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Furnishing a home can be expensive. Protect your investment against sun damaged floors, furniture and furnishings with home window film.

Sun Damaged Floors & Furnishings – Great Fade Protection

By | Home

Added Protection Against Sun Damaged Floors and Furniture 2Many people have been making investments in their homes in these past several years as they are planning to stay put with interest rates soaring. With the investment in home improvement, it only makes sense that you would want to protect against sun damaged floors and furniture. This article is designed to explain the true causes of sun damage and why window films retrofitted to your existing windows can be a good solution.

If you don’t want your new floors or furniture to end up looking like the floor above or to the right, check out the information below.

What Causes Sun Damaged Floors and Furniture

First, let’s discuss what causes this type of fading and sun damage. A common misconception is that the sun’s UV rays are what cause sun damaged floors, furniture and furnishings. While UV rays are certainly the largest component that causes fading, as the chart below illustrates, they actually only account for 40% of the total.

Solar heat, or the heat you feel passing through your windows and the visible light streaming through are also major contributors. These factors account for an additional 25% each of the causes of fading. The last factor accounts for the remaining 10% and is listed as “other”.  It is comprised of a variety of things that are harder to control like interior lighting, humidity, etc.

One thing this chart might help you realize is that you cannot “stop” fading completely. The facts are that unless the items you want to protect are placed in a dark, climate controlled room, they will typically fade over time. However, most of us plan to have the flooring and furniture in a place that will be exposed to UV, heat and light. This being the case, the most you can do is attack these major contributors of fading.

By significantly attacking these contributors, you can slow down this fading process and extend the life of floors and furnishings. With that in mind, one of the best ways to attack these primary causes of sun damage and fading is with window films.

Why Are Window Films a Good Solution to Fading?

As mentioned above, you cannot completely stop fading and most people do not want to “close-up” their home in an effort to stop the damage from occurring. So, assuming windows will not be covered, you need to attack these fading factors before they enter the home. Window films are a great option because they attack all 3 major contributors of fading before they pass through the glass and enter your home.

Most professionally installed window films will block 99%+ of the UV rays, so that is nearly 40% of the factors removed. In addition, many window films can significantly reduce heat coming through the window, so that eliminates part of that 25% piece. 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 the overall reduction in these 3 fade factors, you can take a significant portion of the fading pie shown above. The best part is that this protection can be accomplished while continuing to retain the open feel of your home through the use of window film.

We hope this article has served to shed some light the factors of sun damaged floors, furniture and furnishings and how utilizing window film can be one of your best options to address this issue. If you would like more information, click HERE and contact Custom Shade today by calling (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We can provide you with a free, no obligation assessment and estimate on the work you are considering. We are based in Springfield, Missouri and proudly service the surrounding area.

Stay Cool & Save Energy! The Benefits of House Window Films

Stay Cool & Save Energy! The Benefits of House Window Films

By | Home

Higher Temperatures Expected – How House Window Films Can Help Save Energy

The Old Farmer’s Almanac, a publication known for its long-range weather forecasts, has predicted a hotter than normal Summer for much of the United States in 2024. While their methods haven’t been scientifically validated, the Almanac boasts an 80% accuracy rate on their yearly forecasts.

In addition, consumers should brace for continued high energy costs throughout 2024. While some sources predict a slight decrease in average electricity prices nationally, these may not be reflected in all regions. Coupled with the potential for a hotter-than-average summer, which could increase demand for electricity, many individuals could face higher energy bills in the coming year. It’s crucial to consider energy-saving measures to navigate this period of potentially elevated costs.

Stay Cool & Save Energy! The Benefits of House Window Films - Home Window Tinting ServicesWe recently came across an article in USA Today that detailed 5 ways to cool your home without central air. The article discussed things like using dehumidifiers, fans and other portable AC units, but they also discussed how house window films retrofitted to your existing windows can help.

We wanted to take a moment to summarize what they said about these innovative films and expand on how they can help you have a comfortable home this Summer.

The article mentions that according to the U.S. Department Of Energy, over one third of all sunlight that enters the home is transferred into heat. Therefore, any strategy to help keep your home cooler in the Summer needs to include a way to block this heat. This is where home window films retrofitted to your existing glass come in.

As the USA Today article explains, “A discreet window tint defends you from the sun by absorbing light shining in. Here at Reviewed, we tested window tints in our lab, and we were surprised by how much direct sunlight they block out. As a plus, the tinted film works as another layer of insulation come wintertime.

