Save Energy, Reduce Utility Bills & Keep Cool This Summer With Window Film

Even though this Winter did its best to hang on, the warmer temperatures of Summer are on the way. We recently came across an article in Forbes Magazine entitled "Six Tips To Save Energy, Reduce Bills And Keep Cool During Summer". This article discussed several strategies that could be implemented, but number two on the list was installing window film. The article states, "External window film prevents the heat of the sun from penetrating the window, while internal window film prevents heat from transferring to the space. Studies have shown that filming your windows results in a 60% heat reduction."

It is great to see window films being recognized as a cost effective, energy saving retrofit. With modern window film technology, you can achieve great heat rejection without noticeably changing the appearance of your existing windows. By reducing the heat entering your space, you save energy and reduce bills because your HVAC system does not need to work as hard to keep up with demand. Depending on the type of windows installed at your facility, it is possible to see energy savings pay for the window film installation within the first 24 months after install.

In addition, window film is at its most effective during peak times of the day. The article also mentions the strategy of reducing electrical consumption in peak load hours saying,

"Daily summer temperatures are highest between 2:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon. Consequently, air conditioning equipment consumes much more power than usual during this peak..".

In many cases, energy rates during peak hours of the day are at their highest, so anything you can do to cut demand during these peak times has a larger impact on the overall energy costs. With window film blocking a large portion of heat from coming through the glass during these peak hours, you are reducing your energy demand at the very best time of the day.

You can check out the complete Six Tips To Save Energy, Reduce Bills And Keep Cool During Summer article in Forbes by clicking HERE.

If you would like to learn more how commercial window film options can help save energy, reduce bills and keep you cool this Summer, click HERE and contact us by calling 800-488-5099 or emailing us at sales@controlthesun.com. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing an energy saving window film solution in your space. We service Seattle, Washington and the surrounding communities.

Reduce Glare and Harsh Light Making Your Home More Comfortable this Winter?

If You Need to Reduce Glare and Harsh Light, Window Film Can Help!

Most people think of window film or window tinting primarily as something that helps in the Summer. However, Winter is often the time when glare and harsh light become big issues. Is there a way to reduce glare and harsh light while maintaining your views? The answer is yes, but first let's look at why this problem may be worse in the Winter.

There are three reasons this is the case:

1. The sun is lower in the sky during these months which means that it is shining more directly into your windows versus from a more overhead position in the Summer months.
2. There are no leaves on the trees to block the sun. Many homes and commercial properties have foliage in the Summer that serves to offer some shade. In the Winter, with this gone, they have to deal with glare issue that are not present at other times of the year.
3. The refection of the sun off of the snow. When there is a layer of snow on the ground, it acts like a big mirror to reflect the sun's rays. This can make any harsh light issue even worse at this time of the year as it is actually amplifying the light coming through the glass.

So, What Can Window Film Do?

The window film we offer is likely not like the picture in your head of a darkly tinted car. Technology has enabled current window films to block a great deal of glare as well as heat without restricting your view. In fact, like a high quality pair of sunglasses, the innovative technology found in window film today actually serves to enhance your views. The harsh light and glare is eliminated allowing your eyes to relax and your home or commercial space to become a more comfortable place to be.

We hope this article served to "shed some light" on how window films can be used to reduce glare and improve comfort in the Winter. If you would like more information, check out the link located HERE and call us at 800-488-5099 or email us at sales@controlthesun.com. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing window film solution in your home or commercial space.

How Can Window Film Be Part of a Healthy Lifestyle in Seattle?

Many people begin a new year with a resolution to live a more healthy lifestyle. People begin things like new exercise programs and start being more conscious about what types of foods you eat. Just look at how the organic food industry has exploded as people understand the negative impact that certain things can have on their overall health. However, like most things, making good choices usually happens once someone has good information regarding why they should make those choices. Our team at ABC Sun Control wanted to share some good information with Seattle, Washington and the surrounding areas about healthy lifestyle choices as it relates to sun exposure and how window film can help. In 2018, most people understand the risks and dangers of overexposing their skin to the sun's UV rays, many are unaware of how much and when they are being exposed to them. Subjecting yourself to these UV rays without proper protection can lead to premature aging of the skin and the potential for skin cancer. Most people are likely wearing protective clothing and some type of sunscreen when enjoying the outdoors. However, have you ever thought about the exposure you are getting in your car or sitting beside windows at work and in your home? Most people don't consider the exposure to these harmful UV rays when they are behind a piece of glass.

This is precisely why window film can become part of a healthy lifestyle. Even though you are behind a piece of glass, you are still being exposed to the UV rays that you need protection from. Applying a window film to that glass can block these rays from getting through. Window films have been given The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation. This is what they had to say in a recent article:

"While it’s understood that taking sun safety precautions is important outside, few people realize they can sustain sun damage indoors, too. While both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun can harm the skin and lead to skin cancers, UVB is effectively blocked by glass. However, at least 50 percent of UVA rays can pass through windows. Window film is an increasingly effective solution, offering substantial indoor protection by blocking up to 99.9 percent of UVA radiation. Although they are less intense than UVB, UVA rays are 30 to 50 times more prevalent and are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year. Window film can help prevent harmful UVA rays from damaging your skin."

