not allowed to use plastic forcing, which can damage the film.
PVC corner.
Rubber spatula for cleaning windows.
A 30% solution of liquid soap, made from a mixture of liquid soap and water in the ratio: 1 to 3.

In a retail chain, when purchasing a tinting film for a PVC window, you can purchase a ready-made kit for tinting double-glazed windows, containing all the necessary materials and accessories, and the price, as a rule, is not much more expensive than the consumables that the contractor purchases separately.

Briefly about the main thing

Tinting metal-plastic windows is a common solution, as it allows you to solve several problems without requiring large expenses. There are several types of polymer material on the market with different properties. You can not only get rid of the sweltering sun, but also maintain an optimal internal environment at the same time.

There are options with shockproof or decorative properties, but mirror tinting with the function of protecting against prying eyes is more popular. To successfully stick any film onto glass, you will need a certain set of tools; the cleanliness of the glass surface and the accuracy of the performers are also important.

How to tint the windows so that it is not hot and light gets in?

The best option is to purchase a special film from a company that produces and installs tinting.

How to tint windows to keep it cool and let light in:

They are not just reflective; there are options on sale that are almost transparent in appearance, but they block ultraviolet and infrared rays.
Thanks to this, the room does not heat up, and curtains and textiles do not fade. Therefore, if you want a lot of light in the room, but at the same time it does not heat up, it makes sense to order just such films.
Please note that the price for them is quite high, but this is the best option when maintaining a large amount of light in the room is fundamental.

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