Heat Reducing Window Film

A few months back members of our team met with local law enforcement and school officials to put 3M products to the test at a police gun range firing rifle rounds, swinging baseball bats and setting off ied bombs.

Watch the video and see the results for yourself.

View letter of recommendation from the Chief of Police of Manchester, NJ

Go here to learn more about window films for schools.

Click here to contact a WFD rep to begin a site survey for your school.

Recently we analyzed customers needs while shopping for window film and usage application questions ranged from energy & sun control, retail, home and school security to office privacy and of course…how much does it cost?

Do you have similar questions about window film? Click here to ask.

1. We need a clear film that customers can see inside.
2. We need security film installed on rear entry door with a glass insert (tempered).
3. Quotes for window coverings were too expensive…hoping a film would be more economical.
4. Looking for 3M Fasara & Di Noc Architectural, opaque, raindrop textured non-colored or slightly tinted film.
5. I’m a general contractor for hotel and we need 3M Fasara Milano Sh2maml for an office window…a milky white glass film…thx.
6. What are the difference of high, medium, and low performance window films and what the prices?
7. Looking for window film that will hold up to sun on the east side of our house.
8. We have two large windows on our store front (45″x88″) that we need to have film put on.
9. We need existing vinyl logo and lettering removed and new vinyl logo and info installed.
10. We need old film removed and new film installed on our glass wall in our business.

Window Film Depot has a 3M film to meet every film need or challenge presented.

Trust America’s Installation Pros. Local and National.

Call 1-866-933-3456 to learn more.

www.windowfilmdepot.com

Whether your project is local, regional or national, Window Film Depot can rapidly deploy installation teams to up to 5000 store locations on time, within budget, and to Window Film Depot’s exacting standards for professional installation.

Window Film Depot offers:

• Affordable effective smash and grab solutions

• 3M energy film case studies and nationwide installation solutions

• Protection for school, library and campus entryways with 3M security film

• Commercial graphic films to easily promote your brand

• Secure glass film attachments with NO BAR mechanical anchor

When considering window film for your home, it’s critical to have these questions answered before committing to any window film product or installation company. For starters, there are a number of quality window film products on the market. Be confident that you would be happy with a number of film products installed correctly by a skillful installer.

10 important questions homeowners should  when considering window film

….and WFD answers

3M & WFD Installation, Toro, Cape Cod, Massachusettes Jan 2013

1. Do the products you offer come with a manufacturer’s warranty?
   Yes. All residential films we offer come with a written lifetime film warranty and insurance policy for your glass. Some customers are more confident with a lifetime warranty from a trusted manufacturer like 3M. We agree.
2. What are the important differences between film products?
   Components matter. The construction of the film determines its look, durability and performance. Inexpensive films with cheaper components (dyed or low quality polyester) can end up costing you greatly in the long run if the film needs to be replaced prematurely.
3. Do you offer quality film choices at different price points?
   Yes, often times the “Cadillac” option is not the best film option for your need or your budget. WFD provides quality good better best options. Prices can range from 6-10$ per square foot depending on the project goals of the installation.
4. Will you install samples on my windows if requested?
   Yes. Window films often appear lighter once installed on glass. It’s a good idea to have film choices sampled at your home so that there are no surprises upon final installation.
5. Who will be coming to my house to install the film?
   The installer in your home is the most important piece of the project. WFD employs professional  installers who are well trained, respectful and have a stake in every installation performed.
6. What is the installation process and do I need to prepare in any way before the appointment?
   The installation will require the installer to clean the windows prior to applying the film, cut the film to size, and apply the film to the glass. The edges are trimmed and water bubbles squeegeed out. Your job is to remove any valuables and furniture away from the windows to allow for ease of access.
7. What complaints, if any, do past customers have?
   Fortunately, WFD educates the homeowner so that most installations are flawless. However, homeowners ultimately choose the film and can choose a film that is lighter than our recommended solution.  Our recommendation: When in doubt, choose the slightly darker film.
8. How do I care for the film once installed?
   It’s easy. Wash your windows as you normally would, but make sure to wait 30 days from date of installation to allow for the film to fully dry, or cure.  Also, do not use razor blades on the film surface.
9. What’s the worst thing that can happen with my installed film?
   Glass breakage. It’s rare, but heat build up on double pane windows can cause a window to ‘fail’, or break. If you don’t have a warranty with the film installation company that insures you against glass breakage, you’ll have an expensive problem on your hands. All WFD installations automatically include this important insurance.
10. Who do I call if there there is a problem?
    WFD has a dedicated customer service agent, Tracey Coleman, who makes sure your issue is resolved in a professional, timely manner. I stand behind every installation of our film and am responsible for your ultimate satisfaction.

WFD Service Team

From my point of view, the experience of the installer is the most important aspect of a successful window film project. Properly installed, you should enjoy 10-15 years worth of sun control and safety benefits from your window film installation.

Email Jeff @ Jeff@windowfilmdepot.com

Security Window Films: An Important Part of a Layered Defense Plan

Security window film retro-fits should be considered as part of any safety plan where ‘forced entry’ mitigation is identified as a priority. Installed properly on existing glass, security window film impedes entry into a building, home or storefront through windows and doors providing for enhanced reaction times. “Buying time” with secured glass leads directly to increased occupant safety and reduced loss of inventory & critical assets.

