In response to your request for editorial information on the window film industry, I would like to offer my expertise to comprise the article.

Window Film Systems is a distributor of Madico window films and automotive tints across Canada. We have offices in London, Ontario and Vancouver British Columbia. As well as being national distributors we also install window film in commercial and residential situations in Southwestern Ontario.

Laminating Technologies is one of our exciting new developments. It is a company which uses state of the art window film products and dry laminates them directly onto glass.

I have attempted to stay within the 700 word guideline and to keep the information reader friendly without too much technical data. If you feel more information is required please contact me.

Since its conception, the window film industry has progressed at a rapid rate. Window film manufacturers are now making solar control films with higher heat rejection values. These new films are much lighter in appearance and some may seem almost invisible. Improved technology in equipment and materials during production allows longer life expectancy after installation. Products are offered to the consumer with ten year to lifetime warranties.

Specialty window films have been developed with superior ultraviolet screening in order to prolong the life of the film. This adds significant benefit to reduce fading of materials behind the window such as carpets, furniture and paintings. As a result of this technology prominent art galleries and museums around the world use film to protect valuable artifacts.

Great effort on the part of window film manufacturers has been directed toward the Security and
Safety Film sector. Security films are usually optically clear and come in a variety of thicknesses, ranging from 4ml to 14ml and 16ml. Progression to a more heavy duty product has been accomplished with multiple plys of polyester and is a direct result of increased market demand. Break strengths in excess of 300 lbs. per square inch have been achieved.
Security films when properly applied and secured to window frames have proven to deter the most handy criminal from entering buildings through glass. Caution is recommended in the use of these materials. Performance is dramatically different when applied to different types of glass. Each situation should be reviewed individually by an experienced representative. In order to obtain optimum performance, security film must be secured behind the window stops. This procedure is particularly important when applied to tempered glass.

New innovations in the window film industry include the advent of the Dry Lamination process.
This is a mechanical process of dry laminating window film directly onto glazing prior to window manufacturing. The benefit of this unique process is that when film is dry laminated the film has cured by 80% and the glass is immediately ready for use. All window film manufacturers spend considerable time and effort on research and development to understand implications of adhesive construction and performance. Laminating Technologies manufactures 3mm Burglar Resistant Glass that out performs certain thicknesses of laminated glass. The Laminating process has many applications in the world of glass. We are now able to manufacture products for the picture frame industry and security industry among others. These innovative products have allowed window manufacturers to offer windows for resistance against the effects of hurricanes, explosions and burglars. The film, when applied to bullet resistant glass performs as an anti spall agent keeping glass fragments from becoming deadly missiles. Security film on its own should never be considered as bullet resistant, however, it does marginally increase the performance of bullet resistant glass.

The process of dry lamination is simple. After glass has been thoroughly washed it is transported down an assembly line and into the Dry Laminator which consists of various rollers. The system simulates a large ringer washer. The release sheet is then removed, exposing the adhesive and the film is applied in a cold process by being squeezed through rollers. This must be done in a clean and self contained room to protect against contaminants. The end result is impeccably clean with virtually no contaminants.

I hope this is the information you require. If I can help further, please call me.

Sincerely,
WINDOW FILM SYSTEMS and LAMINATING TECHNOLOGIES
Peter Yates