Carol S

Book Review: The Quick and Easy Home DIY Manual

June 13, 2019 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Recently, I purchased the Quick and Easy Home DIY Manual by Matt Weber and the the Editors of Extreme How-to. I saw their book on Twitter, and decided to purchase it. Here are some quick and easy thoughts (did you see what I did there?) on the manual. You can go follow them on Twitter here: Extreme How-To.

The Book Itself

Now, you’re never supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I’m about to break that rule. The cover is terrific! Why? It has metal guards on the corners so if you have a cat or dog who likes to chew things, your book won’t be ruined on Day One. And also, if you’re tough on books, the cover will stay intact while you write all over the inside like some of us like to do.

The Tools and Skills section is a good place to start

The Layout

The layout is fun to read, so if you like to skim, you can do that. There’s never a huge wall of text, rather, there are snippets in easy-to-read pieces so you’re never overwhelmed. There are tons of illustrations so you won’t be bored, too. Of course, you can go through it cover to cover, but it’s set up for easy browsing and/or reference.

The Organization

Another thing I really love about this book is that it’s organized by skill level. So if you’re a beginner like me, you could start with the Tools and Skills section, and do something like build a basic toolbox. Alternately, the Quick Fixes section lets you do a few basic chores, without getting stuck way over your head. If you’re more advanced, there are tougher and longer projects. And there are some in-between projects, for those who are somewhat skilled but not contractors.

Don't get stuck in the glue section — Don’t get stuck in the glue section!

The Writing Style

This book is well written, and seems to have been professionally edited, too! Those of us who write for a living really appreciate a well-written book. There are also loads of puns “get stuck on glues,” “stick to it” for a header about tape, and — a personal favorite–“get a royal flush” for a section about toilets. We’re willing to bet the guys at Extreme How-To are big fans of the Dad Joke.

You’ll like it!

Whether you’re a beginner at doing things yourself, or a little more advanced, there are things to be learned here. We can’t wait to fill some holes where someone had trouble deciding where to hang a picture and put up multiple nail holes. If we knew who they were, we’d give them a copy of this book because who does that? Anyway, check out the book and then buy it or borrow a copy (not mine, though!). Highly recommended.

On Another Subject…

Did you read our last post Window Film, You Need to Know What It’s Used For? If you didn’t, we’d love if you did! Thanks for reading and see you next time.

Window Film: You Need to Know What It’s Used for

May 29, 2019 by Carol S Leave a Comment

You’ve probably heard something about window film, or had someone install window film on your car windows. You may already have window film, but not even realize it’s there. The best window film is quiet, and by that I mean you won’t see or hear it. It’ll be there, in the background, doing its job.

Window Film is Decorative

Window film is quite beautiful when properly installed. There are many varieties of window film, such as dots, stripes, or other patterns. You can use it inside or outside in a garden. You can use it on a doctor’s office or at a gym. There are so many uses for window film that we can’t even list them all.

Window Film Gives You Privacy

If you’re living in a tiny home, or just too close to a neighbor, you can use window film to give yourself privacy. Window film will still let the light through, but you can control the amount of light.

Window Film Helps with Heat and Cold

We’ve written about Thinsulate before, but we’ll mention it again because it insulates your windows. Lately, our temperatures have been all over the map. Whether that’s because of global warming or some other reason, you can only guess at what the weather will be like from one day to the next. Using window film can help to even out the temperatures and keep you comfortable.

Window Film Curbs Glare

Are you someone who enjoys working from home, but gets terrible glare on your screen? Or maybe you’re the headquarters for all the guys in the neighborhood who like to watch all the games. If glare coming through the windows is disturbing you, window film can help with that.

Window Film Prevents Cancer

You might think this isn’t true, but it’s been scientifically proven that certain types of UV light can cause skin cancer. You can protect your family’s skin and eyes with window film. For more information about window film and cancer prevention, see The Skin Cancer Foundation’s website.

San Francisco Bay Area Window Film

We install window film commercially and residentially all over the San Francisco Bay area, from Santa Clara to Alameda County to Marin County to San Francisco. Give us a call if you’re in need, or if you have questions!

What Happens When You Use Window Film In Your Interior Design?

May 15, 2019 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Using window film in your interior design may not be something that you have considered. Or maybe you’ve considered it, but only as a passing fancy. I’m here to tell you that using window film in your interior design can protect your health, add beauty, and make the temperature more stable, as well as adding privacy. And did you know that window film can help you combat climate change as well? Here’s our previous article about Window Film and Global Warming that you might like.

