Blog – Page 17

How to Save Money and Beautify Your Home with Window Film

June 28, 2018 by Carol S 1 Comment

Have you ever considered using window film to save money for your residence in the San Francisco Bay Area? Everyone wants to save money on their home, especially since energy costs in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to rise. According to Electricity Local, San Francisco’s residential electric rates are 8th in the nation. Did you know that using window film can save you money as well as beautify your home? Here’s how that works!

Keep Energy Costs Down

When your home is too hot in the summer, your air conditioner has to work overtime so your cooling costs go up. And as you already know, energy costs in the San Francisco Bay Area have been going up every year. Save money on your energy costs by keeping the heat of the sun from entering your home to begin with. Your home stays cooler in the summer and your power bills stay lower, too. We like this article: Why Window Tinting is the Ultimate Life Hack for Saving Money.

sun room photo — Photo by Hotel Internazionale Ischia

Help Your Furniture Last Longer

You’ve spent a lot of money on that custom couch and that beautiful solid oak flooring, haven’t you? So why not keep it as long as possible? With window film, all your belongings are protected. According to an article in Houzz, “There are three main culprits in the spectrum of light: UVA and UVB rays cause 45 percent of the damage; heat/infrared radiation causes 25 percent; and visible light causes 25 percent…”. If you haven’t read A Surefire Way to Prevent Sun Damage Indoors, you might want to. They go on to say that “Good-quality solar window films, like those by Vista, 3M or Lumor, reject 99.9 percent of the sun’s harmful rays.”

Beautify and Protect

Here’s the part where we talk about the beautification. There are many different types of window films now. You can get stripes, dots, and more. And, as this article in the Denver Post entitled Abundantly clear: Window films can save money invisibly states, “Today’s window films can also inexpensively make clear glass look etched or frosted for privacy or a decorative effect.”

front room window photo — Photo by HYWare

Decorative Window Films

Maybe you missed our series about 3M Fasara decorative window films:

Have Questions?

We’d love to answer your questions! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

The Invisible Power of Window Film You Need to See

June 21, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

The really great thing about good window film is that it’s invisible. When it’s doing its job, you can’t even see it! Of course, that makes it a little difficult to talk about, right? It’s like trying to take a picture of the Invisible Man. He’s there, but how do you explain him to other people? Maybe we could begin by talking about some of the benefits of window film.

Protects You from UV Rays

We’ve all heard that ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin and cause premature aging. Because UV rays are sneaky, they can find you when you least expect it. At the beach, in your office, and in your car, among other places. And it comes right through windows unless you have window film to block it!

commercial look photo — Photo by @AnnerleyJohnsonPhotos

Saves You Money on Your Utility Bills

When the sun’s rays don’t enter your home or business, you save money on your power bills. Things don’t heat up or cool down the way they do when you don’t have window film. Here’s a recent article we wrote about how you can save money on your power bills: Window Film: A Quick and Easy Way to Save Money?

uv skies photo — Photo by Robert.Pittman

Prevents Skin Cancer

Preventing skin cancer is a big one for us. The Skin Cancer organization has a whole section on skin cancer, UV protection, and window film on their website. Of course, using common sense when in the sun goes a long way towards preventing skin cancer, too. Staying out of the sun during the hottest times of the day, sporting a wide-brimmed hat, and wearing long sleeves can all help skin damage.

Keeps Employees (and You!) Happy

If you have employees, you want to keep them happy, don’t you? Don’t make the people who work with you wear sunglasses indoors because of a terrible problem with glare! We’ve seen many places where the employees have to wear sunglasses indoors–don’t let your workplace be one of them.

Ready for Window Film?

Give us a call! We’d love to talk to you about window film. We work all over the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Mateo County, Alameda County, and Santa Clara County.

How to Make Glass Windows More Private

May 31, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

You may be wondering what the best ways are to create more privacy at your home or office. Not to worry! We have some ideas that will make your task much easier!

Window Film Creates Privacy

For the most uncluttered look, try window film. You might have wondered about what kind of window film you should get. But you can always give us a call and we can help advise you. And you might like this recent post about How to Use Window Film to Get Privacy in Your Tiny House. After all, to afford to live in the San Francisco Bay Area, many people live with roommates or in a tiny house.

