How to compare security film proposals line by line
Two quotes for 'security film' can describe completely different projects. Use this checklist to make them comparable.
By Shore Tint & More editorial team · · 6 min read
Key takeaways
- Normalize every proposal to the same opening list before comparing totals.
- Name the exact film product and attachment method; 'or equal' needs defining.
- Ask which tested assembly any performance claim relies on.
- Read exclusions and warranty terms as carefully as price.
Step 1: normalize the scope
Make a single opening schedule — location, glass size, quantity, glass type if known — and ask every bidder to price against it. If one proposal omits doors or sidelites, totals are not comparable. Our project brief tool produces a starting checklist you can share.
Step 2: the comparison checklist
| Item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Film | Manufacturer, exact product name, construction (PET or polyurethane), data sheet revision |
| Glass | Has eligibility been checked against manufacturer guidelines for each glass type and size? |
| Frame | Condition noted; any repairs needed before attachment |
| Attachment | Product, which edges, bead or profile size, door details |
| Tested assembly | Which test supports any claim, and does it match this film + attachment + glass? |
| Cure | Film and sealant cure times; when the system can be relied on |
| Installation | Removal of existing film, access, hours, protection of interiors |
| Warranty | Who issues it, what it covers (film, labor, glass), registration steps |
| Exclusions | Glass breakage during install, frame repair, after-hours premiums |
Step 3: test the claims
If a proposal attaches a performance number to a product, ask for the source document. Manufacturer data sheets are careful about wording: the Ultra S800 technical specifications, for example, frames the film as helping retain fragments and delay entry, not stopping intruders. A proposal that promises more than the manufacturer does is a warning sign.
Watch for unit confusion too. 3M lists S2400 at 25 mils with adhesive (S2400 data sheet). Comparing a "with adhesive" figure against a "nominal film" figure from another product is apples to oranges.
Want a proposal written against this checklist?
Shore's assessments produce a scope that names the film, attachment and documentation.
Request an assessment →Step 4: warranty and the dealer chain
Manufacturer warranties typically depend on proper product selection and installation by a qualified installer, and some applications have specific requirements in 3M's installation guidelines. Ask who registers the warranty and get the terms in writing; don't assume a universal lifetime guarantee.
A simple scoring approach
- Disqualify proposals that cannot name the product and attachment.
- Mark each checklist item complete, partial or missing.
- Only then compare totals among proposals that are complete.
Sources
- 3M Ultra S800 Technical Specifications, Rev. G (Jan 2025)
- 3M S2400 Technical Data Sheet (Apr 2025)
- 3M Security Window Film Installation Guidelines (Jan 2025)
These guides began as AI-assisted drafts from the Shore Tint & More editorial team. Our guides explain product documentation and practical project planning. Manufacturer test claims are linked, and site-specific recommendations require an assessment. Spotted an error? Contact us for corrections.