Protect Your Skin

There are so many ways that window film protects your health, but this month is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. The UV rays that enter your home through your windows can cause skin cancer. Although many people feel safe at home or work, they don’t realize that UV rays are damaging their skin. Not only that, but your eyes will thank you later since those UV rays can also damage your eyes. And the most vulnerable members of the family deserve to get through their childhood without worrying about excessive damage to their skin, too. If you’d like to know more about prevention, take a look at the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Add Beauty

You might be surprised that there are so many beautiful types of window film. If you have a window that looks out at an ugly view, you can change that view with window film. People love to spend time in a room or building that they enjoy. Your family and coworkers will be happier in a more beautiful environment. Here are a few previous articles about window film you might like:

Create More Stable Temperatures

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we’ve had more rain this year, with more unstable temperatures. Even as I write these words, we’re getting a big storm, and that’s very unusual for May. What about where you are? Has your climate changed and how does that affect your life? We always have to dress in layers here because we never know what the weather will be like. It’s cold one day, hot the next.

Add Privacy

Of course, adding privacy is the first thing most of us think of when we consider window film. You may be more familiar with window film in the automotive arena. But window film in commercial and residential settings is growing. For those with smaller homes and offices, window film is a quick and easy way to add privacy. Check out the 3M website for how you might use window film for privacy as well as decoration.

Give Us a Call!

We’d love to discuss any kind of window film with you. We’re all over the San Francisco Bay Area, from the South Bay to San Francisco to Marin to the East Bay. And we’re happy to chat with you and kick around a few ideas!

Window Film and Global Warming: What You Need to Know

April 29, 2019 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Global Warming Isn’t Just about Warming

The planet is getting warmer, yes, but sometimes we get cold spells as a result of global warming. Window film is one way to alleviate the effects of global warming. This article has some ideas for using window film to help with global warming. And of course, we should all work to reverse global warming in any way we can. You might be surprised at some of the ways you can help reverse global warming, such as high-tech refrigeration. Check out Project Drawdown: 100 solutions to reverse global warming.

Window Film Helps Even out Temperatures

Hot one day, cold the next day? We don’t see quite so many ups and downs in temperatures in the San Francisco Bay Area, but we’re still seeing more variation than usual. You might not see the connection between window film and global warming, but in terms of comfort, installing window film is a way for you to feel more comfortable in your own home or office. If you’d rather skip to the chase about window film, you might like The Valuable Ways Window Film Can Change Your Life.

Window Film Protects Your Eyes and Skin

What does your skin have to do with window film and global warming, you may ask. The ozone layer, which protects us from some of the sun’s bad UV rays, is thinning. Window film helps to protect your skin, and your family’s skin, too. In fact, The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends window film to protect against UV rays that damage your skin. And in case you missed it, here’s our article on Five Quick and Easy Ways to Protect Your Eyes from Skin Damage.

Save Money on Heating and Cooling Bills

Using window film for global warming can save you money, but what else? When you use less energy to heat and cool your home or office, not only do you save money, but you’re using less fossil fuel. That is if you’re using fossil fuel to heat and cool your home. In any case, most people love saving money. And to us, that’s a win-win on your window film!

Five Quick and Easy Ways to Protect Your Eyes from Sun Damage

April 10, 2019 by Carol S 1 Comment

We all want to protect our vision no matter what. Being visual creatures, our vision is critical to our wellbeing at all stages of our life. What if there were some easy ways to protect your eyes from sun damage, though? It turns out that there are! Here are some ideas for you.

Hats off to Big Hats

One of the easiest ways to protect your eyes from sun damage is with a large-brimmed hat. Of course, any hat is better than no hat at all, but size does matter in terms of brim size: the bigger the better! There are now many hats that will provide protection, and kids in particular really need protection. Here’s one hat you can get from Amazon (just do a search for others).

Sunscreen

How much sunscreen do you need to protect your eyes against sun damage? Figure about an ounce (or a shot glass full of sunscreen) for your whole body. Yes, it seems like a lot, but once it absorbs into your skin, that’s the recommended amount. “It is very unlikely that you’re applying too much sunscreen — most people don’t apply enough, which is why undesirable sunburns and tanning can occur despite sunscreen application.” says Elizabeth K. Hale, of the Skin Cancer Foundation. Also, “most sunscreen is safe to use on and around the eyelid region (without putting it in your eye, of course). However, you’ll want to be careful about what type of sunscreen you use, as this area tends to be more delicate and sensitive. Mineral formulas, made with zinc or titanium dioxide, are a good choice, as they are made for sensitive skin and won’t sting your eyes as you sweat.” says Susan Boiko, M.D.