Curtains or Half Curtains

Sometimes all you need is a cafe curtain, which is a half curtain. Or you may need a full floor-to-ceiling type of curtain. Either way, curtains can help you have more privacy. The upside with curtains is that they’re easy to install and usually inexpensive. The downside is that for those with allergies they collect dust and need to be cleaned. Also, curtains take up valuable space whereas window film takes up no space at all. You might like 10 Important Things to Consider When You’re Buying Curtains from Elle Decor.

gorgeous home photo — Photo by Serena Snowfield – On Hiatus Until June

Photo by Serena Snowfield – On Hiatus Until June

Shutters for Privacy

Shutters are handy because you can open and close one, two, or more shutters at a time. And they have a classic look which is wonderful in a living room or library, too. And in case you think adding shutters is something you can do casually, here’s an article that talks about how installing shutters the wrong way can ruin the look of your home: All About Exterior Window Shutters.

Screens Provide Instant Privacy

Screens are great because you can move them around. They’re a way to create instant privacy and can be pulled out at a moment’s notice such as when you have a guest over and need to create a private space for them. They can block the afternoon sun in front of a window, or provide relief from people looking in as well.

Call Us to Schedule an Appointment!

We install window film all over the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have questions about window film, please call!

How to Use Window Film That Will Help You Have Privacy in Your Tiny House

May 3, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Here in San Francisco, real estate prices have gone through the roof. You’ve probably seen some of the reports showing how expensive San Francisco is. For instance, Bloomberg had an article about how Buying a Home in San Francisco is About to Get Even Harder. But people still want to live here, although some of them have to move into tiny houses to afford the San Francisco Bay Area lifestyle!

Tiny Houses and Window Film

We’ll get right to the heart of the matter. If you live in a tiny house, window film can help you with privacy. Immediately. No waiting seven years. Have it installed and get more privacy immediately. Plus, it looks great! Here’s an article about how window tint was used in a tiny home, so you can see some of the possibilities.

More Privacy

You can put window film on your exterior windows, but also on your interior windows if you have them. If you have a shower, but don’t want a curtain, you can use window film to create privacy in your shower or bath. Window film looks sleek and uncluttered, too. We wrote about privacy recently in our post: Ten Day Challenge: More Privacy in San Francisco.

Spend Your Dollars Wisely

You’ve spent less money by buying a tiny house rather than a giant McMansion, so with that what you’ve saved, you could invest in window film. You might also want to invest in insulation, too. And by the way, did you know that we install 3M Thinsulate, which insulates your windows? See more information in our previous post, How to Stay Cool in the Heat? You’ll Love 3M Thinsulate Window Film.

Save Money, Too!

Window film can help you save money on your power bill, since it keeps the interior of your home well-regulated. So temperatures don’t get as hot or as cold. It keeps the nosy neighbors from peeking in, which could save your sanity.

phone call photo — Photo by Andrew Stawarz

Call Us

If you need a recommendation on what kind of window film to get, give us a call. We’d love to talk to you!

How to Use Window Film that Will Help You Prevent Skin Cancer

April 26, 2018 by Carol S 1 Comment

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Since May is officially Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we thought we’d talk a little about skin cancer and how window film can be used as part of a strategy to prevent skin cancer. If you don’t know about Skin Cancer Awareness Month, take a look at the Skin Cancer Foundation’s article: May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Skin Cancer is the Number One Most Common Cancer

Unfortunately, many people don’t know how many skin cancers can be avoided through prevention. And skin cancer is becoming much more prevalent. Skin cancer is usually easily detectable and can be treated. The Skin Cancer Foundation has a ton of ways to prevent skin cancer on their website, so take a look if you’re unsure. And you might like to check out our article Ten Quick and Easy Ways to Prevent Skin Cancer.

Window Film to Prevent Cancer

Did you know that 3M™ window film is one of the best ways to prevent the sun’s UV rays from reaching your skin? And that 3M™ window film has the seal of recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation? Check out the 3M website (scroll down) to see the Skin Cancer Foundation badge. You can find automotive, commercial, and residential window films. There are a number of surprising ways to use window film, as our recent article, Surprising Uses for Window Film You Need to Know outlines.

New Sun-Protective Clothing to Prevent Cancer

We are really enjoying the new sun-protective clothing that blocks the UV rays that can harm your skin. Coolibar is one of the best ones we’ve found, with hats, beachwear, and other clothing that look good, too. Another of our favorites is Under Armour. There are many others, but these had websites that were the easiest to navigate. We’ve even seen some sun-protective clothing at Costco–so luckily for all of us, sun protection is getting easier, and awareness has been spreading, too.

Umbrellas, Awnings, and Tents

Do a search on Amazon for UV protection and you’ll find all kinds of nifty umbrellas and awnings, as well as tents. If you don’t know where to start, just choose one item and start there. Like organizing an emergency kit for your car, it doesn’t have to be done all at once.

Have Questions About Window Film?

Give us a call! We’d love to answer your window film questions.