You can check out this entire article and other great sun safety tips at The Skin Cancer Foundation's website by clicking HERE

We hope this article helps shed some light on how window film can play a role in you adopting a healthy lifestyle in 2018. If you would like more information, check out the link located HERE and call us at 800-488-5099 or email us at sales@controlthesun.com. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing window film solution in your home or commercial space.

School Safety - Is Your School Safe? Security Window Film Can Help.

We recently came across an article is Business Insider titled "Here are the best ways to protect schools, workplaces, and ourselves from active shooters." This article talks about a variety of ways to increase school safety, and they specifically mention security window film. The article states the following in the section on the use of technology to improve safety: "Protective and intrusion resistant doors and windows creating delays in an aggressor’s ability to gain entry. For pre-existing locations the addition of protective window film, improved locking mechanisms and/or frames as well as other reinforcement techniques can be effective."

With that being said, we wanted to explain what security window film is and how it can be used to increase school safety?

Security window film is typically a clear layer of polyester film that is applied to a building's existing windows on the interior surface of the glass. The film comes in a variety of different thicknesses and can be installed in several different ways depending on the level of safety or security required. Once installed, this film will hold the glass fragments of the window together in the event of a break. As it relates to school safety and security, this film will hold glass fragments together and reduce the potential of injury from broken or flying glass in a natural disaster, an act of terrorism or inadvertent breakage.

In addition, and in the way the article was referring to, this film by keeping the glass intact will slow down or impede potential intruders from gaining access to the building and give authorities time to respond. Often, intruders are looking for the fastest and easiest point of access and because doors and gates have been fortified in recent years, the next easier access point would be through a window. That is why safety and security film should be considered as a way to fortify this vulnerability.

To read the complete article in Business Insider, click HERE

We hope this list helped you understand how security window film can be used to enhance school safety. If you have any questions about safety and security window films, click HERE and contact us by calling 800-488-5099 or emailing us at sales@controlthesun.com.

Protection from Sun-Caused Faded Floors and Furnishings

Furnishing a home can be expensive. From flooring to furnishings, the costs can add up quick. With so much invested, doesn't it make sense to take steps to protect that investment? While we all love open and airy homes with lots of windows, the biggest threat to your floors and furnishings can be right outside those same windows, the Sun. The sun is one of the primary causes of faded floors and furnishings. Most people do not want to sacrifice their views and the open feeling of their home to protect their floors and furniture from the sun, so what can be done? One of the best ways to attack the primary causes of sun damage and fading is with window film. This article will examine exactly what causes the fading and damage to occur and how window film is a great solution to consider.

A common misconception is that UV rays are what cause faded floors and sun damage to furnishings. While they are certainly the largest component, as this chart illustrates, they only account for 40%. Solar heat and visible lights are also major contributors, accounting for 25% of the problem. The last factor is comprised of a variety of this we simply put under the heading "Other". These are things like interior lighting, humidity, etc.

The first thing this chart demonstrates is that you cannot "stop" fading completely unless the item you want to protect in a dark, climate controlled room. In real life, the most you can do is attack the major contributors of fading in a significant enough way to slow down the process. By slowing the process, you extend the life of your floors or furnishings.

Why Is Window Film a Good Solution?

As mentioned above, most people do not want to "close-up" their home in an effort to stop the damage from occurring. So, assuming the windows will not be covered, you need to attack the factors before they enter the home. Window film is a great option because it attacks all three major contributors of fading. Most professionally installed window films will block 99%+ of the UV rays. In addition, many window films can significantly reduce the heat coming through the window. Finally, it is possible to block up to 60% of the visible light coming through a window without noticeably darkening the window. When you combine these three factors, you can take a large slice out of the pie shown above. This protection can be accomplished while retaining the open feel of your home by using window film.

We hope this brief article shed some light on what the factors of faded floors, rugs and furniture are and how utilizing window film is one of your best options to address this issue. If you are interested in learning more, contact ABC Sun Control by calling 800-488-5099 or emailing us at sales@controlthesun.com.

ABC Sun Control Helps Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, WA with a Graffiti Vandalism Problem

The team at ABC Sun Control helped the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma Washington protect valuable glass panels throughout the facility from being damaged by graffiti vandalism. These panels of glass are extremely expensive and not easy to replace. A clear 3M Anti-Graffiti Film was used to prevent the underlying glass from being damaged. This not only saves the Zoo a tremendous amount of money, it also reduces the disruption of the attractions that would occur if the glass needed to be replaced.

