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Surprising Window Feature Reduces Your Power Bill by Hundreds

March 15, 2025 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Maybe you’ve been reading and rereading our blog posts whenever you get the chance. Or maybe not. In any case, if you’d like to reduce your power bill, you know what to do! Keep reading, that is. We’ve written about reducing your energy bill before. You might like: How Window Film Helps Save Energy Five Ways.

Get an energy audit

Want to know where your energy is going? Maybe your power company offers a free audit! Our local power company, PG&E, offers a free home energy checkup that you can do yourself. And it only takes five minutes! There may be some easy changes you can make to reduce your energy bill. You could also get an energy assessment from the Department of Energy.

Check your windows and seal the cracks

If you live in an older home, there are likely to be drafts coming from around the windows. Even newer homes can suffer from cracks and drafts. Inspect your windows (or hire someone to do it for you), and seal those cracks. There are probably hundreds of YouTube videos showing you how to do this, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It’s an inexpensive way to save on your energy bill.

Be the first

Do you value being a leader? Energy costs are going up and up, while many people’s incomes are spiraling downwards. We don’t mean you! But you still want to be a leader and save costs on your power bills, right? So why not be the first on your block or in your neighborhood to have window film installed. (You knew window film would eventually come up, didn’t you?)

Double the efficiency

When you install window film on your single-pane glass, that pane becomes like a double-pane window. And if you install it on your double-pane window, guess what? It becomes like a triple-pane window, thus insulating you from the cold and the heat and also helping to lower your energy bills. You also might have to change the clothes you wear since window film makes the temperatures inside your home or office more even.

Immediate savings

You could get solar panels to help lower your energy costs (and we encourage going solar), however with window film you’ll get immediate savings! No sense waiting for years or decades to break even on your solar installation. Come to think of it, you could do both!

Ready to reduce your power bill?

You can fill out our Quick Residential Estimate form if you need us to install some window film. Give us a call and we can steer you into the right choice, and keep you and your friends cooler in the summer. We’d love to help you choose the best film. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the San Mateo Peninsula and Marin–and have expanded into southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Stay Cool and Protected: The Climate Benefits of Window Film

February 28, 2025 by Carol S Leave a Comment

By now, everyone has heard about climate change, and probably experienced it personally. Summers are hotter, glaciers are melting, and we’re all feeling more than a little uncomfortable with what’s happening climate-wise, aren’t we? So if you work inside a building, live inside another building, and visit friends in buildings, is there anything you can do? Yes there is! And we’re so glad you asked.

Sunglasses for your home

Having window film on your windows is like having sunglasses on your home! By that we mean that it filters out the UV rays that can damage your skin, your eyes, and your personal belongings. UV rays can cause skin cancer, too, which is why it’s so highly recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Just like when you put window film on your vehicle, window film on your home can give you a more zen experience! For those of you with sensory overload, you know what we mean. With the sun getting stronger and more intense with every passing summer, you can get the climate benefits of window film now and into the future.

Keeps temperatures more even

When your A/C and thermostats stay on an even keel, you use less energy. So you’ll stay cooler and more protected during those intense summer days that are getting hotter each year! You don’t have to just read about it–you can actually do something about it. And that holds true whether you’re a homeowner or a facilities manager. We’ve written about energy savings before and you might like: Energy Savings for Springtime. Although the temperature might not be too hot right now, we get very busy during the summer months, so it’s best to book ASAP.

Saves energy which protects the planet

Protecting the planet is a big deal for us, and probably for you, too! After all, as they say, there is no Planet B! This is all we’ve got. When you use less energy, the planet breathes a sigh of relief–metaphorically, that is. Speaking of protecting the planet, did you know that window film can also protect birds from hitting your windows? We’ve written about that before here: Can Technology Save Billions of Birds with Window Film? You probably already know the answer to that question if you’ve been reading our blog posts, right? If you can keep cool and also protect the birds, that’s at least a double win!

Ready to stay cool, protected, and garner some climate benefits?

