Tag Archives: Orlando Glass Tinting

Clarifying & Comparing Window Film Solutions: Eastman Vs. 3M Tampa Bay, Orlando, Sarasota

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Advanced Film Solutions has become the largest volume commercial and residential window film installation company in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota and Orlando area.

We have developed the largest portfolio of window film coatings so we can match our clients requirements with the perfect film.

Our team of experts has more experience in window film technology and precision installations than any other local contractor. This level of supreme customer service has earned us the Super Service Award from Angie’s List for 8 consecutive years and an A Plus rating with the Better Business Bureau.

We understand that most of our potential clients know very little about window film. They may have a perception of which films are the “best.”

Advanced Film Solutions is unique.

We worked directly at 3M for 33 years. Our founder was the National Sales Manager of 3M Window Film.

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Since leaving 3M in 2007 our dealership has represented the best window film brands by performance and documented NFRC characteristics.

Our preferred manufacturers actually make the films we install. This is not the case for our 3M competition.

Our family owned business does not resell through Home Depot, Window Genie, window film depots or an assortment of AC companies and agents.

Eastman Chemical is the world’s largest manufacturer of window film. Their Vista, EnerLogic, Huper Optik, LLumar and SunTek films comprise the Lion’s Share of the window film industry.

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Saint Gobain is the manufacturer of SolarGard and Armorcoat.

Madico is the manufacturer for their Sunscape line and security films.

Hanita is the Israeli company that manufactures Solar and Safety Zone films. their exterior coatings are the industry trend setter.

Many of these brand names are probably not top of mind for the average consumer albeit Eastman Chemicals was founded by George Eastman of Eastman Kodak renown.

When our 3M window film agent competitors make claims about “their films, their history, their adhesives and their technology and innovation” are these claims truly valid when they don’t make a stitch of the film in their 3M labeled box?

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Car tinting films like FX, FX ST and Black Chrome?

Affinity solar or solar security?

Exterior films and anti graffiti?

8ML and Thicker clear security film?

“Their 3M Ceramic Film?”

So we invite you to call Home Depot 3M or any of their agents.

Check out “their Low e Film, their bronze and silver films, their blackout and white out films, their silver security film, etc.”

Then call us toll 877-575-3456

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ADVANCED FILM SOLUTIONS

OFFICES TAMPA, ORLANDO, SARASOTA

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Prestige Homes Tampa Bay, Orlando Window Film Battle Clearly Superior Films

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 Getting a prestige window film estimate from a 3M dealer or Home depot 3M agent can frequently take on a mystical experience similar to a reading from a Fortune Teller:

 

We met with a client who swayed toward prestige films but was less than enthused about the cost to install it. 

This made him skeptical with those cards he was handed! 

Plus there was just something about all of this that didn’t jive right!

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He sure knew he wasn’t a magician and he sure as hell didn’t want to be the other!

 
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He called Advanced Film Solutions for straight answers!

Here were his questions and my answers:

Question: The 3M rep claimed that their film blocks 97% of the Sun’s heat.  

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What % does your film block?

I would love to get more technical with you but accept that IR (invisible heat) represents nearly 50% of what we feel as heat. 

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So even if the prestige film blocked 97% of all that 50% what about the other 50%??  

Given their prestige 70 blocks only 30% of the visible light how do they block 97% of the heat?

They don’t!
 
 

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RATINGS INFORMATION

Operator Type
 Default Glazing Reference SHGC No Film SHGC with Film VT No Film VT with Film
Fixed 3 mm (1/8in.) clear 0.71 0.42 0.74 0.58
Fixed 3 mm (1/8in.) clear 3 mm (1/8in.) clear 0.63 0.47 0.67 0.52
Window Wall 6 mm (1/4in.) clear 0.75 0.47 0.80 0.63
Window Wall 6 mm (1/4in.) grey 0.53 0.39 0.40 0.32
Window Wall 6 mm (1/4in.) clear 6 mm (1/4in.) clear 0.65 0.51 0.71 0.56
Window Wall 6 mm (1/4in.) grey 6 mm (1/4in.) clear 0.42 0.36 0.36 0.28

The key objective number used to measure performance is Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

So quantified on clear glass 1/8 inch the prestige film blocks an impressive .42 (a far cry from 97% or a  .03 SHGC)

Question: The 3M rep showed us a Sun (IR) lamp demo and a BTU test demo that was very impressive.

