The Use of Structural Silicone Sealant for Film Attachment on Tempered Glass
There are 3 common glass types :
- Annealed Glass - Common in homes. Annealed glass is easily
broken into irregularly shaped fragments. The laminate is applied to the annealed
glass with a 1/8” gap between window frame and edge of laminate. This
allows for expansion in heat and to power squeegee out the slip agent used
during installation.
- Double Pane Glass - We recommend only clear laminates for
double pane glass due to heat build-up with the tinted films. The laminate
is applied to the inside pane of the glass inside your home or business.
- Tempered Glass - Tempered glass in the type of glass commonly
in automobiles, many commercial properties and sliding glass doors. Tempered
glass is much stronger than annealed glass. If you are applying window security
film to tempered glass, you must anchor the laminate / security film to the
window frame or door frame. We recommend DOW 995 Structural Sealant to anchor
the security film to the window’s frame. The window security film is
applied to glass leaving a 1/8” gap between the window frame and edge
of the laminate. Apply the DOW 995 caulk bead overlapping the window laminate
and window frame, so that the caulk creates a seal between the laminate and
window frame. Use only the DOW 995 and not other common window caulks. We
carry DOW 995 in both Black and White for the best possible color match to
your window or door frame.
The image below illustrates how to properly caulk various frame types with DOW 995 Structural Silicone:
A: The sealant bite onto the attached film. To assure sealant
adhesion and application a minimum sealant bite of ¼ inch is required
for any sealant cap beading application.
Note there is generally a slight gap (less than 1/8”) between the edge
of the film and the frame to allow for proper installation and squeegee out
of the film adhesive.
B: Gasket or glazing channel interior thickness. This is the
distance between the inside of the glass to the framing member. Generally this
distance is approximately ¼” depending upon the type of glazing
system
C: Sealant applied onto the framing member (window or door
frame). To assure sealant adhesion and application a minimum sealant bite of
¼ inch is required for any sealant cap beading application.
Application Tips:
- Avoid a concave joint surface
- Avoid leaving the film too short of the edge on laminate or frame
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