DMS Tinting & Graphics

3M™ Scotchtint™ Sun Control Films are designed to reduce the amount of solar heat transmission through the window glass by increasing the solar reflection (not necessarily visible reflection) and solar absorption through the glass.

Typically colour or dyed films work primarily through increased absorption.  The colour absorbs the solar energy at the glass, thus reducing the direct transmission into the room.  These films are not as effective as reflective films for reducing heat.

Reflective films are films that have been precision coated with metals.  These metalized films are designed to increase the solar energy reflection of the glass.  3M™ Scotchtint™ reflective films range from moderate to excellent solar performance (heat gain reduction).

3M™ Ceramic Series films use Nano-Ceramic technology to create a single ceramic layer non-metalized film that reflects heat while not interfering with wireless devices.  These films exhibit excellent solar performance (heat gain reduction) and high Infra-Red energy rejection.

3M™ Prestige Series Sun Control Films utlise Nano-Technology to create a film with over 200 layers, but yet is still thinner than a human hair.  Each of these layers is tuned to reject a different wavelength of light and actually perform better when the sign is high in the sky!  There are no metals in the Prestige Series Films so they won't interfere with wireless and cellular signals.  These films exhibit Excellent solar performance (heat gain reduction) and excellent Infra-Red energy rejection.

All 3M™ Scotchtint™ Sun Control Films are made to be transparent and optically clear. The Ultraviolet protection in the adhesive system is there to protect the adhesive, the metals the polyester film, and the abrasion resistant coating from UV degradation.  This UV protection will also help protect home and office furnishings.

Most 3M™ Scotchtint™ Window Films are protected by our patented abrasion resistant coating that provides long-term durability and maintained appearance.

• Lower heating and cooling operating costs;
• Lower utility demand costs;
• Improved tenant comfort;
• Improved aesthetics, uniform appearance;
• improved safety & comfort;
• Extended A/C equipment life;
• Valued alternative to adding more A/C equipment.

Most often, our commercial customers will purchase 3M™ Scotchtint™ Window Films for tenant comfort and justify the purchase through energy cost savings.

3M™ Scotchtint™ Films are professionally applied by skilled, well-trained authorised applicators.  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 when necessary.

Next, the window glass is cleaned using simple cleaning solutions and razor blade scrapers. Then the film is sprayed with a slip solution (detergent and water) 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 squeegee technique to dry the edges.

After thirty (30) days, you may clean 3M™ Scotchtint™ Films using normal household cleaning solutions, and a soft, lint free cloth or towel.  We recommend simple warm water, maybe with a little detergent.  The use of ammonia based cleaners, e.g. Windex, should be used sparingly.

You may also use a squeegee to clean the films.  Abrasive products which would scratch or damage the film should not be used.

3M™ Scotchtint™ Window Films are made 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 las upweards of ten (10) years and beyond, and several applications are still performing after fifteen (15) years.

All applications have a minimum warranty period of eight (8) years (except exterior applications which are two (2) years), and several films carry a twelve (12) year commercial warranty, and even a lifetime residential warranty.*

*(Lifetime for as long as the original purchaser owns their home)

The application of 3M™ Scotchtint™ 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™ Scotchtint™ Window Films to different types of glass enables us to make proper film/glass recommendations and minimise the potential for glass breakage. 

Nothing completely stops fading. 3M™ Scotchtint™ films are designed to help reduce the major causes of fading (ultraviolet light, visible light and solar heat), thus prolonging the life of your furnishings, perhaps my as much as two to five times.

Keep in mind the article(s) to be protected; if they have a typical life of five (5) years then they may last ten (10) years to much longer 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.

As a general rule of thumb, ultra violet (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 stability, and more.

3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra Safety and Security Window Films are designed to make glass shatter-resistant by holding glass pieces together when broken.

Compared to 3M™ Scotchtint™ films, 3M™ Scotchshield™ Window Films are made with thicker polyester and a much thicker more aggresive adhesive, 3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra Films are unique in the industry; they are built using a special micro-layered polyester technology which increases the films' tear resistance significantly.  Pound for pound, the impact tear resistance of Scotchshield™ Ultra films outperform all other films of similar thickness.

No, 3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra films are not cyclone-proof, earthquake-proof, bullet-proof, bomb-proof, nor burglar-proof. Again, they are designed to make the window glass more shatter-resistant.

In the event of a windstorm, these films may have significant safety and security value.  They can reduce the risk of injury from flying shards of broken glass, and possibly help prevent debris and water penetration through the window depending on the severity of the storm (and the type of glass, framing system, size and velocity of objects, and more).

Our Ultra600 product is tested to pass the requirements of category D cyclone areas when correctly installed to 6.52mm laminated glass.  Ask us for more details and test reports.

In an earthquake, these films can reduce the risk of serious injury from flying shards of broken glass, and possibly prevent glass from falling out of a home or building.  Again, much may depend on the severity of the quake (and the type of glass, framing system, and more, too).

Bullets: these films are not designed to stop bullets.

3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra Films were originally developed to address international concerns and needs for improved safety and security against terrorist acts of bombings.  These films can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury from flying shards of glass due to blasts, however, much depends upon the severity of the blast and the proximity of the window to the blast (and the glass type, framing system, and more, too).

3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra Films are a low profile, high performance measure of security in the battle against 'smash and grab' crime.  The tough, shatter-resistant qualities of the film can hold the window glass together even if a brick (or similar object) were actually to pass throguh the glass.  The thief must now make a choice; continue to attack the window, try another window, or move on.  Time is short, and often they move on.  However if they are determined to gain entry, they will get in.  It is generally recommended that the property have proper alarm systems in addition to Scotchshield™ Ultra Window Film.

This is difficult to answer with any degree of certainty because it is difficult for us to test this.  Window glass varies in strength from piece to piece, and lot to lot.  So, if a 3M™ Scotchshield™ protected window were impacted, yet, failed to break it would be difficult to determine if the glass alone, the film alone, or the film and glass together resisted the breakage.

In general with 3M™ Ultra Security film applied and our Ultraflex3000 fixing system, the entire window unit (i.e. glass and film) considerably stronger.

Ultraflex3000 is a superior strength adhesive, that when combined with the 3M™ Ultra Security Film, bonds the film and glass and frame together.  This makes a normally weak point (i.e. the glass holding system) a totally secure system.

Yes, no one has more experience with Window Film than 3M.  In fact, not only did 3M issue the very first patent on 3M™ Window Film in 1966, but today they're still the only manufacturer that produces our own raw materials such as polyesters, adhesives, metals, and scratch resistant coatings. This gives us the quality control and product consistency other manufacturers just can't match.

What's more, they have a core of carefully screened authorised dealers who are trained by 3M™ to professionally install your 3M™ Window Film correctly.  And 3M™ window film is backed by a warranty that covers 100% of materials and labour.  It's the most comprehensive warranty you can get.

That, along with 3M's worldwide reputation as the adhesive experts, means your can rest assured knowing 3M™ Window Film is safe for your windows, and safe for you.