It sure felt like the film blocked 97% or more of the heat. 

Are you saying that this is a magic trick?

No- – I am saying this is misleading deceptive and an illusion.

Or; if you prefer, a LIE!

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That IR lamp is blasting IR wavelengths in a very narrow bandwidth matching the films’ best performance. When we say very narrow we mean incredibly narrow.

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It’s more of that same nonsense when they show a BTU meter.

Of course this is all the rage when they do a home show by fooling some of the people, some of the time. .

Question: The 3M rep claims prestige works better when the Sun is at it’s hottest.
Is that true?  (He told us that only 3M film works that way! )

No. 

All films and glass perform better with wide ranges of angular variation. 3M prestige has no advantage and claiming so is very misleading and of course nonsense.

This is like saying a bike is easier to peddle and faster going downhill. 

Tech Update

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IWFA – IR Ratings of Window Film

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Question:

The 3M rep advised that many competitors are headed out of business and that 3M is the only company that will honor the warranty in the long term. 

He also claimed that only 3M’s hard coat can stand up to Windex!

OK:

Concerning the 3M dealer’s acumen on the long term viability of the major window film companies I wouldn’t place much stock (pun intended) in any of his claims.

There is always risk but heck 3M was once selling microfilm and fax machines but doesn’t any more.

They sold copiers and shoplifting systems for retail stores and secure id cards.

But not any more.

But I do guaranty one thing:

That Windex BS is all BS.  The prestige film hardly offers a scratch coating and the color can be scratched off.  That’s because there are dyes in the composition.

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They have absolutely zero advantage in hard coats or scratch protection against Windex.

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This is a total fabrication.

We won the day and received the order.
 

No magic, just the facts.

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Call

Advanced Film Solutions


Toll Free 877-575-3456

 

Window Film USA, 2021 The Smart Consumers Choice

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Window Film USA has been growing our installation business across the USA.

 

Our efforts are under the radar because we concentrate in our own backyard of Tampa Bay and Orlando and Sarasota. 

Why would a client in Arkansas choose Window Film USA over local competitors?


There are many juxtaposing factors that contribute.

 

Perhaps a consumer became confused by local sources about window film attributes.

Local sources may quote higher pricing for their installations simply because they are isolated and face limited same brand competition.

The internet has driven smart consumers to websites that have factual information and largely objective analysis.
 
 


We offer every brand but 3M Window Film.

Since I spent 33 years at 3M and was once the National Sales Manager of 3M Window Film it’s more than obvious that I might know the limitations of their portfolio.

Given  the fact that since leaving 3M their portfolio has, with rare exception, not  improved my solution comparison is as current as today and more important it’s a winning strategy for our clients and our company.

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Slight modifications like having an exterior version of Prestige is inconsequential in the larger scheme of things.  “Talk” of light directing films on the horizon don’t amount to a hill of beans for a consumer looking to control energy costs or improving home security.

Our selling premise remains elegant in simplicity.


A substantial portion of consumers are afraid to take the chance that a brand of window film they have never heard of may offer tremendous, quantifiable advantages in on glass performance over the 3M offering and typically at better prices.

 

You may choose to give that 3M dealer your trust without comparing what they are offering to another supplier.  On the other hand; if you are a savvy consumer who appreciates that perception is not reality; than calling Window Film USA is a sound alternative.

Why not have that conversation?
 
 

Window Film USA represents Vista Film, Huper Optik Ceramic Film, EnerLogic Low E Film and a host of solutions you may never have heard of before.

Toll Free: 877-575-3456
 
 
 
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Florida’s Huper Optik Ceramic Window Film Vs. “3M” Ceramic: The Facts

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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

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 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