Dec 09
0
Why Auto Window Tint Might Make Even More Sense During Fall & Winter in Springfield, Missouri

Why Auto Window Tint Might Make Even More Sense During Fall & Winter

By | Automotive

Have you ever noticed that the sun seems brighter in the Fall and Winter? That is not your imagination and this article is meant to share share a couple reasons why this is the case and why auto window tint might make even more sense during this time of the year.

Why Is The Sun Brighter During The Fall and Winter?

First, let’s discuss why you notice the sun being brighter at this time of the year. As we head into Fall, the sun begins to be lower in the sky. This is contrasted with the Summer when the sun is high in the sky. With the sun lower on the horizon in Fall and Winter, the light is hitting you at angles much closer to the horizon. So, while you might never look directly up into the sun during the Summer, you often find yourself looking somewhat directly at the sun during Fall and Winter.

The sun being lower to the horizon corresponds to shorter days. This will continue into January when the sun seems brightest and is very low on the horizon. After Winter solstice, the process begins to reverse and the sun begins getting higher in the sky each day again. During this process, you will notice that you are confronted with irritating and often blinding glare at the exact time of the day when many people are commuting to work.

Finally, if you drive near a body of water or have to contend with snow, the situation gets even worse. The low angled sunlight will reflect off of water and / or snow and create and even brighter and more blinding effect.

How Does Auto Window Tint Help?

Like a quality pair of sunglasses, window tint can reduce the amount of glare passing through the glass. This will not only make your vehicle a more comfortable place to be, it can also make it safer. If you have ever been blinded by the sun while driving or trying to pull out onto a road, you know what we mean. By reducing the glare and allowing you to see the road better, you are in a better position to operate your vehicle safely. In addition, not having to squint and deal with excessive glare will allow your eyes to relax and not make your time in the vehicle as stressful.

On one final note, remember to keep your windows as clean as possible this time of year. The issues surrounding the lower angle of the sun will be amplified through dirty windows.

We hope you enjoyed this article. We would be happy to show you all of the options of auto window tint available to improve the comfort and safety of your vehicle. If you would like to learn more about the automotive window film we install, click HERE. If you have any questions, or would like and estimate or to schedule an appointment for automotive window tint installation, call us at (417) 823-8715.

Nov 13
0
Solar Controlling Window Film in Springfield, Missouri.

Solar Controlling Window Film Pros & Cons Detailed by Architect Magazine

By | Commercial, Home

Evelyn Royer wrote an article for Architecture Magazine called “The Pros and Cons of Window Films” that we wanted to summarize. Solar controlling window film can be a misunderstood product, so we wanted to clear up some misconceptions. These innovative films retrofitted to your existing windows can be one of the most cost-effective ways to boost energy efficiency in both homes and commercial spaces.

With a growing interest in improving energy efficiency, residential and commercial window films should not be a product that is overlooked. Let’s look into what the article says that these films can, and cannot do.

Window Film Pros

  • Window film can cut utility costs by 30% to 40% that is much cheaper than replacing windows.
  • Solar films block 99% of UV light that fades furniture without looking reflective or dark.
  • Window films can add security and slow down a break in.
  • Window Film can add safety by holding shards together if a window shatters.
  • Some films can make a low-cost new window as efficient as a newer low-E, triple-pane unit.

Window Film Cons

  • Some window manufacturers warn that films will void their window warranty. Check with your window manufacturer if your windows are still covered under warranty by the manufacturer.
  • Certain glass lites, latches, and frames make installation difficult, which can impact cost.

Ultimately, experts say the future is bright for solar controlling window film products. We completely agree as the importance of green technologies implemented into existing spaces will only be growing in importance over the coming years.

We would be happy to answer any questions and schedule a free, no obligation consultation about integrating these films into your home or commercial space. You can contact us by calling (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We are located in Springfield, Missouri and service the surrounding area.

