Keith's 40+ years of being asked the same things. If your question is not here, ask us — we will answer it plainly, including when the answer is that you do not need what you were about to buy.
How much does window tinting cost in Hawaii?
Residential window film in Hawaii is priced per square foot of glass, not per window, so the cost depends on the total glass area and the film you choose. A few windows in one room is a small job; a whole house with sliding lanai doors is a much larger one. We measure and quote free of charge, and the quote is a fixed price — not an hourly rate.
How long does window film last in Hawaii?
Interior window film is a long-lived product, and manufacturers warrant it against bubbling, peeling, cracking and color change — terms vary by film, and we give you the manufacturer's own warranty document with the quote. Hawaii is harder on film than the mainland because of the UV intensity, which is exactly why the cheap films sold online fail here in two or three years — they are the same products sold into much milder climates.
Does window tinting really reduce heat?
Yes — a good spectrally selective film rejects up to 96% of the infrared radiation that carries heat, and rooms typically drop 5 to 10 degrees. The effect is largest on west and south-west facing glass in the afternoon, and on single-pane glass, which has almost no insulating value of its own. It is most noticeable the same day it is installed.
Will window film make my rooms dark?
No, not unless you want it to. Modern ceramic and spectrally selective films reject heat by targeting infrared rather than visible light, so they can cut the heat dramatically while looking close to clear from inside. Darker films exist and are cheaper, but they are not necessary for heat control and we will show you samples against your own glass before you decide.
Does window tinting block UV rays?
Quality window film blocks more than 99% of ultraviolet radiation. That is the single strongest reason to install it in Hawaii: UV is what fades hardwood floors, rugs, artwork and furniture, and it is also the part of sunlight associated with skin damage. The UV protection is the same whether the film is light or dark.
Can window film be installed on condominium windows in Hawaii?
Yes, but most condominium associations in Hawaii specify what is allowed. AOAO house rules commonly set a maximum exterior reflectance and sometimes a required shade so the building looks uniform from outside. We check the rules before quoting and provide the film's specification sheet for your board's approval.
Do you tint cars?
No. Ace Glass Tinting works on flat glass only — homes, condominiums, commercial buildings, temples and boats. We do not tint vehicles. Automotive tinting is a different trade with different film, different tools and different law, and we would rather refer you to someone who does it properly than do it badly.
How long does installation take?
Most residential jobs are finished in a single day, and many in a few hours. A whole-house installation with large sliding doors may run into a second day. Commercial buildings are scheduled floor by floor around your operating hours. The film is handleable immediately and fully cured in a few weeks depending on humidity.
Is window film installed on the inside or the outside of the glass?
On the inside, in almost every case. Interior installation protects the film from rain, salt spray and physical damage, which is why it lasts as long as it does. It also means cleaning the outside of your windows is a normal chore with no risk to the installation. Exterior film exists for specific situations and we will say so if yours is one.
Can I clean tinted windows normally?
Yes, once the film has cured. Use a soft cloth or squeegee and any ammonia-free cleaner — ordinary dish soap and water works. Avoid abrasive pads and avoid ammonia-based glass cleaners, which degrade the adhesive over time. Wait about 30 days after installation before the first clean.
Will window film crack my windows?
Not when the film is correctly matched to the glass. Thermal stress fracture is a real risk, but it comes from putting an absorbing film on glass that cannot take the extra heat — typically annealed, tinted or low-E double glazing. Checking the glazing type before specifying the film is part of the estimate, and it is one of the main reasons professional installation matters here.
Is DIY window film worth it?
For a single small window, possibly. For anything larger, the film available to consumers is not the same product, the manufacturer warranty does not apply to self-installation, and the failure modes — trapped dust, creases, edge lift, thermal cracking — are the expensive kind. In Hawaii's UV, cheap film discolours within a few years.
Do you offer safety or security film?
Yes. Safety and security film is a thicker laminate that holds glass together when it breaks rather than letting it fall as shards. In Hawaii the usual reasons are hurricane debris, ground-floor retail security, and schools or offices wanting to slow forced entry. It can be combined with solar control in a single product.
What is stone surface protection?
Stone surface protection — we install Tuff Skin — is a clear film bonded to polished stone: marble, quartzite, travertine, onyx and granite. Stone is porous and acid-sensitive, so wine, citrus, coffee and ordinary cleaning products etch and stain it permanently. The film takes that damage instead, and when it wears you replace the film rather than refinishing or replacing the stone. We install it on kitchen islands and worktops, bathroom vanities, hotel reception counters and bar tops.
Do you work on boats and yachts?
Yes. Marine window film is a regular part of our work — cabin and bridge glass on private boats through to large passenger vessels. We have done the Star of Honolulu. Marine glass takes intense reflected glare off the water and the heat load in an enclosed cabin is severe, so the performance gain is unusually large.
Which areas of Hawaii do you serve?
We serve Honolulu County and Maui County — the whole of Oahu, including Honolulu, Waikiki, Kahala, Hawaii Kai, Kailua, Kaneohe, Aiea, Pearl City, Mililani, Kapolei, Ko Olina and Ewa Beach, and Maui including Kihei, Wailea, Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kahului and Wailuku. Neighbour island work is scheduled in blocks, so ask when we are next over.
How much can window film save on air conditioning?
Savings depend on how much glass you have, which way it faces and how hard your air conditioning is working, so any single percentage figure quoted at you is marketing. What is consistent is that west-facing single-pane glass is where the saving is largest, and that the comfort difference — being able to use a room in the afternoon at all — is usually what people notice first.
Do you give free estimates?
Yes. Estimates are free and there is no obligation. For most residential jobs we can give you a firm number after a short visit to measure the glass; for commercial buildings we will walk the site with you and provide a written proposal including film specifications and warranty terms.
Is there a rebate for commercial window film in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii Energy pays $0.85 per square foot for new commercial window film and $0.43 per square foot to replace existing film, on east-, west- and south-facing windows of air-conditioned space. On a 5,000 square foot job that is $4,250 back. The programme runs to 30 June 2027 or until the funding is used, and it covers Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai and Lanai — Kauai is served by a different utility and is not eligible.
Which windows qualify for the Hawaii Energy window film rebate?
The space has to be air-conditioned and the windows must face east, west or south — north-facing glass and windows heavily shaded by buildings, trees or awnings are excluded. The glass may be clear or factory tinted, single or double pane, but reflective glass does not qualify. The film must bring the window's Solar Heat Gain Coefficient below 0.43 on a retrofit, carry at least a five-year manufacturer's warranty, and come with a one-year installer's warranty.
Can the wrong film cost me the rebate?
Yes, and this is the part that catches people out. The rebate depends on the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient falling below 0.43, which in practice rules out the lighter films. Choosing a lighter product for appearance can forfeit the entire rebate — on a 5,000 square foot job that is $4,250 lost on a single specification decision. We check the figure for your glass before quoting and we prepare the paperwork for you.