Blair's Texas Window Tinting and more

FilmtoGlass Recommendation Calculator

Use this form below to see tested safe film selections for your applications

Solar Absorption vs. Thermal Stress

Solar control films are very good at reducing heat discomfort in buildings by lowering the solar energy passing through windows. They do it by either reflecting sun light back outside or absorbing it in the film. Any solar energy absorbed in the film turns to heat and is transferred to the glass. As the glass warms it expands in size. If the glass pane expansion is uneven or restricted, stress can build up and in extreme cases, the glass can crack or seals can fail. It is for this reason there are restrictions on some film and window combinations.

As an aid to understanding proper applications, use this form below to determine which films are tested safe to apply to your particular application out of all the films available that we handle. Once this form is accurately completed and the final button clicked, a redundant detailed list of compatible films for your application will result on the following page with even the option to see all of the films (tested safe AND unsafe) that we handle to compare by.

Shortcuts to most common applications we see:

If our Film-to-Glass Recommendation Calculator seems too confusing and you just want to get an idea of what's available and to see film samples for the Dallas -Fort Worth area climate zone, it might be easier to just use the links below:

If you have something other than these two shortcuts or are just unsure, use the Film-to-Glass Recommendation Calculator

Below

Scroll down and select your window type(s) from the factors below

First: Please Select Your Window's Glass Type

Annealed Glass
This first step of this form is as critical as the rest of the steps shown below. If your unsure of what glass type you have installed, always select this option and assume your glass is annealed which is the most common type used on averaged sized residential window applications.

How can I tell if my glass is heat strengthened or tempered? Click Here

Heat Strengthened
Specialty applications. Heat Strengthened glass is usually not marked with a label. If your sure your glass is heat strengthened, choose this option. If your not sure, choose the annealed option above.

  Tempered
Mostly used on full glass door windows, massive over sized windows, and commercial buildings. Many times (but not always), high end tempered glass will also have a permanent label by the manufacturer marked somewhere on the glass surface usually in one of the corners.

Second:  Please Select Your Window's Pane Type

Most Common Pane Type Applications

Most Common Pane Type Applications Below:
These are the most common window pane types we see. If you have something other than these three common basic types shown in this window, skip this section and choose from the Advanced_Pane types selections below.

  Single Pane = 1 single layer of glass within the window pane.
  Dual Pane = 2 layers of glass within one window pane having a sealed dead air space between the two layers.
  If dual pane unit is gas-filled (argon, krypton, etc.), the film-to-glass recommendation is not affected.

Clear Single Pane Most Common in Older Homes and Commercial Buildings
Clear Dual Pane Most Common in Newer Homes
Low-E Dual Pane Based on low-e coating on inner pane (#3 surface)
 

Advanced Pane Types (Choose only If Applicable)

The section above is the most common we generally see and most don't need to concern themselves with this particular section below and can skip it and move to the Third section unless you have some real fancy specialty glass and actually do need to use this section below instead of the above. (click to skip this section)

Advanced Pane Type Applications Below:
  Laminated = 2 layers of glass bonded together with an interlayer of PVB (polyvinylbutyral) similar to a cars front windshield construction.
  Dual Pane assumes inner pane is clear laminated glass and exterior pane is clear non-laminated glass.
  If dual pane unit is gas-filled (argon, krypton, etc.), the film-to-glass recommendation is not affected.
Triple Pane Recommendations Click Here

Clear Laminated Single Pane
Clear Laminated Dual Pane
Low-E Coating on OUTER Pane  (#2 surface, such as Low-E²)

Medium Pre-Tinted Glass Pane Type Applications Below:
Medium Tinted Based on Medium Gray, Medium Bronze, or Light Green (PPG Solex®) Glass.
  Use of  films on tinted single-pane laminated glass is allowed only if all glass layers in laminated glass pane are tempered.
  (Dual Pane) Inner pane clear laminated glass, outer pane is tinted, non-laminated glass. If inner pane is tinted laminated glass, then application of  film is allowed only if all glass layers in laminated glass pane are tempered.
  If dual pane unit is gas-filled (argon, krypton, etc.), the film-to-glass recommendation is not affected.