Oct 29
0
Reasons To Add Window Tint Your Tesla in Springfield, Missouri

Enrg.io Magazine Gives Numerous Reasons Window Tint Your Tesla

By | Automotive

In a recent article in Enrg.io Magazine, they discuss the particular reasons why you should consider window tint for your Tesla vehicle. Enrg.io Magazine is dedicated to electric vehicle related articles, but we think the reasons they give for considering window tint can apply to nearly any vehicle.
The first thing the article mentions is why Tesla vehicle are particularly good candidates for window tinting. They state in the article “The only shortcoming with Tesla windows, however, is they let in a lot of sunlight. More sun is great for charging up the solar panels, but for passengers in the car’s interior, it can prove uncomfortable. Due to all that glass, the glare makes it hard to drive, significantly reducing safety. Owners should, therefore, consider window tinting..”.
The article continues by giving four additional reasons to consider window tinting for your Tesla.They are as follows:

  • Tinting your Tesla protects the interior from UV rays and heat. This prevents the car from warming up when parked in the sun. Heat and UV are absorbed at a slower rate when windows are tinted.
  • A tinted glass Tesla looks beautiful, and you can match your window color between the side and top sections.
  • You will feel less vulnerable sitting in traffic behind your tinted windows, unlike the fishbowl effect of an un-tinted Tesla.
  • Tinted glass makes it easier to control the interior temperature of your Tesla vehicle.

The article also goes on to give tips on what to look for when having an installation done and the differing types of window tint materials that are available. Again, this information applies to nearly any vehicle. If you would like to read the entire article at Enrg.io, click on the link “Window Tinting Considerations For Tesla“.

We hope that you found this article informative and interesting. If you would like to learn more about the automotive window film we install, click HERE. If you have any questions, or would like and estimate or to schedule an appointment for automotive window tint installation, call us at (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE

Sep 25
0
How Window Films Can Modernize Commercial Buildings - Commercial Window Tinting in Springfield, Missouri

How Window Films Can Modernize Commercial Buildings in Springfield, Missouri

By | Commercial

Are you interested in way to modernize commercial buildings? We came across an article in Commercial Construction & Renovation written by Mike Pallerino that discusses how professionally installed window films can help modernize commercial buildings in a variety of ways. The article states that “provides comfort to building inhabitants by reducing heat and glare as well as blocking the sun’s harmful UV rays. It also saves money by controlling a building’s energy consumption – keeping heat out in summer months and retaining heat in the winter. It offers an added layer of safety by holding together broken glass during a natural disaster or intrusion. And gives any commercial facility a modern, updated look.” We wanted to summarize the main points of this article in the post below.

Ways Window Films Modernize Commercial Buildings

    • Aesthetics – Window film is a flexible, adaptable product that can be retrofitted to enhance the unique aesthetic appeal of any commercial building. While it doesn’t need to stand out, it can be used to enhance the style of a building exterior. There are also decorative glass films that add extra style to glass panels. You can achieve the look of etched glass or other custom glass options at a fraction of the cost of designer glass at a fraction of the cost.
    • Energy Savings – Per the International Window Film Association (IWFA), the return on investment is higher for commercial building owners when renovating with window film verses any other method. Up to 30% of any building’s cooling and heating load is lost through windows. Installing window film will reduce the stress on a facility’s HVAC system as it’s designed to keep heat out, even during the hottest of summer days.
    • UV Protection – Window film blocks up to 99 percent of UV rays, and reflects up to 80 percent of the sun’s energy. Blocking UV rays helps reduce glare on computer screens, and protects and prolongs the life of furniture, carpets, artwork, draperies, and woodwork.
    • Security – Safety and security is an important benefit for commercial buildings. On the security side, professionally installed safety and security film can delay an intruder’s attempt to enter through the window. The film holds the glass together and prevents it from shattering, delaying the intruder’s entrance, and allowing local authorities to get to the scene in a timely manner.
    • Safety – On the safety front, in the event of a natural disaster, acts of terrorism or something similar, window film can manage how the glass panels break and limit the amount of dangerous flying glass shards.

If you would like to read the entire article, click HERE

If you would like to get more information on how commercial window films can modernize commercial buildings, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free, no obligation assessment and quotation at your facility, call us at (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE.

