Category Archives: Energy Savings Window Tinting 2016

Comparing Window Tinting Solutions Window Film USA

Our core strategy at Window Film USA is to offer objective comparisons between the leading brands of window film and provide the best value for our clients.

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Metal Window Films:
 
 
Here we get a real taste of competitive films and their nuances in features and aesthetics that separate the primary choices.
 

Prior to metal films the industry used dyed car tint type films that would very rapidly turn purple.

Even today you will see purple film on homes and particularly businesses.  These dyed films are cheap and unsuspecting consumers will have a local tint shop or moonlighter flea bag tinter do the job.

Metallic films like this  reflective silver have been around since the 1960’s. The example above is a LLumar reflective film installed on the rear facing glass of a home in South Tampa.

They are durable, highly effective sun blockers and the adhesives generally last for decades. These films are quite economical and the leaders in silver film like LLumar, Madico and Solar Gard are well represented.

These films are installed in commercial environments and government facilities.  They are safe for insulated glass units and aside from the shiny silver look- -these films are still garnering a huge share of the market.

Neutral reflective films were developed for commercial and residential use along with bronze reflective films.

Below is LLumar Neutral 20.  Note that the silver appearance is gone and a darker reflective film now blends with the building facade.

Neutral films were arguably more pleasing aesthetically but the interior reflectivity became an issue for homeowners who wish to preserve their night views.

Dual Reflective Films:


CP Films innovated lower interior reflective films which became the foundation of VISTA Films. These films offer IG Glass safety along with outstanding performance without harming that night view. 

CP Films was later joined by Madico, Solar Gard and SunTek who also developed lower interior reflective films to meet the competitive bar that had been raised with VISTA.

Spectrally Selective Nano-ceramic films:
 

Exterior reflectivity was hardly an issue back in the 60’s and 70’s. The metallic look is linked inexorably to these decades of gleaming buildings with metal appearances.

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As luxury home developments grew and tastes changed; homeowners became adverse to having shiny films installed on their windows.

These preferences became codified with the advent of HOA’s and Deed Restrictions.

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The solution was the development of nanotechnology thin film innovation using patented ceramic coatings.

Huper Optik is the clear leader in this technology.  Their ceramic series offers incredible heat rejection without the negative reflective appearance.

There are imitators (3M has released a re-boxed single layer ceramic film which is reflective on the exterior view.  If they took these two layers and merged them together they’d have something.  Huper Optik holds that patent; so they are stuck)

No other company offers a non reflective exterior and interior film with this much performance, optical clarity and long term durability.

Our key competitor 3M offers their prestige multilayer optical film through their Home Depot network that does not match the heat rejection of Huper Ceramic 30 or the optical clarity in their adhesives that our films provide.

Call Window Film USA
Toll Free 877-575-3456
Dare To Compare!

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Fact Checking Compare 3M Window Tinting

We appreciate  the daily feedback we get from clients who are conducting their research  by comparing window film alternatives.

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“Everyone is entitled to their opinion but not their own facts.
Daniel Moynihan US Senator

There are clear films (no tint at all) that can block 97% of the heat. Do we carry this type of film?

Facts: There is no clear, or rather 70% or 80% light transmission film that can block 97% of the heat.  PERIOD.

This disinformation stems from confusing heat lamp demo’s done by 3M dealers and their representatives during home estimates or at home depot kiosks.

The demo gives “the illusion” that their film dramatically lowers the heat.  The facts present an entirely different story. 

IR blocking window films do an excellent job of factoring out the invisible IR wavelengths. Nevertheless, even if there was a film that could block 100% of the IR (and no window film does that!) the film would have to deal with the entire visible light spectrum which makes up nearly 50% of the heat from the Sun.

Ergo a 70% light transmitting film allows nearly 30% of the visible light into your home.

Darker light transmissions like a 40% or a 50% block more visible light and therefore more heat.

Darker reflective films block more visible light and less IR wavelengths but combined they block more total solar energy rejected.

The heat lamp demo and BTU reading is simply a trick.

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“OK Einstein; now that you’ve given me a headache; how do we know how much heat a window film can block?

Is their an objective resource?”

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Facts: Indeed and glad you asked!

The NFRC has created a comparison resource of tested films measured with specific criteria for several window systems.

Huper Optik, LLumar, Bekaert, Madico, Hanita, SunTek, as well as 3M films are available for your review.

