Security window film - any experiences?
Discussion
I contacted a local company who tint windows as I was planning on putting some on the Cerb to keep prying eyes away.
I'm only talking about getting a light tint, not a full-on "small-car big-exhaust" type job.
The boss there said they are about to get in some of the security film and suggested I go for that instead as it makes it very difficult for someone to break the glass in a "smash and grab" style break-in.
I didn't ask about the cost of either type but I'm wondering is it worth considering the security one.
Do any of you have and experience of it?
I'm only talking about getting a light tint, not a full-on "small-car big-exhaust" type job.
The boss there said they are about to get in some of the security film and suggested I go for that instead as it makes it very difficult for someone to break the glass in a "smash and grab" style break-in.
I didn't ask about the cost of either type but I'm wondering is it worth considering the security one.
Do any of you have and experience of it?
FUBAR said:
My problem with it is that, God forbid you had to exit through the window in an emergency, how easy would it be to smash through to get out? Going in your insured for.
Not tried it myself but the theory is that with the film on the inside it offers good protection against the glass being broken from the outside but very little against it being broken from the inside.
I have had my last two cars (Family, not the cerb) fitted with this type of film. The only problem with this is that your insurance company do not like front door windows tinted above a certain tint. In many cases they will not allow this and it could void your insurance if you have to make a claim. Also remember that an MOT will only allow a certain grade of tint.
mjwscorpio said:
I have had my last two cars (Family, not the cerb) fitted with this type of film. The only problem with this is that your insurance company do not like front door windows tinted above a certain tint. In many cases they will not allow this and it could void your insurance if you have to make a claim. Also remember that an MOT will only allow a certain grade of tint.
Technically, the law requires 70% light transmission on window in front of the B pillar (i.e.front side & windscreen) That is why many cars can be seen with darker rear tints than front. As with many things it is not well enforced, but some police forces do equip their traf pol with a tint meter to measure the light transmissions. I guess if you are obviously taking the piss you could get pulled. Having said that I have a friend with a Cerb that has a reasonable tint on his windows (in situ when he bought it). It does look good, is obviously too dark to be legal (but not a "limo" tint) and he has run with it for about 5 years or so with no issues. I have considered doing my window to reduce cabin heat on a hot day as I have no air-con.
Security film is as previously stated, a film that prevents windows being smashed inward, but it does allow the windows to be pushed outward. In an accident it is good too, as it holds a broken window together and prevents glass flying about the cockpit. We used to fit it to the side windows of MG Rally cars here at work, for this very reason, (they ran in a production class so could not go to perspex windows)
You can get security film without any tint to it.
Jon
What sort of cost should be involved in having the tinted film fitted?
I've been quoted €200.00 (about £135.00) for the standard type and €450.00 (about £300.00) for the security type.
Is this about the normal cost?
Also, if I do go ahead and have film fitted, they will need to have the door windows in the fully-up position with the door opened to get the film cut to size.
Is there a sensor in the door that I can "fool" to allow the windows to rise?
I've been quoted €200.00 (about £135.00) for the standard type and €450.00 (about £300.00) for the security type.
Is this about the normal cost?
Also, if I do go ahead and have film fitted, they will need to have the door windows in the fully-up position with the door opened to get the film cut to size.
Is there a sensor in the door that I can "fool" to allow the windows to rise?
I put the clear security film on all the side windows of my Cosworth, there was a slight bluring when you first put it on, but after a week you don't notice any difference, apparently you find it hard to smash the windows from the outside but can smash it and get out quite easy.
I have got light tint on my Smart car, hard to see in, but no difference when you are in the car and has the window breaking security too.
I give them both top marks, bugger to fit, but i recommend you do it in a garage and have a hair dryer or hot air gun handy, it will make the job easier, oh, and allow plenty of time.
I have got light tint on my Smart car, hard to see in, but no difference when you are in the car and has the window breaking security too.
I give them both top marks, bugger to fit, but i recommend you do it in a garage and have a hair dryer or hot air gun handy, it will make the job easier, oh, and allow plenty of time.
My two bob:
I'm in the glass replacement trade and spend my day replacing windscreens, bodyglass etc. I get a fair amount of calls from people who have had their heated-rear, or side window smashed in.
Most cars have toughened glass fitted as standard. There are a few top-end Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz models that have laminated, or double-glazed side windows fitted. Even with these types of glass, if there is something in the car (or the car itself) that a thief wants badly enough, they will do their utmost to get in, often causing more damage to the door, or rest of the car.
Security film is good. But the same applies. If the glass doesn't break at the first, second or third attempt, they'll just hit it with something bigger and harder. I've seen the mess caused by concrete slabs, scissor-jacks, fire extinguishers and garden gnomes used to break through these security windows.
If you consider that the car thief of today can break into a car parked at a filling station while the owner pays at the kiosk and run off with sat-nav, lap-top, purse or shopping bag type items in about 15-seconds. They know what they're doing.
I'm not against security film (of course, you could argue that I want glass to be breaking all the time) they will slow the whole break in process and possibly even deter any thief. But as mentioned before, if there's something in your car they want, or your car is worth that much, they will do more damage trying to get in.
Just my experience.
Paul.
I'm in the glass replacement trade and spend my day replacing windscreens, bodyglass etc. I get a fair amount of calls from people who have had their heated-rear, or side window smashed in.
Most cars have toughened glass fitted as standard. There are a few top-end Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz models that have laminated, or double-glazed side windows fitted. Even with these types of glass, if there is something in the car (or the car itself) that a thief wants badly enough, they will do their utmost to get in, often causing more damage to the door, or rest of the car.
Security film is good. But the same applies. If the glass doesn't break at the first, second or third attempt, they'll just hit it with something bigger and harder. I've seen the mess caused by concrete slabs, scissor-jacks, fire extinguishers and garden gnomes used to break through these security windows.
If you consider that the car thief of today can break into a car parked at a filling station while the owner pays at the kiosk and run off with sat-nav, lap-top, purse or shopping bag type items in about 15-seconds. They know what they're doing.
I'm not against security film (of course, you could argue that I want glass to be breaking all the time) they will slow the whole break in process and possibly even deter any thief. But as mentioned before, if there's something in your car they want, or your car is worth that much, they will do more damage trying to get in.
Just my experience.
Paul.
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