One of the best solutions to reducing energy cost is to apply window film, especially with a home or office that has a lot of windows.
Window film, when applied, will reduce heat and subsequently result in energy savings. The cost of window film application will inevitably pay for itself.
Window film also prevents fading and damage to your flooring, walls, furniture, and art by blocking 99% of harmful ultraviolet rays.
Film will also reduce glare on surrounding areas as well as your computer screen, reducing any discomfort.
Window film, vis-à-vis blinds, and curtains will not obstruct your view and will give a cleaner look to your building or home. This will immediately create a cooler and more pleasant environment.
Every year hundreds of thousands of people are injured, maimed or killed by lethal shards of flying or falling glass. Many events can cause glass to break unexpectedly, resulting in potentially thousands of dagger-like projectiles. Unfortunately, many glass breakage events are not predictable, such as in an earthquake or terrorist bomb.
When applying window film, aside from the benefits of UV protection, reduced heat, aesthetics, minimal glare and energy savings, film also prevents glass from shattering into many pieces and flying dangerously through the air causing bodily harm and property damage. in the event of a break-in, storms, earthquakes or explosions, film will hold the glass in place.
The application of safety film to these windows will reduce damage to property and injuries to people. Because the polyester film has a high degree of elasticity, it is resistant to such breakage.
Many windows are broken as a result of smash and grab or other types of burglary. The use of safety window film on regular glazed windows can help delay, and in some cases may entirely prevent entry into the premises.
Explosions, whether intentional or accidental, creates a shock wave which almost always breaks glass even from miles away, depending on the size of the shock wave. This shock wave, with sufficient velocity, can turn the broken pieces of glass into extremely lethal dagger-like missiles. There are other problems related to glass breakage and explosives. To begin with, if the glass is close to the origin of the explosion, and sufficient explosive is used, the glass is atomized. The shock wave causes the oxygen to be knocked out of the person, and they resultantly gasp for air, they suck in atomized particles of glass. This often results in death several days later.
Another factor that is problematical to treating glass injuries is when glass penetrates the body. The blast assumes the color of the bodily organs, making it extremely difficult to see. Moreover, the glass particles do not show up in x-rays, making it very difficulty for emergency room physicians to immediately find the glass inside the body cavity. Safety film has the ability to stretch without tearing, thus absorbing the shock wave.
Safety window film is comprised of either optically clear, tinted or reflective layers of polyester film with a thickness ranging from 4 mil to 15 mil.
Frosted or opaque window film gives offices and conference rooms a sense of privacy while letting in most of the light. The cost of applying frosted film is a fraction of the cost of having the glass sandblasted. The opaqueness and patterns of frosted film are limitless.
Superior Window Film can apply the frosted film to the whole door or glass or by applying bands of film leaving more light to the interior of the rooms. Superior can also manufacture and apply your own custom design. Once an office has frosted or opaque film, especially with a pattern, it will elevate the look and give it a better appearance.
Opaque or privacy films will also deter people from looking into rooms or computer screens protecting data or ideas.
Privacy films come in many colors, patterns, and designs so your office can look like it has a custom feel.
Superior can also provide film that can also serve as a whiteboard.
For your residence, an opaque film can be applied to bathroom windows or any room that requires privacy.
Storefront glass windows are usual targets for graffiti vandals/artists. By applying anti graffiti film, when the film is scratched or tagged, it is a simple procedure to replace the film, leaving the glass untouched.
Cost of replacing film is only a fraction of the cost of replacing glass and does not interrupt business operations.
Other possible uses of anti graffiti film are inside elevators, trains/bus windows, and any other smooth surface that has been tagged or will have the possibility of being damaged.
To avoid people walking into glass partitions, Superior can apply distraction markers on the glass. Again, the size and design of the distraction markers are numerous and can also be custom made. These can prevent potential harm to a person or property in the event that the force is strong enough to break or shatter the glass.
Superior can provide the client with custom decorative film. This can come in many colors, patterns, or designs. Once applied, this will give the space an identity unique to the business.
Even when employees come and work in an environment that looks sophisticated and clean, productivity and creativity can improve.
Superior has the knowledge to design and install architectural graphics. The variety of designs is limitless and can mimic etched or sandblasted glass. The result of using film versus actual sandblasted glass is just a fraction of the cost.
Application for graphics are usually for interior glass in offices, usually conference rooms, as well as reveals on residential frontages.
Business logos and text can also be made using frosted, opaque, translucent and one-way mirror via computer technology.
