Many people in the Salt Lake City area reach out to us wanting to know how long decorative films will last. Often times this is because they know that decorative window film is easily removable and confuse this with durability. So, while it is true that decorative window film is easily removed–this does not mean it will come off easily. Like nearly any other window film, except for window films applied with C-Bond for security reasons, window film has a life of about 10-20 years. That is a pretty big range, right? This is because the lifespan of a decorative window film, like other tints and films depends on several factors.
3 Factors That Will Make (or Break) The Lifespan of Your Decorative Window Film
As we mentioned most decorative window films will last you a decade or two. But, there are few factors which influence how long the film will last and look over time. Most decorative window films last about ten to twenty years. However, every situation is different. Here are some factors that may cause the film to break down prematurely.
- Decorative Window Film That Is Installed Incorrectly
We have seen quite a few botched window film installations in our experience as window film contractors. From tinting to decorative films this process can go south fast. We appreciate the DIYers out there but, sufficed to say, if you want a decorative film to last for a good length of time–it is better to leave it up to a professional. Film isn’t hard to apply but it is easy to apply wrong–and just the smallest bit of air or trapped moisture could ruin an entire window. Also, when you apply decorative window film yourself you almost always void the warranty. For decorative window film that looks fabulous and lasts for years to come–always hire a seasoned professional.
- A Poor Quality Window Film
Any type of decorative window film that is poor quality will not last long or look good. Trusted brands are more expensive but worth their cost in aesthetics and lifespan. This is another reason to use a proven professional for the installation of your decorative window film. Not only will they have the best offerings of legit decorative films–but the films they installed are almost always backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.
*Side note: There are two types of decorative window films–static cling films and adhesive films. Both are installed the same way but one, static cling decorative window film, is reusable. This does not mean it is cheap or poor quality but, because of it’s removable nature, it likely will not outlast a more durable and permanent adhesive film.
- The Orientation Of The Decorative Window Film
The other two factors discussed here are 100% in your control. However, this last one is just the luck of the draw really. How fast window film breaks down is directly affected by what it is exposed to–namely the sun. Decorative window films that get more sun exposure–will wear down and need to be replaced sooner. However, most films are built to take a fair amount of sun since–that is what they were designed to do. The good news is, for commercial window film applications there a fairly generous warranty period of about ten years or more. And residential window films often come with a lifetime warranty.
For more information on decorative window films for your Salt Lake City, home or business contact us at Greenlight Window Films today!