Category Archives: Compare Home Depot 3M tinting

Clear Winner-Ceramic Window Tinting Film Versus Multi-Layered Optical Film

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Our business plan at Advanced Film Solutions wasn’t created accidentally.

We developed a strategy that would allow us to compete and win in every residential or commercial consumer competition.

Deed Restricted or gated communities, golf communities, condo’s and town houses. Gulf, bay or lake view properties. High end retail stores (jewelry, curious, furniture, rugs, clothing retail stores and financial institutions.

Homeowners are comparing our Huper Optik Ceramic Films versus the 3M Prestige Film that they have seen at home depot kiosks throughout the region.

 

Advanced Film Solutions is unique in having a thorough and extensive familiarity with both solutions. After all we were with 3M for 33 years and was once the National Sales Manager of 3M window film.

Here is our “Reader’s Digest” comparison:

  • Huper Ceramic Films are available in a 20%, 30% and 35% Visible Light Transmission that all out perform the 3M  Prestige 40 in heat rejection (we qualified for the TECO energy rebates, they did not!)
    Huper Optik has a natural hue as opposed to the 3M blue-ish appearance.
  • Huper Optik films do not present iridescence “rainbow effect” on the transmitted light. The prestige films do produce this multi-colored effect on light color walls or tile.
  • Huper Optik Ceramic Films have a durable color fast scratch coat.  The prestige color is a virtue of a dyed layer on the top surface of their film.  These colors can be scratched from the surface on all of their “tinted” versions.
  • Optical clarity.  Our films have no distortion or haze effect. We will match any Prestige film side by side for visual clarity!1377550_649384238428384_1092466071_n
  • Take the Huper Challenge and compare them side-by-side. You will observe why Huper Optik is the clear winner!

  • Huper Ceramic Films won’t  interfere with cell phones, wireless, or fiber optic EM transmissions.
  • Huper Optik is less reflective than glass so your day and night views are preserved.
  • Huper Optik ceramics do not corrode in humid environments. Prestige will not corrode. Any implication from their side that our ceramic films corrode is pure fabrication.

  • All ceramic films, and metal films for that matter work better when the sun is at an acute or obtuse angle. Prestige is similar in that respect, as is clear glass. Implications that their film meets some type of extraordinary testing standard is 100% disingenuous.
  • Huper Optik Ceramic Films are NFRC Certified for performance characteristics.

Miscellaneous:

  • They “invented” window film and make thousands of products.
    -Response: They are a terrific company and they did not invent window film, they patented a metal application to polyester films. That was 40 years ago and lots of things have changed.
  • They can use Windex, we can’t?
    -Response: utterly ridiculous particularly with prestige film. Take a Scotch Brite abrasive sponge to their film and watch the color come right off. Do the same with Vista or Huper! Go on. .you’ll see who has a hard coat!
  • Better Warranty?
    -Response: Our films have a lifetime warranty as do theirs! Our is transferable to the next homeowner; theirs ends when you sell your home!
  • “We are 100 plus years old; and ‘they’ may not be around in the future!”
    -Response: Eastman is a multi-billion dollar company borne from Eastman Kodak.

Compare for yourself and get the clearest comparison in Florida Huper Optik Films against 3M Prestige films.

Advanced Film Solutions, 877-575-3456.

Patented Huper Optik Ceramic Films Vs. Generic Ceramic

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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

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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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Coolest Window Film For Florida Gated Communities: Advanced Film Solutions

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Florida homeowners who live in deed restricted gated communities know complying with the rules is generally the best plan.

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When you are looking for methods to lower your cooling costs and eliminate faded furnishings or gain privacy a window film solutions is recommended.

Unfortunately many of the window film selections promoted in Florida are reflective or too dark to meet the HOA rules.

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Fortunately the innovative team at Eastman Chemical has developed optically transparent, non reflective window film coatings that solves your problem and complies with the rules!

The dynamic Huper Optik films are less reflective than glass and provide energy savings throughout the year.

Homeowners throughout Florida; from Punta Gorda through Sun City Center and Orlando, Celebration and all of Tampa Bay have enjoyed the savings and aesthetic beauty of these solar control films.

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Call for a cost comparison and a free estimate toll free at

877-575-3456

Florida Cools Down With Advanced Film Solutions

Tampa Bay, Lutz, Bradenton-Sarasota, Orlando

Tampa Bay Window Film Comparing Non-Reflective Window Film 3M Vs. Huper Optik

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Advanced Film Solutions is Tampa Bay’s leading provider of non reflective solar window films.

These ceramic films are ideal for gated communities that frequently impose deed restrictions that prohibit any reflective films.

When we define reflective films we are focused on solar films that increase the exterior reflectivity of the glass facing the front of your home.

Many if not most HOA’s will not approve these films.

There are many non reflective dyed films that can meet deed restrictions but dyed films will not maintain their color or effectiveness over an extended period.

There are however several window films that meet deed restrictions by lowering the exterior reflectivity of glass.

Here in Florida the two key choices are Huper Optik and 3M Prestige series window films. (Prestige is sold through home depot and several agents and resellers locally.)

Why Huper Optik:

Huper Optik is manufactured by chemical giant Eastman Chemicals.  These are patented ceramic coatings made in Germany. Available in several light transmissions ranging from darkest VLT’s (Visible Light Transmissions) 20-70%

3M prestige is a multi-layered optical film that utilizes dyes in their darker VLT’s. The best heat and glare blocking 3M prestige film is a lighter 40% that did not meet TECO rebate.

requirements. Their 20% film would not be acceptable on dual pane glass because of the heat absorption issues.

Huper Optik has a distinct clarity that surpasses the 3M offering.

Both 3M and Huper block 99.9% of the UV.

Both films factor out more than 90% of the IR spectrum which makes the homeowner feel cooler.

Both films work exactly the same at an acute angle despite 3M’s foolish mentioning that their film somehow works better at an angle. This is simply ridiculous.

3M does market reflective films like Night Vision and Affinity that are less reflective on the interior side. Eastman of course has these films as well and in great variety and light transmissions.

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Frankly Eastman makes the higher reflective Affinity films for 3M. In both the Night Vision and Affinity cases these films are too reflective to meet deed restrictions.

While this is an obvious fact we have found numerous instances where the exterior reflectivity of these films was not mentioned!

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In fact the competing 3M folks failed to leave their sample cards behind which clearly show the exterior reflectivity percentages. Had this happened only once we would not mention it. Unfortunately this is happening all the time!

Call Advanced Film Solutions for a free estimate and compare.

Our Huper Optik films are NFRC certified and warranted for a lifetime.

Call our offices toll free at 877-575-3456 for a free estimate and comparison.

Advanced Film Solutions

Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando

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