Arizona, USA
Frequently Asked Questions
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The U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC)
is a 501(c)(3) non profit
organization that certifies
sustainable businesses, homes,
hospitals, schools, and
neighborhoods. USGBC is
dedicated to expanding green
building practices and education,
and its LEED® (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental
Design) Green Building Rating
System™.
The Better Business Bureau.  A
company who influences an
buyers and sellers can trust each
other.  BBB sees trust as a
function of two primary factors:
integrity and performance.
Integrity includes respect, ethics
and intent. Performance speaks
to a business track record of
delivering results in accordance
with BBB standards and/or
addressing customer concerns
in a timely, satisfactory manner.
Authorized Window Film Dealer
Prestige Dealer Network.  
As a
leader in both adhesive and film
technologies, 3M brings
together these disciplines to
create the finest window film
products today.  These films are
available exclusively through
their authorized dealers for
residential installations.     
The Skin Cancer Foundation
recommends many
3M window film products as
effective UV protectants.
Call 480.306.4420
01.  Will I lose the window manufacturers existing warranty?
02.  Does 3M window film cause glass to break?
03.  Does 3M window film cause seal failure when applied to insulated (double-pane) windows?
04.  Will 3M window film darken my home?
05.  Will 3M window film peel or bubble?
06.  How do 3M window films work?
07.  Can 3M window film improve my Low-E windows?
08.  Will 3M window film help keep heat in during winter?
09.  Why should I have 3M window film applied to my home?
10.  What is the typical energy pay back for 3M window films?
11.  How is the 3M window film applied?
12.  How do I clean my 3M window film?
13.  How long does 3M window film last?
14.  Will 3M window film stop my furnishings from fading?
15.  What are the causes of fading?
16.  Does the ultraviolet protection lose it's effectiveness over time?
No.
The ultraviolet (UV) protection that we use in our proprietary adhesive system is indefinite. It does not lose its effectiveness over time.
In fact, 3M tested an actual glass. This was a ten-year old application and the ultraviolet transmission still measured to factory
standards.
NO.
Your existing window warranty is assumed in detail by the window film manufacturer warranty amendment. ECO foster staff are careful
to make sure that you have this coverage, using our platinum select warranty when required.  Our customers have always appreciated
this because now your windows are covered by a much larger company than your window manufacturer!
NO.
The application of 3M will increase the temperature of your sunlit glass which will increase the stress on the glass edges. The quality
of those glass edges and several other factors (external shading, interior shading, glass history, type of film, size/shape of glass,
indoor/outdoor temperature) all contribute to the potential risk of glass breakage.

3M's thirty (30) years of experience with applying 3M Window Films to different types of glass enables us to make proper film/glass
recommendations and minimize the potential for glass breakage. In addition, we support these recommendations with our 60-month
glass breakage warranty against thermal shock fracture. Should the glass break within 60-months of application, 3M; will replace the
glass (maximum $500.00 with a $25.00 consumer deductible, or 5% of replacement cost, whichever is greater per claim), and ECO
foster will replace the film.   Our platinum select warranty increases this coverage too $1500 per glass pane.  
No.
3M window films do not cause seal failure. 3M has been applying 3M window films to insulated windows for over 40 years, with
several millions of square feet of film applied to date.

When recommended films are applied to the inside pane of an insulated glass unit, there will be some absorption (except with clear
safety films) of the sun's energy, which will increase the temperature of the glass pane. Some of this heat will transmit to the airspace,
slightly raising the airspace temperature. However, even a 20 F degree increase (unusual for most films) will result in a less than 3%
change in air pressure, whereas properly made units are designed and tested to withstand 22% changes in air pressure. Put into
perspective, most manufacturers of insulating glass units design their products to withstand a pressure change of 3.30 psi, over six
times the installed film’s potential pressure increase.

Risk of seal failure is greatly determined by the quality of workmanship and the quality of the materials that go into building the
insulated glass units. The best guard against seal failure is to purchase well-made units from reputable window manufacturers that
have solid experience and histories with insulated units.
YES and NO.
Residential window films are specially made to control heat, fade and glare and add safety from broken glass without you even
noticing a film has been installed. Window film comes in a wide variety of shades. We are careful to help you choose the proper film
type for the particular need you have.
Window film will provide you with much higher levels of control from heat, fade and glare.  Low-E means 'low emmisivity’ that
translates into the coating that is on the Low-E glass. The coating helps prevent heat to be absorbed into the glass and re-radiate to
the other side. While this is great for helping keep heat in your home in the winter, it does not give you all of the protection you need
from the higher levels of heat in summer.
NO.
Our Window films are warranted never to bubble, crack, peel, de-laminate, fade or discolor for life! 3M is a leader in adhesive
technology and has held the patent on this product since 1966.
3M window films are designed to reduce the amount of solar heat transmission through window glass by increasing the solar
reflection (not necessarily visible reflection) and solar absorption of the glass.

