Advantages of Decorative Window Film

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Decorative window film is a cost effective way to make the most of the natural light from the sun and still give your building some privacy from the outside. It adds that touch of style and sophistication to a building and gives it elegance in spades. But those are not the only reasons for using decorative window film in your building.

The direct sunlight can be harsh on furniture and equipment alike, contributing to fading of colors. This also goes for rugs and fabrics. The tint from decorative window film protects your furniture and fabrics from the harshness of direct sunlight and this in turn helps to keep fading to a minimum.

Window trends change over time and keeping up with the styles can cause a strain in your budget. 3M window film has a range of styles and patterns which combine to add to the attractiveness of a building. Best of all, whenever the trend changes, you won’t need to change the window; just the film.

If you are looking for decorative window film with flexible designs and patterns that will give you the desired privacy without compromising natural light, 3M Fasara Decorative Window Film will meet your window film needs. It encompasses glare reduction and fade-control and features several stylish designs.

Window Film Depot has had experience working with the 3M range of window film and has a no-nonsense approach to business. With prompt delivery and customized services, we work with our clients to deliver first-class window film solutions that fit your business. For a free feasibility study, contact Jeff@windowfilmdepot.com

3 Top Reasons Why Commercial Window Film is Good for your Business

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Commercial window film has seen a rise in demand in recent times as more and more businesses are using it for their premises. Apart from the desire to meet Green Building standards, there are a number of reasons why businesses have chosen to use commercial window film on their buildings.

  1. Window film acts as a barrier from the sun without blocking the natural light it offers. Sunlight can be really harsh and this can make a work environment extremely uncomfortable for workers. Window film makes the building cooler by blocking the heat from the sun. the sun also contains harmful UV rays which have been known to cause cancer. Window film, particularly 3M Sun Control window film can work to keep these rays outside your building.
  2. Window film can act as protection to your building. This can be in a number of ways. Commercial window film has a substance that holds the window together so that in the case of a bomb blast or a hurricane, there are no flying shards around. This can also come in handy if your building is the focus of a smash and grab. 3M Safety and Security window films have inbuilt adhesives to hold the windows together making it impossible for anyone to break in.
  3. Window film could make your building tax deductible. The Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 2005 made it possible for buildings that used certain green building materials to be eligible for tax deduction. Some 3M window films are eligible for this deduction.

Window film depot is a 3M window film provider, equipped to make sure that all your window film needs are adequately and efficiently met. If you require a free feasibility study to determine the needs of your building, get in touch with Jeff@windowfilmdepot.com

LEED Gold Becomes the New Federal Green Standard

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WASHINGTON, DC

The U.S. General Services Administration recently made LEED-Gold certification the standard for all federal buildings. This means that all new federal buildings and major renovation projects need to achieve a minimum LEED-Gold certification. This is a step-up from the previous requirement for major overhauls or renovation of federal buildings which was a LEED – Silver certification.

The GSA Commissioner of Public Buildings Robert A. Peck said in a statement, that sustainable, better-performing federal buildings could go a long way to contributing to the reduction of the government’s environmental footprint.

LEED-Silver certification still remains the standard requirement for new construction lease projects of 10,000 square feet or more. For leases in existing buildings, tenant agencies could request that a LEED certification under the Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) standards be met and maintained.

LEED Certification

The LEED green building certification program is the accepted standard used in determining a building’s sustainability. Achieving LEED certification is the most effective method of demonstrating that a building is sustainable in terms of energy conservation.

A LEED certified building signifies the conscious use of green materials in the building and this covers the exterior and the interior. Water conserving and energy conserving materials would have been employed in construction and remodelling of a LEED certified building. There are many advantages to having a LEED certified building (read this post).

3M Window Film Contributes to LEED Credits

Several materials are listed on the LEED website as green materials and one of the foremost is 3M Window Film. The layers of polyester film bonded by special adhesives, impregnated with ultraviolet inhibitors make it an obvious choice.