Aug 28
0
Duke Energy Offers Several Energy Saving Tips For Homeowners - Home Tinting in Springfield, Missouri

Duke Energy Offers Several Energy Saving Tips For Homeowners

By | Home

Let’s face it, most of us are looking to save a little money these days and would love to take a bite out of high utility bills. However, we also want to maintain a comfortable house as many are spending a great deal more time in our homes these days. We wanted to do our part to help by summarizing five energy saving tips provided by Duke Energy in a recently published article. While this is not meant to be a comprehensive list, this could get you on the way to saving some money each month.

Five Energy Saving Tips From Duke Energy

  1. Use ceiling fans and set them to rotate in the proper direction for the season. Fans allow users to set thermostats in a way that can reduce energy use.
  2. Have your heating and air conditioning system serviced and change the air filter each month or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Date the filter or set a reminder to help track when it’s time for a new one. This can help the unit run more efficiently.
  3. Install attic insulation rated R-30 and seal attic leaks. This will reduce heating and cooling escaping and could qualify for bill credits. Check with your utility company for more information.
  4. Install home window films or keep blinds, curtains and shades closed during the hottest part of the day, especially on south and west facing windows. This helps keep heat out and the AC from running constantly. However, most of us do not want to keep our blinds or shades closed, and this is where we can help. Modern home window films that can block a significant amount of this heat without even changing the appearance of your windows. We even have low-e options that can potentially save energy in both the warmer and cooler months. Contact us for more details.
  5. This is an area most people are unaware of. Unplug phones or other electronic devices once fully charged. Many chargers use energy even when they aren’t connected to a device.

The article at Duke offer several more tips as well and you can read the entire piece by clicking HERE.

We hope that this summary gave you some energy saving tips that you could use to start driving down your utility bills. If you would like more information about the home window films mentioned in the article, click HERE. If you have questions about our services, If you have questions about our services call us at or fill out a form HERE today.

Aug 14
0
School Construction News Details Necessary School Safety Measures - Security Window Film in Springfield, Missouri

School Construction News Details Necessary School Safety Measures

By | Safety & Security Window Film

As we get ready to embark on a new school year, it is safe to say that many things will be different. While we definitely want to pay attention to the health aspects related to starting school, we also want to be aware of school safety and security vulnerabilities. To better inform you in this area, we wanted to share a quick summary of an article in School Construction News entitled “Window Film: A Necessary Safety Measure for Schools“. This article explains what a security window film can do and why is should be added to the necessary school safety measures.

The article begins by stating that “Safety and security window film is a tool that, when integrated with a well-planned system of security measures, can offer a school community both greater security and greater peace of mind. Safety and security film is a polyester-based product that, when professionally installed, strengthens a building’s windows, which in turn protects the building and its occupants.” But how exactly can it accomplish this? We summarize their findings below.

Ways Security Window Film Enhances School Safety Measures

  • Increases Intrusion Resistance of Glass – The article notes that “Windows and doors are the most vulnerable parts of a building. They are points of entry for people that may mean harm to the occupants. Glass is also an inviting target for vandals intent on mischief or worse. The main benefit of safety and security film is to provide an invisible shield that offers protection from broken glass and deters or delays unwanted entry.“Think of security window film as part of an overall system to prevent unwanted access to the facility.As the article states, “…use of safety window film alone will not prevent intrusion through glass. Instead, it increases the amount of time needed to break through and can deter the efforts of the potential intruder altogether after multiple unsuccessful attempts to enter through the filmed glass.” By slowing the intruder down, the facility has time to implement other safety measures including notifying local authorities. The goal of the window film is to slow down how quickly the intruder can gain access to the interior of the building.
  • Improved Privacy and Protection – The ability of a potential intruder to see into the school can arm them with information better kept hidden. The article mentions this by saying, “As most schools operate during daylight hours, an intruder can still see into classrooms — even if the blinds are drawn in some cases. Each window is essentially a map to the entire school. Potential intruders can easily see in and gather details of the entire school — the hallways, media center, office, cafeteria, etc. — which makes it easier to create a plan to gain entry and target victims.” Fortunately, security window film comes in various shades and reflectivity levels to help obscure the interior details of the building and the activities within during daylight hours.

If you would like more information about how security window film can be added to your school safety measures, click here. Call us at (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form here. We would be happy to arrange a free, no obligation consultation and discuss how you can implement a security window film solution. We are located in Springfield, Missouri and service the surrounding area.

