07/25/2024
written by Alice O.
What's the difference between an adhesive film and an electrostatic film?
Significant differences in appearance, installation and use.
When it comes to decorating and protecting glass surfaces, self-adhesive and electrostatic films offer practical and aesthetic solutions.
While adhesive films use a layer of glue to adhere to surfaces, electrostatic films exploit static properties to hold themselves in place without adhesive.
This article explores the aesthetic and practical differences in detail, to help you choose the film best suited to your needs.
The look of the film
From an aesthetic point of view, adhesive and electrostatic films offer different renderings due to their composition and thickness.
Adhesive films are thinner and totally transparent: if your guests don't know you have adhesive films on your windows, they probably won't even notice.
Electrostatic films are often a little thicker and may have a slight visual texture. The clarity and sharpness of the film may be a little less than an adhesive film, although they still offer good visual quality.
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Film installation and removal
The installation of self-adhesive and electrostatic films presents significant differences in terms of process and ease of use.
Adhesive film application must be precise and meticulous. It's done withsoapy water, and the glass must be spotless. Once in place, it's difficult to reposition an adhesive film without risking loss of adhesion or leaving adhesive residues.
Removing an adhesive film can be a bit laborious, especially if you opt for a poor-quality adhesive that has been left on a window for a few years. Equip yourself with a removal solution and a glass scraper to make the job easier.
In contrast, electrostatic films are much easier to install. They exploit static properties to adhere to the surface without glue, making them easy to reposition if necessary.
Installation is quicker and simpler, as all you need to do is lightly dampen the surface withclean, clear water, then smooth the film into place with a squeegee.
What's more, they can be removed and reused without leaving a trace, making them an ideal option for tenants or temporary projects. For example, you can remove your heat-shielding film at the end of summer, store it over winter and reinstall it the following season.
Removing electrostatic film is extremely simple, because there's no glue: just pull on the film, and it comes off by itself.
The film's lifespan
Depending on the reference, our self-adhesive films have a durability of 5 to 15 years for the most resistant. Our self-adhesive films for outdoor use are designed to withstand the vagaries of the weather, even after several years.
Electrostatic films have a lifespan of around 2 years. Their shorter durability is explained by their composition, which differs from that of an adhesive film. They are also reusable, and therefore more frequently handled.