You can fill out our Quick Residential Estimate form if you need us to install some window film. Give us a call and we can steer you into the right choice, and keep you and your local feathered friends safe from climate change. We’d love to help you choose the best film. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the San Mateo Peninsula and Marin–and have expanded into southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

What Are the Benefits of Window Film? Five Best Ones

February 13, 2025 by Carol S Leave a Comment

You might think you know all about the benefits of window film because you have it installed on your car windows. Many automotive manufacturers now install window film automatically. Maybe in the future all builders will also install window film on their new buildings. It’s such a good investment we wonder why no one is doing that right now! Here are our five best and favorite window film benefits.

Saves energy

Because it’s winter right now, everyone is complaining about high energy costs. Installing window film can help with your heating costs in the winter and your cooling costs in the summer. In fact, window film evens out the temperatures year round. Although we get more calls in the summer, you can save year round with window film. We’ve written about this before and you might like: Window Film Energy Savers for Spring. We estimate that you can save about 10% on your energy bill, but like a lot of things it depends on where you are in the country, how much sun you get, etc.

Protects your belongings

We all have that friend with discolored furniture and flooring because the sun comes in through that ginormous window. Yes, it’s a beautiful window and so is the view, but you can protect your rugs, valuables, and flooring with window film. Harmful UV rays are the biggest source of fading. Aren’t your belongings worth the best treatment available?

Saves your eyes

Everyone knows you shouldn’t look directly at the sun. If you do, you risk cataracts or worse! Shield your eyes by putting window film on your windows. It’s like sunglasses for your house! Because chances are that the windows you have now are not doing much to protect your eyes. And you shouldn’t have to wear sunglasses inside, because that’s just silly!

Prevents cancer

One of our favorite organizations, The Skin Cancer Foundation, has many suggestions for preventing skin cancer. And one of their many recommendations is using window film to prevent UV rays from coming into your home. You’re at risk of premature aging as well as skin cancer from the UV rays that enter your home through windows.

Gives you privacy

Maybe you live in a crowded neighborhood. Or maybe you have nosy neighbors, always wanting to know what you’re up to. Why not install window film to block some of those neighbors? Or maybe you have a modern bathroom and need some window film to give you more privacy from others in your household? Window film gives you privacy without adding clutter. Speaking of clutter, have you read: How Window Film Keeps You Keeps You Clutter Free.

Questions about energy savings?

We’ve got answers to all your energy-related questions! Call us and we’ll help you get started! Our Chief Window Works Benefits Expert is standing by to answer all your questions. We install film all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin. And we’ve now expanded into Southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Why Not to Install Window Film Yourself: Five Reasons

January 29, 2025 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Why wouldn’t you want to install your own window film? Let us count the ways!

What could possibly go wrong if you install your own window film?

You might have woken up with the idea of installing your own window film. Maybe the idea came to you in a dream and you thought How hard could it be? We’ve seen plenty of window film projects gone wrong, and are often called in to fix those do-it-yourself jobs. So before you do it yourself, here are some reasons you’d maybe want to call us instead!

Wrong measurements

You’ve all heard that old saying in construction Measure Twice, Cut Once, right? Well, lots of people tend to eyeball it with window film. Or even if they want to measure their windows, they’ve lost their measuring tape! If that sounds like you, maybe read Ten Ways to Get Organized Right Now. And get back to us later. Window film is not something where you want to guess about how big your window is. And with more complex installations, measuring is even more important!

Bubbling Film

You’ve seen those big air bubbles on car window film installations, haven’t you? You’re stuck in traffic, and you look over and–there it is–an assault on your eyes and brain! Don’t be tempted to yell out the window, “But WHYYYYY???” because you just don’t know who’s armed these days. And chances are, the driver already knows how horrible their windows look, without the reminder. Anyway, the point is don’t let bubbling film happen to you!