How Window Film Can Actually Help Simplify Your Life

April 11, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

You might not have considered how window film can simplify your life, but it seriously can! Here are a few of the ways.

Eliminate Drapes

If you’re tired of cleaning your drapes, have no fear! Once you have window film, you may want to get rid of the drapes or other window coverings. Also, if you’ve been laundering your drapes, that’s another thing you can take off your to-do list. And when the drapes are gone, away goes the dust that collects on the drapes, too! For people with allergies, that can be a game-changer!

A Sleek Look

Do you have clutter all over your home? Window film looks clean, sleek, and modern. You can avoid a cluttered look with one simple decision: installing window film. For other ideas on avoiding clutter, see the excellent Wikipedia How to Remove Clutter From Your Home.

Sunscreen for Your Home

You can feel safer in your own home because window film protects your family’s skin and eyes. Some types of window film help hold your windows together, too, which is helpful during storms or in case of break-ins. We help both residential and commercial property owners with window film. For more information on how window film protects your health, see Why Window Film Makes You Healthier and Why You Need to Know.

More Privacy

Perhaps you’ve thought about installing awnings or privacy walls to protect your family or employees from prying eyes. With window film, you can get more privacy without any of that silliness. You might like our recent article Ten Day Challenge: More Privacy in San Francisco.

Keep Employees Happy

If you’re an employer, you can keep your employees happier, which in turn makes your life simpler. When window film does its job, your employees won’t even notice. The temperature is more regulated, and they can even stop wearing sunglasses indoors. The 3M Window Film website has all kinds of ideas on window film (scroll down to the simulator!).

We Work All Over the San Francisco Bay Area!

We started in the South Bay, in Silicon Valley, but we’ve expanded to San Francisco. And we travel to the East Bay, to Marin, and to the Peninsula as well. So call us and we’ll see what we can do for you!

Window Works USA Received 3M’s Regional Dealer of the Year Northwest Award

March 20, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

We’re very proud to announce that Window Works USA recently received 3M’s Regional Dealer of the Year Northwest award! The award is for Leadership, Sales Volume & being #1 in Customer Service.

Joanne Schultz from Tropic Tint with Asia Bautista

Regional Award

The Regional Dealer of the Year Northwest Award is a Regional Award given to the Dealer at the 3M Prestige Dealer Conference.

One Award in the Four Regions

There is only one award per region. 3M awarded us for North West at the most recent National Prestige Dealer Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

Brian Rosenberger of Sun Control of Minnesota who won Dealer of the Year National Award

It’s An Honor And Privilege

The conference is full of the top Prestige Window Film Dealers only, from across the United States. And since 3M window film dominates the window film industry, it is a huge honor and privilege for us to receive this award.

WindowWorksUSA Celebrates Women in Construction Week 2018

March 8, 2018 by Carol S 1 Comment

We’d like to extend the biggest THANK YOU to everyone who came out for our first Women in Construction Networking Series at the Builders Exchange of San Francisco!

Networking at the Women in Construction Week 2018 Luncheon

Our 1st Annual Leads Luncheon was at Thursday, March 8, on this International Womens’ Day & Women in Construction Week 2018! We had light sandwiches & friendly networking.

We shared leads, ideas, jobs, suggestions, contacts, and many a great notion to help our fellow Women in Construction Professionals!

We also want to take this moment to give a special thanks to staunch supporter & the Cornerstone of The BX, our friend Deanna Johnson for all that she does to help Members and Tenants here! Please join in giving her a big THANK YOU!

Thank you to our friends:

3M – Renewable Energy Division
Air Perfection Heating & Air Conditioning
Builders Exchange of San Francisco
David Larson – General Contractor
Fashion Drapery
Frank Mc Cann Inspection Service
Material Survey Associates
NY Engineering
Pella Nor Cal
Pilot CM
Window Works

Thank you to everyone for coming out and stay tuned for more networking events!

How to Eliminate Glare That Will Help You Have a Better Life

February 22, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Lately, we’ve been seeing more and more people wearing sunglasses indoors. Why? The place they work or shop at doesn’t have window film and there’s blinding glare coming in at them through the windows.

The Problem with Glare?

Glare can cause all kinds of problems, beyond the immediate issue of being blinded by the light. If you’re in a building with glare, you might walk outside and into the path of an oncoming car. If you’re driving, you might get hit by the glare coming off a building and–same problem. Temporary blindness is no joke! Here’s a previous article: How to Dramatically Cut Back Sun Glare: 10 Ways.

