Day two of the 2025 International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ (WFCT) at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada, opened with a wide range of education sessions hosted by the International Window Film Association (IWFA).

The morning sessions highlighted IWFA’s continued push for the advancement and education of window films. One of the most pressing topics of the day centered on security film, which, while used for years, is becoming more commonplace as threat levels against institutions (schools, government buildings, etc.) increase.

Lisa Winckler, technical and advocacy consultant for IWFA

Understanding Security Film

The realities of security film are often misunderstood, sometimes with adverse results. Lisa Winckler, technical and advocacy consultant for IWFA, delves into these realities, their advantages and limitations and how to sell them ethically and accurately.

Winckler says there are seven uses of safety and security film, including:

• Human impact
• Forced entry
• Windstorm
• Blast
• Seismic
• Graffiti
• Spontaneous glass breakage

These films undergo various tests that measure tensile, break and peel strength. Testing examples include flying debris, ANSI Z97.1 for human impact, and dynamic racking for earthquakes, among others. Winckler notes that an independent, third-party lab must perform the test.

She adds that the test reports must match the type of glass in the application (tempered vs. annealed, glass thickness and number of lites) and the window type (size, framing, sealant, edge bite, etc.). The report also needs to match the bid. Furthermore, will the film go on a window or a door? The difference matters, says Winckler.

Security Film in Schools

Winckler underscores that ASTM F3561 only applies to actual glazing systems and is not applicable to applied film. She adds that IWFA is working with ASTM to develop a retrofit standard.

States such as Texas, Utah and Tennessee are pushing schools to add security film. However, the legislation in these states is convoluted, such as Tennessee’s bill, which includes a note that safety film should meet ASTM F3561 standards. As mentioned above, that’s not possible.

Role of Surface Applied Film

In an active shooter situation, Winckler says safety and security film stalls the attacker long enough for first responders to arrive. The film helps hold shattered glass in place; however, Winckler says attachment systems are recommended for best performance. She adds that security film does not stop bullets.

In addition to Winckler’s discussion on security film, IWFA hosted various sessions throughout its Education Day agenda, including discussions on how to better manage your business and the ways window film can be used as a preventative measure against skin cancer. WFCT competitions also resumed, while workshops, demonstrations, learning labs and even a charity event for Tinters for a Cause (featuring a climbing wall), occurred simultaneously on the trade show floor.

Stay tuned to Window Film magazine and social media for the latest updates from WFCT.