This article will walk you through the necessary measurements and steps that you need to take care, in order to measure, cut, order and install a decorative window film. You can also use this article to get a rough idea about the installation; ordering and measurements of any other film that you’ve wanted to buy lately.
For instance, the measurement process for a decorative glass window film and a faux stainless steel film is all the same. It’s the installation that varies a little bit. Anyway, let’s take a look at what’s appended below:
The Basics of Getting the Right Film:
Okay, so you finally decided to choose a decorative film or a decal for your windows or appliances – So far so good. However, you’re not yet clear on the idea of how much film you need to buy. For any purpose, you need to be clear on the size of the area. If it’s a window film that you’re about to purchase, your top priority is to get the dimensions written down.
• The best tip, which is often overlooked by newbie installers, is the fact that they don’t add an extra inch to the dimensions. If your window, or refrigerator or any other kitchen appliance measures 20’’ in width, you should go for 21’’. An extra inch is always helpful in case of error omission or mistakes.
• If all your appliances are identical in height or width, just take one measurement into account and add it to the number of objects that need the film job.
• In case of different length, height and width dimensions, you need to take into account all the measurements of all the surfaces. From then on, divide the measurements into different groups and name the projects as “A”, “B” and “C”. This way it’ll be easy for you not to mix up anything.

How to Order the Film or Decal?
It’s the next step of the entire process. Now there are local retailers and online retailers, who have their plus and minus points. A local retailer will easily understand what you need but the guy won’t be able to get you all the stuff. Maybe the vendor doesn’t have the right type of quality, maybe he’s out of stock. If you can wait for your goods to be restocked again, it won’t be a problem.
However, if you don’t like the waiting game, you should proceed with an online retailer. The difficult thing about online retailers is the selection of right size. Plus, you also need to take into account, the fact that “Quantity” box represents the number of objects that you need to order.
• If you want a 5 Feet tall decorative window film, you will enter “1” in the Quantity section and “5” in the dimensions section (granted that the unit is in feet).
Sometimes, due to a lack of call to action, people forget about how to place the right kind of order. They need guidelines and instructions to surf a webpage in order to get with their shopping stuff. In case if embezzlement or confusion, you can call the online retailer right away to get a whiff of directions. Maybe a phone call will help you to make the retailer understand what sort of size you’re looking for.

What Kind of Tools are Generally Required?
After you have placed your order, it is time for you to get the right set of tools. Generally, faux stainless steel films, decorative window films, glass etchings and granite décor films don’t require a whole lot of tools. Chances are that you already have the following goods placed somewhere within your reach:
- A Pair of Scissors
- A Squeegee
- Spray Bottle or Color Tape
- Measuring Tape or Measuring Scale (12 Inch Preferred)
- Cleaning Detergent and a Few Pieces of Cloth

Cutting Strategy:
Okay, you finally got the film or decal at your disposal. Now it is time for you to cut it according to the size of the area where you need to get done with the final installation.
• First off, since the film probably arrived in a rolled form, you need to straighten it out.
• Place the film on a flat surface and wipe it with a piece of cloth, while applying medium pressure. Do this for both sides and keep it that way for a while.
• Now that the film isn’t coiling, curling or bending anymore, place it on the area where you need to stick it.
• Cut and extra inch in terms of length and width. Some sheets come with square or line marks on them. This is to ensure that you’re cutting them in a straight line. If your sheet or decorative film didn’t come with a line marks on it, use a scale and draw a faint line on the surface with a pencil. This way you will know where to move your scissors.

As far as the installation is concerned, you don’t need any major skills. Get someone to help you in order to apply the film without any misalignments. Once you’re done, pick up a piece of cloth and wipe the film area from center to the outside. This is to eliminate any air bubbles. If there’re small bubbles left behind, don’t squeeze them because it’ll leave nasty scratch marks on your new surface.
Just prick the bubbles with a paper pin and flatten the surface. Generally it is seen that the freshly applied decal or film appears to be hazy or cloudy. This is just a natural process and you’ll get over with it, in 5 to 6 days. The film takes time to settle in properly, which means that over the next couple of days, the haziness or cloudy effect will be there no more.
In the end, remember to clean the newly filmed window, refrigerator, counter top or bathroom doors, on frequent basis. There’s nothing like a clean surface and years of long product life.