Types of Window Tint Film

Below are the different types of Solar Control & Safety films available for DIY window tinting kits. The film I use are manufactured by CP films in the USA. The Solar films are all constructed on a polyester base with deposited metal layer, it is this layer that is primarily responsible for heat rejection. Light levels are mostly obtained by the use of different dyes. All films offer Ultra Violet reduction of greater than 98% which virtually eliminates fade. The films are arranged from darkest to lightest and include representative photograph and basic specifications.

Our Film Prices are here as a .pdf file

Kits are available for Australian residents only.

Dark Grey are heavy aluminium based films with a strong dye added to one side of the film. These films offer high heat control and excellent privacy, but reduce the natural light levels greatly. They are a reflective film and exhibit a "mirror" finish to the inside at nightime when the inside lights are on. Suitable for high heat or very bright areas - ideal for shift workers' bedrooms (not suitable for laminated glass).

Night Series films (10, 18, 28) are metal alloy based films which are Grey in appearance and offer good heat control without reducing light levels as much as the dark films (applies to NS18, NS28 compared to R15G/B). They offer medium to high heat control. With their lower reflectance levels, they also offer improved vison out at nightime. These films are suitable for most applications where heat and light are a problem, but where the night view is to be retained (not suitable for laminated glass).

Neutral Hi Tech films are metal alloy based and offer medium heat rejection. The Grey film has no dye added and is "neutral" in appearance; the Bronze has a small amount of dye added and is slightly darker. Both films have a reduced "mirror effect" resulting in excellent night vision, and retain high light levels during daylight, but only provide low privacy levels - the Neutral Grey is suitable for installation on clear laminated glass.

Opaque/Translucent White film is a privacy film that allows light to pass through, offers low heat control, but retricts vison in greatly. Appearance is white; people & objects cannot be "seen" through the film, only a sillhouette or shadow can be seen of people or objects when within a short distance of the treated window. Suitable for plain glass in bathroom or toilet situations; or for use on glass office partitioning etc (not suitable for laminated glass).

Clear Safety film is suitable for use on most windows. Installation is suitable for plain glass in bathroom or toilet situations; or any glass where there are safety concerns. Compliance with AS2208 is dependant on the the correct film thickness being applied to the relevant glass thickness (note: these films greatly increase security against "break and enter" etc, but their design purpose is primarily for safety). Note: due to their thickness, these films require the use of a heavy duty squeegee to remove as much water/detergent as possible from under the film to minimise drying time and optimise finished appearance.

• SCL4PS (.004") complies with AS2208 when applied to 6mm or thicker glass - available in 36" (914mm), 48" (1219mm) and 60" (1524mm) roll widths.
• SCL7PS (.007") complies with AS2208 when applied to 4mm or thicker glass - available in 48" (1219mm) and 60" (1524mm) roll widths.

 

NOTE: With reference to "patio" type sliding glass doors, with full length glass, they are required to meet AS2208 for human impact and this can be met with either Toughened or Laminated safety glass. If the glass is stamped 'toughened safety glass' (usually a bottom corner) then they can be tinted in virtually any film - to toughen glass; it is slowly raised to around 600 degrees Celsius then rapidly cooled with ambient temperature air (looked at through "polarising" type sunglasses, the window will have a patterned appearance) - result is glass is tougher, heat resistant, harder to break and when broken falls into millions of pieces (like the side windows on a car). Laminated glass is the result of 2 (or more) sheets of glass being bonded together (same as the front windscreen in vehicles) - once again the glass is stronger and harder to break, but it is not heat resistant. The inside layer of glass, which has window tint fitted, will absorb more "heat" than the outside layer and will expand at a greater rate. If the window film is too dark, then the result can be "thermal stress fractures" - resulting in cracked or shattered glass. It is recommended to use the Neutral Hi Tech Grey film for laminated, but no guarantee can be given that the glass won't crack - most are ok, but some will crack given the "right" conditions. Also Note: Any pane of glass may crack due to "thermal stress", this is most often the result of the fitted glass having installation defects (cracks or chips on the glass edge inside the window frame), air pockets in some older glass, or even a poorly fitted (warped) window frame. With the glass being already stressed by these defects, the addition of a solar film may raise the stress to a point where the glass cracks or shatters. Thermal stress fractures may happen within hours of installation of a solar control film, or at any time over the following years.

Note: When selecting a film; please note that the specifications are representative only and may vary depending on the type & thickness of glass fitted, as well as location of the window. Photographs are for illustration purposes only and are representative of film light levels and colour, results may vary to those of images shown.

* Fading of fabrics, carpets, timber, paint and other materials is due in the most part to Ultra Violet light. Other factors such as oxygen, heat, and various cleaning substances also contribute to fade and as such reducing UV will not stop fade entirely.

Disclaimer: Photographs are for illustration purposes only and are representative of film light levels and colour, results may vary to those of images shown. Specifications are correct at time of publication, but may vary due to manufacturing discrepencies in materials and as such are to be used as a guide only.

Only the Neutral High Tech Grey film is recommended as most suitable for use on laminated glass, darker films may cause thermal stress and result in glass fracture. All glass is subject to heat stress which may result in thermal stress fractures, and as such no guarantee is given that use of any film in particular will not result in damage. User accepts all responsibility as to the suitablility of any film and it's subsequent installation. No responsibility shall be taken by Johnno's AussieTint (Joraen - ABN 62 642 913 061) for any damage or injury, either direct or consequential arising from the use, mis-use or in-ability to use any of the DIY solar control films or toolkits.

Note: All film samples & orders are dispatched direct from my wholesale supplier via Austrailan Air Express to reduce waiting time and transportation costs.