Jun 30
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Vehicle Window Tint Guide - Don't Be Fooled. It's Not All The Same - Automotive Window Tint Information in Springfield, Missouri

Vehicle Window Tint Guide – Don’t Be Fooled. It’s Not All The Same.

By | Automotive

All window tint used on vehicles is the same, right? Actually no, nothing could be further from the truth. We wanted to share this Vehicle Window Tint Guide guide to help you better understand vehicle window film so you can make an informed decision the next time you have a vehicle tinted.

Vehicle Window Tint Guide

If you’re like most people, you probably assume all vehicle window tint is the same. Sure, it comes in different shades of darkness, and maybe even varying levels of reflectivity, but it’s basically all the same, right? Actually, no. The truth is that the world’s ever-advancing technology has created significant differences that are important for you to understand before getting window tint put on your next vehicle.

Let’s begin this vehicle window tint guide with a little history of the evolution of automotive window tint. At one time, and not that long ago, vehicle window tint fell primarily into two simple categories; basic dyed polyester window film and window films with a metalized layer.

First, you had the basic dyed polyester film. This was typically inexpensive and just gave your windows the tinted appearance you were looking for without much in the way of performance. These dyed films often had a limited lifespan. Typically, they would begin turning purple after three to five years of sun exposure. We are sure you have noticed examples of this type of film driving around. Many times, this film looked great the day it was installed and then slowly faded to the undesirable purple.

Vehicle Window Tint Guide by Window Film ProsThe other vehicle tint option was metalized film that integrated a layer of metal to the dyed polyester. This gave the tinted look while providing some heat rejection. These films cost more than the dyed films and were considered the upgrade option in most shops. The performance was better and the film lasted longer because of the metal layer. The downside to these metal films was that they had more reflectivity (because of the metal layer) and they could interfere with the vehicle’s electronics and antenna systems. In addition, the sheen caused by the metal layer often caused these films to not offer a great match to factory tinted glass on SUVs, trucks and minivans.

Unfortunately, for many years, these were the only two window tint options someone had when wanting to get their vehicle’s windows tinted. The supposed “good” dyed film and the “better” option of metalized film. Neither was truly ideal.

Well, we are happy to say that those days are long gone! In 2022, you have a variety of new, high tech options. These films do not turn purple, are not reflective and they can reject a significant amount of heat without being dark. These new films are light years ahead of historic vehicle window film and should be at the front of your mind when you’re looking to have your next vehicle tinted.

Unlike traditional window tint that needs to be darker or metallic to achieve any real significant performance, these new films block the heat through infrared blocking technology. This enables them to even be nearly clear and still block a significant amount of heat.

Another important note is that these films create a protective barrier from the sun’s damaging UV rays for both your skin and the cabin of the vehicle. Studies show the incidence of skin cancer among passengers corresponds directly with the side of their body exposed to the window. For example, a driver in North America tends to have a higher rate of skin cancer on their left side, the one exposed to the sun while driving. Many modern window films are recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective protection from the sun. Click HERE to read more.

So, as you can see, not all vehicle tint is created equal. Understand the film technology they use so you can make an informed decision for your car and more importantly for yourself. Often, if you just ask to have your vehicle tinted a specific shade, a shop may use a basic dyed film to give you the look requested. This may give you the look you want, but you may miss out on the performance you could have had. Also, you should check your local tint laws to see what shade is legal in your state by clicking HERE.

Hopefully the information in the vehicle window tint guide helps you the next time you have window tint installed. If you would like more information, or have questions on the information contained in this vehicle window tint guide, we would love to help. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have and give you all the pertinent information about the window films we carry. You can learn more by contacting us at (417) 823-8715 or filling out a form here. We are your premier source for automotive window tint in the Springfield, Missouri area.

Jun 16
0
Residential Window Films Help Save Money On Summer AC Bills - Home Window Tinting in the Springfield, Missouri area

Residential Window Films Help Save Money On Summer AC Bills

By | Home

Memorial Day is behind us and the hot days of summer will be here before we know it. For many of us, the warm summer weather is something we look forward to all year long. However, it often also brings higher energy bills as we use our air conditioning to keep our home cooler and more comfortable. When you combine this with the climbing costs of energy, it can get very expensive to have a comfortable home this summer. To help combat this, we wanted to share some ways that residential window films, retrofitted to your existing home windows, can help you save on energy costs this summer season. These films can help reduce the load on your air conditioning system. This saves you money not only on the energy needed but also HVAC system maintenance needed from increased use.