Window Film Depot

Is a company that has years in professional installation of 3M Window Film. Window Film Depot has experience working on government buildings. Using 3M window film in your construction or remodelling projects can go a long way towards earning the LEED-Gold certification which is now the standard for federal building. If you need a free estimate, contact Jeff@windowfilmdepot.com

Benefits of Professional Window Film Installation

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It is easy to wonder about the benefits of professional window film installation especially against the increasing desire for DIY projects. However, when it comes to the installation of window film on the windows of your commercial buildings, you want to get it right. Using a professional will ensure that.

Apart from that, a professional installer will have the film-to-glass recommendation from the manufacturer and this is very useful in assisting a customer in the selection of what film to use for particular windows. Each window is unique and what a customer desires from window film defers from customer to customer. A Professional would be able to match the windows in your building to suitable window film without compromising the effect you desire.

Furthermore, window film installed by a professional dealer will most likely offer warranties which usually cover several costs including the costs of removal, costs of replacement and costs of installation. You get professional support on your purchases.

Important to note is that window films that have been professionally installed look better and are longer lasting. They are also more likely to perform to exact specification for their warranted lives and sometimes, last even longer that those that have not been properly installed.

Whatever window film you decide to use, a professional dealer is specifically equipped to help you install beautiful-looking window films and deal seamlessly with any problems which might arise in the process.

If you are searching for professional window film installation, go to the nearest Window Film Depot. We have experience with professional installation of 3M window film and provide excellent services which exceed client expectation. Contact Jeff@windowfilmdepot.com for a free feasibility study.

14% Growth in LEED Buildings in 2010

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2010 saw a really bad year in the real estate market with the global financial crisis. Property prices slumped like they hadn’t in a very long time and all around the country, investors were finding it increasingly hard to rent or sell their property.

In the green building market however, the story was slightly different. Although the green building market was not totally immune to the recession, it was not as bad as the overall real estate market. In a report released yesterday November 17, by Rob Watson of GreenBiz.com, the third annual Green Building Market & Impact Report, it was revealed that “despite precipitous declines in the rate of growth, the total amount of LEED-certified buildings grew by one billion square feet in 2010, up to eight billion, or a growth rate of 14 percent.”
The report also found that on the whole, LEED buildings were a huge force in the reduction of the environmental footprint of individual structures.

Choosing to build with materials that are green and employing green standards when building, will help to reduce the overall environmental footprints. They help in the conservation of water and energy and attract a higher rent rate. What is more, you may be eligible for tax deductions in the process.

Using 3M Window Film will add to your LEED credit and the 3M Sun Control Window Film is a qualifying product which can make you eligible for a tax deduction.

3M Sun Control Window Film – Advantages

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Last week we discussed the benefits of window films in general and how they go a long way to protect occupants of a building both from natural disasters and from man-made violence. Today we are going to look at the qualities of 3M Sun Control window film and the benefits which installation of this window film bring to a building.

Reduced Solar Heat Gain

First on the list is a greatly reduced solar heat gain. The significance of this is obviously in the greater comfort occupants of the building enjoy. But beyond that, is the reduced cost of air conditioning.

One other advantage of the reduced solar heat gain is a reduction in the wear and tear and subsequently, maintenance of HVAC equipment.

3M sun control window film will go a long way towards the increment of fade resistance of furniture, drapery, fabrics and any other surface that is vulnerable to fade from exposure to the harsh glare of the sun as window film is used in glare reduction.

The tinted variety of window film affords the occupants of the building daytime privacy and actually enhances the appearance of the building by adding an attractive accent to the windows.

Low Energy Demand

3M sun control window film reduces the effect of the glare of direct sunlight on the building thereby resulting in a lower need for air conditioning. This in turn lowers the energy demands from utilities because of the reduced energy costs.

The direct and long term result of using window film is a decrease in environmental emissions which eventually reduces the environmental footprint of the building.

Window Film Depot

A building really does better with the installation of 3M window film. Window Film Depot has been in the business of window film installation for some time and they come with invaluable experience and a well trained staff to offer you the highest industry standards.  If you would like a complimentary feasibility study of your building, contact Jeff@windowfilmdepot.com.

