Window Film - Does it effect the window warranty

[784caroline]

Just a word of caution regarding tinting......you may want to check with TV home Warranty or the window manafacturer who installed your current house windows regarding window warranty IF you add a tinting film to your currrent windows?? I was told by a window distributor that it would effect the warranty if it fact a seal breaks and they start to fog up. I have not confirmed this for I was not going to put a film on my current windows but you should check it out. I was looking at replacing certain window sashes with Low E glass.

[Jim 9922]

We bought a home wherein the owner had all the windows tinted aftermarket. Four of the six sliders exposed to Western sun blew their seals over a 2 year period. Coverage was denied by TV Warranty Dept because of the coatings. You are probably best off installing windows with factory installed sun blockers/reflectors.

[starflyte1]

I had my 17 year old house single pane windows replaced with dual pane. I was told that the warranty would be voided if I tinted the new windows,

[CraigAC]

When you decide you need to block the sun with window film it�s important you use a reputable company that knows what they�re doing and understands the science that goes along with this process.

When you put the film on your glass, the heat of the sun is absorbed by the film which also heats the surface of the glass. Too much heat on the surface of standard annealed window glass may create what is known as a thermal stress break.

A thermal stress break can also occur when the film is not installed correctly i.e. improper coverage along the edges. If part of the glass is left untreated it will create uneven heat absorption which may also create a thermal stress break.

In most cases the thermal break will start along the edge of the glass. Even if it�s only a small break in a double pane insulated unit, it breaks the seal and the unit will fog up.

You should also know that the darker the film, the more heat it will absorb, and the greater likelihood an improper installation will lead to breakage.

It should also be noted as this business segment matures, film manufactures are developing new products that will minimize heat absorption and increase heat reflection without making your window look like a mirror. This is why it�s best to use a reputable company � not just a guy with a cell phone working out of his pickup truck offering a low price.

In some cases it�s not the best decision to go with the lowest bidder. Pick a contractor that has been around awhile and will guarantee their work against thermal breakage because most window manufacturers will not guarantee their windows when an aftermarket tinting product has been installed.

[zcaveman]

I did mine 10 years ago and have never had a problem. But then I do not have double-paned windows if that makes a difference.

The view outside might be a little darker but the house is cooler that without the window coverings.

[keithwand]

The windows that we are getting here are Low E and double pane.

The windows we got from the builder (36 total) in Orlando were single pane and we had all windows tinted afterwards. This was done in 2005/2006 and the only problem is 1 small corner in the garage facing West came undone.

Thankfully we have a lot fewer windows in the new house.

[asianthree]

So I guess my first question to the solar guys is... What happens it the film causes a thermal break what will they do?

[rothbear]

We had our current windows here in SC done with 3M film. We have low-e and double panes. And yes, the film will void the warranty with any company.

But 3M does offer a service that you actually buy a window warranty from them, which they cover for the same time as the original warranty. It is relatively cheap and for peace of mind we purchased it. Basically what happens is that if a window cracks due to stress, 3M will replace the window as well as the film up to the original mfg warranty period.

Can't say for other companies what they might do, but this is what we have with the 3M film.

[Mark1130]

I sell windows for my living and I can say every manufacturer will void their warranty on they window glass if an after market film is applied.

The reason the seal can/ will break is that the heat builds up between the panes of glass and caused the seal to expand and separate. Because the film is on the exterior of the face of the glass rather than the interior face allows the heat to build up inside.

It would be a far better thing for you to go to a glass company and have them replace all your glass with Low E argon. I would suspect that the cost of that vs the film is not a lot of difference. Plus the glass seal is warrantied for usually 20 years and you get a better insulating product.

[NJblue]

We had our current windows here in SC done with 3M film. We have low-e and double panes. And yes, the film will void the warranty with any company.

But 3M does offer a service that you actually buy a window warranty from them, which they cover for the same time as the original warranty. It is relatively cheap and for peace of mind we purchased it. Basically what happens is that if a window cracks due to stress, 3M will replace the window as well as the film up to the original mfg warranty period.

Can't say for other companies what they might do, but this is what we have with the 3M film.

If "cracking" is what 3M warrants against, that is not the issue. From my understanding and what appears to be concurred with by other posts here, the problem is seal leakage resulting in moisture getting between the 2 panes of glass and fogging the view. If the 3M warranty does not cover that problem, then it does not seem to be worth much.

[rothbear]

If "cracking" is what 3M warrants against, that is not the issue. From my understanding and what appears to be concurred with by other posts here, the problem is seal leakage resulting in moisture getting between the 2 panes of glass and fogging the view. If the 3M warranty does not cover that problem, then it does not seem to be worth much.

Actually it covers any type damage caused by heat build up because of the film. Our windows are low-e and you still wouldn't believe the heat that comes through without the film, as well as sun damage to furniture and flooring. Between the 2 of them, plus extra insulation in the attic, we have managed to keep our A/C costs to a minimum.

[NJblue]

Actually it covers any type damage caused by heat build up because of the film. Our windows are low-e and you still wouldn't believe the heat that comes through without the film, as well as sun damage to furniture and flooring. Between the 2 of them, plus extra insulation in the attic, we have managed to keep our A/C costs to a minimum.

Interesting. I agree that the demo that they do with the heat lamp is very impressive.

[NJblue]

The main reason keeping me from getting the 3M window film is the seal failure issue, so I looked up their warranty. Based on what I found, it is only for 40 months (see below) which is not very long. You mentioned paying extra for the warranty whereas what is quoted below is included with the product. Is there an extended warranty option that 3M offers? Or could it be that the distributor is the one offering an extended warranty?

Seller also warrants against glass failure due to thermal shock fracture or seal failure, (maximum value of $500 per window) caused only as a direct result of the application of 3M Sun Control Film provided the film is applied to recommended types of glass and the glass failure is reported to the Seller within the specified time (listed below) from the start of the installation.
• Sixty (60) months coverage against thermal shock fracture
• Forty (40) months coverage against seal failure if covered by original manufacturer
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=SSSSSufSevTsZxtUO8_GNxm9evUqe vTSevTSevTSeSSSSSS--&fn=Solar%20Residential%20Warranty.pdf