Wrinkles

We’re not talking about crow’s feet around your eyes. We’re talking about wrinkles in your window film! Ugh. Another reason not to take window film into your own hands. Once there are wrinkles, there is little you can do but start over. And let the cussing begin.

Warranty issues

Did you know that when you install your own window film you might not get the benefit of the warranty? Many major brands issue a warranty when a professional installs the window film. For example, 3M issues a warranty, but the film needs to be installed correctly.

Damage potential

Do you have a place to store that beautiful window film while you’re getting ready to install it? Have you trained your cats and your crazy border collie not to jump all over and scratch it? If the answer is no, then you might want a pro doing the install for you!

Falls and injuries

As the picture above illustrates, falling happens more often that you might realize. And you might not have everything you need–such as the correct ladder. (Yes, we know this is reason #6, but who’s counting?) And if you’re determined to do it yourself, the CDC has plenty of info about Ladder Safety. There’s even a Ladder Safety App (scroll down).

We make it easy!

You can fill out our Quick Residential Estimate form if you need to have window film installed by us. Give us a call and we can steer you into the right choice, and keep you safe from bubbles, wrinkles, and falls. We’d love to help you choose the best film. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the San Mateo Peninsula and Marin–and have expanded into southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Ten Ways to Get Organized Right Now

January 15, 2025 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Do you really really need to get organized right now? You bet you do! We all do, right? You’ve all seen those articles about how you need to get organized, but you have to get a bunch of equipment, or hire someone, or do something silly to get there. So stop playing that video game for a minute and listen up! We’re here to help!

Choose an area to organize

This might be your break room, office, or kitchen. Choose the area that bothers you the most–that way you’ll see the most progress and have the most momentum. If you’re also thinking of changing the color of your home or office, you might want to revisit: What Happened to Those Color of the Year Predictions? But don’t get sidetracked with thoughts of color palettes just yet.

Make that area small enough

If organizing an entire room is overwhelming, make it smaller. After all, you eat an elephant one bite at a time, or so the saying goes. So instead of an entire room, make it a drawer. Or one shelf in a bookshelf. You might want to get some inspiration from a place like This Old House (How to Organize Tool Storage Drawers).

Don’t procrastinate

You can do anything for 15 minutes, and when you’re done, you’ll feel better. So get started and don’t give yourself time to make excuses. Don’t overthink it because it’s not rocket science! If you’re still stuck, here’s Harvard Business Review’s article on procrastination. And how to overcome it. But again, don’t go down any rabbit holes. We’re here to organize!

Be ruthless

Keep in mind that if you have any doubts about whether to toss something, throw it out. Think about times you’ve organized in the past and whether you ever missed any of the stuff you got rid of. Well, maybe don’t throw out that original Stradivarius violin just yet. But seriously–you’re not going to miss 99.99% of what you recycle.

Make labels

Some ideas for labels are: TOSS, KEEP, RECYCLE, and GIVE AWAY. You can use Post-it notes or big sheets of paper. They don’t have to look beautiful! Put these on bags or boxes so you can see what’s going where.

Get the right tools but don’t let it stop you

You may need baskets, file folders, or markers later, but don’t let that stop you from organizing. Getting started is your key to success. You can always pick up the perfect tools later, once you’ve built some momentum.

Put your stuff in piles

Sort through the area you decided on and put everything in one of the labelled piles. Make more labels if you need more. Don’t make it too complicated! Set an alarm for 15 minutes if that helps you. Now sort everything.

Immediately move it out

Once you’ve sorted your area, get that stuff out of there! Toss it, recycle it, give it away, or whatever. Do not crack open that champagne until the stuff is out of the office or house. Piling it next to the front door doesn’t count! Put it in the car and take it away!

Don’t look back

Unless it’s a valuable family heirloom, chances are you can replace it if you need it later. If you need help getting rid of heirlooms, you might want to hire a Professional Organizer. Or get a neighborhood kid to help you organize and take things away.

Plan your next session

Does getting organized feel good? You bet it does! So don’t lose that momentum. Put another organizing session on your calendar. Do it right now! That’s all there is to it.

