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May 11
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Cut Home Energy Bills This Summer. Experts Agree Window Film Helps - Home Window Film in the Springfield, Missouri

Cut Home Energy Bills This Summer. Experts Agree Window Film Helps

By | Home

We have all felt the sting of higher prices lately. Whether at the grocery store, gas pump or in your monthly utility bills, costs are rising. We wanted to offer some information that may help you buck that trend and possibly see your energy bills go down this year. Several recent articles in major publications have experts agreeing that window films can help cut home energy bills. It’s one thing for us to say it, so we thought we would let the experts tell you what home window films can do.

What The Experts Say

Cut Home Energy Bills This Summer. Experts Agree Window Film Helps - Home Window Film InformationFrom Reader’s Digest, in an article entitled “13 Clever Ways to Slash Your Home Energy Bills“, PJ Feinstein stated “If you have the money, replacing old windows with energy efficient ones is a worthwhile investment, as they also add value to your home. A lower-cost option is to install window film that blocks out the summer sun’s heat, reducing demand on your cooling system, and helps keep warm indoor air from escaping during the winter.”

In addition, the Orange County Register in California had an article entitled “4 Ways to Help Older Homes Meet New Energy Goals” in which green-building guru C.R. Herro stated “Install energy-efficient window film: These clear films filter out ultraviolet light, keeping homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. That will greatly improve your air conditioning costs,”

Herro also said. “It has additional benefits, since UVs bleach-out floors and break down fabrics. So it will improve the durability of things that get direct sunshine.”

Finally, the Fox News recently had an article entitled “7 Ways to Cool Your Home Without an Air Conditioner” their resident handyman said “Window films offer a ton of benefits, from cutting energy costs to providing you privacy while still enjoying the view and light of the great outdoors. They can provide up to 98 percent infrared heat reduction compared to unprotected windows, and reduce temperature imbalances in your home.”

With these experts taking about how window film can cut home energy bills, isn’t it worth you looking into it this Summer as the temperature rises? If you would like to learn more, click HERE and then contact us by calling (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE.

We would be happy to discuss the options with you and provide you with a free, no obligation quote of implementing a residential window tinting product into your Springfield, Missouri area home.

Apr 28
0
Automotive Window Tint Categories And Their Benefits - Car Window Tinting in Springfield, Missouri

Automotive Window Tint Categories And Their Benefits

By | Uncategorized

If you’re looking to add great looks and some added benefits you may not even be aware of, automotive window tint might be for you. This article is aimed to help you understand the various categories of window tint available and also explain the many benefits above and beyond looks of having your vehicle tinted.

Categories of Automotive Window Tint

Automotive Window Tint Categories And Their Benefits - Car Window Tinting in Tukwila, WashingtonDyed Window Film – This is a very popular and value based choice in vehicle window film. This type sandwiches a layer of dyed polyester between an adhesive and scratch resistant top coat for a flat, non-reflective finish. It’s often an entry level option because it’s the least expensive. Although it doesn’t block as much heat as other options, it does have great glare reducing effects and still cuts out 99% of the UV.

Metal Hybrid Window Film – For better performance while still maintaining a relatively value price point, you can have your windows tinted with a metal hybrid film. The advantages here are that the metal layer enables the film to reduce a much greater amount of heat compared to dyed films. However, this comes at the cost of a slightly more reflective appearance and possible interference with electronics.

Carbon Window Film – Carbon window tint has become a very popular option. They often reduce similar amounts of heat as a metal hybrid film while maintaining the great looks of a dyed window film. They also do not interfere with electronic systems. This comes at a cost though. Carbon based window films are usually offered at a mid-tier price point.

Ceramic or IR Rejecting Window Film – These films represent the best tint you can get for your vehicle. These films typically have a great, non-reflective appearance while rejecting industry leading amounts of heat. These films also will not interfere with electronics. However, because they do nearly everything well, be prepared to pay a bit more for this type of tint than some of the others.

Benefits of Automotive Window Tint

Automotive Window Tint Categories And Their Benefits - Car Window Tinting in Tukwila, Washington 3Cooler Temperatures Inside Your Car – All window tint will help reduce the heat inside of your vehicle, but some cut more heat than others (We will discuss that below). Keeps that annoying summer heat where it belongs: outside your vehicle!