Longterm Glare

Glare can also cause headaches and migraines. Ocular migraines can occur from too much glare, too. Many people who already suffer from migraines will tell you that they’re already overly sensitive to light. So having glare coming in through the windows as well as from computer screens can cause longterm health problems. Want to know more about ocular migraines? You might want to read Ocular Migraine: When to Seek Help from the Mayo Clinic website.

Cataracts

People with cataracts may also have a sensitivity to glare, so reducing glare is the best idea for overall comfort. One way to limit the amount of glare coming into the eye is to wear sunglasses. However, wearing sunglasses indoors is not something that you or your coworkers or employees or family should have to do! Of course, surgery to remove cataracts is an option, but why not prevent them from occurring in the first place? As this article, Start Preventing Cataracts at Any Age with these Four Tips states, “protect yourself from UV rays and your eyes will thank you! “Ultraviolet light can hasten the formation of cataracts,” explains Dr. Jain, “even in younger patients.”

Let Your Home or Office Have Window Film!

Window film is like giving your home or office sunglasses. You don’t have to think about what your next step will be. Because when you’re at home or at work, you want to relax and not have to think about preventing glare coming in through your windows! And that will help you have a better life. We work all over the San Francisco Bay Area, so we’d be happy to talk to you about the different options to cut glare with window film.

How Do You Prevent Glare?

Have some other ideas for us? Let us know in the comments! And thank you.

Ten Day Challenge: More Privacy in San Francisco

February 9, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Maybe one of your ideas for this year is to remodel your home, or to create a more professional office environment. And just maybe you have zero privacy because you’re crammed in with officemates or roommates in a tiny place. Not to worry! Window Film can help you create more privacy. There are some other neat ideas here, too.

garden shade photo — Photo by SFB579 Namaste

Using Plants for Privacy

Whether you want a lot or a little privacy, you can use hedges, planters, or fences with climbing plants. HGTV has some creative ideas in their article Plants for Privacy. Better Homes and Gardens has a whole bunch of Moveable Planters on Wheels that we really like.

San Francisco’s Unique Issues

Besides the issue of which burrito or wrapped food to choose for lunch, San Francisco has other issues. Since San Francisco is one of the priciest places in the world to live, a lot of people stay where they are and make do. That is, they remodel or fix up where they’re living rather than moving. And since there isn’t a lot of empty space, everyone builds up rather than moving out.

window shades photo — Photo by DesignFolly.com

Curtains and Barriers

There are lots of ways that curtains and room dividers can be used to divide up a space. For instance, in this article, #14 in this list of 27 Ways to Maximize Space with Room Dividers includes the use of an IKEA Pax closet system sliding doors. It’s sleek and modern! We also really love room dividers to separate an inside space from an outside one.

Build a Fort

We’re not talking about building a cardboard fort like when you were a kid! No, we’re talking about a snazzy way to get desktop privacy that we found while tooling around the Interwebs. They’re called Desktop Privacy Panels and you can see more about them here: Versare: DeskTop Privacy Panels. They even help reduce noise. Yes!

Protect Your Work from Prying Eyes?

This was the most hilarious option we’ve seen: for those of you who are both cold and need privacy: Body-Technology Interfaces. Think Knit-Bombing for your laptop keyboard.

Create Quiet Space

There’s nothing more annoying than hearing the office blabbermouth yelling at the person on the other end of the phone. Privacy can include soundproofing and creating quiet spots for better productivity. On that note, this article: 10 Design Ideas for the Perk Workers Actually Want: Quiet is a goldmine. Although we’d argue that the quiet offices still need some window film.

And Window Film

Speaking of which, window film can be used in so many ways. Privacy can mean using a light window film in any of a number of patterns, stripes, or dots. 3M Fasara includes all of these options. Or you might want to try 3M Thinsulate, a staff favorite, which has incredible insulating qualities. It makes double-paned windows perform like triple-paned windows!

double pane photo — Photo by Captivating World

Translucent Room Dividers

We particularly like the sleek, modern look of a translucent room divider, such as this one by Dan Forlenza. It creates just enough separation, without making the space look cluttered or cute.

bookstore photo — Photo by keepitsurreal

Consider a Bookshelf to Divide Space

Bookcases don’t have to be shoved up against a wall–they can also be used in the middle of a room to separate the space. And there are many sleek bookcases out there.

Umbrellas and Sunshades

Umbrellas can be moved around as needed, while sunshades tend to be more fixed. So if you’re looking for relief from the sun as well as privacy, you might want a combination of both. For instance, this terrific sunshade from Houzz is beautiful as well as dramatic.

glass shoji door photo — Photo by halfrain

How Do You Find Your Privacy?

Need more privacy? We can help you with window film!