Check here!
 

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3M dealers advised that their film works better when it counts; when the sun is at an angle to our windows (the real world).

When they measured the heat rejection of their prestige films (in a special test that they invented), they claim there is a unique and significant improvement over the numbers documented by the NFRC mentioned above.

Isn’t this noteworthy?

Fact: No it is not.

All window films perform in a similar fashion when tested at an angle.

This isn’t a feature of the film itself but rather the angle of incidence on the glass or the film.

Less direct heat due to the positioning of the heat source (Sun) creates this outcome.

Implying that their film has a unique advantage is inaccurate and misleading.

Beyond that it’s simply nonsense. 
 
 
Glass performs in the exact same manner at an angle to the Sun. Stating otherwise or claiming an advantage is just silly.
 

The 3M dealer advised that films like Huper Optik ceramic films corrode in humid environments like Florida

They showed us a video of an accelerated weathering test where several apparently competitive films tarnished.

The 3M sample was unaffected.

Facts: Yes; I recall that video. T

he films that were actually tested by 3M were spectrally selective silver based films (none were Huper Optik Ceramic Films because they do not corrode!)

The samples that seemed to corrode? Advanced Film Solutions does not install any of those films here in Florida.

Of course what they did not test was the dyed layer on their film that can degrade over time or the scratch resistant coating to protect the film. Our Huper Optik Film is 100% dye free!

The 3M Dealer indicated that thanks to 3M rip stop action their thinner films are much stronger than thicker 8 ML or greater security films.

I tried ripping their film and it was tougher than ripping a sample of 8 ML! Explain that!

Facts: Yes that’s another interesting demo but the real world is, once again, another matter!

There are objective tests that tell a different story.

For example LLumar, Vista, Madico, Armorcoat, SunTek  films (8 ML) have all passed ASTM 1886 4.5 Lb Missile and Cycling Tests.

The 3M 4 ML (oops they stopped making this!) and 5 ML Ultra Film do not!


I could go into detail concerning why they do not (after all I do have some 3M past experience) but suffice to say that if the thinner films could pass there would be no reason for 3M to test and pass with their thicker 6ML clear film or resell SunTek security films in 3M boxes.

I can assure you that the “3M” Affinity Films had no rip stop action.

Our local 3M dealer advised that their prestige films have a winter Low E value. Is that accurate?

Facts: No that is not accurate.

The Prestige film is a solar control film that is designed to lower the heat gain. This film does not insulate your windows during the winter.

Certainly a lighter version like Prestige 70 will let nearly 50% of the heat into your home in the winter thanks to that visible light again.

But that has nothing to do with the R value or keeping the heat inside

Here’s the deal.
 
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We base our preferences on solid fact and documented durability and aesthetics of our proposed selections.

We know the differences in optical clarity or whether the film conforms to your HOA rules or potential deed restrictions.

We certainly know which films qualify for TECO rebates (by the way no prestige film qualifies!)

We are fully insured and BBB rated A Plus
 
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We provide exact estimates and exact measurements. There are never any hidden costs or add on costs.

Before you make an uninformed choice in window film call
 
 

Toll Free : 877-575-3456

 

Comparison Huper Optik Ceramic Vs. 3M Home Depot Window Tinting

I happened by a local Home Depot store the other day since I needed to grab some safe release tape and paper towels for an installation.

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I forced myself to pass by the 3M Window Film display and a chatted with their representative.
 
 
Here’s what I heard:
 
  • 3M Prestige Film is a new product that blocks 97% of the heat.
  • It is clear and unlike any other film won’t corrode.
  • Unlike other films you can use Windex to clean the film. The other companies window film turns purple or eat through their film
  • They have a thicker version that works like invisible bars on a window. No other window film is as strong.
  • I was shown a Heat Lamp Demo and a BTU meter that demonstrated the enormous heat rejection of this incredible film.
  • 533225_378036512229826_526310225_nNo pricing was offered; I’d have to have an outside rep visit my home when both the husband and wife were available.

I smiled and walked away, which is exactly what every consumer would do if the actual facts were communicated.

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I have no doubt that this in store rep believed what he was telling me.

 
Let’s focus on the points above:
 
 
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IWFA – IR Ratings of Window Film
 
 
  • The Prestige films were launched in 2005.
    I know because I was at 3M when they were launched.  Obviously “new” is a relative concept but this new baby is heading off into 6th grade and is well out of diapers by now.

