The questions worth asking before you book

From measured square footage of filmed glass, the film grade, the number of separate panes, access equipment and working hours. A single pane in a kitchen is a minimum call-out; a 4,000 sq ft elevation is priced per pane after survey. Quotes are fixed and written.

Surveys are usually booked within five working days, often sooner. Standard residential installation runs one to two weeks after the film is ordered; commercial work depends on access and lead time on the specific construction, typically two to four weeks.

Yes. Retail, hospitality, schools and occupied offices are frequently filmed in the evening, at weekends or during shutdowns. The quote states the working window and any out-of-hours allowance explicitly.

There is a minimum call-out charge covering travel, setup and a two-hour crew slot. Below roughly one large window it is usually not economic, and we will say so on the phone rather than after a visit.

Published TSER figures for architectural solar film typically fall between 40% and 60%, and up to around 72% for higher-performance constructions, measured on 6 mm clear glass. On glass that is already coated or tinted the incremental benefit is smaller — which is exactly what the survey establishes.

No. Film reduces solar gain through glazing. If the heat is coming from equipment, lighting, inadequate ventilation or an uninsulated roof, film will help at the margins but will not solve it. We tell you that before you spend the money.

Metalised and some ceramic constructions can attenuate signal slightly, mostly at the window itself. It is rarely an issue in a building with interior access points, but if you rely on mobile signal through a specific elevation, mention it at survey and we will specify accordingly.

Usually yes, subject to a thermal stress check. The risk is differential heating of the outer pane, which matters on absorptive films over tinted or coated glass. We check the unit’s make-up and, where risk is real, specify a lower-absorption grade or decline the pane.

Not automatically. Compliance is judged on the tested assembly — glass, film, frame and anchorage — against the standard that applies in your jurisdiction (for example ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16 CFR 1201 in the US). We supply the manufacturer’s test evidence for the assembly specified so your consultant or inspector can verify it.

No. Film is a passive delay layer. It buys time; detection and response are what turn that time into an outcome. We are happy to work alongside your security contractor.

Manufacturer warranties on architectural film are generally transferable to a subsequent owner of the building, subject to registration and the original installation records. We keep those records and can reissue them.