Tag Archives: Comparing Advanced Film Solutions -3M Home Depot

Florida Compare Advanced Film Solutions Vs. Home Depot 3M Film

We have been receiving calls requesting that we provide estimates comparing our superior VISTA and Huper Optik Ceramic window films against 3M prestige sold through the 3M home depot agent program.

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We welcome this comparison based upon the actual performance of our films that have been documented by the NFRC (3M film is also documented by the NFRC so the comparisons are exact!)

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Our optical clarity, natural and neutral colors and hues and rebate requirements are what set us apart from these films. 
 
Still consumers seem more confused than ever by these 3M home depot agents.
 

They are told that 3M film blocks 97% of the heat. This is totally untrue and highly misleading.

They are advised that the consumer can only buy this film via Home Depot.  This is untrue and while I personally could care less about non participating 3M dealers, they are walking a slippery slope when one 3M dealer falsely tells a consumer that the other 3M dealer in town can not supply the film; when they can!14540661330_5fa9b617a0_m

  • Check out the pricing??? Once you do you’ll understand why you are being told this incorrect information,

Advanced Film Solutions loves to compete and we particularly like competing against 3M and their depot agents, etc.

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We prefer educated consumers who make their buying decisions based upon fact rather than nonsense.

Consumers who appreciate value rather than hyperbole.

  • Our Huper Optik and Vista Films qualify for Tax Incentives as well as window film rebates.  The 3M prestige film does not!
  • Our Ceramic films are all available in 6 foot widths.
  • Our films are NFRC certified.
  • Our thicker 8 ML Armorcoat, Madico. LLumar and Vista Films are tested and have actually passed missile tests that 3M’s film at the depot store are too thin to pass.
  • You won’t be paying mark-ups to the local dealer or depot agents. In other words we offer a fair price for better value films!

Call Advanced Film Solutions

Toll Free 877-575-3456
Free estimates

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Tampa & Orlando Remarkable Huper Optik Window Film Out-Performs 3M Window Tinting

Success or failure in today’s competitive world has to meet extraordinary performance levels.

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Consumers are much too savvy to waste their hard earned dollars or time on gimmicks or hype about products or solutions that have nothing at all to do with what they are immediately concerned about.

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Tampa Bay and Orlando home and business owners are paying far too much to maintain a comfortable home or office.

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We won’t belabor the reasons for this outcome but let’s conclude that the heat factors here are extreme and the insulation in most homes and offices are inefficient.

Obviously if you can prevent heat (visible and invisible IR) , UV from entering a room the cooler that room will be. Replacing the glass with insulated glass or Low e windows is certainly an option. Unfortunately this is an expensive option that has a very long payback period (typically 15-20 years!)

What other options are there?

Blinds, curtains shutters are great for privacy or glare control but the heat still enter the living working space.

Window Film is the best option based on performance, durability and ROI.

No one wants a silver aluminum foil looking windows and most gated communities and HOA’s won’t let you have that under any circumstances.

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That’s where Eastman Chemical comes into play.

Eastman’s remarkable Huper Optik ceramic and spectrally selective films are the best of the best in terms of performance, ROI and aesthetics.

Advanced Film Solutions represents this remarkable window film throughout Florida with offices in Tampa Bay, Sarasota and Orlando.

Huper Optik is incomparable but consumer awareness is generally low and while Huper Optik is the buzz in window film we recognize that 3M window film may have a higher level of consumer awareness.

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Let’s compare the features, advantages and benefits of Huper Optik compared to 3M and their prestige films.

  • Huper Optik is available in more light transmissions that 3M’s limited selections. We therefore block more glare and heat.
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  • Huper Optik has no dyes in their coatings. 3M does and that affects visual clarity and long term durability.
  • Huper Optik meets TECO rebates requirements where 3M prestige does not.

