Fact Checking Window Tinting Tampa-Orlando-Sarasota

One of the more interesting aspects of running an independently owned window film business is the daily feedback we receive from clients who are doing their research by comparing window film alternatives.


"Everyone is entitled to their opinion but not their own facts."
Daniel Moynihan US Senator

Here are a few of the frequently heard "pseudo facts" our clients have recently reported.

  1. "There are clear films (no tint at all) that can block 97% of the heat. Do we carry this type of film?"

    Facts: There is no clear, or rather 70% or 80% light transmission film that can block 97% of the heat. PERIOD.

    This disinformation stems from confusing heat lamp demo's done by 3M dealers and their representatives during home estimates or at home depot kiosks. 

    IR Angles
    TSER Marketing
    Madico IR



    The demo gives "the illusion" that their film dramatically lowers the heat.

    The facts present an entirely different story. 

    IR blocking window films do an excellent job of factoring out the invisible IR wavelengths. Nevertheless, even if there was a film that could block 100% of the IR (and no window film does that!) the film would have to deal with the entire visible light spectrum which makes up nearly 50% of the heat from the Sun.

    Ergo a 70% light transmitting film allows nearly 30% of the visible light into your home.

    Darker light transmissions like a 40% or a 50% block more visible light and therefore more heat.

    Darker reflective films block more visible light and less IR wavelengths but combined they block more total solar energy rejected.

    The heat lamp demo and BTU reading is simply a trick.

  2. "OK Einstein; now that you've given me a headache how do we know how much heat a window film can block? Is their any objective resource?"

    Facts: Indeed and glad you asked!  The NFRC has created a comparison resource of tested films measured with specific criteria for several window systems.



    Solutia Performance Films, Huper Optik, LLumar, Bekaert, Madico, Hanita, SunTek, as well as 3M films are available for your review.


  3. "3M dealers advised that their film works better when it counts when the Sun is at an angle to our windows (the real world).

    When they measured the heat rejection of their prestige films (in a special test that they invented), they claim there is a unique and significant improvement over the numbers documented by the NFRC mentioned above. Isn't this noteworthy?"

    Fact: No it is not.

    All window films perform in a similar fashion when tested at an angle. This isn't a feature of the film itself but rather the angle of incidence on the glass or the film. Less direct heat due to the positioning of the heat source (Sun) creates this outcome.

    Implying that their film has a unique advantage is not accurate and obviously misleading. Beyond that it's simply nonsense.

    Glass performs in the exact same manner at an angle to the Sun. Stating otherwise or claiming an advantage is just silly.

  4. "The 3M dealer advised that films like Huper Optik ceramic films corrode in humid environments like Florida. They even showed us a video of an accelerated weathering test where several apparently competitive films tarnished. The 3M sample was unaffected."

    Facts: Yes; I recall that video. The films that were actually tested by 3M were spectrally selective silver based films (none were Huper Optik Ceramic Films because they do not corrode!) 

    The samples that seemed to corrode? Advanced Film Solutions does not install any of those films here in Florida.

    Of course what they did not test was the dyed layer on their film that can degrade over time or the scratch resistant coating to protect the film.

    Our Huper Optik Film is 100% dye free!

  5. "The 3M Dealer indicated that thanks to 3M rip stop action their thinner films are much stronger than thicker 8 ML or greater security films. I tried ripping their film and it was tougher than ripping a sample of 8 ML!

    Explain that!"

    Facts: Yes that's another interesting demo but the real world is, once again, another matter!

    There are objective tests that tell a different story.

    For example LLumar, Vista, Madico, Armorcoat, SunTek and Glass Gard films (8 ML) have all passed ASTM 1886 4.5 Lb Missile and Cycling Tests.

    The 3M 4 ML and 5 ML Ultra Films do not!

    I could go into detail concerning why they do not (after all I do have some 3M past experience) but suffice to say that if the thinner films could pass there would be no reason for 3M to test and pass with their thicker 6ML clear film or resell SunTek security films in 3M boxes.

    I can assure you that the "3M"  Affinity Films have no rip stop action.

  6. "Our local 3M dealer advised that their prestige films have a winter Low E value. Is that accurate?"

    Facts: No that is not accurate. 3M does have a low e film that has a limited 5 year warranty and has 1/3 the winter insulating value of our Vista EnerLogic lifetime warranted film.



    The Prestige film is a solar control film that is designed to lower the heat gain. This film does not insulate your windows during the winter. Certainly a lighter version like Prestige 70 will let nearly 50% of the heat into your home in the winter thanks to that visible light again! But that has nothing to do with the R value or keeping the heat inside.



  7. "OK enough about your old company; we have heard that 4ML Armorcoat and Madico films are as strong as the 8ML versions and there is no practical reason to have the thicker films installed."

    Facts: Utter nonsense. The 4 ML films do not pass any of the same objective testing as their 8 ML versions. This includes wind storm debris-impact and cycling as well as  USA-GSA and DoD blast testing etc.

    Competitors that promote their 4 ML films are simply more proficient in installing thinner films. That's not your problem!

    Advanced Film Solutions only installs 8ML security films or thicker.
Here's the deal.

I've been doing this a very long time.

We have our preferences based on solid fact and the durability and aesthetics of our proposed selections.



We know the differences in optical clarity or whether the film conforms to your HOA rules or potential deed restrictions.  We certainly know which films qualify for TECO rebates (by the way no prestige film qualifies!)

We are fully insured and BBB rated A.

We provide exact estimates and exact measurements. There are never any hidden costs or add on costs.

We can match or beat any price quote or offer superior choices than our competitors.

Before you make an uninformed choice in window film call Advanced Film Solutions


Toll Free : 877-575-3456

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Posted by Mike Feldman at 7/9/2011 6:04 AM
Categories: Vista, Ceramic Film Versus Prestige, Madico Sunscape, Lumenesse, Hurricanes, Glass Protection Security Glazing, Comparing Advanced Film Solutions -3M Home Depot, EnerLogic Low E All Season Film, Sarasota Bradenton Window Tinting, Windowfilmusa.com, LLumar 2012, Energy Savings Window Tinting 2012, Crime-Home Office Burglary, Orlando window film window tinting, TECO Window Film Rebates, Huper Optik, Armorcoat Solar Gard
Tags: Fact Checking Window Tinting TampaOrlandoSarasota compare window tinting Tampa Orlando
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