Big Hats and Giant Sunglasses Protect Your Eyes

Avoid the Sun at Peak Hours

The hours between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. are when the sun is at its strongest. So an obvious way to protect your eyes from sun damage and avoid skin cancer is to avoid the damaging rays of the sun during those hours. The American Cancer Society suggests using the shadow test if you’re unsure whether the sun’s rays are at their strongest: “If you are unsure how strong the sun’s rays are, use the shadow test: if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s rays are the strongest, and it’s important to protect yourself.”

Giant Sunglasses

Like big hats, big sunglasses tend to protect your eyes from sun damage the best. There are so many fashion-forward sunglasses that you don’t need to worry about looking silly. However, the National Academy of Ophthalmology suggests choosing sunglasses that protect against 100% of UV light. The color of the lenses doesn’t matter, so if those orange or pink glasses suit your fancy, get them–so long as they give you protection from UV rays.

Window Film

Window film is one of the easiest ways to protect your eyes from sun damage UV because once it’s installed, you don’t have to think about it. And once it’s on your windows, you won’t even know it’s there. In case you’re unfamiliar with window film, you might like: Five Amazing Ways Window Film Can Make You Healthier.

Window Works USA is Now a Certified Woman-Owned Business!

March 27, 2019 by Carol S Leave a Comment

This month, as we celebrate women pioneers, we reflect on how proud we are to be a recently certified woman-owned business! And while we’re very proud–make that very, very proud to be a certified woman-owned business, we are sharing this partly to encourage other women-owned businesses to step up and be recognized, too! After the success of our recent Women in Construction Week celebration and luncheon, we felt doubly committed to helping other women succeed.

Step Up and Be Counted!

When you step up, you’ll be recognized by the Joint Utilities as a Women/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE). And that helps when you’re competing for jobs. We are definitely of the mind that when women are more visible, more women gain employment, and that helps all women. We believe in the “all boats float in a rising tide” model of the universe–how about you? And, by the way, if you missed our Women in Construction Week Detonation, take a peek at some of the awesome networking that occurred!

Certification Details

The certification is valid for three years and then you are required to re-verify your company’s certified status.
If you’re interested, you can get more information at the following websites:

The Supplier Cleaning House, where women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran-owned businesses are invited to join their supplier diversity program.
The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), whose mission is to fuel economic growth globally by identifying, certifying, and facilitating the development of women-owned businesses, and,
The NWBOC, where the certifications related solely to the SBA procurement program for women business owners.

Claim Your Power

Women, step up and get your respective advantages where you can in your regions, states, cities, and countries, too! Claim your power! You never know who might be looking up to you when you do!

We wish all women much success in your business endeavors.

Women in Construction Week Speed Mentoring & Networking Detonated

March 20, 2019 by Carol S 1 Comment

Women in Construction Week Speed Mentoring & Networking detonated! Participants such as Ms. Bridgette Peace Foresyth and Millicent Evans came from Atlanta and the UK respectively to the San Francisco Bay Area, along with many other local and regional participants.

Mentoring, Networking, and Friendship

We sped our way through Mentoring, Networking, and Friendship making as only we women can do for a fast and spontaneous hour then we got to enjoy each others company for the rest of the afternoon!

Future Plans in Atlanta and Dallas/Houston

After learning and networking, we are making plans for a teaser Lunch & Learn in Atlanta and the Dallas/Houston area in the coming summer months! So stay tuned!

Speed Networking at Women in Construction Week

Appreciation to all!

Thanks to our sponsors who made this event worthwhile and meaningful–thank you all! We couldn’t have done it without you and you have our sincere appreciation! Thank you to all our sponsors:

The San Francisco Builders Exchange
Avery Dennison
Pilot Construction and Management Inc.
Interwest
3M
AON
T&B 4syth, LLC.
Fashion Drapery Inc.
New York Engineering, Inc.
and all of our participants!

Women in Construction Week 2019: Speed Mentoring & Networking

February 21, 2019 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Be a Part of the Annual Women in Construction Week!

Women in Construction Week 2019 will be at the San Francisco Builders’ Exchange in partnership with Window Works 3M Window Film.

Click here for tickets.