Gone are the days when energy-efficient window films meant sacrificing aesthetics for functionality. Modern innovation has brought exciting advancements to the market, allowing homeowners to enjoy the benefits of heat rejection without compromising the look of their windows.

Now, homeowners can embrace a new generation of window films that effectively block a significant amount of heat while maintaining a clear, near-invisible appearance. So, you can achieve substantial heat rejection without the need for dark, tinted windows that might not match your home’s style.

Furthermore, these innovative house window films offer an incredibly cost-effective solution compared to replacing your existing windows. They can be easily applied directly onto your current windows, instantly improving their performance and energy efficiency. This translates to significant savings on your energy bills, especially during the hot summer months.

For targeted heat control, you can strategically place the film on specific windows throughout your home. This allows you to address the rooms most impacted by the sun’s rays, creating a more comfortable and energy-efficient living environment. Whether you’re looking for a cost-effective way to improve comfort or simply want to keep your home cool and stylish, window film offers a compelling solution in 2024.

We hope that this article gave you some ideas on how house window films might be able to improve the comfort of your home this Summer. If you would like more information, contact us by calling (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We would be happy to discuss this with you and provide you with a free, no obligation quote of implementing a window film product into your Springfield, Missouri area home.

Glare Reducing Window Film Offers Improved Winter Comfort - Home and Commercial Window Film Services in the Springfield, MO area.

Glare Reducing Window Film Offers Improved Winter Comfort

By | Commercial, Home

Are you aware of the benefits of glare reducing window film and why it might be even more important in the Winter months? We wrote this article to explain why glare is worse at this time of the year and how these innovative films can help.

It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s not your imagination, the sun’s light and glare actually appear brighter in the Winter. The reason is that from October through Spring, the sun is much lower in the sky and that presents itself as an irritating glare that you might not notice as much at other times of the year. This lower angle of the sun’s rays hitting your windows results in a corresponding lower angle light passed through into the space.

The combination of a brighter sun and the lower angle of the rays result in excessive glare that make a space less comfortable and make seeing a computer or television screen more difficult. Furthermore, when you combine this lower angle and brighter sun with reflection off water or snow, the resulting glare can be even worse. Finally, the leaves on tress that provide a barrier to glare in the warmer months are missing giving the sun an unobstructed path to your windows.

So, How Does Glare Reducing Window Film Help?

For these reasons, Winter is the best time to consider retrofitting your existing windows with a glare reducing window film. Much like a quality pair of sunglasses, window films can significantly reduce the glare and increase visibility and comfort without negatively impacting your views. In fact, when the glare is reduced, your eyes can actually relax and result in an enhanced view and a more comfortable home.

In addition, significant glare problems are often accompanied by the issue of faded floors, furniture and furnishings. The increased sun exposure brings in excessive UV and light which both are major contributors to fading. A great added benefit of  window film is that it also will typically reduce 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays and a portion of the visible light.

If you would like more information or have any questions about glare reducing window film, contact 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 these solutions in your Springfield, Missouri area space.

Perfect Home Gift? – 3 Reasons to Consider Window Film

By | Home
How is Window Film The Perfect Home Gift?

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 at this time of the year, 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 Ways That Window Film Makes 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. These are just a couple ways that window films can make a great gift for your home. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Custom Shade today by calling (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We are located in Springfield, Missouri and cover the surrounding area.

Reduce Home Energy Usage With These 4 Easy Tips - Home Window Tinting in Springfield, MO

Reduce Home Energy Usage With These 4 Easy Tips

By | Home

The news is often filled with reports that home energy prices are expected to rise significantly this coming year and how to reduce home energy usage. With these costs going up, it’s in everyone’s best interest to reduce the amount of energy we use. Not only do you reduce your carbon footprint and energy waste, you are also setting yourself up to save money on your utility bills. With that in mind, here are some of the most useful and practical ways you can save money and reduce energy usage.

