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

Do-It-Yourself One-Way Mirror

Apex Window Films is pleased to announce our new Do-It-Yourself One-Way and Two-Way Mirror section of our DIY Window Film website.

Our website provides information and instructions on achieving a variety of mirror effects using window films.

This new addition to our popular website is in response to the many inquiries we receive online and by telephone from customers throughout Canada and the United States. Do-It-Yourselfers look for mirror effects for privacy, to create observation glass and also to transform ordinary glass to a working interior mirror with window films.

We explain how to achieve various effects and offer the films for sale on our online. View one of our window film video tutorials online for installation instructions.

Apex offers quality window films at affordable prices. You can trust your transaction is secure as all payments are conducted via PayPal.

Not All Window Films are Created Equally

Those of us in the industry know it, not all window films are created equally. Even brands that are recognized household names, may perform well in some ways but not in others. Someone recently directed me to a blog by Mike Feldman called "The Inner Circle" to see a video comparison test of the scratch resistance of 3M tint to Huper Optik window film.




We did not make this video, but thought you might find it interesting to see.

To be fair, a friend of mine had 3M solar film at his workplace and he was told not to put any tape on the windows.

A quick plug for Mike's blog--it has lots of interesting information about window film and his work in the Tampa Florida area. You can go to http://advancedfilmfl.net/2008/10/28/3m-versus-huper-optik-window-film.aspx to add your opinion to the ongoing comments on this video.

To purchase Huper Optik film in Toronto you can visit our website at www.ApexFilms.ca

Enjoy Your Window View Without Glare

Sitting in my office today, I'm enjoying the late afternoon sun beaming through the maples in all their autumn splendour. There is nothing like Toronto in the fall!

Having spent years in the 'bull pen' in the windowless core of an office building, I really appreciate the view and sense of breathing room my window affords my otherwise small and modest office.

In the past, the sun's glare at this time of day would typically have made it impossible to see anything on my computer screen. Solar glare is a function of the sun's angle of incidence to the window and resulting light (read GLARE) makes monitors and electronics' screens difficult, if not impossible, to see.

I used to have to draw the blinds to block the glare. No more. Now that we've installed solar control window film, I am enjoying my window view while working at my computer. The window film we selected blocks enough light to control glare without requiring additional lighting. It is more comfortable too! I can sit right by the window all day without becoming hot or uncomfortable. At the same time, the window film also protect my skin from harmful UV rays that pass through unprotected windows.

It is hard to believe, but something as simple as a thin sheet of plastic film can block heat, glare and UV without blocking my view.

Experience the benefits of heat and glare controlling window film while still enjoying your view. Call Apex Window Films at 416-335-8181 or visit our website at www.ApexFilms.ca

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.

Apex Window Films Featured by Debbie Travis

We were obviously excited when we were contacted by Debbie Travis for input on an interior design article she was writing on Window Film. How much more exciting to see our work in print in Debbie Travis' syndicated column 'House to Home' published this week in international media.

In short, Debbie recommends window films for form and function, "What intrigues me about these films is their versatility. Here's a decorative feature that can be both practical and stylish," Debbie states in her column.

We won't be modest, her recommendation of Apex Window Films Toronto is glowing, "Please visit www.apexfilms.ca to see more of their exciting installations."

This is the picture that Debbie used in her syndicated article, a custom-cut graphic in decorative window film for privacy in a Toronto area residence. We installed this beautiful graphic in 2007.

Apex Window Film provides both home and business owners in the Greater Toronto Area with premium quality, custom cut window graphics. While we do it everyday, there is nothing commonplace about our decorative and functional window graphics. Call Apex Window Films of Toronto, we'll be happy to discuss your ideas or to suggest some of our own.

We've been given permission to reprint Debbie Travis' window film article on our website if you would like to read more. For more information and interior design advice, visit Debbie Travis' website at www.DebbieTravis.com