Static Cling vs. Adhesive Window Film
Decorative window film is an efficient way of protecting your home from UV rays in an artistic way. Hence, it has been a growing concern of consumers if what is the difference between an adhesive-free static-vinyl and adhesive-based polyester films. Here is some information for you to select the best window film for your home.
Installation of these window films is almost the same. You will clean the window, wet the glass, remove the film from its backing paper, position it on the glass, remove water and air bubbles with a card, and let it dry. However, the difficulty of installation, its advantages and disadvantages are comparable.
Adhesive-based - It is a thin 2-mil polyester film that uses strong adhesive at its backing. Apart from spraying water on the glass, you also need to wet the adhesive after you remove the backing paper. It must not also crinkle and touch itself as it may stick and will be difficult to pull apart that could damage the film. Installation is tricky, but if you do it right, you are sure that the film would adhere to the glass for years. Moreover, another advantage is adhesive-based window film is cheaper than static cling.
Pros:
It is effective in reflecting heat back to the environment that makes it optimal for places that have long hot weather.
Long shelf life.
It comes in a variety of prints and designs.
You can install it inside or outside your window.
This home window film can stick to smooth and rough surfaces.
Cons:
It has thin ink coatings that easily fade in harsh weather conditions and not resistant to scratches.
It is light, so it would be susceptible to sticking to itself when there is a presence of wind and draft plus it is not advisable for large and wide windows.
Static Cling - It does not use static electricity as what some people think. It has a highly plasticized thin vinyl that when pressed into the surface with a similar cohesive force would create a suction cup. Usually, this window film for your home is 8-mil thick PVC and heavier than its counterpart. Because it does not use adhesive, once you remove the backing, you can directly apply it to the wet glass.
Pros:
Optimal for areas that have longer cold weather as once heat is inside, and it would not let it pass through the film.
It can cover large and wide windows with ease as it is heavier and firm than adhesive-based and can be straightened out in case it does stick together.
Cons:
It absorbs heat rather than reflect it, concentrating the heat on the window that will later on transfer to the home as well as compromise your glass durability.
Short shelf life.
Humidity and condensation affect its stickiness.
For indoor use only.
It has limited prints as designs could affect its ability to adhere on a surface.
It would not stick to rough surfaces.