4 Easy Ways To Reduce Home Energy Usage
  • Switch to LEDs – LED bulbs require an initial investment that puts some people off, but they’re a far more efficient and inexpensive solution long term. Not only do they last longer (some LEDs work for more than twenty years!), but they reduce the amount of energy you consume by up to 90% compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. Plus, rather than burning out in a sudden flash, LEDs experience a more gradual decline that makes them easier to live with when they need replacement. Just by swapping out one bulb for an LED model, you’ll reduce your energy bill for that light source by 30-80 dollars over the course of the bulb’s life.z
  • Have Home Window Film Installed – This is where we come in, Did you know that modern window films are retrofitted to your existing windows and come in a variety of energy-conserving styles that reduce your energy usage by putting barriers between your home and the outside world? Professionally installed window films block nearly 80% of the sun’s heat, which can really help lower the interior temperature and the amount of air conditioning you need. In addition, during the winter, some low-e window film options help create an insulating layer on your windows to trap your home’s heat inside the house and reduce your heating bill.As a side benefit, most home window films block 99% or more of the sun’s UV rays which can help reduce the impact of cancer causing rays that damage skin as well as fade furnishings and flooring. Go with a pro who can make sure that the films are installed correctly and get you the best possible return on investment by choosing the right film for your application.
  • Switch to Time-Based Electricity Rates – To cut down on peaking power usage, some utility companies encourage customers to use electricity during off-peak hours. The energy company saves money during high-use hours and the customer receives those savings through rebates or lowered electricity rates. By using energy when others aren’t, you reduce consumption needs during busy times and help keep energy usage balanced for everyone.These programs are especially useful for people with electric or hybrid cars that recharge overnight, but it’s just as easy for people who can easily do things like run dishwashers overnight rather than during the day, for example. Also, technology like home window film mentioned above helps reduce energy usage from the sun’s heat during the peak hours you are trying to limit your consumption.
  • Kill “Energy Vampires” – Did you know that appliances leech energy even when they’re powered down? Large appliances like fridges, desktop computers, and especially televisions can be draining power even when they’re off, to the extent that as much as 20% of your electric bill can come down to this “vampire power” usage. Turns out that every appliance that stays plugged in is pulling electricity, and most appliances continuously use energy even when “off” to perform updates, connect to servers, and record data. To reduce your energy leaks, be sure to unplug all your devices that you can when you’re not using them. This is easier if you’re using a power strip that allows you to quickly flick off appliances without reaching down and physically unplugging them.

We hope this article helped you with some ways you can reduce home energy usage beginning tomorrow. Our company specializes in helping homeowners improve the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes utilizing modern window film technology. If you would like more information about home window film, click HERE. If you have any questions, 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.

Sun Faded Floor Protection Using a Home Window Film Retrofit - Home Window Tinting in Springfield, MO

Sun Faded Floor Protection Using a Home Window Film Retrofit

By | Home

Looking For a Solution to Sun Faded Floor Protection?

Furnishing a home can be expensive. Flooring, furniture and furnishings costs can add up quick. With so much invested, doesn’t it make sense to take steps to protect that investment from sun fading? While most of us 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. Sunlight is responsible for the primary causes of sun faded floor protection.

Sun Faded Floor Protection Using a Home Window Film RetrofitMost people do not want to sacrifice their views and the open feeling of their home to protect their furnishings from the sun, so what can be done? One of the best ways to attack the 3 primary causes of sun damage and fading is with a window film retrofitted to your existing windows. This article will examine exactly what causes the fading and damage to occur and how window film is a great solution to consider.

What Causes Fading and Sun Damage?

A common misconception is that UV rays are what cause sun faded floors and damage to furnishings. While UV is certainly the largest component, as the chart below illustrates, these rays only account for 40% of the causes of fading. 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. This article from Build Direct explains this from the angle of a flooring supplier.

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 primary contributors of fading in a significant enough way to slow down the fading process in a substantive way. By slowing the process, you extend the life of your floors, furniture and furnishings.

Protection from Sun Caused Fading Floors and Furnishings 5

Why Is A Window Film Retrofit To Your Existing Windows a Good Solution?

As mentioned above, most people do not want to darken their home with sun blocking curtains, blinds or drapes in an effort to stop fade damage from occurring. So, assuming the windows will not be covered the majority of the time, you need to attack the fade factors before they enter the home. The reason a window film retrofit is a great option is because it attacks all 3 primary contributors of fading. Most professionally installed window films will block 99%+ of the UV rays.

Sun Faded Floor Protection Using a Home Window Film Retrofit 3So, that removes almost 40% of the contributing factors of fading. In addition, many window films can significantly reduce the solar heat and visible light coming through the window. When you combine these factors, you can take a large slice out of the fade pie chart shown above. This protection can be accomplished while retaining the open feel of your home.