Can window film help you be more organized?

Yes, it can! Window film helps remove clutter. Give us a call and we can steer you into the right choice. We’d love to help you choose the best film for your home or building. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the San Mateo Peninsula and Marin–and have expanded into southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

What Happened to Those Color of the Year Predictions?

December 31, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

For those of you who are interested in color, fashion, and design, you may wonder what happened to those color of the year predictions many of us made way back in 2024? Seems as though some were instantly rejected, some were adopted, and many were sneered at. So what do you do when there are so many around? Do you simply pick your favorite or do you do eenie meenie minie mo or what? Here are some ideas for those of you experiencing confusion!

If in doubt, go with Pantone

After all, Pantone is the one who began all those color of the year pronouncements! So why not start there? Pantone’s color of the year for 2025 is Mocha Mousse. It’s a warm color that, in Pantone’s words, “embodies connection, comfort, and harmony.” And we have to say anything to do with coffee has us giving a collective thumbs up. But mocha mousse softer than espresso, and makes us think of dessert, too. If you look at the Pantone website, you’ll even see a video with swirling mocha mousse that looks better than any dessert you’d get at a coffee shop.

Nutshell, from Sherwin-Williams collection, reflects mocha mousse

Regarding chocolate brown colors like Nutshell, this mocha-ish color can be used along with Mocha Mousse, or with Sherwin-Williams’ other beautiful colors. For instance, you couldn’t go wrong with Sherwin-Williams stucco for your exterior and then a variety of chocolatey brown varieties for the interior of your home. If you added an espresso-scented candle, people would believe they were living in a coffee shop!

Behr shows colors that work well with Pantone’s color of the year

We particularly love Behr’s Color Trends Palette (check out the one for 2025) because so many of the colors work with the Pantone Color of the Year. Although we loved Behr’s prediction of a Ruby Red color, their color trends palette is an even better choice, in our opinion. For example, take a look at their Oxford Street color–a beautiful and rich golden brown. Gardener’s Soil is even more interesting, with its blackish brown hue.

Making the most of your windows

You can use window film to enhance your choice of interior/exterior colors, or in some cases, you can choose a neutral window film that you won’t even be able to see. Many window films do their best work when you can’t even see they’re there. See our last post, Making the Most of Your Windows for more info. On a side note, are you impressed that we used “their, they’re, and there” in the same sentence?

Still confused by all the color of the year predictions?

Give us a call and we can steer you and your color choices. We’d love to help you choose the best film for your home or building. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the San Mateo Peninsula and Marin–and have expanded into southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

How to Make the Most of Your Windows

December 16, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Do you know how to make the most of your windows? We’ve already talked about swapping out your curtains for window film, but there are so many other ways you can beautify and improve your windows. If creating a more beautiful space and saving energy are on your bucket list, read on!

Privacy both inside and outside your building

You can use window film to keep neighbors from peeking into your house or your patio, but did you know all the ways that window film can give you privacy inside your home or building? For instance, say you are a young couple and just had kids. Suddenly, your ultra-modern bathroom with all the glass surrounding the shower isn’t so great anymore! Kids and pets are running in and out without any warning. What’s a parent to do? How about some window film so you get a little privacy? You don’t have to cover the entire glass wall, either. Just enough so you decent. Or, like in the photo above, you can have some privacy in a conference room!

Your home as a sanctuary

When you get home after a hard day’s work, you want your home to be as zen as possible. There are so many different types of window film. Use film to echo or complement your design favorites. Love bamboo? There’s a window film for that! How about polka dots? That’s also an option! Or you could go with a standard clear or just a little bit darker if you’re in a very sunny place. The best thing about good window film is you don’t even know it’s there! We like some of these ideas from Mountain Living: 7 Ways to Transform Your Home into a Sanctuary. (Especially naming your home. Do you do that?)