Reduced Glare – Because vehicle tint reduces the visible light by varying degrees, it can also help you not be getting blinded by dangerous glare on sunny days. Like a high quality pair of sunglasses on a bright day.

Less Eye Fatigue – Like we mentioned above, window tint reduces glare. Reduced glare means your eyes have to work way less hard to maintain focus on the road. Some people even report fewer driving headaches and migraines after they install a window film.

Increased UV Protection – A window film is a bit like giving your car windows a coat of unbelievable sunscreen. Most quality window films block 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, so you’re protected from a primary cause of melanoma, premature aging, and cataracts. See an article by The Skin Cancer Foundation for more information on this by clicking HERE.

Added Security – Window tint may reduce your risk of a break-in from a vandal who sees something valuable in your interior. Crimes of opportunity are a huge type of theft, and if you make your items less visible, you may be less likely to experience a break in.

Reduce Glass Shatter-Risk – Certain window films can actually reduce your risk of being injured by shattered glass. If your car is struck in an impact, a shatter-resistant film’s strong adhesive holds onto the pieces of glass, which can help keep you safer in an accident.

We hope this article was informative as you consider having your vehicle tinted. If you would like more information on the quality automotive window tint products that we offer, click HERE. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us by calling (417) 823-8715 or filling out a form at Contact Us. We are located in Springfield and service the surrounding area and look forward to serving you.

Apr 14
0
Home Window Film Benefits - 3 Ways They Are Useful As Spring Arrives - Home Window Tinting in the Springfield, Missouri

Home Window Film Benefits – 3 Ways They Are Useful As Spring Arrives

By | Home

This is always an exciting time of the year! Spring has officially arrived and Summer will be here before we know it. This time of the year also brings in longer daylight hours and plenty of sun. While most of us typically look forward to this time of the year, that extra sun can play havoc in your home, with your health and on your budget. In this article, we wanted to focus on 3 ways that home window film benefits can help make all that extra sun more enjoyable.3 Home Window Film Benefits3

Home Window Film Benefits

  • Window Films Can Save Money on Energy Costs – The extra sun that Spring and Summer brings also often brings high utility bills because your air conditioning system is working overtime. Through the use of modern window films, you can dramatically reduce the amount of heat entering your home through the glass and subsequently reduce how hard your AC unit has to work to keep the home cool. If your AC system is working less, you are using less energy and your utility bills will reflect that savings.In addition, although not specifically a utility bill, your AC unit working less throughout the Summer can extend the service life of that unit and reduce maintenance costs. So, window film can actually save both on the energy cost of running the AC and the maintenance costs associated with the usage of your AC.
  • Home Window Films Provide Many Useful Benefits As Spring Arrives 2Window Films Can Make Your Home More Comfortable – The longer days of Spring and Summer can also bring about things that make your home less comfortable. Specifically, many homeowners deal with excessive glare and hot spots in the home at this time of the year. Whether it is for watching TV, using a computer or just kicking back with your favorite book, glare can make a room an uncomfortable place to be.

    By using window films strategically in your home, you can reduce the glare in rooms where that is an issue. Additionally, does your home suffer from hot and cold spots at this time of the year because one side is in sun most of the day while the other side is in the shade? You can use window film on the side of the home with excessive sun to reduce the heat entering in that area and equalize temperature throughout the home.
  • Window Films Can Preserve Your Furnishings and Your Health – The extra sun that Summer brings can also bring about fading issues with your flooring and furniture. Most windows offer no protection from the UV rays pouring through that account for a full 40% of the factors that cause fading. With modern window films, even the lightest shades block 99+% of the UV rays from entering through the windows. By eliminating this major cause of fading, you have taken a major step to extend the life of your flooring and furnishings.Also, The Skin Cancer Foundation has warned that this UV entering your home can also be detrimental to your health.

    In an article, they state, “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.” The use of window film can help block these harmful UV rays and preserve your health in this area. You can read the entire article from The Skin Cancer Foundation by clicking HERE.