Did you attend our first Women in Construction Week in 2018?

Come join us for Speed Mentoring/Networking & a special Luncheon!
Join us for BBQ and much more!
Introduce yourself & meet other successful and up & coming Women in Construction
Three Main Sponsorships Tables will be available in the Main Area
We will spend one hour going around in 10-minute sessions (six total) of Networking & Mentoring
- Network with other women who can enrich your Professional Lifestyle
- Ask your peers about tough-to-handle scenarios
- Find potential Mentors, Clients & Professional Friends
- Luncheon will be available for $15 for all participants

Join at One of Four Levels!

Sponsorship Packages AVAILABLE
- Platinum Level – $100
  1. Two weeks of Social Media Marketing in targeted posts on Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram the week of March 4th thru March 8th
  2. Marquis placement with logo & live links embedded throughout at the top
  3. Marquis Placement on all Marketing Collateral – Emails, posters, digital instruments
  4. Table for Marketing & Networking on-site at Luncheon
  5. Name introduction on-site at Luncheon
  6. Carte Blanche to use content as your own to post
  7. Two Tickets for Speed Mentoring Sessions
  8. Two Tickets for Luncheon Meals
- Gold – $75.00
  1. Two weeks of Social Media Marketing in targeted posts on Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram the week of March 4th thru March 8th
  2. Logo & live links embedded throughout Material – Emails, posters, digital instruments
  3. Table for Marketing & Networking on-site at Luncheon
  4. Name Introduction on-site at Luncheon
  5. Carte Blanche to use content as your own to post
  6. Two Tickets for Speed Mentoring Sessions
  7. Two Tickets for Luncheon Meals
- Silver – $50.00
  1. Two weeks of Social Media Marketing in targeted posts on Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram the week of March 4th thru March 8th
  2. Logo & live links embedded throughout Material – Emails, posters, digital instruments
  3. Table for Marketing & Networking on-site at Luncheon
  4. Name Introduction on-site at Luncheon
  5. Carte Blanche to use content as your own to post
  6. 1 Ticket for Speed Mentoring Session
  7. 1 Ticket for Luncheon Meal
- Speed Mentoring & Networking Luncheon – $15.00
  1. 1 Ticket for Speed Mentoring Session
  2. 1 Ticket for Luncheon Meal

Tickets available through EventBrite.

Announcing WindowWorksUSA’s New Affiliations: NAWIC and BOMA!

February 11, 2019 by Carol S Leave a Comment

women construction photo — Photo by Walt Stoneburner

All of us at WindowWorksUSA are happy to announce that we have two new affiliations!

Our New Affiliations: NAWIC and BOMA!

We are happy and honored to be a part of the following organizations:

The Building Owners and Managers of San Francisco (BOMA) is an organization that advances the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, professional development, and information exchange. Check out BOMA’s mission statement. BOMA is the most influential and effective advocacy, recruitment and training organization for the U.S. commercial real estate industry.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). From their website: “For more than 55 years, NAWIC has helped women take advantage of opportunities in construction. Whether you want to embark on a new career, establish a networking base, be a mentor/mentee, make a difference in your community, continue your education, or invest in great friendships, NAWIC offers a variety of opportunities — large and small.” By the way, Window Works sponsored NAWIC last November.

WindowWorksUSA will be working alongside others in these two organizations, so watch this space for more details!

Window Works USA Received 3M’s Market Leadership Award

February 4, 2019 by Carol S Leave a Comment

We’re both pleased and proud to announce that Window Works USA recently received 3M’s Market Leadership award! The award is just like what it sounds–it’s for market leadership. And in case you want to know what happened last year, we also won last year: Window Works Dealer of the Year Northwest Award.

Window Works USA Received 3M’s Market Leadership Award

One Award in the Four Regions

There is only one award per region. 3M awarded us the Market Leadership Award for the North West at the most recent National Prestige Dealer Conference in Anaheim, California.

This year’s event was hosted by Interwest, Distribution Center. Here’s the Window Works crew, above. From left to right we have the most fabulous cast, as follows:

Hugh Bernardi, Jr. – CEO of Interwest Distribution Center

Em Estanislao – Window Works Project Manager

Paul Vu – Window Works Lead Technician

Asia Bautista – Window Works CEO

William “Bill” Hibbard – National Accounts Manager of 3M Commercial Solutions Division (Window Film & Graphics Division)

Maicca Diche – Window Works Business Operations

Let’s give them all a hand!