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  • Huper Optik has a scratch resistant coating that out performs the 3M sr coating.
  • Huper Optik has a pleasing neutral hue where the 3M product shifts the light toward the blue.
  • Huper Optik performance is documented by the NFRC ratings which are publicly available. When we outline performance expectations we deal in fact. 3M Prestige is also documented by the NFRC but that’s where the comparison ends:a) For example 3M dealers will claim that their film blocks 97% of the heat (an outrageous claim with no substance at all)b) They claim that their films works better at angles pretending that somehow all other films are less efficient at angle or that 3M has some unique capability. This is also a bogus unsubstantiated claim. After all glass itself works better when the sun is at an angle to the glass.c) Typically 3M dealers will demo a phony BTU test using a high temperature IR french fry lamp. This illusion tricks the consumer into believing that more heat is blocked by prestige than silver reflective films.This is a trick used to pad the performance expectations. While the window film industry has cited factual counter information this ruse continues.

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Advanced Film Solutions looks forward to providing a free estimate and cost comparison between our Eastman portfolio and the limited frequently re=boxed 3M films (see their ceramic film, Affinity and exterior films)

Call Advanced Film Solutions

Toll Free 877-575-3456

 

Florida’s Huper Optik Ceramic Window Film Vs. “3M” Ceramic: The Facts

I received a phone call from a potential client who had just received an estimate from a 3M dealer.

This dealer left a quote for “their” ceramic 30 film

They pressured the client offering a 15% discount that would expire in 48 hours. (A nice customer service touch!) 


They measured her windows but did not advise her how many square feet of glass (or film) would be required.

Since this consumer paid attention in her 3rd grade math class and was relatively handy with a calculator, she was able to figure out their per square foot pricing.

Her discount time ticking away. . .

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She went online and called me.
 
 
  1. Her home has several windows that were larger than 60 inches. This client was never advised that she would have to have her windows seamed.  I gather they expected her not to notice a line coming either horizontally or vertically throughout several windows?  I guess they were figuring that they could do their best to hide the seam?20150618_103308
  2. I won’t pick on this dealer for trying hard to close the deal with that 48 hour nonsense. 

    (I’d bet a jelly doughnut that if she called them back and told them she had a better price from me, with a better film (Huper Optik ) they might reconsider and possibly extend that 48 hours while simultaneously reducing their price.)

  3. I explained that this “3M” ceramic film is actually manufactured by another company that re-sells the ceramic material to 3M. That several other companies offer the exact same performance as this re-boxed material.
  4. I explained that Huper Optik has a patent. This is critically important because it explains why they are unique and the advantages consumers receive are unique!bgThis patent protects their process of multilayered composition. This reduces the interior and exterior reflectivity compared to these resellers of the older process. The advantage is significant as can be confirmed by the NFRC.Select-Series-and-Ceramic-Series-Window-Films-Huper-Optik-USA-L-Sweets-582559
  5. I explained that Huper Optik makes their film in 6 feet widths so there would never be a seam.935846_535432406513451_584761908_n
  6. I explained that the Huper Optik optional glass breakage and seal failure warranty covered $2000 per window. I may be in error, but my understanding is that the 3M cap per window is $500.
  7. I explained that my price was better than their estimate despite the numerous advantages the Huper Optik film has over this repackaged single layer film.

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  8. I pointed out the irony of their marketing materials that state that this ceramic film “is the only ceramic that is worthy of the 3M name.”  You might almost get tricked into believing they had anything to do with making this film. Nice try!
  9. I suggested that she consider comparing my Huper Optik to their Prestige film. It’s at least a better fight and 3M actually makes that one!10007413_731450313555109_2027544993_n
  10. I explained that our price would hold for as long as she needed to make a proper decision. I would immediately send her samples and provide data points to affirm these facts. I also mentioned that our ceramic film in the20% light transmission and the 35% version meet TECO rebate requirements. Theirs  (I mean “their” re-boxed film does not!)

It’s really not a fair fight.

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The Huper Optik patent provides the vehicle for manufacturing a superior film in every measurable and quantifiable comparison.

If you have a quote for this outdated technology call Advanced Film Solutions or Window Film USA

Toll Free 877-575-3456

The Only Ceramic Film Worthy Of Being Installed On Your Glass! 

Huper Optik

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Compare Huper Optik Vs. 3M Prestige Window Film Tampa Bay, Orlando & Sarasota

 Advanced Film Solutions is Tampa and Orlando’s preferred Huper Optik and Vista solar and solar security film installation company.