So, don’t avoid the sun, but welcome its arrival by embracing these home window film benefits. If you would like more information on these innovative products, click HERE. If you have any questions, please contact us today by calling (417) 823-8715 or emailing us at HERE. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about home window films and schedule a free assessment and quotation for your home. We are located in Springfield, Missouri and serve the surrounding area.

Apr 01
0
Home Window Tint and Film Benefits Discussed In Million Acres Magazine - Residential Window Film in the Springfield, Missouri

Home Window Tint and Film Benefits Discussed In Million Acres Magazine

By | Home

We wanted to share information from a recent article in Million Acres by Matt Frankel, CFP that discussed the pros and cons of having home window tint retrofitted to your existing windows. In this article, we are going to primarily summarize the benefits as the only negative the article mentioned was the potential out of pocket cost up front. Other than that, home window tint and film provides a fairly substantial list of positives. The great thing about this home improvement is that in most cases window film can be installed directly on your existing windows with very little disruption to a household. So, without further delay, here are the pros of home window tint.

The Benefits of Home Window Tint and Film
  • Reduce Excessive Heat or Eliminate Hot Spots: In general terms, sunlight generates heat, and utilizing tinted windows allows less sunlight in. The result is less heat entering the home through the windows. This can be used to cut heat in a room that has a south or west exposure and gets too hot during the day or in targeted areas to eliminate a hot spot in a very particular area of the house. The article quotes a HomeGuide claim that tinted windows can block as much as 85% of the heat generated by sunlight, which can mean a difference of as much as 15 degrees in the interior of the home. While the amount of heat reduced depends on the particular windows installed, home window film is an effective way to reduce heat from entering though the glass.
  • Help Prevent Sun Damage: As the article states, “natural sunlight isn’t just hot, it can be damaging to the inside of your home“. Wood floors and furniture are especially vulnerable to long-term sun damage. This sun damage is caused primarily by a combination of UV rays, heat and natural light. Window films can reduce the combination of these three primary elements to help prolong the life of your furnishings.
  • Lower Energy Costs: This goes hand in hand with reducing excessive heat. The goal is to maintain a comfortable environment in your home for the least amount of cost due to energy usage. The article explains that, “as sunlight heats the air in your home to an uncomfortable temperature, you probably use your air conditioning system to cool it. Reducing the sunlight in your home means you’ll run your air conditioner less, which can save you money on electricity.“
  • Improved Privacy: The article states that, “tinted windows make it more difficult for people to see into your home, which can add to the feeling of privacy (and security) in your home, without the need to keep your shades drawn at all times“. While this is true of some window tint during the day, when it becomes dark outside others will be able to see in. That being said, there are specific window films that can be used to give you privacy both day and night.
  • Cut Irritating Glare: Like a quality pair of sun glasses, window film can be used to cut irritating glare. The article says it this way, “tinted windows help eliminate glare caused by sunlight. As a personal example, I can’t use my home office after 3 p.m. without my blinds down. The glare is too intense for me to see my computer screens comfortably. Window tint can solve this sort of problem“.
  • Add a Decorative Element: In addition to films that reduce the light transmission, some types of window film come in attractive textures, designs and patterns that can add both decorative and privacy elements to your home.

If you would like to read the entire article in Million Acres, click HERE.

We hope that this summary of the article gave you some insight into all the great things these innovative home window tint and films can do. If you would like more information about the home window tinting films mentioned in the article, click HERE. If you have questions about our services, call us at (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing a window film solution in your Springfield, Missouri home.

Mar 10
0
Quality Car Tint vs Cheap Tint - What's The Real Difference? - Automotive Window Tint in Springfield, Missouri

Quality Car Tint vs Cheap Tint – What’s The Real Difference?

By | Automotive

Is there any real difference between quality car tint and the cheap stuff? The prices of a vehicle tint job vary widely, but is there really that much difference in the tint being used? This article aims to look into the different types of automotive tint and why some are more expensive that others.

Before we begin looking into the differing window tint types available, let’s define some of the main benefits of a car window tint. We can then discuss how the benefits cary with different levels of tint. For the sake of this article, we will only look at professionally installed window tint and not DIY products.