The Benefits of Window Film

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A lot has been said about window film in general and 3M Window films in particular. Yet many are not quite clear on the benefits of using window film in their buildings. If you are one of those who are still wondering of what 3M window films are, here are a few reasons to use them for your building.

Reduction of UV Rays

3M Window film has been found to significantly prevent undue exposure to the harsh light of the sun, having almost 99 percent of Ultraviolet (UV) reduction. The result of this protection includes:

Considerable fade protection for furniture, carpet, draperies, wood, etc. Fading of furniture and other interior materials is usually as a result of their exposure to direct sunlight. 3M Window film guards against this kind of exposure.
Reduced fabric or textile deterioration. This is also as a result of exposure to the direct glare of the sun.
UV radiation has been linked to certain cancers so the reduced exposure offered by 3M Window films are a positive benefit.

Shatter Resistance

3M Window film give an increased shatter resistance which enhances the safety of the occupants of a building. A huge side benefit is the peace of mind that comes with it.

Protection from Violence

There are many forms of violence out there today and even though a lot of it is human generated, it will not do to ignore the violence that comes with natural disasters such as storms, earthquakes and high winds.

Heavy gauge security films offer significant protection from these. They are also useful against vandalism, terrorist bombings, smash and grab, scratching and are anti graffiti.

There are several types of window film and each type is specialized to offer a certain range of benefits. Regardless of the 3M Window film you decide to go with, they perform very well in every climate.

Window Film Depot has a lot of experience with the installation of 3M Window Film and adheres to the highest ethical standards. We have a staff force, fully trained to work with you in determining the window film needs of your building. For your free feasibility study, contact Jeff@windowfilmdepot.com.

Green Buildings in Today’s Market

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In the past decade, the Green Building market has seen exponential growth. The reason for this is not far fetched. Builders, Architects, Building Managers and Designers have found that the demand for green buildings has increased. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) stated that the prices for energy-efficient buildings are up to 10% higher per square foot than conventional buildings. Generally, green buildings are usually more expensive to build than traditionally structured buildings. However, in the long-term, the operating costs are significantly lower.

That being said, what are Green Buildings?

The term is used in reference to a building which employs an integrated process right from the design stage. Such a building should also be carbon neutral or have low emissions in comparison with other buildings of similar size and purpose.

An important characteristic of a Green Building is the materials from which it is built; they should be reused, recycled or rapidly renewable. The indoor air quality of a green building should be free from chemicals and contaminants while the focus should be on low and renewable energy use.

3M Window Films are some materials which add to the energy conservation levels of a building. The Sun Control Window Film blocks the heat of the sun from entering a building thereby protecting the occupants from harmful UV rays. This makes for a cooler and friendlier environment, and less energy is used for cooling.

Window Film Depot offers free a complimentary feasibility study. Contact Jeff@WindowFilmDepot.com for more information.

Commercial Tax Credit Information

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The Energy Policy Act (EPA) of 2005 provides building owners, property managers and architects with an incentive to make energy efficient upgrades to their building. There are three qualifying subsystems for the tax incentives and these are:

  • HVC
  • Building Envelope
  • Lighting system

These are each eligible for a $.60 per square feet tax reduction and where all three are implemented, that amounts to a $1.80 per square feet tax reduction. Which might not seem like a lot at first, but when energy efficient upgrades are made to a 100,000 square feet building, that is a potential tax deduction of $72,000.

In a case where the 50 percent threshold has not been met, there is a partial tax deduction provided for commercial buildings under the EPA of 2005.

The tax deductions provided under the EPA of 2005 are valid from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007. The Economy Stabilization Act of 2008 further extends the benefits of the EPA through December 31, 2013.

What this means is that in order for a building to qualify, it must be placed in service or retrofitted after December 31, 2005 and before January 1, 20014.

3M Sun Control Window Films are a qualifying product that can help you get a portion of this tax deduction. Please contact Window Film Depot for a complimentary feasibility study. Call 1-866-933-345