The prestige 70 blocks slightly more than 50% of the total solar energy which is a far cry from 97% (to say the very least) In point of fact their darkest version the prestige 40 does not meet the TECO rebate requirement while we have two Huper Optik versions that do!

So much for the French fry lamp!

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  • The Prestige 70 filters 30% of the visible light. A clear film would block 8%. If by clear they mean non reflective that would be correct.I will point out that Prestige has an adhesive system that is hazy and has a blue shift.

    These films present an iridescence under certain lighting conditions. 

    Concerning the corrosion issue the statement they offer is misleading.Huper cardThere are silver based films that can corrode under humid conditions. Huper Optik and Vista Films do not corrode. Further the Huper Optik and Vista Films have NO DYES .Dyes fade or migrate the color during its life cycle. No dyed films hold their color and maintain the same visible light transmission.

  • Interestingly 3M’s Prestige film has no advantage over the Huper Optik or Vista Films in regard to the use of Windex. Allow me to throw in LLumar, Solar Gard, Hanita and SunTek while I’m at it.
  • In fact the hard coat on the 3M prestige series is suspect. They have had issues with scratching and color coming off the film.
  • Concerning the strength of their ultra prestige series in independent testing (FM Global, DoD, GSA) there is no advantage over Vista, LLumar, Armorcoat, SunTek, Sun Gard or Madico.

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  • That heat lamp demo and nonsense about their film working better at angles has been a sore spot for me since 2005. 

    Every window film , as does glass, works better when the Sun hits glass at an angle rather than the industry standard perpendicular. 
    Making their claim that their film is superior is similar to bragging that their bicycle is faster when rolling down a hill.
    The BTU meter is only reading a very narrow IR wavelength and coincidentally matches the narrow wavelength that the film works its best.
     In other words you are being tricked by an  illusion of performance rather than the actual real world reality.  

    Now this isn’t just me making noise about this misrepresentation, it’s the entire industry.

  • The reaction to these IR statements has been swift and direct but you wouldn’t know that after discussing this demo at that Home Depot store would you?12442770973_e269b5ef01_z
  • I couldn’t care less about their pricing.What gets my goat is that caveat that both husband and wife have to be home for their estimate. It made me think I was watching a 1960″s sitcom.

     

    REALLY?? I have to be home so my wife can get my approval??

SERIOUSLY?

Here’s my suggestion:
 

Call Advanced Film Solutions for a comparison quotation with NFRC rated films from Vista and Huper Optik.


Toll Free 877-575-3456

compare

 

Tampa Bay, Orlando, Sarasota, Bradenton Celebrates National Window Film Day

It’s National Window Film Day and with the long hot days of summer ahead what better time to reach out to home and business owners to raise awareness of the benefits of glass tinting?

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  • Window Film saves money by lowering cooling costs by as much as 30%

  • Window Film filters 99.9% of harmful UV rays that damage skin and fade furnishings.

  • Window Film blocks glare and provides comfort.

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  • All season Low E film acts as a heat mirror winter or summer and lowers home utility costs throughout the year.

  • Thicker dual combination solar and solar security window film delays, denies and deters forced entry.

  • Window film can provide daytime privacy.

  • Decorative window film can transform glass into a work of art.

  • Window film is warranted against peeling or bubbling. These lifetime warranties are backed in writing from some of the largest coating companies in the world.

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Let’s celebrate this wonderful event by calling Advanced Film Solutions for a free estimate:

Toll Free: 877-575-3456

Tampa Home Show, Compare Advanced Window Film Solutions

We are looking forward to the excitement that home shows generates.

 

That’s why our sales team will be hosting our booth at the Tampa Convention Center, today!

Advanced Film Solutions offers the widest range of energy conserving , solar and solar security window films in Florida.

Our dynamic solutions:

  • Reduce your monthly electric bill by as much as 30%
  • Reduce glare and eliminate damaging UV rays.

  • Provide protection for home security and shatter control.
  • Provide privacy.

  • Meet all Deed Restrictions for Gated Communities.
  • NFRC rated for documented performance.

Compare our cost effective, lifetime warranted thin film technology and find out why VISTA , LLumar and Huper Optik  are the world leaders in the Window Film Industry.

 
(It’s not even close. . .!)
 

Advanced Film Solutions
Tampa-Orlando-Lakeland
877-575-3456
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