4 Primary Benefits Possible With Automotive Window Tint
  • Improved or changed appearance of the vehicle.
  • Reduced solar heat entering interior of vehicle.
  • Reduced glare through windows.
  • Reduced UV rays passing through the glass.
Quality Car Tint vs Cheap Tint - What's The Real Difference? 24 General Types of Vehicle Window Tint Along With Associated Costs
  • Basic Dyed Automotive Window Tint – This is the least expensive form of car tint. As it related to the benefits above, these films are primarily to change the looks of the vehicle as desired, glare reduction and often come with very good UV rejection. However, this level of tint does very little to reject solar heat. On the downside, these films are often not warranted against color change and may not have a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. This level of tint will usually be the entry level offered at most professional shops.
  • Premium Dyed / Carbon Automotive Window Tint – This is the first step up from basic dyed tint. The costs is usually a step up from entry level. In addition to often having better quality levels of base polyester and scratch resistance, these films also typically offer better solar heat rejection than a basic dyed film. Also, these films are typically more color stable which means they will not fade or change color over time like many basic dyed films might. These films normally carry a lifetime warranty against color change or any other defect for the original purchaser.
  • Metal or Metal Hybrid Automotive Window Tint – As the name suggests, these films often utilize a metal layer in the construction. This is done to give the film a much higher solar heat rejection than possible with a dyed only film. These films are often very color stable and come with lifetime warranties. The potential negatives of these films are that they can have a slightly reflective look which some dislike. In addition, the metal layer can interfere with reception with certain electronic systems. These films are often priced slightly higher than premium carbon based films.
  • Nano-Ceramic or Ceramic Automotive Window Tint – Think of this as the best of all worlds. These films are at the top of the price structure and for good reason. They have great, non-reflective factory tinted appearance and very high heat rejection with no metal. The heat rejection comes from the technology of the ceramic construction and often is not dependent on the darkness of the tint to have higher heat rejection. This allows the user to choose everything from very light ti darker films and still get great solar heat rejection. Using a lighter window tint can be based on owner tastes or local window tint laws. In addition, because no metal is used, these films do not cause any interference with electronic systems.

If you would like more information on the quality car window tint products we offer, we would love to help. We can discuss the various options and assist you in making a great choice for your vehicle. Contact us today by calling (417) 823-8715. We look forward to serving you from our Springfield, Missouri locations.

Jan 31
0
Solar Control Window Films Save Money And Conserve Energy - Commercial Window Tinting and Film in Springfield, Missouri

Solar Control Window Films Save Money And Conserve Energy

By | Commercial, Home

These days, a more energy efficient commercial space helps you go green in two ways: it’s better for the environment, and it’s better for your wallet. With the costs of utilities going through the roof, you want to find ways to conserve wherever possible. The energy savings from solar control window films can help you avoid costly utility bills, and these innovative films retrofit to existing windows to avoid the cost and disruption of replacing inefficient windows.

Adding one of these window films to your commercial facility will give you energy and cost savings that can have a real impact. Let’s talk specifically about how they work and what they can do for you.

How Solar Control Window Films Conserve Energy

You might be imagining that window films reduce heat simply by tinting the window a dark color and blocking light, but that’s not the only way a window film can work. Modern solar control window films actually decrease a building’s heat gain through various technologies embedded in the film that absorb or deflect solar radiation….and they can even do this without noticeably darkening the glass.

When solar radiation hits untreated windows, some is reflected off, but most penetrates through the window and enters the internal spaces. Window films act to reflect or absorb a significant portion of that radiation at the glass surface, keeping it out of your space and maintaining a more temperature-controlled interior. 

Solar Control Window Films Save Money And Conserve Energy - Commercial Window Tinting and FilmThis results in a number of significant benefits:

Looking for a partner in energy and cost saving window films? Give us a call!

We hope that this article provided some useful information about how commercial solar control window films. If you have any questions, or would like to arrange a free, no obligation consultation at your commercial space, contact us by calling (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We would be glad to explain these innovative and functional window films available and help you get exactly the right film to fit your needs in the Springfield, Missouri area.