Vandalism has a way of spreading. The best way to mitigate more vandalism from occurring is to quickly remedy any that happens. The great thing about 3M Anti-Graffiti Film is that it allows you to quickly remove the damaged piece and replace it with a new piece. This saves not only time, money and disruption, it likely also prevents further damage from occurring.

In this cool video, "Dozer" the walrus was checking out our team installing the film on one of his tank windows.

[embed]https://youtu.be/1qRjNG0Vfok[/embed]

We hope that you enjoyed the post and the video. If you would like any additional information about 3M Anti-Graffiti Films and how they can protect you from graffiti vandalism, contact ABC Sun Control by calling 800-488-5099 or emailing us at sales@controlthesun.com.

Improve Commercial Windows with 3M Window Film

When tenants complain about rooms that are too hot or you notice that your energy costs are trending skyward, 3M Window Films can help improve commercial windows by helping increase tenant comfort, conserve energy and even increase safety and security. 3M commercial window films offer enhanced protection from accidents, natural disasters, break and entry, bomb blasts and flying glass fragments. They could also simply help upgrade your glass to code. 3M was issued the first sun control window film patent in 1966, and our innovative window film products have helped provide protection from the sun’s harmful rays for 50 years. Today, millions of square feet of 3M Window Film have been installed all around the world. Upgrade your building with 3M Window Film, and you’ll be reaping the rewards for years to come.

We’re ready to help you find the right solution to improve commercial windows in your facility.

Save Energy

Are your energy costs going through the roof? 3M Window Films can significantly reduce the amount of heat coming through your windows to help lower utility costs. Your tenants get a more comfortable environment, and you get increased energy savings.

• Fast payback — as little as 3 years
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Save more money, no matter which climate zone you are in
• Use toward potential LEED credits

Improve Comfort

Help keep your tenants comfortable, and you’ll keep them for the long run. 3M Window Films can significantly increase the comfort level of your building by virtually eliminating hot spots and cold spots, reducing glare and increasing safety without changing its aesthetics.

• Reject heat and reduce hot spots
• Reduce annoying glare
• Increase insulation and reduce cold spots

Increase Safety

Accidents and natural disasters can wreak havoc on your building operations, but you can be better prepared to cope with the aftermath. 3M Window Film can help hold broken glass together, preventing flying glass shards, the leading cause of injuries and fatalities.

• Engineered to protect people and property
• Reduce damage and loss of data
• Lessen business disruptions

Strengthen Security

Your tenants want to know they’re in a secure building, and you want to protect your data and merchandise. 3M Window Films can help protect people and property from outside threats like forced entry, vandalism and even bomb blasts.

• Makes forced entry more difficult — can help to deter intruders for up to 2 minutes
• Helps mitigate loss of assets
• Reduces business disruptions

Enhance Décor/ Privacy

Give your tenants custom and elegant interiors that provide enhanced privacy without sacrificing natural light. 3M Glass Finishes let you define spaces without confining them.

• Get expensive looks at a fraction of the cost
• Create the look of etched, cut or sandblasted glass
• Enhance the appearance of your space and add branding

Redirect Light

Brighten your building’s interior and brighten your chances of landing a long-term tenant. 3M™ Daylight Redirecting Film uses micro-replication technology to cast light as far as 40 feet (12 meters) from the window.

• Redirect light up onto the ceiling
• Flood deep rooms with natural light
• Reduce the need for electric lighting

We hope this article shed some light on all the ways 3M Home Window Film can be used to improve commercial windows. If you would like any additional information about 3M Commercial Window Film, contact ABC Sun Control by calling 800-488-5099 or emailing us at sales@controlthesun.com.

Historical Building in Seattle Becomes More Energy Efficient

Recently, ABC Sun Control was called into the historical James Tower building in Seattle. This building had a need where they wanted to reduce heat load coming through the glass and make the space more energy efficient. However, for historic reasons, they did not want to change the appearance of the glass. We suggested using a 3M Thinsulate Climate Control Window Film called CC75 that would provide the performance they were looking for without changing the appearance of the glass. As an additional benefit, this film will help retain heat in the Winter months which will also add to the energy efficiency. This film adds performance that makes a single-pane window perform like it is a double-pane and makes a double-pane widows perform like a triple-pane! The Building Engineer, Ben Walker, summed up the added benefits by saying "I wanted to follow up with you regarding the window film installed in suite 630. I am very impressed with how well that has worked and how much it was able to reduce the heat load in that room. Occupants are happy and haven’t had any temperature issues since it was installed. I am amazed at the difference."

Check out the pictures from the outside and inside during installation to see how clear and unnoticeable this revolutionary film is.

Also, check out this infographic below to see just how well this film performs. We would be happy to discuss how 3M Thinsulate Climate Control Window Film can be implemented into your facility and begin helping you become more energy efficient. If you would like any additional information about 3M Thinsulate Climate Control Window Film and the many ways they can be used, Contact ABC Sun Control by calling 800-488-5099 or emailing us at sales@controlthesun.com.