Extended Hours - Open Late on Wednesdays and Earlier on Saturdays!

To better serve our GTA wholesale and retail window film clients Apex Window Films has extended our business hours, now open late on Wednesdays and earlier on Saturdays, as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:  7am - 5pm

Wednesday: 7am - 8pm

Saturday:  Noon - 5pm

Sunday:  CLOSED

We hope you will drop by to visit us soon!



Installing Your Own Window Film?

We are always on the lookout for great window film and security products to offer our customers.

In addition to our ever-expanding line of quality window films and security hardware, we have been offering basic window film installation tools for our do-it-yourself customers.

To better serve our DIY customers, we have just added our professional grade, 6" Power Squeegee. This heavy duty squeegee is equal in quality to the tools used by window film installations pros. Our installers have been using it and thought it was great, especially helpful when installing thicker films, like security laminates.

Remember, our window film installation kit and Power Squeegee are only available online with the purchase of one or more of our DIY Window Films.

For more information on do-it-yourself window films, please visit our website at www.apexfilms.ca.

Can Window Film Crack Glass?

You may have heard that window films crack glass.

The short answer is, they shouldn't. The long answer is that window films that are installed appropriately do not crack glass. Unfortunately, there are too many cases where solar control window films and tints end up cracking glass because they are not installed appropriately. Here is the down-low...

Automotive Window Films: The prime suspect in architectural glass breakage from window films!
All too often, automotive window films have been (and continue to be) installed on architectural flat glass. In fact, we recently encountered such a complaint. A new customer, a municipal building, was having trouble getting approval for solar control window film as another recently constructed building had had its brand new windows crack in their first winter from films that had been installed. Upon further discussions it was learned that the contractor had subbed the window film work out to a company that had installed automotive window films.

Automotive window films are designed for auto glass application, a very different type of glass than that used in any building, either residential or commercial. Architectural, or flat glass, can not withstand the heat retention properties of auto tint. Fortunately, there are high quality solar control window films that have been designed for flat glass application. You can experience all of the benefits of solar control film, including, heat and UV blocking, glare reduction, and/or privacy without the worry that your windows will break.

Low-E Coated Thermal Pane Windows
If you have thermal pane windows on your home or office that have a low-e coating, it is not recommended that you use most solar control window films. Again, the effects of the two treatments may lead to glass breakage under certain conditions.

Large Thermal Panes with Uneven Sun Exposure
If you have very large panes of glass that receive uneven sun exposure, meaning that the glass may be partially shaded all or part of the day it is not recommended that you install solar control window films. Glass may crack due to the uneven heat distribution. In the case of large thermal panes we recommend getting the opinion of a reputable window film installer, and having the film installed professionally. Be sure that the work is warranted before proceeding.

Damaged Glass
Windows with pre-existing cracks, chips or other damage should be replaced before installing solar control window films. The window films may cause existing cracks to spread. Indeed most window film warranties will not cover windows with pre-existing damage.

If you are unsure, consult a professional before installing window films. Ask about glass break and seal failure warranties offered by the manufacturer.

Contact Apex Window Films for quality window films and installation in the GTA.

If you live outside the Greater Toronto Area, or prefer to do-it-yourself, visit our DIY Window Film online store

Springtime: Things are Heating Up in Toronto

Well, it is spring time in Toronto, and the weather is finally starting to warm up after what seemed like a long winter! This is the time of year when we start to get a lot of calls from home and business owners about uncomfortable heat buildup in certain parts of their homes, offices, stores and the like.

Windows are great for letting in natural light and offering a sense of space and freedom for those who are indoors. Unfortunately, some windows, because of their location, tend to create 'hot spots' from the sun's radiant energy heating up that space right inside the window. Even with air conditioning, these hot spots make it difficult to balance interior temperatures. We have all experienced this either at home or in the workplace, one room or area is never cool enough and in an effort to make it more comfortable other spots become too cold.

Solar Control window film offers a solution to this imbalance. By filtering sunlight, blocking, absorbing or reflecting infrared light that heats the air, solar films are able to help balance interior temperatures, thereby increasing the comfort level for occupants throughout the building, reducing the need for air conditioning which is good for the environment and saves you money!

Our customers appreciate the benefits of installing solar control window film. Here is what one condo owner had to say.

Windows in both bedrooms generated so much heat, even in the winter, we were required to leave windows open or have fans running to move hot air around. This a.m. was our first morning with the sun shining. The rooms are now much better. Our sunroom has always been a pressure-cooker. So far we are finding it quite comfortable. and, as I said, actually sat in the sunroom and read the paper all morning - it was very pleasant.

This customer had been unable to enjoy their sunroom on sunny days, even in the winter. When you install solar control window films, you take back rooms in your home that may otherwise have been too uncomfortable to fully utilize--it's almost like making your home bigger!

Solar control window films are available in a wide range of tints and hues. They do not need to be dark or even reflective to work. Apex Window Films carries a wide variety of solar control window films from the world's foremost window film manufacturers. We can offer you a solution that will meet your needs for heat control and aesthetics.

With energy prices sky-rocketing, there has never been a better time to invest in solar control window film. Save money and help the environment. Window films are recognized by the Green Building Council and can be used to generate LEED credits for your building.

Contact Apex Window Films at (416) 335-8181 for an estimate or visit the website at www.ApexFilms.ca for more information.

What is Window Film?

So, what exactly is Window Film?

Window film is also referred to as window tint, glass or window laminate, solar or heat rejecting film, frosted, graphic, or decorative film and a variety of other names depending upon their purpose. Basically, window film is a very thin layer of plastic with an adhesive layer which may be applied to glass.

Window films are generally made of poyester, or vinyl and many include a scratch resistant outer coat. Some window films contain dyes for colour, while others incorporate metals for their reflecting qualities and specfic colour (bronze, silver and aluminium for example)

Window films serve a variety of purposes. The most commonly known variety, window tint, has been used for decades to increase privacy and reduce solar heat gain for both architectural and automotive windows. We are used to seeing window films on office buildings that look mirrored for daytime privacy as well as to reflect the sun's radiant heat in order to keep interior spaces cooler while permitting a view outdoors and great deal of light to flow in.

Today's solar films are not only available in tints and metalized varieties; there are also optically clear, almost unnoticeable films that block heat while permitting the flow of light. Such films are excellent for residential applications, as well as in commercial settings where it is desirable that those on the outside can see in; Retail stores, are a good example of this.

For those requiring privacy, decorative window films can block visual access to a building while permitting the flow of natural light from the outside. Frosted window films are a good example of privacy film, often used for bathrooms in residential settings, or for privacy on both interior and exterior windows in commercial settings.
Decorative window films are available in literally hundreds of colours, textures and patterns.

Window films can also be used for safety and security, to hold glass together in case of impact. They can also be cut with graphics or lettering for commercial or decorative applications.

Check back here for more detailed information about various types of window films, or visit our website for in-depth window film information from Apex Window Films of Toronto.