Superior has also installed window film to skylights. The film that is applied is on the darker shade and can substantially reduce glare and cut up to 81% of heat inside, as well as reject 99.9% of UV rays. Installation can be done on the interior as well as the exterior of skylights. The film usually applied is clear or with a faint tint to reduce the brightness and glare inside as well as for UV protection. Film will have a shorter lifespan when installed on the exterior. Sealant is also applied for exterior installations due to the accumulation of moisture from rain and humidity.
RESIDENTIAL
Homeowners, ask yourself,
- Do you have trouble sitting next to windows at certain times of day?
- Do you need to keep your draperies or blinds closed to protect your furnishings?
- Is your home hot on one side and cold on the other?
- Do you have to look at your view through blinds because its too bright or do you have to close your draperies or blinds to watch television?
- Did you notice that your draperies and furnishings are fading?
- Are you wary of UV radiation and its impact on skin cancer?
As glass is increasingly used in American homes, more and more homeowners are turning to professionally installed solar control window film to help guard against fading, to reduce the sun's glare and for energy savings.
Consumers have become increasingly aware of the sophisticated window films that are available and the attributes they offer. Window films are environmentally friendly. They save energy. They help protect furnishings and art from fading and help eliminate glare and hot spots. Finally, they allow homeowners to make optimum use of outdoor views afforded by modern spacious windows.
Consumers usually associate window film to car applications which is usually dark and believe this to be the same appearance in their homes.
Today's new product technologies and superior installation techniques however, permit solar control window film that is virtually invisible. In addition, window film provides users with valuable benefits that include:
- energy savings which results in reduction of energy costs
- virtual elimination of the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays
- protection from the premature fading of furnishings
- prevention of heat buildup and the harsh glare associated with uncontrolled sunlight
- prevention of interior heat loss during winter
Residential customers like the comfort window film gives by letting the light in while keeping excessive heat out. They can enjoy an unobstructed view while protecting their interiors from excessive heat and ultraviolet light. With window film, there is hardly ever a time of day when your room is too hot or too bright to sit in. The improved temperature balance means greater comfort and enjoyment of the windows designed into the home. And window films are available in desirable neutral shades.
Fading of fabrics and other furnishings are caused by the following factors:
- Ultraviolet light ( 40% )
- Visible light ( 25% )
- Heat and humidity ( 25% )
- Others ( 10 % )
Installed window film on glass will reject 99.9% of solar ultraviolet light. Window film also can reject up to 78% of the sun's heat and anywhere between 5% to 93% of visible light. These benefits will have a great impact on fading.
Most recent studies have linked exposure to UV rays to premature aging of the skin, skin cancers and photosensitive diseases.
For a small investment, you can protect one of the biggest investments - your home and its furnishings.
COMMERCIAL
Today's commercial buildings utilize more glass than ever before. As attractive as these buildings are, owners and managers are increasingly concerned about some of the side effects. These range from excessive glare, heat build-up, high energy costs, rapid fading of carpets, interiors and furniture, and the damage to people and property in the event of glass breakage.
The solution to these problems is the application of window film.
Glass windows are notorious as energy wasters, and architects and design professionals can justify their extensive use only by incorporating some degree of solar protection. Double and triple pane windows help, but will not be as effective as window film, despite their much higher cost.
On a commercial building, the building owner will stand to save considerable amounts of money on heating and cooling utility bills by applying window film. This happens because window film blocks out heat from the sun during summer months and reradiates interior heat in winter thus reducing a building's solar load.
Window film protects and extends the life of expensive office furniture, carpeting, artwork and other interiors by blocking over 99% of harmful ultraviolet ( UV ) light. Should the glass break for any reason, window film will also keep the window intact thus preventing any downtime and damage.
Window film also is an excellent method of improving the exterior appearance of your building. It will also mask inconsistencies in the windows of your building, making the exterior much more uniform in appearance. For retrofit projects, where not all windows have film, we can also match whatever film is existing for untinted windows.
Other benefits include reduced glare throughout the interior of the office thus improving the comfort levels of the occupants.
At the end of the day, the owner has saved money, improved the tenants' comfort level, increased the life of the contents of the building, and improved the safety of its occupants.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES
To assist you in selecting the correct type of window film, our manufacturer, CPFilms has a comprehensive computerized energy analysis program, DOE-based, that factors in all data that affects a buildings project such as climactic region, exposure, size, type of HVAC, window area and energy costs. They also have energy engineers and technical staff available to support your needs.
The United States Department of Energy recognizes the energy savings of window film application. P,G&E offers a substantial one time rebate based on energy conservation for commercial applications. Superior will assist you in securing all the necessary forms and documentation required to secure your rebate.