So, let’s do a quick calculation of a common home window film to show how much it can reduce fading versus a clear window. The window film being used in this scenario will block 99% of the UV rays, 68% of the visible light and 41% of solar heat. So, the fading math calculation would go as follows, (40% x 99%) + (25% x 68%) + (25% x 41%) = 66.85% Fade Reduction. As you can see, although window film will not 100% stop fading as we discussed above, by reducing the fade factors by 66.85%, you can substantially extend the life of your furniture, floors and furnishings.

We hope this brief article shed some light on what the factors of sun faded floors, rugs and furniture are and how retrofitting window film to your existing windows is one of your best options to address this issue. If you are interested in learning more, 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. 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.

How To Upgrade Home Windows Without Replacing Them - Home Window Tinting in Springfield, MO

1 Great Way To Upgrade Home Windows Without Replacement

By | Home

Upgrade Home Windows Without Replacing Them

Did you know that Energy.Gov states that 30% of a home’s heating and cooling costs can be lost through windows that are not energy efficient? With home fuel costs going through the roof, you may be considering the purchase of energy-efficient replacement windows.

However, before you spend thousands of dollars, there is a way to upgrade home windows without replacing them.

When your goal is to improve energy efficiency, retrofitting energy-saving window film to your existing windows provides an affordable alternative to window replacement. Home window films can help windows that are otherwise in good shape, but just not as energy efficient as you would like.

If you windows are damaged or deteriorating, they will need to be replaced. Assuming that window film is a viable option, the cost for quick, professional installation of energy saving window film is about 1/5th the cost of replacement windows!

2 Ways Residential Films Help Save Energy
  • 1 Great Way To Upgrade Home Windows Without ReplacementEnergy-saving window film can also lower your home’s cooling costs by reducing the heat coming through the windows in warmer months.
  • Specific Low-E window films can help retain interior heat in the cooler months.

In these two ways, home window film helps reduce house energy consumption, which saves money and also helps the environment. In addition, retrofitting window film is much less disruptive than window replacement and is better for the environment than the landfill impact of removal of the existing units.

Additional Ways Window Film Can Upgrade Home Windows
  • UV Protection: Window films can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, which can help to protect your furniture, flooring, and artwork from fading. UV rays can also contribute to skin cancer, so window films can also provide a layer of protection for your family.
  • Added Privacy: Window films can be used to create daytime privacy without blocking out all of the natural light. This can be a great option for homes with young children or pets, or for homes that are located near busy streets.
  • Additional Security: Window films can make your windows more difficult to break through, which can deter burglars.

Choosing a home window film to upgrade your windows without replacing brings benefits all the way around.

You can find out more information about home window films by clicking HERE

If you are interested in learning how window films can upgrade home windows, please contact us today by calling (417) 823-8715 for a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing window film.

We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about window film, the installation process and the products that we use to upgrade your Springfield, Missouri area home.

Spring Home Improvement? Window Tint May Be A Great Choice - Home Window Tint and Film in Springfield, Missouri

2023 Spring Home Improvement? Window Tint Is A Great Choice

By | Home

Thinking about a Spring home improvement project? We wanted to give you some compelling reasons to consider home window tint or film. This innovative product brings many valuable benefits that you should be aware of.

Why Home Window Tint / Film May Be The Perfect Spring Home Improvement
  • Reduced energy costs. Window tint can help to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which can lead to savings on your energy bills.
  • Improved comfort. Window tint can help to reduce glare and heat, which can make your home more comfortable to live in.
  • Increased safety. Window film can help to deter break-ins and protect your family from flying glass in the event of an accident or natural disaster.
  • Enhanced privacy. Window films can help to provide privacy for your home in a variety of ways.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, safety and privacy, then window tint / film is a great option. And with the warm weather of spring just around the corner, there’s no better time to get it done. It is a retrofit that is applied to your existing windows with minimal disruption to your home.

If that didn’t convince you, here are a couple additional benefits of home window tint.

  • Reduced fading of furnishings. The sun’s UV rays can fade furniture, carpets, and other furnishings. Window tint can help to protect your belongings from fading.
  • Increased curb appeal. Window tint can make your home look more attractive from the outside. This can be a great way to increase your home’s value.

With so many benefits to offer, window tint is a great Spring home improvement project. If you would like more information about our home window films, you can contact us by calling  (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We are located in Springfield, Missouri and cover the entire surrounding areas.