Have you ever walked by a storefront with window film and noticed that the film was peeling and bubbling? Bubbles beneath window tint can look distracting and make it difficult to see through your windows clearly. This unsightly appearance may cause you to wonder, why does commercial window tint bubble?

On occasion, we’ll get asked this question by one of customers. They either want to know how to prevent it from happening or they’ve recently had window film installed on their New York commercial building and are wondering if the bubbles will go away. Below, we’ve discussed the matter in detail.

 

What Causes Window Tint to Bubble?

The goal with any window tint install is to make the film blend in with its surroundings. The last thing you want is to have it look like it’s separating from the glass. While there are a variety of factors that can cause window tint to bubble, here are some of the most common reasons:

 

Newly Installed

Bubbles are common for newly installed window film. Sometimes, trace amounts of primer will get left behind during the installation process. Technicians try to remove as much excess primer as possible. But it’s not always possible to make every single little bubble go away. In this case, however, it can be comforting to know that the effects are temporary. Bubbles from newly installed window film will go away on their own and will evaporate from the sun’s heat.

 

Poor Install

If bubbles randomly appear in your window film or they never go away after the initial installation, there could be another problem at hand. It’s possible that your window film was installed incorrectly or was disturbed in some way post installation. We recommend waiting at least 30 days before taking action on this matter. After the 30 day period, however, if you still see bubbles, you’ll want to call your New York commercial window tinting contractor right away. It’s possible that the film was applied incorrectly or that dirt was somehow caught beneath film during the installation process.

 

Breakdown of Adhesives

If your window film has been on your windows for quite some time and has suddenly started to bubble, it’s probably because it’s old. Sometimes, the adhesive material will breakdown as a result of exposure to heat and environmental conditions. In this case, the best option is to have the old window film removed and replaced with a new one.

Chat with an Expert

If you have any questions about why window tint bubbles or other concerns related to your window film install, please do not hesitate to reach out. New York Commercial Window Film will be happy to assist you!

Angus Faith is a window film installer with a professional background in institutional and commercial building construction and sustainable building design. After leaving his hometown in Scotland, Angus relocated to New York with his wife and family. He has been installing window film for commercial buildings in New York for over ten years and has overseen numerous projects for schools, retail buildings, office buildings, and hotels. Over the years, his training and research has allowed him to become a product expert, and gain an in-depth understanding of products from top brands like 3M, LLumar, Vista, and more. When he's not consulting on commercial window film projects, Angus enjoys spending his time visiting New York's many parks and museums and traveling abroad whenever he gets the chance.