Well guys I can honestly say after over 22 years in the window tinting business, I find these posts funny.
Let me state a few facts
Yes, most window manufacturers void their warranty if window films are applied. It also voids your warranty if blinds, shades, and even drapes are installed within a couple of inches to the window. Being too close creates too much heat stress on the glass.
A quality window film manufacturer will offer a thermo stress and a seal failure warranty at NO additional cost to the customer. These warranties on the glass usually run between three to five years as long as there is an existing warranty on the glass. The better quality manufacturers offer a longer term warranty, even taking over the existing glass manufacturer warranty.
Im the event the glass fractures or the seal fails, any glass company can replace the glass. There are thousands of window brands, but only a few manufacturers.
I have been in the business for over 22 years and 20 of it installing to homes and commercial buildings. Back in 1993, we started offering glass warranties. Last year my crew installed over 150, 000 square feet of solar control window film. 99% of those installations were on IG units(insulated glass), and 90% were on low-e glass. The main reason to have window film installed, reduce heat inside the building and reduce energy costs. With that amount of window film applied each year, we only replaced 12 panes of glass last year. The last time I replaced a window due to seal failure was back in 1999.
You are sadly mistaken saying applying solar control window films to homes does not work. The average feedback from our clients is 10 to 15% reduction in utility costs. The National Fenestation Rating Councel, NFRC - Welcome accepted solar control window films in their testing and certification program. When you go to their site, click applied films and you will see the list of manufacturers certified. The certification process takes about nine months and this began about a year ago. Soon more will be added.
Three to five degree difference inside a building is a huge difference when discussing removal of heat from windows and energy savings.
My first home installation was back in 1988 and I got a chance to see it again in 2006. It looked like the day I installed it except the door was scratched by something sharp. I expect the films we install to last at least 25 years. That is why you are offered a manufacturer backed lifetime warranty. You will have moved on before the film fails.
Did you know there is a federal tax credit for applying window film to you home and office? Did you know many utility companies offer rebates to help reduce peak demand by applying window film? Did you know Austin Energy (City of Austin Texas) states that applying solar control window films to the three major side of your home will reduce the heat load of the A/C system by up to 20%? They have been offering rebates for over ten years.
If window films did not work, a utility company would not be spending money offering rebates It is a proven fact, window films reduce energy costs and reduce peak demand, thus reducing operating costs for the utility companies.
carol hedges