Author Archives: advancedfilmfl

Florida Commercial Window Film, Window Tinting Contracting Installers

Advanced Film Solutions installation teams have completed more than 34,000 projects since we launched the company in 2007.

Our team delivers expert installation of solar, privacy, graphics and security glazing film throughout the state of Florida and the  Southeast USA.

Glass Security Impact Coatings:

Our completed projects include supermarket chain and retail stores for loss prevention and asset protection.

These clear and tinted NFRC rated security coatings include thicker shatter retention films manufactured by:

  • LLumar and Vista Film
  • Armorcoat
  • Madico
  • Johnson
  • SunTek
  • Avery-Dennison
  • Geoshield
  • Huper Optik


All installations have been 8ML or thicker coatings typically installed with an attachment system.

Solar control and privacy coatings are designed to reduce energy costs and eliminate UV. 

These films dramatically offset cooling costs and qualify for LEEDS points as part of a sustainable energy efficient building climate program.

Advanced Film Solutions is fully insured and has earned a solid reputation for on time installations meeting and exceeding the project’s scope.

We have earned the Super Service Award from Angie’s List for the last 10 years consecutively.

 

Get a free estimate by calling our offices toll free at 877-575-3456

Advanced Film Solutions


Florida Commercial Window Film

Patented Huper Optik Ceramic Films Vs. Generic Ceramic

There may be no better example of the “murkiness” of the window film industry than the  ceramic window film landscape.

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Let me clarify this for consumers doing their research.

The technology that we describe as ceramic was developed by Southwall Technology.

This innovative company has recently been acquired by Eastman Performance Films, the world leader in window film sales and technology.

Southwall developed this film to provide unique durability with extremely effective total solar heat rejection. The benefits for the consumer in selecting this technology is the film’s ability to factor out significant levels of heat without a metallic reflective appearance.

This is ideal for deed restricted communities that prohibit the use of shiny window film or historic buildings and retail stores where aesthetic appearance and curb appeal are vital considerations.

The unique, patented ceramic solution is marketed under the brand name Huper Optik

For clarification purposes the patent covers the multi-layered composition of the film.

All competitive generic ceramic films are single layered and fall short of Huper Optik in several critical factors:

  • Huper Optik has less interior and exterior reflectivity than the generic films.
  • Huper Optik is available in more light transmissions than the generic films.
  • Huper Optik factors out more total solar energy than the generic films.
  • Huper Optik is available in wider widths than the generic single-layered films.
  • Huper Optik is available in more light transmissions including a 20,30,40,50,60 and 70% light transmission. More choices equates to customized solutions.

These generic ceramic films are available from various companies.

Many represent themselves as manufacturers (they may manufacture their own films using different technology but not this ceramic single layer film) or private label distributors marketing this film under their own brand name.

The salient fact is that they all re-box a single layered ceramic film made by one company that uses the older equipment that had been previously contracted by Huper Optik

When Huper Optik elected to upgrade their own processes and move to Germany they produced wider width films.  The single layered producer could not infringe on the Huper Optik patent.

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From a material value perspective ceramic films sold by Johnson Window Film, Geoshield, 3M Ceramic Film and Madico MAC Series (there are others sold under lesser known private labels) that are the exact same single layered film.

Now you wouldn’t know that if you peruse the marketing literature produced by these re-boxers.

Our 3M competition goes a giant one step further than the rest in promoting “their” ceramic film product which a consumer might find interesting.

They misdirect (in my opinion) consumers by highlighting that they make their own polyester and adhesives.

That’s wonderful.

Unfortunately since they did not make this ceramic film that ability is irrelevant when marketing this particular single layered ceramic film.

Take a gander at these statements:

“the only ceramic film worthy of the 3M name”

Yet they don’t make a stitch of this film!

“Using nanotechnology we’ve created ceramics so fine they are not only invisible to the naked eye they are imperceptible with an ordinary microscope. These ceramics allow us to create a film that is tough, won’t corrode and is so clear your view will remain beautiful”

This may be true in principle but that statement is not applicable to this film, since they did not make it!

“3M not only invented window film, it single-handedly developed many of the major window film innovations over the past four decades.”

Its debatable that 3M  invented window film (they did not!) but the implication is clearly suggesting that 3M “innovated” this film. Since they did not, their misleading statement is unfortunate.

Let’s suppose an ordinary consumer (YOU?) were shopping for a ceramic window film.  They did their research and received several quotations.

Would any of these points clarified above make a material difference in weighing a decision?

You decide!

Advanced Film Solutions proudly installs patented Huper Optik Ceramic Films manufactured by Eastman Performance Films. NFRC certified!