The first thing you may be wondering is how these films can lower your utility bill by reducing the load on your air conditioning system. The simple explanation is that window film installed on the interior surface of your existing windows will reduce the amount of the sun’s heat coming into your home through the glass. By stopping a portion of the heat from entering at the window, your home does not get as warm and the AC system does not need to work as hard to keep interior temperatures comfortable. This reduction in work by your AC unit saves you on energy costs by reducing your usage at the best time of the day as many utility companies charge a premium at peak hours.

For example, on a hot summer day your air conditioning system might be struggling just to keep up with the demand to keep your home comfortable. Unfortunately, this demand for air conditioning is also happening all throughout your area at the same time. This spike in demand for energy allows the utility company to charge a premium on the energy you use during this period.

The good news is that residential window films are reducing the heat making its way into your home through the windows during these peak hours. This reduction allows your air conditioning to not work as hard, and use as less energy to keep your home comfortable during these peak hours.

In addition, as a side benefit, the home’s air conditioning system will not need to run as often to keep up with demand. Not only does this save you money on energy costs as mentioned above, but will also reduce you system maintenance costs from wear and tear from extended use on the AC system. Your air conditioning unit consists of numerous components that each have an effective service life.

The longer, and harder, a unit is forced to run, the faster these parts will wear out and need replaced. Furthermore, as parts degrade they often do not work as efficiently as they did when new. The resulting system inefficiency translates into more energy being needed to get the same results in home cooling.

We hope is that this brief article shed some light on how residential window films can help save you money on home energy costs and system maintenance not only this summer, but for many years to come. If you would like more information about these innovative home window films and how they can be retrofitted onto your home’s existing windows, 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 area home before Summer.

May 27
0
Window Tint & Window Film Benefits and Their Differences - Window Tinting and Window Film in Springfield, Missouri

Window Tint & Window Film Benefits and Their Differences

By | Commercial, Home

Ever had to squint your eyes from bright glare or struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature in a sunny room? How about wanting some additional privacy or security from a glass surface? If so, you may have thought about a product that might be applied to your windows to solve this issue. However, if you do even a quick Google search, you may end up more confused. What’s the difference between “window tint” and “window film” for your windows, and which is the right product to solve your issue? This article was written to help clear up this confusion and understand window tint and window film benefits and differences and whether one might be a good solution for you.

Window Tint vs Window Film

First, it is understandable that you might be confused. Even within the industry, these terms are often used interchangeably. However, newer technology actually dictates that it makes sense to differentiate between a “window tint” and a “window film”. Both window films and window tint are an alteration of existing windows and are applied to the window in place in the home or commercial space. There are a huge variety of these applied films. Some can be used to change the color or visible light transmission through the glass. We would typically refer to these as a window tint because they, to varying degrees, darken the glass to which they are applied. However, there are many other films that offer other benefits that do not entail darkening the glass at all. We would refer to these other products as window films.
So, depending on your needs, tastes and requirements, you might utilize a window tint or a window film. The proper thing to focus on would be the benefits these films provide. Once you determine what you need to accomplish, the proper product can be selected. Below you will find some of the more prominent benefits of window film and window tint.

Primary Benefits of Window Film / Window Tint
  • Reduce Glare – Applying tint to your home or commercial windows can result in blocking significant amount of the sun’s glare from passing through the glass.
  • Protect Furnishings – The sun’s UV rays penetrate through windows of your space. With prolonged exposure, furnishings, carpet, rugs and upholstery can become faded and damaged. Window films and window tint offers a great solution for fading issue as it typically blocks 99% of the UV while still allowing you to enjoy your windows.
  • Energy Savings – Window film and tint can act as a window insulator keeping heat out in the Summer and retaining heat in the Winter. This can help decrease utility bills by reducing how hard heating and air conditioning systems need to work to keep the space comfortable.
  • Increase Privacy – Window films can be used strategically throughout a space to offer additional privacy, add decor, integrate company branding or create visual breaks on any glass surfaces.
  • Enhance Safety – Accidents happen and a window can be broken. When this happens with a typical window, the glass breaks in a way that can be dangerous. Safety window films can keep the broken glass in place and reduce the danger.
  • Improve Security – Security window films exists that can provide some of the other benefits listed and make uninvited entry into the space more difficult. This makes these types of films a perfect compliment to a security system.
  • Affordable Alternative to Window Replacement – At some point nearly any window may need to be replaced, but by using window films you may be able to significantly extend the useful life of existing windows while achieving the benefits you desire. Having a professionally installed tint or film applied is much less costly and far less disruptive to your space than window replacement.

If you would like more information or have any questions about window tint and window film benefits or their differences, contact us by calling (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We are located in Springfield, Missouri and service the surrounding area. We look forward to serving any window film needs you may have.

May 11
0
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.