Confianza Window Tinting, Inc.

Hurricane Protection Disclaimer

Hurricane Proof Film?

I remember many years ago serving as one of the directors for the International Window Film Association and at the same time on what use to be called the "Ethics" committee, whereas we would contact certain dealers that were just too zealous in their advertising, claiming such things as Hurricane Proof, No need for shutters, there was even one guy stating bullet proof your windows, a claim I assure you he would not stand behind
(literally) and while all of this is wrong, on the other hand we have the shutters and impact windows people stating (for obvious reasons) that film and nothing is one and the same, which makes them just as wrong. So to clear up the controversy I'd like to share with you the truth of what film does and does not do:

1. Film does NOT make your home or office hurricane "proof"

Then again nothing does, you will find that there is not one company that sells shutters and/or impact glass that can tell you or better yet put in writing that once their product is installed you are now hurricane PROOF. What film does offer is tremendous protection at a very cost effective price. In fact, one of the best features on safety film is the fact that it is always on, giving the customer 24 hour protection not only against storms that are announced but those that are not, as we know so well in South Florida, while offering of course vandalism protection as a fringe benefit.

2. Film does NOT have a Metro-Dade Code Compliance number

That's right, so... especially for new construction film cannot take the place of shutters and/or impact glass. but please allow me to throw some ironies at you...
- Most film manufacturers have passed many of metro Dade protocol tests for hurricane wind and impact tests. Such as the TAS-201,202,203 which involves a plethora of impact, wind and cycling tests, in fact some manufacturers have even passed the large missile cat c which in simple lay terms involves a 4.5lb 2x4 bouncing off a regular slider at a speed of 40 ft per second, in fact again, there is a specific manufacturer that has passed a test called the ASTM-E330 at a pressure of 260psf, ladies and gentlemen that is equivalent to 322mph! (executed and recorded in a metro-dade certified laboratory) but the way the code is set up, none of this has any validity.
- Film does not have a metro dade compliance number but it is our film that was allowed in lieu of shutters by the City of Coral Gables for a luxury Condo Building called Segovia Towers, further irony is that Metro-Dade's own Courthouse Center has no shutters but our film for storm protection.
-Florida Statue even has a provision for Film involving Condos:

The board may, subject to the provisions of s. 718.3026, and the approval of a majority of voting interests of the condominium, install hurricane shutters and may maintain, repair, or replace such approved hurricane shutters, whether on or within common elements, limited common elements, units, or association property. However, where laminated glass or window film architecturally designed to function as hurricane protection which complies with the applicable building code has been installed, the board may not install hurricane shutters.

3. Film May or May NOT bring you an insurance discount:

In recent cases we have found that getting your discount or not has a lot to do with your insurance agent and/or home inspectors knowledge of what film can truly accomplish, that's why we urge you to see for yourself, ask for the manufacture's certified tests and compare it to your insurance affidavit, get your insurance agent involved and most of the times you'll find that a discount is not only deserved but a must. As we speak leaders of the window film industry are making sure that all of these issues are clarified.

4. Bottom Line... Get The Facts and Weigh your Options and Costs

My advise to you is get as much information as you can, weigh the total costs, the options and if you go with a film system make sure that an anchoring system is included, this will help in giving you an extra edge of protection, make sure the company is licensed and insured and has not only experience and proper references but more importantly the proper backing from the manufacturer.

In closing, there is still so much unsaid, for example what happens to those who live in buildings where shutters are impossible to install and impact glass cost prohibitive or the elderly that can't afford physically or financially shutters and/or impact glass or even historic buildings where shutters can be a eye sore and impact glass can be a construction nightmare, in many of these cases a security film system is not only the right solution it's the only one.

Rafael Fernandez
President -Confianza Window Tinting

Former director of the International Window Film Assoc
Former instructor for the AIA and Founder of 3M's Advisory Council for the Window Film Division.