Tag Archives: 3M Window Film

Shopping For Window Tinting In Tampa Bay – Ten Things Not To Do!

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You’ve made the decision to research window film solutions.

Congratulations!

You are aware that today’s thin film technology provides immediate benefits for your home comfort, energy cost reduction and glare and UV.

Still it can often be confusing when you get estimates from local window film companies in Tampa.

It seems that everyone has the “best” films, everyone has the best price.

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After all, we offer the widest selections of window film brands in Florida.

 Here are ten things YOU shouldn’t do when making this investment.

 
  1. Don’t assume that all window films are the same. There are huge differences between window film brands. It will help if the films being proposed are NFRC rated and certified579552_533142166719259_1830617796_n
  2. There are some unusual characters in the window film business. Make sure the dealer is authorized, carries insurance and is certified with the county to do business in Florida. Check their Better Business Bureau track record or Angie’s List!
    aplusAll films work better at an angle and the 97% IR rejection is only for a very narrow bandwidth of the solar spectrum.Don’t fall for that Heat Lamp BTU test either. This is a gimmick that gives the illusion of heat rejection but the reality on your home’s windows is entirely different!

    Again- -Check the NFRC Website!

     

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  3. If you hear that there is a dark, non reflective film that blocks 85% of the visible light and the price is dirt cheap it’s very likely a car tint film. BE CAREFUL! Car glass is tempered and can withstand that type of solar absorption. Your home’s windows are an entirely different story!! This cheap car tint can cause thermal stress and crack your glass.|
  4. Don’t get hood-winked by a fast talking sales guy or woman that claims they are doing home energy audits for our local power companies. This is a charade! The same applies to some of these folks pretending they work with the local law enforcement people and then they try selling you security films!
  5. Make sure that you check your deed restrictions if you live in a gated community. Reflective and dual reflective films are terrific but you don’t want to be placed in a position where the HOA rules against you.
  6. If you have Insulated Glass Units you should make certain that the film being proposed is safe for that type of glass!img_home_7Check the warranty as most reputable manufacturers have a film to glass chart that specifically alerts the installer of those films that will not create thermal stress on your glass.
  7. Thicker security films do hold the glass in place protecting your home against forced entry. Thicker films are better at doing this task and 8 ML is the absolute minimum thickness to consider.
  8. Warranty: Makes sure that your have a warranty in writing from the manufacturer of the window film. Lifetime for residential applications, 15 years for commercial glass.1044035_604322442934564_422138274_n
  9. Check references like Home Advisor to see what the experiences have been from homeowners just like you!

Call Advanced Film Solutions

Tampa Bay- Orlando- Sarasota-Bradenton
Toll Free 877-575-3456

Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Odessa Car Tinting, LLumar SelectPro

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All week in Tampa.

Advanced Film Solutions will discount our everyday low prices by $20.00 for military and retired military veterans for our Veteran’s Sale!

Advanced Film Solutions has the full Eastman Chemical portfolio. These are the best heat blocking ceramic films like Pinnacle and Stratos. 

Lifetime warranty and computer cut using our CORE software systems.

We install the world leading LLumar and FormulaOne Car Tinting.

These are the best heat rejecting automotive films available in the Tampa area.

Our LLumar SelectPro automotive film stops 99.9% of UV rays that can harm you and your passengers. 

Our shop is located at 4400 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, Land O’Lakes, FL

 
 
We will astonish you!
 

Call for an appointment!

Toll Free: 813-949-3456

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Thanksgiving Window Tinting Sale, Tampa, Orlando, Bradenton & Clearwater

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Thanksgiving Sale Days Right Now!
 

 

Time for slightly cooler weather and glare at different angles than we experience in the summer months.

Home security is also an issue we are all concerned about.

Advanced Film Solutions is Florida’s window film leader.
 


Our robust film portfolio is the most extensive in the state.  leading brands like Eastman Chemical LLumar SelectPro, Vista, and our ceramic Huper Optik and films.

Shatter protective films like LLumar Magnum, Armorcoat, Madico and the Israeli manufactured Avery-Dennison delay, deny and deter entry.

 

This is a slower time of year for window film so you can anticipate the very best deals.

Call today for a free estimate.

Advanced Film Solutions

Toll Free 877-575-3456

 

 

NFRC Leveled The Window Film Playing Field, Tampa Window Tinting

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One of the best things that has ever happened for the window film business has been the increased credibility of our film solutions by the National Fenestration Ratings Council.

Fact sheet NFRC Window film

 

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You have seen their stickers before on new windows.

Documented performance of the energy efficiency of a particular window compared to another manufacturer’s.

The window film industry has been provided a path toward receiving Energy Star status. 

The logical first steps were to independently test and document a film’s performance of standard retrofit glass configurations. 

The first company to complete the process was Eastman Chemical Performance Films with our Vista and LLumar brands.

They were followed by Southwall (Huper Optik and V-Kool)  Later Madico, Solar Gard, Johnson and my alma mater 3M.

Leaving aside the minutia that might make your eyes glaze over (pun intended!)  How does all this mumbo jumbo help the consumer?

 

The true measure of a window films efficiency is the solar heat gain eliminated by the window film.

So despite the baloney by 3M that their prestige film works better at an angle compared to other films, or their fable that they created a special test to prove this.

The truth is that there simply is no such criteria or factual basis behind their claim of uniqueness.

Advanced Film Solutions offers NFRC documented window films by the industry leaders.

 

Straight facts. No Bull.
 
 
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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