Window graphics for your business

Want to create a graphic on your glass that tells people what you do? Plenty of our customers like that kind of film. It’s easy for us to create for you, too. Just tell us what you need. We can use your logo or create something artsy. It’s up to you.

Don’t let energy savings fly out the windows!

Did you know with certain types of window films, your single pane windows can act as double panes? And the double panes can act like triple panes? That means you’ll save energy in the winter as well as the summer! Window film is actually an investment in your home or business.

For other ideas about making the most of your windows

Still have no idea what to do? Give us a call! We’d love to help you choose the best film for your home or building. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the San Mateo Peninsula and Marin–and are expanding into southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

How Swapping out Curtains for Window Film Will Change Your Life

November 27, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

In all honesty, an article about a bathroom remodel is what inspired this blog post. This popular window treatment actually made my bathroom dark and gloomy so here’s what I’m swapping it to in 2025. Yes–that’s a mouthful for a headline, but it works! But actually, you could swap out your curtains for something that will bring in even more light! You already guessed that window film would do the trick, didn’t you?

Winter and Sunlight

If you’re like many of us, your mood (like your bathroom) might turn dark in the winter time. Many of us need some sunlight every day so having enough light is important in the wintertime. Swapping out your curtains for window film will boost the amount of sunlight you see every day. You’ll still probably want to go outside for walks, but window film lets you see outside.

Why wait for New Years Resolutions?

If one of your new year’s resolutions will be to reduce clutter, guess what?! Having window film instead of curtains helps reduce clutter. Not only that, window film is cleaner and easier. You never have to throw your window film in the washer–just wipe it every once in a while. Dust bunnies will be a thing of the past with window film! And somehow clutter tends to hide in the folds of curtains.

Window film can keep your temperatures more even

Did you know that window film can act as an insulator? So single-pane glass can act like double-pane and double-pane can act like triple-pane glass. That’s a lot of savings with just a single decision. We’ve written about how window film can even out your temperatures before: How Window Film Helps Save Energy: Five Ways. Saving energy also means you’ll pay less for your energy bills, too.

Protect your furnishings

And by furnishings, we mean your couch, anything wooden, and your beautiful hardwood floors, too! For people without window film, sometimes when they peel back their rugs, they’ll see a discolored floor. Sun can do that to your floor. But window film, unlike curtains, will protect your valuable furnishings. Because of course you won’t have the curtains drawn all the time. When window film is doing its job, you don’t even know that it’s there.

Keeps allergies in check

If dust is your enemy, then window film will help you because it doesn’t collect dust the way curtains do. And even if you don’t have allergies, who wants to be breathing in all that dust! Nobody, that’s who! The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has some other good ideas for Allergy Prevention.

Need ideas about how to swap out your curtains for window film?

If choosing which window film to get is overwhelming, give us a call! We’d love to help you choose the best film for your home or building. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the San Mateo Peninsula and Marin–and are expanding into southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Why You Need Mirror & Stainless Steel Anti-Graffiti Films

November 15, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Maybe you’re a facilities manager and you’ve just gotten a high-rise building that needs stainless steel anti-graffiti film. The trouble is, you don’t even know what stainless steel anti-graffiti film is, let alone that you need it. All you know is that people keep scratching your elevator buttons and messing up the stainless steel in your bathrooms and lobby. What’s a facilities manager to do? Well, keep reading, of course!

Think ahead

If you already know people are going to scratch or spray graffiti on your beautiful mirrors or stainless steel, why not plan for it? We’ve helped many large building owners add window film to their tool kit. It’s easy for us to do, and saves you a ton of time, headaches, and expense later. By the way, we’ve written about facilities managers before and how they need window film: Why Would a Facilities Manager Need Window Film? However, mirror and stainless steel anti-graffiti films are a whole different animal than window films to control heat or UV protection.

Anti-graffiti film perfect for restrooms

You can’t stop graffiti

You can’t be everywhere at once, and there’s no stopping someone with a spray can or set of keys and an urge to make their mark, so to speak, on your property. But you can fight back! The Project for Public Spaces has some ideas for helping to prevent graffiti. If your building includes an outdoor area, those ideas could help.

