Very cool video from Corning about the future possibilities of glass.
Window Film Handler
January 18th, 2011 by windowfilm No comments »What is a Film Handler?
To start with, a Window Film Handler is a professional tool used by window film installers. If you’re a DIY’er installing some window film on a few window on your home to add privacy or lower your utility bills then this tool isn’t really for you. However, if you’re a professional installing large flat glass/commercial window film jobs then you may need a film handler.
Film Handler’s will help you minimize waste, improve efficiency and make more money. This slitter makes precise horizontal and vertical cuts on rolls up to 60″ in width, and there’s also a 72″ film handler available. You can easily mount the film handler on a wall or ladder in your shop, keeping film clean and off the shop floor. Many installers take their film handlers on location, just load it in your truck and leave a lasting professional impression with your clients.
The precision cuts of the film handler help to minimize waste. Have a window that is 57″ x 36″ – you can cut off 37″ of film while it is automatically slit to 57″. Speed up your installation on large flat glass jobs and save money. Most installers can re-coup the costs of a film handler in a few months because of the time and film they save.
Add Safety Film to Bedroom Windows in case of Earthquake damage.
January 3rd, 2011 by windowfilm No comments »There are many ways to protect you and your family from earthquake damage, but a customer this week called asking for a simple solution to help keep her children safe. Safety Window Film was the answer! In her area in California only small earthquakes are common, but still can cause damage from falling objects and most commonly from broken windows. Her child’s bedroom has a few windows and one of them is close to their bed so the mother’s concern was broken glass harming their child during a mild earthquake.
Earthquakes hit the US every year and luckily most of them are not felt. In southern California there are around 10,000 earthquakes every year, again with most of them not really being felt. When a large earthquake does hit anywhere in the country the damage can be significant costing millions of dollars in property damage and worse yet killing and injuring thousands.
Safety Window Film when applied to glass windows will help hold the glass together if the window is broken. For most windows this works perfectly, but for bedroom windows I recommended she installed our Security Film which is thicker and will even protect her children from the broken window if an object is thrown at the window. She installed some safety window film in their bathroom and kitchen windows, while using Security Window Film in their bedrooms to help protect from broken glass during a mild earthquake.
Royal Caribbean Cuts Fuel Use with Window Film
September 21st, 2010 by windowfilm No comments »MIAMI, FL — Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited (RCL), the world’s second largest cruise operator, has cut fuel consumption by about 4 percent with better designed ships, smarter sailing practices and energy efficiency measures that include installing solar window film in every ship in the fleet.
Aboard a ship, fuel is used not only to propel the vessel, which accounts for about 60 percent of consumption, it also goes toward HVAC (about 11 percent), hotel and lodging related purposes (about 16 percent) and auxiliary engines (about 13 percent), RCL said.
RCL cut down on energy consumption by:
- Replacing older fresh water manufacturing systems on all ships with newer, higher-efficiency systems that provide the same amount of water for about 35 percent of the electricity consumption.
- Replacing halogen and incandescent bulbs with LEDs and CFLs
- Installing solar film on all windows in all ships to reduce heat and thereby lessen the need for air conditioning
If one of the world’s largest cruise line can use solar film to reduce fuel consumption, what can it do for your house?
Adding Solar Window Film to Low-E Glass
August 4th, 2010 by windowfilm 5 comments »Adding Solar Window Film to Already Energy Efficient Windows (low-e coated glass) can be a tough decision…
If you have newer windows on your home, they most likely are very energy efficient and have a low-e coating on the glass. This makes the glass considered to be “tinted” with this low-e coating. So why would you add window film on top of this? Would it really benefit you? The answer is yes!
When your goal is to save money and lower your energy bills during the hot summer months, the key to doing this is be lowering solar heat gain, UV and of course: lower heat. Window Film is extremely effective at reducing solar heat gain and protecting against UV – even when installed on low-e glass!
The original purpose of low-e coatings were to retain room heat – not to reject/stop solar heat gain from the sun and the exterior. Window film however will reduce solar hear can far more effectively then many low-e windows and therefore reduce your home cooling costs during the summer. Even more important is that window film does not negate or reduce the applied low-e coating’s ability to insulate the home against heat loss during the winter – in fact solar control film will actually improve its ability as most solar control window film are more “low-e” then the low-e glass itself!
Unlike Low-E glass, window film also offers home owners solutions to many problems including: glare reduction, adding safety, blocking 99% of UV rays and more! All of this while not preventing the home owner from being able to see out. I’d like to see your curtains do that!
Remember: Window Films block 99% of UV rays (the main cause of fading), reduce glare, and improve daytime privacy!
Adding Window Film Inside a Shower
July 30th, 2010 by windowfilm 2 comments »If you’re thinking of installing a privacy window film to a window you may have inside or very near your shower or bathtub – you must read this first!