Dec 10
0
The Perfect Home Gift Might Be A Window Film Retrofit To Existing Glass - Home Window Tinting in the Springfield, Missouri area

The Perfect Home Gift Might Be A Window Film Retrofit To Existing Glass

By | Home

It’s officially that time of year again! People are often scrambling around to come up with gift ideas. Why not give a gift that continues to provide value well into the future? Considering that many people are spending more time in their home since the beginning of the pandemic, we wanted to share what we thought might be the perfect home gift. Who couldn’t use a gift that will improve comfort, save money and help preserve furniture, floors and furnishings in your home? That is exactly what retrofitting a window film to the existing glass in your home can do. Sound interesting? Let’s learn more!

3 Reasons Window Film Is The Perfect Home Gift
  1. Help Save Money On Utility Costs – As a result of spending more time at home, many have noticed their heating and cooling system working harder to maintain the desired comfort level throughout the day. When these systems are working harder, they consume more energy. Window films retrofitted to your existing glass can help reduce the demand on your system by making your windows more energy efficient. With the projected significant rise in utility costs this upcoming year, this reduction in demand on the system can result in some nice utility savings.
  2. Improve The Comfort Of A Home – Nothing impacts the comfort of a home more than being too hot or too cold. That is exactly what often happens in areas of the home near windows. You can experience hot and cold spots throughout the home that the heating and cooling system cannot address. A properly chosen home window film can help eliminate these hot spots in the summer and cold spots in the winter, making a home more comfortable all year round.
  3. Preserves Floors, Furniture & Furnishings – A home window film retrofitted to existing glass will block virtually all of the sun’s UV rays as well as a portion of solar heat and visible light. These are the 3 main factors related to sun damage and fading. By reducing this combination of 3 factors through the use of window film, you can extend the life of floors, furniture and furnishings.

We hope that this article explained why we feel might be the perfect home gift idea this holiday season and beyond. If you would like more information about the residential window films we offer, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free, no obligation assessment and estimate, call us at (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of retrofitting a house window film solution onto your home’s existing windows in the Springfield, Missouri area.

Nov 18
0
Tinting Luxury Car Windows - 3 Tips From The Intelligent Driver - Automotive Window Tinting in Springfield, Missouri

Tinting Luxury Car Windows – 3 Tips From The Intelligent Driver

By | Automotive

Deciding on tinting for luxury car windows can be challenging. Maybe you want to enhance the looks or improve the comfort of the interior with an automotive window film, but you don’t want to cheapen the car or devalue it with an add-on not worthy of the car. A recent article in The Intelligent Driver written by Zeid Nasser took on this exact topic in an article entitled “Tips for Tinting Your Luxury Car’s Windows“. We summarize 3 main points below.

Tinting Luxury Car Windows - 3 Tips From The Intelligent Driver - 2Performance Benefits of Tinting – The article details that in addition to looks, there are performance benefits associated with window tint. “With window tinting for your luxury car, you can extend the life of your car’s interior, reduce the overall amount of heat inside the car, reduce glare, increase security, improve the look of your car, and increase the efficiency of your car’s air conditioning.”

Types of Car Tint – The car details that automotive tint can have a variety of constructions. One of those types is a metal based film. The article mentions that this can be a problem as it could interfere with the vehicle’s electronic systems and mentions a non-metal ceramic film might be a better option. “If you have a luxury car with electronics such as satellite radio, navigation, or advanced keyless entry systems, you’re probably going to want to go with ceramic tinting. Metallic tint has been known to interfere with the electronics in a luxury car, so in most cases it’s simply not worth taking the chance.”

Check The Tint Laws In Your Area – The article mentions that it is important that you understand the laws pertaining to automotive window tint in your area. There are typically laws that dictate what windows / portions of windows can have film applied and exactly how dark that window film can be. For a quick check of the relevant window tint laws throughout the United States and Canada, visit the page located HERE.

We hope that you found this summary of the article helpful with regard to tinting for luxury car windows. If you would like more information, click HERE or contact us by calling (417) 823-8715. Find out why Custom Shade is the Springfield, Missouri area #1 source for automotive window tinting.