Scratching hurts your building’s looks

Like graffiti, scratching makes your stainless steel or mirrors look ugly. And, just like graffiti, you can fight back with stainless steel anti-graffiti film. Window film can be used to cover your mirrors as well as your stainless steel surfaces. And similar to stainless steel anti-graffiti film, our Mirror Shield can be peeled off a layer at a time, as scratches occur. Think about your elevators, vending machines, and sign posts or wherever there’s scratching. Those can all be protected.

Vandalism in restrooms

Restrooms are impossible to monitor, so your countertops, restroom partitions, paper towel dispensers, etc., are vulnerable to vandalism. Why not protect them from the many people who could vandalize them? You and your tenants deserve a clean, safe environment, and that includes the restrooms!

Acid etching also hurts your stainless and mirrors

Why oh why do people use acid to etch your beautiful stainless and mirrors? We have our own theories, but we won’t get into that here. But realize that there’s something you can do to recover from acid etching.

But wait! there’s more!

Either stainless steel anti-graffiti film or the mirror shield can be customized with an exact fit to your stainless steel surface or your mirrors. You can’t even tell it’s there! If you’re in a condo, here are some ideas to prevent and respond to vandalism there.

Need ideas about which anti-graffiti film to get?

If choosing which anti-graffiti film is overwhelming, give us a call! We’d love to help you choose the best film for your building. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and are expanding into southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Distraction Markers on Glass: Five Reasons to Use Them

October 29, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Distraction Marker One — Distraction markers can be beautiful

We all get distracted from time to time, especially while walking around with a cell phone in one hand and a donut in the other. Or maybe you get distracted by everything around you, just like — oh, look! a puppy! Wait, what was I saying? Anyway, if you get distracted, distraction markers on glass could help you, your friends, family, coworkers, and others avoid injuries. If you’re wondering what Distraction Markers are, this article is helpful: Utilizing Distraction Markers in Office Spaces. By the way, distraction markers are a big topic of conversation for facilities managers.

They can be beautiful and simple

As you can see from the image above, your distraction marker can add a design element to your glass. Although many distraction markers are stripes, yours can be different. Does your company work with trees? Are you a plumber? You can add a design that illustrates what you do. And not in a blatant, hit-your-customers-over-the-head way, either. Your design can be subtle and beautiful.

You can use your company logo

In the interests of privacy, we’re not showing you an image of a company logo, but keep in mind that we can use your logo on your glass. So your distraction marker can be both a safety feature as well as an advertisement. We think that’s pretty cool.

Distraction Markers for Privacy — Distraction Markers are for Privacy

Distraction markers keep you safe

People walk into glass doors more often than you might think. But do they talk about it? NO–they do not! And that’s one reason no one knows how many accidents there truly are. Because where’s the data? It’s a secret–that’s where! Anyway, no one in their right mind would walk into the glass above. Would they? If you ever see an entryway covered with plywood and duct tape, you can probably guess what happened. Not only is it inconvenient to get that fixed, it’s dangerous because…glass. And also, it’s a security risk while you wait to get the glass repaired and the security guy has to work extra hours to protect your space.

Distraction Markers Design Element — Distraction Markers as Design Element

They add privacy

In the example above, you can see how much privacy is added with the addition of a simple design. And you can choose how much of your glass you want to cover. By the way, we talk a lot about privacy. Here’s a post you might like: Is Window Film Good for Privacy?

They can be installed on any length of interior glass

Distraction markers are plotter cut from 3M Dusted Crystal or Frosted Crystal and can be installed on any length of interior glass. Sometimes a single horizontal stripe can be the best type of distraction marker. It depends on you and what look you’d like to have.

Does this topic make you distracted?

If choosing a style for your distraction marker is overwhelming, give us a call! We’d love to help you choose the best distraction marker for your building. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and are expanding into southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.