🔍 Performance & Optical Terms

• VLT (Visible Light Transmission): The percentage of visible light that passes through both the glass and the film. Lower VLT means darker tint.
• TSER (Total Solar Energy Rejected): Measures how much of the total solar energy (infrared + visible + UV) is blocked by the film.
• IR Rejection: Refers to the infrared portion of the solar spectrum that is rejected by the film, crucial for heat control.
• UV Rejection: Blocks ultraviolet rays that cause fading of interiors and increase skin cancer risk.
• Glare Reduction: Indicates how much a film reduces visible light intensity, improving comfort and visibility.
• Emissivity: The rate at which a surface emits heat. Low-emissivity films reflect heat back into a room or vehicle.
• Shading Coefficient: A ratio that compares solar heat gain through a window with film to that of clear glass.
• Solar Absorptance: Percentage of solar energy absorbed by the film rather than transmitted or reflected.
• Reflectance (Interior/Exterior): The amount of light reflected off the interior or exterior side of the film.
• Transmittance: The percentage of light (UV, visible, or IR) that passes through the window system.

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🛡️ Material & Construction Terms

• PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): A durable polyester material used as the base for most window films.
• Hardcoat: A protective, scratch-resistant layer applied to the film’s outer surface.
• Adhesive Layer: The bonding agent between the film and glass; can be pressure-sensitive or dry adhesive.
• Liner: A protective sheet removed before installation to expose the adhesive side of the film.
• Multilayer Film: Film constructed with multiple functional layers, often for advanced performance.
• Dyed Film: A film that uses colorants to absorb light and provide a tinted appearance.
• Metalized Film: Contains metallic particles that reflect solar energy to reduce heat.
• Ceramic Film: Made with non-metallic ceramic particles; delivers high heat rejection and optical clarity.
• Nano-Ceramic: Features ultra-fine ceramic particles that offer top-tier performance with no signal interference.
• Carbon Film: Uses carbon materials to reduce heat and fading while maintaining consistent color.

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🧪 Testing & Ratings Terms

• Mil (Thickness): A unit of thickness equal to one-thousandth of an inch, common in safety film specs.
• ASTM Standards: Industry testing standards for durability, impact resistance, and clarity.
• NFRC Ratings: Ratings provided by the National Fenestration Rating Council for energy performance.
• ANSI Standards: American National Standards Institute testing benchmarks for film strength and safety.
• UL Certification: Independent safety certification confirming product performance under rigorous testing.

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🚗 Automotive Terms

• Auto Tint: Window film designed specifically for vehicle windows.
• Factory Tint (Privacy Glass): Tint that’s built into the glass itself during manufacturing.
• Tint Laws: State-specific regulations that govern how dark automotive tint can legally be.
• Top Strip/Brow: A narrow band of film applied to the top of the windshield to reduce sun glare.
• Color-Stable Film: Film engineered not to fade or change color over time, even under intense sun exposure.

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🏢 Architectural & Safety Terms

• Safety & Security Film: Heavy-duty film that helps hold glass together during impact or explosion.
• Anti-Shatter: Feature of films that prevents broken glass from scattering dangerously.
• Anchoring System: Mechanism that secures film edges to window frames for added reinforcement.
• Blast Mitigation: Film system designed to absorb and disperse explosive force.
• Spall: Dangerous fragments of glass ejected during an impact; minimized by safety films.
• Glazing System: The total assembly of glass, film, and frame components.
• Low-E Film: Low-emissivity film that reduces winter heat loss while preserving visibility.
• Fade Protection: Protection against UV and heat damage to furniture, interiors, or displays.
• Privacy Film: Film that blocks outside view while allowing daylight in.
• Decorative Film: Adds style, branding, or privacy; often frosted, patterned, or colored.

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💧 Installation & Maintenance Terms

• Slip Solution: A water-soap mix that helps position film during installation.
• Squeegee: A tool used to smooth out film and remove air or water bubbles.
• Curing Time: Time required for film adhesive to fully bond and become optically clear.
• Contamination: Dust, fibers, or debris trapped under film during install.
• Dry Shrinking: Using heat to mold film to curved glass surfaces before application.
• Edge Sealing: Applying a sealant to film edges in wet environments to prevent peeling.
• Hazing: A cloudy appearance caused by improper installation or moisture during curing.
• Dot Matrix: Ceramic-frit patterns around automotive glass edges that may challenge adhesion.
• Tint Meter: A tool used to measure VLT and ensure compliance with local tint laws.
• Peel Board: Surface used to prep, cut, and organize film before applying to glass.

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