Film Basics & Professional Recommendations : Security Window Films 101

In general, ‘safety’ or ‘security’ films are constructed with tough layers of high-grade polyester creating a thick laminate of 4 to 14 mils. The films are installed on the interior surface of existing glass and adhered with a strong, glue-like backing. The film application process is similar to the mechanics of wallpapering, but on glass surfaces. The films are installed using a water and soap solution  – not a paste –  and take up to 30-60 days to fully cure before dry.

Most security films are impregnated with UV inhibitors to guard against the sun’s harmful UV radiation, protecting the film laminate and adhesive backing from degradation over time. Most film manufacturers offer strong product warranties of 10-15 years when installed by a certified technician.

Applied on the interior surface of window, door and lobby glass, these films are safe to clean with commercial cleaners and are available in clear (near invisible) and tinted versions. Tinted security films offer visual security as well as physical protection by creating one-way visibility through glass from the interior view (see below image). During the daytime, building occupants are able to view out through doors and windows without being seen from the exterior.

 Installation Cost

High quality security films can be installed by certified professionals for as little as 6-10$ per square foot of glass treated. Costs will vary depending on gauge of film, whether an attachment or anchoring system is used and the size and scope of the installation project. Security film with anchoring systems (described below) costs between 10-18$ psf , can typically be installed off hours and within a day or two once turn-key crews arrive on site.

What Security Films Will Not Do:

Security window films will not strengthen, keep from breaking or make glass ‘bullet proof‘.   The best way to describe the performance of installed security window films is to compare the results to the performance of a broken windshield after a car collision. Upon impact, the glass will break, but the shards of glass are kept together through the lamination process –  often times held in place – protecting occupants from glass fragmentation.

For ‘forced entry’ events, security window films are proven to significantly slow access through glass, buying time for occupants to respond. Often, criminals confronted with secured glass flee the scene once realizing that entry to the space is unexpectedly impeded (see videos).

Maximum Protection Window Film Systems

For enhanced protection, Window Film Depot recommends that clients and security professionals have security films anchored to the window frame with either a structural caulk, like 3M’s IPA system or a mechanical attachment system, like the ‘no-bar’ system developed by Hanita Coatings from Israel (pictured below).

The film-with-anchor system increases overall performance by making it substantially more difficult to gain entrance through a window or door opening once the glass is shattered by impact. With this two part film-with-anchor system, the broken glass with security film applied is fastened to the frame making access to the space considerably more difficult to gain.

When considering security window films as part of your safety plan, it’s critical to understand the benefits as well as the limitations of these important products. The best designed system retro-fitted properly to your existing windows and doors is an important layer of defense effective at its primary purpose – buying time.

For more information, please contact:

Jeff Franson, CEO, Window Film Depot 404-313-1291

Energy Control Measures – Consider High Performance Window Films

To reduce energy usage and costs, you are probably considering many alternatives including building envelope upgrades.  Ideally, you’d like to do something proven.  That pays back quickly. Something easy to install with minimal disruption.  Upgrading with 3M high performance window films can meet these needs while improving your interior comfort and maintaining your buildings’ aesthetics.

Proven Technology

Both government and third party consultants recommend window films as a superior energy control measure.

• In 2011 the Department of Energy, in conjunction with FEMP (Federal Energy Management Program), ran a study to measure the effectiveness of the top 50 energy conservation technologies in existence today. Window films ranked in the top tier (with only 3 others technologies!) for fastest payback and highest probability of success. Click to see study. (www1.eere.energy.gov/temp/technologies/new_technologies.html)
• CONSOL Energy and Environmental Solutions (a leading consulting firm for builders, government agencies, utilities and trade associations) published a study in 2011 that shows window films are the fastest payback technology available for retrofitting homes and commercial buildings for climate zones 1-3. Click to see study. (www.consol.ws/index.php)
• Both the US House and the Senate recognized the value of window films by including them in the HomeStar Bill in 2011.  The bill would have offered rebates for installing window films, but has not been implemented due to budget cuts.

3M invented window films in 1966 and has spent decades developing them. They are the proven leader in providing window films that reduce energy costs and improve interior comfort.

Pay Back

Depending on your climate zone, window films will typically payback in 2-5 years and reduce your annual electrical usage by 5-10%.  The CONSOL study showed paybacks for single pane glass in as short as 1.4 years and double pane glass in 2.1 years!

Window films can save:

• $1-2 per sq ft of building space
• One ton of a/c for every 100 sq ft of film installed

Click here for case studies in different climate zones.

Installation without Disruption

Unlike replacement windows, new HVAC equipment or even PC power management, window film installation can be done with minimal disruption of your buildings’ tenants and their activities.  Window Film Depot has the experience, inventory and locations to make your window film installation a success.  We stock every film type for all client needs and have performed more window film installations for homeowners, property managers, retailers and building owners than any other window film company in the US.

Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, our strategically located and fully stocked satellite offices are located to provide service anywhere in the US.

To find out what window films can do for you, call a Window Film Depot representative at 866-933-3456 or contact here.