Varieties and uses of glass films

Previously, stained glass windows were considered an attribute of luxury. And it really was an exquisite, sophisticated sight. Over time, stained-glass windows were simply imitated by painting, and still, such a design was not cheap. Today, special film coatings for glass come to the rescue, creating interesting visual effects. And not only in the form of a stained glass window. Let's take a closer look at the varieties and use of film for glass.

Film for glass, which has come to be called stained glass, is made from vinyl or polyester, as well as related materials. Such materials consist of several layers: the first is decorative, the second is paper. And the self-adhesive base of the film helps to stick it to the glass without any problems, without using an adhesive composition and additional tools.

We can say with confidence that polyester-based materials are the most demanded. They are highly durable, and this quality helps to avoid accidental tearing. And the paint with which the material is coated has excellent characteristics. In addition, experts say it is an environmentally neutral product.

The cost of stained glass film should not be very high. But it still rests on the quality of the product, as well as on whether this film is domestic or imported. In general, the product should not be expensive, since a layer of any characteristics a priori does not promise long-term operation. By the way, even the positioning of the product can influence the price. Often, decorative film for glass is called architectural, which sounds more weighty and the product becomes more attractive in the eyes of the buyer.

The following options for decorative film canvases are possible:

• athermal material - that is, it provides protection from the sun's rays;
• stained glass layer - creates ornaments on glass surfaces;
• protective layer - not only decorates, but also creates protection against cracks and mechanical damage;
• a film in which the adhesive layer has a print;
• the static coating, sold in rolls 90 cm wide, without an adhesive base, is fixed to the surface with static adhesion.

Self-adhesive films are available in transparent and opaque forms. In the first case, it is possible to imitate the corrugated surface of frosted glass, with a slightly noticeable pattern. This pattern often resembles frost. Opaque films are wide in their coloristic solution - film coatings with a stained glass pattern are often used, very similar to natural stained glass. They even have lead spacers.

A there are also three-dimensional and textured products... They have a finely worked out texture, high-quality drawing or ornament. True, a three-dimensional product is usually made to order, and the textured film is usually of one shade, its surface is not smooth.

The sun peeking through the window is a welcome picture for those who live on the shady side. But for those to whom the sun shines too obsessively, this activity can become a real problem. And tint films can help out. They reduce the brightness of the flow of sunlight: this is especially true in the summer. Experts assure that the amount of dangerous ultraviolet rays, thanks to such a film barrier, is literally reduced by 90%.

And also, in addition to the sun beating directly into the eyes, toning also saves from the feeling of stuffiness. Tinted glass brings coolness and freshness with it. In a word, services for tinted glass with a special film are in great demand today. And there are a lot of shades of material, there is an optimal option for each window. Many owners prefer such a film, the appearance of which is very natural. One can guess that the glass is tinted only by looking at it from a certain angle.

The need to use protective films appears where there is a demand for enhancing the resistance of window glass to mechanical stress. Thanks to such an adhesive installation on the glass, serious protection can be achieved. Such films are also transparent and tinted. Transparent varieties do not exceed 300 microns in thickness, and tinted ones - 115 microns. The thickness affects what kind of mechanical stress the film layer can withstand. But the main thing is that such a product saves glass from scattering, protecting a person from scattered fragments.

Special armored films are also produced (or as they are called otherwise - security films). They can protect glass from an explosive device thrown at it or even a bottle of Molotov cocktail. Armored glasses have their own technical characteristics that correspond to GOST 300826-2001. Window glass, thanks to the protective film, becomes explosion-proof, fire-resistant and impact-resistant. And, of course, such properties as shatterproofness and resistance to illegal penetration also apply to armored film.

The heat-saving film saves up to 30% of the energy consumption in the apartment. A microscopic metal layer applied to the surface of the energy-saving film forms a special layer. This layer does not become a barrier to the passage of sunlight in the visible spectrum. But it changes the transparency of the coating (refraction acts) for the UV and IR segment of solar activity.

The human eye cannot see infrared rays. But it is they who are responsible for the transfer of heat, and the film, refracting these very rays, reflects them inside the apartment. Therefore, it is considered a heating cover. Therefore, it is also called the "third glass". Manufacturers who produce such a film advise sticking it to windows to keep warm only in the cold months of the year. The film sellers say that the sun's rays do not actually carry heat in winter, and the infrared rays will be refracted correctly, leaving the room warm.

It would be unfair not to mention the negative aspects of the thermal insulation film. The main disadvantage of the product is the almost complete reflection of UV rays. And indoor plants can seriously suffer from this. The owners, worried about this risk, usually buy phytolamps, which on balconies and window sills give the plants the necessary light. But this is not entirely correct logic: a phytolamp, in order to meet the needs of plants, must work for many hours in a row.And this is already a discrepancy in order to save energy, for which, in fact, they purchase a heat-saving film.