We have completed more than 18,000 installations since 2007 and nothing makes us happier than winning in a direct side-by-side comparison to 3M Prestige Film.

Let’s just say that when a prospective client does their research and gathers facts over baloney; we win the day.

Today’s installation is a case in point.


Our client wanted a superior heat rejecting film that would meet a very strict deed requirement forbidding the use of reflective films.

Many homeowners face this deed restriction in gated communities throughout the state of Florida.

Performance was also a requirement. No cheap dyed films would do for this discerning client.

The direct comparison came down to 3M Prestige Film versus our Huper Optik Ceramic Films.

 
 
 
  • Our Huper Optik Ceramic Films are available in darker light transmissions 

  • Huper Optik has a durable scratch coating and easily observed superior optical clarity. Side by side comparisons will always win the day for Huper Optik!
  • Huper Optik is dye free.
  • Huper Optik presents a natural light rather than a blue light shift easily seen in the 3M prestige films.
  • Huper Optik is less reflective than glass and easily meets all deed restrictions.
  • We dealt with NFRC factual heat rejecting specifications.

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  • We explained the 3M bogus BTU charade and foolish on angle performance nonsense!

  • We were probably at a better price but frankly we never asked!

Call Advanced Film Solutions today for a free estimate.

The better choice and easily the smarter choice!

Toll Free: 877-575-3456

 

Window Film Comparisons 3M Vs. Eastman LLumar, Vista Tampa Bay, Orlando

Let’s review the latest comparisons between the Eastman Chemical window film portfolio compared against the 3M Window Film solutions.

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Advanced Film Solutions is the regions leading installation company for energy control and safety window film.

We have a history of excellence noted by winning the Super Service Award from Angie’s List for 8 consecutive years as well as an A Plus Rating from the Better Business Bureau.

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Our family owned business was founded in early 2007 by the former National Sales Manager of 3M Window Film after retiring from 3M after 33 years.

Today’s focus is on flat glass comparisons (homes and offices) directed to the residential and commercial marketplace.

Background:

Clearly consumers and commercial interests are familiar with the 3M brand name and more than likely are also familiar with the Eastman brand given their association with Eastman Kodak

The world leader in window film sales is Eastman Chemical and their brands Vista, EnerLogic, LLumar and Huper Optik are the best selling films in the world.

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Today’s flat glass films are certified for their performance by the NFRC.

This quasi governmental agency quantifies window film performance based on objective test criteria and documented performance by independent testing laboratories for various window systems.

NFRC Eastman CP, Southwall

NFRC 3M

 

The incredible superiority of the Eastman portfolio in terms of choices, light transmissions, security film alternatives and performance is nearly a 10:1 ratio.

For home and business owners this equates to better choices that match our clients requirements.

One size does not fit all.

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For example we offer silver security films for daytime security and privacy. We have light transmissions for security films in a neutral 20, 35, 50 and 40.  Our dual reflective films are available in a 28% and 38%.

3M dealers expect clients to pay for a dual application of security topped off with a second layer of silver solar film. That is totally ridiculous in 2015!

Here is a detailed comparison of shatter glazing film Eastman vs. 3M

Bronze films?  3M has no options.

One Way Vision privacy films?

3M has nothing

Low E All weather films. 3M continues to market a 35 year old film because they assume consumers won’t research alternative solutions before they contract with their 3M dealers.

3M dealers focus on lighter less energy efficient prestige films given the paucity of their basic solar and solar security film alternatives.

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Their 17 year old prestige films are only available in a light 40% transmission or lighter. Their darker 20% would not be applied to dual pane glass because of the heat absorption and thermal failure that would be experienced.

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Their unsupported nonsensical claims that their film somehow works better at angles or their french fry lamp demo using a rigged BTU meter won’t help consumers keep cooler in the summer.

Their claims sound impressive until their film is installed on glass.

Advanced Film Solutions perhaps better than any company in Florida recognizes the halo effect of 3M’s branding strategy.

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Call our experts for a feature benefit analysis fact versus hype.

Reality versus perception.

Toll free: 877-575-3456

ADVANCED FILM SOLUTIONS

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