Medium Tinted Single Pane
Medium Tinted Dual Pane
Laminated Medium Tinted Single Pane
Laminated Medium Tinted Dual Pane

Dark Pre-Tinted Glass Pane Type Applications Below:
Dark Tinted Based on Dark gray (PPG® Optigray or Graylite, or LOF® Pilkington Supergray, or medium green glass (PPG® Solargreen or LOF® Evergreen), or medium blue glass (PPG® Azurlite or LOF ®Arctic Blue).
  Use of  films on tinted single-pane laminated glass is allowed only if all glass layers in laminated glass pane are tempered.
  Inner pane clear laminated glass, outer pane is tinted, non-laminated glass. If inner pane is tinted laminated glass, then application of  film is allowed only if all glass layers in laminated glass pane are tempered.
  If dual pane unit is gas-filled (argon, krypton, etc.), the film-to-glass recommendation is not affected.

Dark Tinted Single Pane
Dark Tinted Dual Pane
Laminated Dark Tinted Single Pane
Laminated Dark Tinted Dual Pane

Third: Please Select Your Glass Conditions Factor

Peak Temperatures of Your Climate
This refers to normal peak summer air temperatures and corresponds roughly to climate zones. The 109˚F or less peak summer temperature would be true for much of the Midwest. Most of southern US would use the 110˚F-119˚F level and the southwest deserts would use 120˚F or more.
  Please select yor peak temperatures of your climate.. 109°F (42°C) or Less (DFW Area) 110°F to 119°F (43°C to 48°C) 120°F to 129°F (49°C to 53°C) 130°F to 140°F (54°C to 60°C)

Glass Thickness
How Thick is your glass? *Note* film may be applied to 1/2 inch thick glass only if glass is tempered. If the glass is laminated, all layers must be tempered.
  Please select your glass thickness..................................... 1/4 Inch (6mm) or less (most residential applications) 3/8 Inch (9mm) 1/2 Inch (Tempered Glass Only)

Shadowing
Has considerable impact on glass thermal stress because it causes uneven heating. Shadowing in the morning hours will raise stress the most. Meaning any variations illustrated below:

Please select any shadowing (if any) on your glass...... No shadows all day long Straight Shadow L Shaped Shadow V or T Shaped Shadow

Frame Condition
Will affect how much restriction there is to glass expansion. Usually rigid frames or deteriorated gaskets will increase the chances of a cracked pane. Direct metal to glass contact, where no gaskets or sealant are present at all, add considerable stress to a glass pane as it expands.
  Please select Frame Type and Seal Condition.............. Has Rubber,Neoprene, or Set in Soft Sealant Gasket Steel or Concrete Frame W/ Above Described Gasket Deteriorated or Hardened Gasket NO Rubber,Neoprene, or Set in Soft Sealant Gasket

Glass Condition
Is the most critical factor affecting a pane's tendency to crack. Chipped edges severely weaken the strength of glass, and unfortunately, these are almost impossible to detect without removing the pane. Windows that break despite application of conservative films are usually due to chipped edges. Remember, curved edge panes are nearly always chipped or roughly cut  therefore, are considerably weaker than straight edge panes.
  Please select your Glass Condition...................................... No Visable Scratches or Chipped Edges Visible from 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3 m) Visible from 11 to 20 feet (3.3 to 6 m) Visible Beyond 20feet (1.5 to 3 m) Glass Visibly Chipped From Any Distance

Altitude Above Sea Level
Is a temperature related influence. At higher altitudes, nights are cooler and morning sunlight is stronger. This means in the morning the glass quickly changes from cold to warm and a wide temperature difference forms between shadowed and sunlit areas. Wide temperature differences from one spot to another equals extra thermal stress.
  Please select your Altitude Above Sea Level.................... 0-1999 ft (DFW Area) 2000 to 5000 feet (600 to 1525m) Above 10,000 feet (3050m)

Pane Size
As the pane size increases so does chances of mechanical stress from the weight of the glass. Film application to a windows over 100 square feet  (10m²) is not recommended UNLESS the window is single-pane, heat-strengthened, or tempered glass.

Please select your Pane Size.................................................. 50 square feet or less (4.5m² or Less) 50-100 square feet (6.9 to 9.3m²) Greater Than 100 square feet (Tempered Glass Only)

Calculating square feet by feet measurements is done like this:
Multiply (feet width) X (feet height) = total square feet
 example: 3' X 4' = 12 sq ft.

Calculating square feet by inch measurements is done like this:
 Multiply (inch width divided by 12) X (inch height divided by 12) = total square feet
 example: 36" ÷ 12 = 3'   and   48" ÷ 12 = 4'          thus 3'  X 4' = 12 sq ft.

Attachments
Tends to thermally insulate a window and slow the dissipation of heat gained by solar absorption. Closer, darker, interior drapes and blinds means a higher glass temperature.
  Close fitting curtains or blinds within 4 inches (10cm) of window

(And please be patient while this calculates)