Fact Over Illusion

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Toll Free 877-575-3456

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Window Tinting Comparisons Huper Optik Vs. 3M Prestige

 
 
At the risk of beating a dead horse let us march into the breach yet again…
 

Now and again we still run into 3M Window Film proposals either directly from a 3M dealer or through their Home Depot  or window genie furnished sales program.

You might think that an “apples to apples” comparison between 3M Prestige Films and our Vista, Huper Optik would be a simple task.

We instead find ourselves competing against illusions, confusion and hyperbole. 

Realistically the average consumer has no idea what features relating to performance and aesthetics are critical to compare.

  • They have heard of 3M. They assume they make the best window film.
  • They assume that the Prestige Film works better at an angle because the dealer told them it will.

  • They assume that the Prestige Film blocks 97% of the heat or IR because the dealer told them so.
 

We’ll combat the halo effect of 3M’s good will, based on their many fine products, to point out that Eastman Chemical is the world leader in window film sales, technology and market share.

Their Vista, Llumar, Gila, Huper Optik, V-Kool and SunTek brands are the leaders in their category.

You might assume that 3M makes the best window film but that is an incorrect assumption.

“Best” of course, is a nebulous term. Many of the films that the 3M dealer presented are not made by 3M.

“Their” ceramic series (for example) is a notable example of a film being repackaged by 3M.

In terms of performance, optical clarity, NFRC ratings, durability and aesthetics our Huper Optik Films win hands down.

  • Works better at an angle? 

    This is almost too silly to debate.Factually all

    window films and glass itself work better when the angle of incidence is acute rather than perpendicular.  It’s akin to saying that biking down a mountain is easier than biking up the mountain! 

  • 97% Heat or IR rejection? 

    I won’t belabor the point.  The Prestige films does a good job of factoring out IR wavelengths as does Huper Optik.IR represents a bit less than 50% of what comprises heat. The remaining approximate 50% is determined by the visible light transmitted through the glass.

  • The window film industry has attempted to educate the consumer market through white papers and advisories that highlight this function of IR.  Notably the NFRC ratings provide a documented lab tested performance rating that encompasses the actual total heat rejection for our films and 3M Prestige Films.
  • Windex? 

    That’s another misrepresentation and the fact that we heard this statement just today reminds me of the silliness of sales-speak.  The 3M Prestige Film has no demonstrable or quantifiable advantage over any Eastman film in terms of abrasion resistance.It is recommended to avoid ammonia but our Huper Optik, Vista and LLumar are equal and in many cases superior to the prestige series, in particular.

    More importantly the color and shade of the Huper Optik is built throughout the film rather than the top layer in Prestige.

    Unlike Prestige there is absolutely no dyes in our Huper Optik.

 
 
 
Toll Free: 877-575-3456
 

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Advanced Film Solutions, Security Window Film Tampa Bay, Orlando, Sarasota

Consumers are looking for window protection and quite honestly the “best bang for the buck.”

Who can blame them?  

More Florida home and business owners choose Advanced Film Solutions for their window film than any other installation company. 

Windows and doors are the most vulnerable parts of a home, public building or place of business.

They are easy points of entry for people that may mean harm to the occupants. Glass is also an inviting target for vandals intent on mischief or worse, and a point of weakness for extreme weather conditions.

Safety window films offer a measure of protection from the hazards of flying glass fragments during a storm, blast or other type of attack and can possibly deter or at least delay unwanted entry.

When ordinary non-tempered glass breaks, it poses considerable danger, but with filmed glass, this hazard may be significantly reduced.

Thicker coatings provide greater tensile strength, puncture strength and safety.

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Advanced Film Solutions installs 8ML and thicker coatings in solar and clear versions.
Advanced Film Solutions block the heat and UV while protecting your home.

Advanced Film Solutions represents VISTA, LLumar Armorcoat SunTek, Madico & Avery-Dennison Hanita Window Films.

Call Advanced Film Solutions

Toll Free 877-575-3456
 
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Decorative Designer Films Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota

Advanced Film Solutions has developed a complete solutions portfolio for designer coatings that provide office privacy, branding and more.

Leading Brands:

Oracal
3M Fasara


InFeel
LLumar Illusions Designer Film
Sunscape and more. .

Let our team of experts assist you in meeting your specific requirements.
 

 

These coatings are applied to your existing glass.

Interior space is transformed at a fraction of the cost for sandblasted or etched frosted glass.

Tastes can change and tenants frequently move.

These solutions are durable but nevertheless they can be removed without damaging the glass.

With offices in Tampa Bay and Orlando our team of technicians will delight your pickiest (most discerning?) managers.

Toll Free: 877-575-3456
 

Advanced Film Solutions