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!

Fun with Living Coral: Pantone’s Color of the Year 2019

January 30, 2019 by Carol S 1 Comment

We simply adore Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2019. Have you seen it yet? It’s Living Coral! It’s fun and fresh and we love love love it!

How Do You Incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year Into Your Home?

Good question! This color is quite strong, like a wonderful sunset, so you might want to begin with just pops of color. For instance, you could use some throw pillows, like these we found on Amazon or shadow boxes which include Living Coral. You could also use some neutrals, like a Chalkboard Gray to make the Living Coral pop even more. Grays can be tricky, though, so you may want to move carefully before painting your entire place gray.

interior design terracotta photo — Photo by DesignFolly.com

Walls in Living Coral

Before you paint an entire wall in Living Coral, you may want to see how it looks first. We love the traditional styling of the walls above, with the classic wood furniture and ornate mirrors.

coral pink color photo — Photo by La Citta Vita

Flowers

You may want to add a pop of color, and flowers are a perfect way to add this lively shade of pink without a full commitment. Take a look at the Peruvian lilies above.

orange abstract photo

Artwork in Living Coral

How about a piece of artwork that you can move around freely and change from time to time? A poster or piece of framed art can make all the difference, and modernize your home.

grapefruit counter photo — Photo by City Foodsters

How about a Drink in Living Coral?

There’s also the route of even less resistance, with an adult beverage in Living Color! This way, you can immediately get rid of the evidence if it turns out the color is not to your taste!

Candles in Coral

What about these wonderful some wonderful candles for a pop of color? Again, once burned down, the candles can quietly disappear if you don’t like them.

orange abstract photo

Other Ways to Jazz up Your Space: Window Film

Here are some other ways to add drama to your space–with decorative window film!

How Are You Using Color in Your Space?

Leave us a comment!

The Valuable Ways Window Film Can Change Your Life

December 27, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

The Valuable Ways Window Film Can Change Your Life

The best thing about window film is that when it’s really working you’ll forget it’s there. That is to say, it’s invisible. And yet it can change your life. Let me explain. If you’re interested in your own wellbeing or your long-term health, then having window film is a no-brainer.

Window Film Protects Your Eyes

As you get older, the light becomes more important. Glare can become a problem, and sometimes our vision can become cloudy. Window film reduces glare, which is so important to protect your eyesight. Cataracts can develop from too much UV. Again, window film comes to the rescue by blocking UV light. We’ve discussed window film and your vision before in the article Window Film: Seven Ways it Can Improve Your Life.

Window Film Protects Your Skin

UV light affects your skin and can lead to skin cancer without some form of protection. Using sunscreen, large hats, and staying out of the strongest sun are all important. But what about the UV rays coming in through your windows? Window film is like sunscreen for your home or office. In their excellent article, Window Film: Sun Protection for Your Health and Home, the Skin Cancer Foundation explains that window film can block up to 99.9% of UVA rays from entering your home. If that light entering your home can damage your belongings, think about what it can do to your skin!

Less Sensory Overload

Have you ever been around too many people and just want some peace and quiet? Window film makes your home feel quieter. We’re all visual creatures, primarily, so all the visual stimulation coming in through our computers, phones, and TVs can leave us feeling exhausted. With window film, some of that sensory overload is reduced.

Save Money on Heating and Cooling Bills

In addition to protecting your health, window film saves you money on your heating bill in the winter, and your cooling bill in the summer. With our increasingly wilder weather due to global warming, having some stability is a very good thing. Read more about how you can reduce your bills with window film.

We’d Love to Talk to You!

Have questions about window film? We’re here for you! Call us at 415.623.8700 to discuss window film!

Why Not Use All the Space in Your Home?

December 19, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Why Not Use All the Space in Your Home?

Having natural light pouring in through your huge glass windows can be a beautiful thing if there’s no glare, but what about when there is? Do you have to pack up yourself, plus your dog and cat, too, every time the sun hits your windows at the wrong angle? We know a number of people who used to have to do that exact thing! And it’s really not very fun. But 3M’s Prestige Window Film can block 97% of infrared light for your comfort. Which is really much easier than having a pair of sunglasses near every single window.

Glare on Your Computer Screen

Are you hiding in your loft because the glare through the windows downstairs is simply too harsh? Or maybe you have strategically placed towels hanging over the windows at certain times of the day. That can happen anywhere from homes to businesses. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, space is really at a premium. It’s a shame to not be able to use every inch of your space, as we talked about in our previous article: How to Dramatically Cut Back Sun Glare: 10 Ways.

Glare When You’re Trying to Eat

If you’re squinting as you try to see your friend eat, it doesn’t make for good conversation. Without eliminating the glare, you’ll probably be too distracted to have a very good talk. Maybe you have to keep scootching your chairs around every few minutes so you can see each other–as well as your food. That’s also seriously annoying! If your eyes are already strained, you don’t need to be squinting when you should be relaxing.

Glare in Your Eyes

Maybe you’ve given up on trying to use any of the space near your windows at all. That would be a shame since you may have a beautiful view! Glare can cause headaches, sore muscles, and annoyance. And that indoor UV light can damage your furnishings as well as your skin. We’re getting a headache just thinking about the glare! Not to mention all the ways UV light can damage your skin when it enters through your windows.

Ready to Use All Your Space?

We’d love to help! Give us a call and we can help you find a perfect solution to your glare issues. One that doesn’t include squinting.