When installing privacy film into a moisture rich area such as a shower or small bathroom that has no exhaust fan, make sure you install an adhesive based window film. Cling-on window film is very susceptible to moisture damage and can easily fall off the glass. The same concerns apply to adhesive based window films, but the adhesive creates a semi-permanent bond between the glass and the film and greatly reduces the possibility of future issues.
Now that you’ve installed your decorative window film, here is the most important tip you will ever find when it comes to installing window film in a moisture rich area: Put a small bead of clear silicone around the edges of the window film! (I recommend DOW Brand, which you can get at Lowe’s). As simple as it sounds it will create a water tight seal around the film and prevent water from getting behind the film and causing all sorts of problems.
My final tip on installing window film inside a shower or moisture rich area: exhaust fan. If no fan is installed, you may need one if you are seeing mold build up on your ceiling…look up! At the minimum try to open a window to let steam release.
All these tips together should lead to a successful installation and long life of window film on a window inside your shower/bathroom.
10 Uses for Decorative Window Film – Part 2
July 23rd, 2010 by windowfilm No comments »Here are the final 5 uses for decorative window film. If you have more ideas – feel free to comment!
6 – Create a Stained Glass Masterpiece: Adding stained glass window film can turn a plain window into a brilliant masterpiece, for very little cost compared to installing or making stained glass yourself. If you do not like the traditional patterns available, get creative using colored window film and make your own customer pattern!
7 – Block Out Light: Some people simply need to block out light. Whether the room requires 100% vision blocked out, or someone needs to sleep while the sun is up Black Out Window Film will defiantly do the job. Sometimes curtains just don’t do the job, or in kids rooms they keep being pulled down off the windows. Black Out blocks 100% of vision and light. Quick note: don’t use this film on double paned windows though!
8 – Enhance the Appearance of a Shower Door: Adding window film to a shower door is more popular then you think. Weather the door needs privacy added, or soap scum needs to be hidden for when guests are over, adding a decorative window film such as Clear Rippled Glass or Ice Frost will get the job done. Make sure there is an exhaust fan in the bathroom, and to avoid getting water directly on the window film you installed make sure it goes on the outside of the shower door glass.
9 – Add Bathroom Privacy: Since we’re talking about bathroom windows, we need to address the clear bathroom window that curtains just simply won’t work on. If the window is over your bathtub, or curtains block out too much light, adding some privacy window film will solve this problem. They allow for maximum light to come through the bathroom window, while obscuring vision and adding privacy to your home window. Privacy window film can be installed on window in the shower area, but we’d recommend putting a bead of clear silicon around the edges of the film after installation. This will prevent water from getting behind the window film and pulling it away from the glass.
10 – Frost Your Glass: Frosted windows are being added by home architects and interior designers more then ever before. The need for added privacy and the modern look of frosted glass on home windows and office partitions and doors is definitely in style. Use frosted window film on home windows to update the look, or simply block an eye sore.
How is Safety Film Created?
July 16th, 2010 by windowfilm 1 comment »Clear safety film has a single or multiple layers of clear polyester laminated together in a variety of ways. Safety films generally have a pressure sensitive adhesive system that allows the films to be laminated to the glass and most are available in regular and scratch resistant surfaces.
Tinted safety films come in gray, bronze, nichrome and neutral colors allowing varying visible light transmission.
Reflective safety films are metalized and consist of several layers of film laminated together.
Solamatrix Introduces New Charcoal Series Automotive Window Film
July 6th, 2010 by windowfilm 1 comment »St. Petersburg, FL, July 5, 2010: Solamatrix, Inc. introduces their new Charcoal Automotive Window Film Series. Charcoal is the latest addition to the popular Sun-Gard Automotive Window Film line. It is a 1.5 mil premium-grade film that is offered in both high-performance and non-reflective options. HP Charcoal offers superior heat rejection and is available in 5 shades – 4, 15, 22, 32, and 38% VLT (visible light transmission.) NR Charcoal will not cause any signal disruption to GPS or keyless entry systems and is available in 5, 20, 35, 55, and 70% VLT shades. Both Charcoal lines offer excellent conformity for faster installations and are backed by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.
“We believe Charcoal is the perfect window film series on the market to meet any consumer need. It has a very attractive color that will match most factory tint. With both high-performance and non-reflective options plus such a wide VLT range, a dealer can truly satisfy any customer need,” says Bill Stewart, Solamatrix North American sales and operations manager. Charcoal is now offered through the Solamatrix global distribution network. For more information or to purchase the film in the US, call 888-887-2022; internationally, call 727-327-2544. To find an authorized Charcoal distributor, visit our website at www.solamatrix.com or www.couragedistributing.com Solamatrix, Inc. manufactures and globally markets a comprehensive family of solar control, safety and security window films for motor vehicles, homes and commercial property including the popular Sun-Gard® and Glass-Gard® brands.