The second disadvantage is that the film becomes ineffective in spring and autumn. When the heating in the dwelling is either not yet provided, or has already been turned off, the film does not allow the sun's heat to enter. And in the apartment, on the balcony, it will be damp and uncomfortable. And the energy-saving film also reflects radio waves, so there may be interruptions in cellular communication in the house where such a film is glued. In a word, whether or not to acquire such an innovative and seemingly rational product, one still needs to think.

The task of such films is to give the glass an original look. They serve to decorate the room, emphasize design accents. The range of such products is huge. This type of films suggests the following options:

• transparent colored;
• transparent with tinting with metal oxides (these are films with a mirror surface);
• translucent (i.e. matte);
• opaque;
• stained glass (with a certain pattern, print, ornament).

For self-adhesive, stained glass films remain the most top option. They are rich in possibilities for decorating windows and other glasses. Imitation of natural stained glass can be so successful that only an expert can guess about the true solution to the decorative issue.

The following characteristics speak in favor of such a film:

• it is easy to install, since the glue base does not require thinking about how to fix the coating;
• it is presented in a wide range of colors - you can choose the color option, you can - monochrome (black and white, gray);
• it is a versatile product that can beautify more than just glass surfaces;
• the film will increase the strength of the glass, and in a family with small children, for example, this is important.

You can even buy a film that imitates the sandblasting of glass, and it will look natural. You can find films with one-sided visibility. Very often, you can transform old Soviet furniture not only by repainting it, but also by decorating glass inserts with decorative film. At the exit - a fundamentally different furniture composition.

The use of film decor has become wider than it was originally intended. If it was just a glass covering, now wooden furniture is pasted over with foil (although there is a product for this), gift boxes, various household items and decor. Let's consider the main areas of application.

• Film for double-glazed windows. It can be tinting, protective, heat-insulating (as mentioned above). In a country house, such a film can simply decorate the glass in the windows on the veranda in order to protect themselves from prying eyes and simply "dress up" the house.
• Coating for glass partitions. If the room has such a partition (as a rule, it is functional - it zones the space), ordinary glass can look boring. And decorated with a film, it takes on a fundamentally different look.
• Covering for door glass. It simulates sandblasted glass or a stained glass insert. In this way, the issue of interior consonance can be resolved. For example, the room has Art Deco elements, and the glass in the door is plain, boring, and does not support the style. And the pasted film solves this design problem quickly and easily.
• Film for wardrobes. Moreover, we are not always talking about glass inserts in the cabinet. In special services today, you can draw up a plan, a drawing of the design of the facade. And then, according to this plan, cut the film and apply it in the right order to the surface. It turns out a wardrobe door with a stylish ornament. And the fact that this ornament is not factory-made, but made with the help of ordinary self-adhesive, is difficult for an unknowing person to guess.

You can also remember glass kitchen tables, which sometimes you just want to visually transform. Glass for a working desk, under which a different paper arsenal is usually stored - "reminders", schedules, photos, samples, can also be decorated with transparent film with a beautiful effect. And the paper glass filling is visible, and the decorative technique was a success.

It seems easy and quick to stick the film, but these are erroneous conclusions. It's really not particularly difficult and accessible to everyone.

For work, the following may come in handy:

• roulette;
• steel ruler;
• glass scraper (aquarium will do);
• rubber spatulas in different sizes
• stencil knife with replaceable blades, mock knife;
• atomizer with the formation of a fine water cloud;
• artificial suede (polishes glass well);
• soap solution;
• thin medigle (if you need to pierce the formed bubble).

You don't always need a whole set of these, but on average, the preparation of tools and tools looks like this. The basic rule is that only whole glass can be decorated. Second, the glass must be cleaned of dirt and dust. Laundry detergent, window cleaner, or classic soap solution will do. And if you rinse the glass after cleaning with water with the addition of ammonia, it will shine very beautifully.

Consider the following steps for gluing the film:

1. measuring glass, cutting out fragments according to these measurements;
2. first, the film is removed from the substrate, picking up the latter with a fingernail; after removing the backing, moisten the film with soapy water from the side of applying the adhesive;
3. with the wet side, the material is applied to the glass surface; soap solution is needed to prevent the film from shifting, no tight pressure is required, water can handle fixation;
4. the outside must be sprayed with a spray bottle;
5. the film is smoothed with horizontal movements in both directions; 10 cm on each side should remain unsmoothed, which helps to expel soapy water from under the coating, eliminates the formation of bubbles;
6. with a breadboard knife, excess material is cut off at the edges of the glass, a spatula is used again;
7. the glass is wiped dry with a soft cloth; you can use a paper towel.

In one evening, you can completely transform a window, glass door insert or partition. Rapid changes (and budgetary ones too) are pleasing to the eye, set a new mood for the house, and solve various design problems.

See the video for gluing mirror film on windows.