Window safety films do their job effectively and beautifully. They hold the glass together for a long time that might otherwise break. Unfortunately, many consumers don’t realize that these movies don’t last forever, and they learn it the hard way. Like all window films, security films and their adhesives deteriorate over time and with exposure to UV light. If damaged films go unnoticed and are not replaced, this can cause them to fail at a critical time.

Most security films come with a warranty and should be replaced every 10 years. However, many homeowners do not know how long the window film has been in place or if it is capable of withstanding the pressure for which it was originally designed. The easiest way to find out the strength of your film is to have a window film installation expert perform a simple window film peel test.

How to do the test

Because the International Window Film Association does not currently have a standardized test method for determining the adhesive strength and integrity of a film, Americans who want to test their window films must rely on a version of what they have created. the British. This is what to do:

Begin your test by cutting a vertical rectangular strip in the middle of a filmed window. This strip should be about an inch wide and 16 inches long. Mark every four inches on the strip. Peel the top of the strip down to the four-inch mark. Wrap this around the clip of a test tool and secure it to yourself. Place the weight you want to test on your test tool until you achieve a slow glide, which will tell you the actual strength of the film and its adhesive.

As a warning, remember that this test does not work for films nine millimeters or more thick.

Why try it?

As stated above, the movie doesn’t last forever. This test provides homeowners with an easy way to test film, both after installation is initially complete and over the years as the film degrades. By knowing the condition of your glass film and its ability to maintain its original strength and durability, you can ensure the safety of your guests and also know when the time has come to replace the film before there is any danger to someone on your property. .