Decorative film on glass

Decorative film for glass is a multifunctional material intended for decorating and protecting glass surfaces: windows, furniture parts and interior doors, shop windows, etc. About the types and characteristics of such films, as well as the method of their gluing, we will discuss in this article.

Features and varieties of

The use of decorative films for window panes has several objectives:

• , such a coating plays a decorative role and helps to emphasize the style features of the room;
• with the help of a film it is possible to divide rooms or office cabinets into different functional zones;
• matte decorative films on the glass and films with a reflective effect protect the interior of the premises from prying eyes;
• material allows you to adjust the level of illumination in the room;
• in hot weather certain types of films reflect the sun's rays, so the room is kept cool;
• anti-shock and shatterproof films protect the person from wounds from splinters in the event that the glass breaks.

Films for windows are available in a variety of colors and shades, they can be applied to interesting drawings. To date, decorative films for glass with stained glass effect are considered popular. It's no secret that natural stained glass is very expensive, but a film of this style will save money. Among other things, transparent colored films can be glued in several layers, which makes it possible to play with shades of glass.

There are many kinds of architectural films. A wide range of transparent decorative films on glass, as well as protective and toned coatings are on sale. A thin layer of metal is applied to the toned films during their production: aluminum, silver, copper, titanium, zirconium, nickel, chromium and the like. Such films also have a special coating, which protects them from scratches.

You can glue films not only on windows, but also on car windows, shop windows, building facades, furniture elements, interior doors and partitions. To classify the material is most convenient in terms of its use, based on this feature, distinguish such types of architectural films:

1. Protective coatings are used to ensure that in case of breaking glass people are not injured by debris. The window, covered with such a film, in case of destruction will not crumble, the film will remain intact and will retain all the fragments of glass. The material of this type has a different level of strength, which depends on the thickness of the film itself and on the glue applied to its inner side. Protective coatings also have good fire resistance and can contain the spread of fire for more than 30 minutes.
2. Heat-saving films have a useful feature: they reduce the thermal conductivity of the glass and reduce the energy loss of the building in cold weather. In a strong heat, these coatings reflect the sun's rays, so that the room is kept cool. The impact of the sun is also unpleasant because the interior finish and carpets fade from the ultraviolet.
3. Decorative films help to give the glasses an unusual original look, emphasize the design of the room. Such coatings are represented by a large assortment of colors, decorative films on glass can have any pattern, etc. Light through such a window enters the room in sufficient quantity, while the visibility of the room is significantly reduced.
4. Automotive films are designed specifically for the protection and toning of machine glass.

Characteristics and applications of window films

High-quality architectural film has the following features:

1. Its strength is very high and is 24 kg / m².This means that the film is difficult to damage mechanically, it is almost impossible to tear it or pierce it with a sharp object.
2. Decorative self-adhesive films for glasses are firmly connected to the glass surface thanks to the adhesive composition, which is applied to the inside of the material. Glue not only reliably holds the film on the window, but also protects the room from debris.
3. Films are resistant to weather conditions. They are not afraid of moisture, frost, heat, snow, wind, ultraviolet and other negative effects.

The scope of window films is very wide. They can be found on the windows of public buildings: banks, restaurants, shops, cafes. Such coatings are also used for decorating windows of residential buildings. The film is covered with glass in the interior doors and the doors of the cabinets, in the balcony doors and in the veranda windows.

How to paste a decorative film on the glass

You can draw specialists to decorate the glasses with decorative film, but you can do all the work yourself and save a lot of money. Moreover, knowing the technology to work with film is not so difficult. Next, we will consider step by step the process of gluing decorative film for glass and furniture.

Preparatory work for

For working with decorative film, the following tools will be needed:

• atomizer with soap solution or glass cleaner;
• squeegee;
• model knife;
• paper towels or towels, any non-fluffy fabric;
• rubber scraper for glass.

Preparatory work includes cleaning the work surface. The glass on which the film will be glued must be defatted, free of dust and various contaminants. When performing this process, you can use a soapy solution or a special cleaner for glass cleaning. The latter option is better, since it gives a better result.

If dust remains on the surface of the glass, the film will not stick to it. Noticeable large particles deform a smooth surface and spoil the appearance of the window. Among other things, air cavities or creases may form under the film in the places of remaining contaminants, where the material will subsequently break or peel off.

The most dangerous are pollution such as wax, grease, industrial grease, solvent. If the surface is not degreased, the film will not adhere to it. The solvents present on the glass will corrode the adhesive and the film itself. Let's consider in detail, what nuances should be considered in the process of cleaning the glasses:

1. For wiping glass, it is best to use a lint-free cloth or a good absorbent paper, for example, disposable towels.
2. The surface can be cleaned either with a special compound or with a weak solution of the dishwashing detergent. Household or toilet soaps, shampoos or other hygiene products are not recommended, since such substances can leave alkali or fat traces on the glass.
3. In the process of wiping the glass cloth should be moistened moderately. If you moisten it too much, there will be stains on the surface.
4. The washed glass should be wiped dry, not allowing the cleaner to dry on the surface.
5. After treatment with a soap solution, the glass can be further processed with isopropyl alcohol, remembering to wipe the window with a dry cloth or a napkin. Here you need to take into account the features of the surface. For example, you can not use alcohol for rubbing acrylic glass.
6. Get rid of the divorce will help the rubber scraper. They need to spend on wet glass, removing excess fluid.
7. You can glue the film on the prepared glass only with clean and dry hands.

Decorative film for glass, photo:

Technology for gluing film on glass

1. First, from the general cut of the window film, you need to cut out fragments of a suitable size. To do this, the glass is measured with a centimeter tape, after which a piece with dimensions 2-3 cm larger than the size of the glass is cut from the film. This allowance is necessary in order to subsequently compensate for the random defects that arise during the gluing process. Cut the film best with a dummy knife, passing them along the metal tape. Scissors for this work will not work, because the cut will turn out to be uneven.
2. You can glue the film on both the inner and outer surfaces of the glass. The choice depends on the type and characteristics of the material, how it is used, and on the task.
3. After preparing the glass and dividing the material into the necessary fragments, you can start the process of gluing. First, the film is removed from the substrate, slightly picking it with a fingernail. If this is difficult to do, use scotch tape. One piece of adhesive tape is glued on the film, the second - on the substrate. Pulling the free ends of the adhesive tape, the film is separated from the substrate.
4. After removing the substrate, the film is moistened with a soap solution on the side on which the adhesive composition is applied.
5. Then the material is applied with a wet side to the glass. Soap solution allows you to move the film in different directions, adjusting its position. It is not necessary to press the material tightly to the glass, water will already reliably hold the coating on the surface.
6. After that, the outside is sprayed from the spray gun, so that the squeegee slides freely over the surface.
7. Starting from the upper center of the glass, the film is smoothed out with horizontal movements in both directions, while leaving it unblinded about 10 cm on each side. Making such movements, from under the material, they expel soapy water and make sure that there is no bubbles between the glass and the film. To get rid of such bubbles then it will be impossible.
8. Then with a protruding knife at the edges of the glass cut off excess parts of the material and once again pass over the surface with a squeegee.
9. The last stage of work - wiping the glass with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Decorative film on the glass with a picture, photo:

How to glue the film on the glass.

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