A Typical Installation

Every installation large or small starts with protecting the floor, furniture and walls with towels and drop cloths.  Then it is time for a thorough cleaning of the glass and frame.  This really is the secret to a good installation.  Ron is an excellent example of the type of craftsman we employ.  Like almost all our installers, he has over 10 years of experience in every conceivable type of installation.  

Ron knows the importance of this first step.  He uses a razor scraper and a mild solution of Joy™ dish soap and water.  The glass and frame are thoroughly cleaned and wiped to make sure there is no loose debris to get trapped under the film.

The next step is to remove the release liner which protects the factory-applied adhesive and  apply the film to the cleaned glass.

Ron is using a technique called "back-rolling" to roll the film onto the glass in one smooth step.

The trick is to get the film onto the glass without wrinkling or creasing the film.  It takes "soft hands" and a lot of experience to properly handle today's thin films.  Luckily, our installers are all trained in the latest techniques.

The film is now squeegeed to remove some of the water and "tack" it in place.  

During this first pass of the squeegee, it is important to get a substantial amount of water out from under the film.  Ron is using a special squeegee that was made to our specifications by a local glass shop.  It allows him to get the maximum water out with a minimum of effort.

At this point it is possible for Ron to inspect the body of the film for cleanliness.  If something is amiss, the film can be lifted and the debris rinsed out.

Next, the film is trimmed to fit the exposed glass. A snap blade knife and trimming tool are used to get the right sized edge margin.  A mistake here is not easy to cover up.  One slip and the piece is could be ruined.

The edge margin is approximately 1/16" wide and serves two purposes.  First, it gives the remaining water somewhere to be pushed out.  Secondly, it allows for glass expansion when the weather turns hot.

When done correctly the border will not be noticeable, especially with lighter films like the one Ron is installing in this beautiful home.

This is also a good time for a final inspection of the film.  Ron is a perfectionist.  If there is any touching up that needs to be done, the film can still be lifted and rinsed.

Ron is now applying a "pressure seal" to the edges of the film.  He wraps a towel or diaper around his trim tool and pushes out any moisture near the edges of the film. 

This prevents any foreign matter or water from being "wicked" back under the film and ensures the edges will be clean and will bond properly.

The installed film is then rinsed clean, inspected one last time and once it meets Ron's approval, it is time to move to the next window.