Typical colored or dyed films work primarily through increased absorption. The color absorbs the solar energy at the glass, thus
reducing the direct transmission into the room. These films only offer marginal performance when compared to reflective films.

Reflective films are films that have been precision coated with metals. These metallic films are designed to increase the solar energy
reflection of the glass and some of the absorption. Reflective films range from mild to excellent in solar heat rejection performance
(heat gain reduction).

All 3M sun control window films are protected with our patented Abrasion Resistant coating (hard coat) for long term durability and
maintained appearance
.
YES.
While 3M window film can slightly increase the U value of your windows, All Season Films, or Low E films, work much in the same way
as the sun control films except that they offer an increased performance against cold weather heat loss. The patented constructions of
these films enable the metal coating to reflect more of the interior room heat back into the room where it is needed. This improves
comfort by reducing potential draft feelings near the window, and may also save on fuel costs, especially in commercial buildings. The
Low-E Films are protected with our abrasion resistant coating for long term durability and maintained appearance. These films are
quite reflective and are usually only installed in very cold climates.
  • Improved Comfort  
  • Lower Heating and Cooling Operating Costs  
  • Lower Utility Demand Costs   
  • Improved Aesthetics, Uniform Appearance  
  • Improved Safety and Security  
  • Extended A/C Equipment Life  
  • Valued Alternative to adding more A/C Equipment
  •  Decrease Excessive Glare and Eye Strain
  • And more.

Most often, our residential customers will purchase 3M window films for improved comfort and justify the purchase by daily energy cost
savings.
Simple pay backs will vary depending upon the amount of sunlit glass exposure, the type of film, the type of glass, cost of fuel, cost of
application, and other variables. However, we have seen pay backs often range in the 2-5 year period, with some reported to be even
less than 6 months.
Much in the same way you clean your windows now. After thirty days, you may clean window Films using normal household cleaning
solutions, Windex, and a soft, lint-free cloth or towel. You may also use a squeegee to clean the film. While these films are very
abrasion resistant, abrasive products which could scratch or damage the film should not be used.
3M window films are professionally applied by skilled, well-trained authorized ECO foster personnel. Almost all of our films are
designed to be applied to the inside of your glass.

The first step is to prepare the window area for the application; placing drop cloths on the floor, protecting and/or moving furniture
where necessary.

Next, the window glass is cleaned using simple cleaning/slip solution (baby shampoo and filtered water) and non-abrasive razor blade
scrapers. Then, the film is sprayed with a cleaning/slip solution for proper positioning, and applied to the window glass. Using a
professional grade squeegee and following proper techniques, the application is completed by removing excess water, trimming the
edges, and a final blot to dry and seal the edges.
3M window films are made durable to last for many years; just how long may depend upon the type of film applied, type of glass it is
applied to, and the particular climate in which it is applied. Most applications are still performing after 25 years. Most applications
carry a lifetime residential warranty and commercial applications carry a 10-15 year warranty (non-transferable).  3M Fasara
designer/patterned films and exterior mount films are typically 5 years.
As a general rule of thumb, ultraviolet (UV) is approximately 40% of the cause, visible light is about 25%, and heat about 25%. The
remaining 10% can be attributed to humidity, pollutants, interior lights, dye anchorage, and more.
Nothing stops fading. 3M window films are designed to reduce the major causes of fading (ultraviolet light, visible light, and solar
heat), thus prolonging the life of your furnishings, perhaps as much as two to five times.

Keep in mind the articles to be protected; if they have a typical life of 5 years then they may last 10 to 25 years depending on the
performance of the film selected. However, if the typical life is only 2-3 weeks, then the expectation should be expressed in terms of
months.
01.  Will I lose the window manufacturers existing warranty?
02.  Does 3M window film cause glass to break?
03.  Does 3M window film cause seal failure when applied to insulated (double-pane) windows?
04.  Will 3M window film darken my home?
05.  Will 3M window film peel or bubble?
06.  How do 3M window films work?
07.  Can 3M window film improve my Low-E windows?
08.  Will 3M window film help keep heat in during winter?
09.  Why should I have 3M window film applied to my home?
10.  What is the typical energy pay back for 3M window films?
11.  How is the 3M window film applied?
12.  How do I clean my 3M window film?
13.  How long does 3M window film last?
14.  Will 3M window film stop my furnishings from fading?
15.  What are the causes of fading?
16.  Does the ultraviolet protection lose it's effectiveness over time?
Installing 3M Window Film
East Valley Showroom:  7143 East Southern Avenue, Suite 113 Mesa, AZ 85209     I     Phone:  480.306.4420
West Valley Sales:                                                                                                                    I     Phone:  602.595.4447
Warranty Claims and Service Department:                                                                        I     Phone:  480.888.9703
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