Jun 26
0
Noticing Heat And Glare Issues As You Spend More Time Spent At Home? - Home Window Tinting in Springfield, Missouri

Noticing Heat And Glare Issues As You Spend More Time Spent At Home?

By | Home

If your increased time at home has caused you to notice some excessive heat or irritating glare issues in your home, window film retrofitted to your existing windows can help. The unfortunate aspect of the great open feeling that windows provide is that they can allow in more glare and heat than you might prefer. This can cause your air conditioning to work overtime or make it harder to see computer and television screens.

Ways Window Film Can Help

Reduce Excessive Heat – While window treatments can be effective at blocking sunlight and reducing incoming heat, they also obstruct the desired view through the windows. A window film applied to your existing glass can reflect sunlight before it enters the home. In fact, it can block and reflect up to 78% of the sun’s heat. This means air conditioning does not need to run as frequently, so energy bills can be reduced.

Cut Irritating Glare – When direct sunlight causes glare on computer or television screens a window covering can block the light. However, this also means rooms are darker and more interior lighting is required to account for the loss of natural light. Window films can be used to control excessive brightness and prevents glare without forsaking natural light. In addition, you are able to look out windows and enjoy views and scenery, which has been shown to increase well-being and mood.

We hope this brief article helped enlighten you to how window film can help with heat and glare issues in your home. If you would like more information on home window film, click HERE. If you have questions about these innovative films, call us at (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form here. We would be happy to arrange a free, no obligation consultation and discuss how you can implement a window film solution in your home. We are located in Springfield, Missouri and service the surrounding area.

Jun 12
0
Protect Springfield, Missouri Facilities & People with Security Window Film - Safety and Security Window Film Services in the Springfield, Missouri Area

Protect Springfield, Missouri Facilities & People with Security Window Film

By | Safety & Security Window Film

We’re passionate about the ways that window films can add value to a space. From residences to commercial buildings, films bring energy efficiency, reduce glare, and add style for a cost-effective price. However, one of the lesser known benefits of window films is their security-enhancing features. Though they are installed on existing windows and can be installed by professionals with minimum disruption, security window film packs some serious benefits that can enhance any security strategy your facility has in place. In this article, we summarize three key benefits of security window films.

Harder for Burglars Gain Entry Into Facility – Windows and glass doors are some of the most common places for burglars to target. The website Alarms.org even reported that 95% of all home invasions involved a forceful entry, almost always breaking a window or kicking in a door. And with burglaries happening once every 23 seconds in the United States, it’s a serious business to protect your property from theft and damage. While the glass can still be broken, properly installed security window film will make it more difficult for the burglar to gain entry through the glass. We always recommend a layered approach to security. Combining an properly set up alarm system with a security window film will allow the alarm to sound while not allowing easy access. Often, by making it much harder to access the space through the glass will cause the burglar to flee in search of an easier target. Protecting your windows with a security film is an easy way to make it that much harder for a criminal to enter your property.

Reduce the Negative Effects from Blast Events – Another area of concern is blast events. This can take the form of either bomb attacks or unforeseen explosions. Whether it’s man-made act or an unfortunate accident, a blast turns the weakest point of a building (the glass windows) into dangerous projectiles hurtling through the air. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that lacerations from flying glass are a significant portion of all injuries from explosion incidents. However, a thick, professionally installed protective security window film can create a barrier of protection. The film acts to hold the broken glass in place and reduce the risk of injury from flying shards.

Maintain Building Envelopes and Reduce Risk in Disaster Situations – Though an explosion like we discussed is fortunately an uncommon occurrence, natural disasters can affect all of us. Shattered glass during a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake poses a huge risk to your safety, especially for those taking shelter inside. Just like we mentioned above regarding protection in the events of a blast event, security window films can provide a protective layer that keeps a building envelope intact and reduces flying glass shards. Having the majority of the glass remain attached to the film also makes it safer after the event when rescue and cleanup efforts begin.

We hope that this article gives you some insight into the key ways you can increase safety at your facility utilizing these films. If you have questions about security window film, call us at (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form here. We would be happy to arrange a free, no obligation consultation and discuss how you can implement a security window film solution. We are located in Springfield, Missouri and service the surrounding area.