3M

How to Avoid Extreme Heat: Five Ways

July 15, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Climate change is here, and with it, extreme heat. Learn how to avoid extreme heat and make your home or office more resilient to climate change. As Bob Villa says in his article Making Your Home More Resilient Can Boost Your Peace of Mind, “according to Realtor.com, 44.8 percent of homes in the United States are at risk of potentially serious damage from flooding, wind, wildfires, and other climate-related events.” Making sure you know how to avoid extreme heat is critical during these extra-hot days.

Insulation protects you against heat and cold

Not only does insulation help to lower your power bills, it protects you against extreme temperatures. And doesn’t it seem that every other day there are extreme temperatures somewhere? Even in San Francisco, where we typically are protected against extremes because of our naturally-occurring fog, we sometimes get very hot days. There are many more benefits of insulation, as the National Insulation Association outlines (did you know about its return on investment?).

Leaks around windows and doors

It’s better to check for air and water leaks around your windows and doors when the weather is good and not when there’s an extreme weather event. The Department of Energy has some excellent and simple ways you can check for leaks. For example, wiggling your doors tells you that there might be an air leak. (They didn’t use the word wiggling, but they really should!). Some leaks are really obvious. If your hat blows off when you’re next to a (closed) door, that could be a clue. Other leaks are sneakier. Air leaks can occur around switch plates or air conditioners. So get your caulk guns ready!

Energy Assessment

If you’re able to check your own home for energy leaks and where you might need to improve it, would you? You could either do it yourself (see the Department of Energy for its how-to article) or hire someone who might be more discerning and have more experience. With an energy assessment, you can check sealing gaps, determine your level of insulation, and much more. If your home is an older one, it’s likely that there are more energy-efficient choices available.

Better windows

Double-pane or even triple-pane windows can certainly help to prevent extreme heat. And those windows can also keep out the noise, too. If you live in a crowded city, or on a busy street, those noises and that heat can keep you awake at night. Is better sleep a priority for you? Then an investment in better windows might be just the ticket.

Window film

You knew we were going to talk about window film, didn’t you? Your family and your employees will thank you if you use window film to guard against extreme heat. We’ve discussed how window film reduces heat before: Heat Reduction and Privacy Window Film. We work with 3M and their wonderful window film often, and we can tell you about what we have learned.

Avoid extreme heat anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area

Have questions about heat reduction and window film? Give us a call and we’ll give you some ideas! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your overheated home or office. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

When New-School Technology Meets Old-World Service? Magic!

November 5, 2016 by Carol S 1 Comment

Professional marketers are always going on about differentiators. “What makes you different?” they’ll ask. “No, really, what makes you different?” Well, what really makes us different is service. How so? Read on!

Service with a Smile

We really do take it the extra mile in terms of service. On the very rare occasion that a customer is only 99% satisfied, we want to go the extra 1% to make it 100%. And don’t tell us about 110%! There’s only 100%! Sometimes that means working extra time or taking a loss on a product ourselves.

Cheerful Demeanor

We like to have a good time, and by “have a good time,” we mean we love our work! We really will do what we have to so that your window film looks wonderful. We don’t want you to have bubbles or purple film on your building! No way! By the way, here are some things you need to know about window film.

Only the Best for Our Clients

We don’t like to brag, but we only use the highest-rated window film from 3M™. 3M™ window film has recently had their 50th anniversary, and you don’t get to be in business for 50 years without a great product! When you start with such a great product, there is much less to do in terms of customer service, since everyone already knows, likes, and trusts 3M™ window film.

What Defines the “Best”?

Of course there’s a range of what great customer service means. To some, it means having the “customer is always right” mentality. To others it means going out of your way to make someone happy. There’s a great discussion of good customer service over on the SalesForce blog.

Focus on Like and Trust

We are always striving to make things better for our customers because we want them to like and trust us. So we take what you say seriously and incorporate your suggestions into our way of doing business.

Listening Skills

We learn a lot from our customers, and often what they say surprises us! We don’t know what questions they’ll have before we start listening, and that’s part of the fun!

What About You?

What customer service skills do you like to see? We’d love to talk to you! Leave us a comment!

3M’s Sun Control Window Film: Spotlight on Protection You Need to See

September 13, 2016 by Carol S 1 Comment

3M Sun Control Window Film: Spotlight on Protection You Need to See

Did you fall in love with some big, beautiful windows when you moved into your new home or office? Then you probably know what it’s like to see the damage that sun can do to your flooring and furnishings! If you’ve ever peeled back a rug and seen a discolored floor underneath, you know what I mean!

How Do You Protect Your Floor?

Of course, you could always add curtains to your windows. There are some excellent ones that block out all the light, and also make a quieter space for you. But you might not be such a big fan of the dark, man-cave look.

Louvered shades or blinds are another option.

3M™ Sun Control Window Film

We love window film. We cannot lie. Not only will 3M™ Sun Control Window Film block out harmful UV radiation that damages your furnishings, and your skin, you’ll be lowering your heating bill at the same time! That’s a no-brainer in our opinion!

Carpet Stays Bright and Cheery

Your carpet will thank you for using window film. And not just your carpet, but your couch, and that beautiful table that you shipped from that one Hawaiian vacation. Now you won’t have to twirl it around every other week to keep the fading even on both sides.

hardwood floor photo — Photo by Rubber Dragon

Hardwood Floors Stay the Same Color

If you’ve ever seen the damage UV light can do to flooring, it can be quite dramatic. As Tadas Sadunas explains in this wonderful hardwood floor blog, some types of wood darken, some get bleached, just like the different types of skin. Yes, there are finishes that give your floor some UV protection, but window film is much easier.

Wearing Sunglasses Indoors?

Do you know someone like this? The sun is so bright that everyone has to wear sunglasses indoors! And that’s not right! You should feel comfortable indoors–as well as safe. Wearing sunglasses indoors is just so…silly! Not that we’re anti-silly, but you should be able to control the silly. And with window film you can!

UV Damage is Cumulative

We don’t want to harp on it, but ultraviolet light damages your skin and causes photoaging. So to keep your furnishings and your skin safe, you need to protect yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which by the way can travel through windows and damage everything in sight.

window film photo — Photo by Sigma.DP2.Kiss.X3

Let Us Explain Your Options!

We’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, and service homes and businesses up and down the peninsula, in the South Bay, as well as San Francisco. So if you’re considering window film, give us a call so we can explain your options!

Skin Cancer Awareness Month: What You Need to Know

May 28, 2016 by Carol S Leave a Comment

We definitely believe that Skin Cancer Awareness Month shouldn’t be only this month, but every month. Nevertheless, there are some important things to know about skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatologists has designated May Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Always Protect Your Skin from the Sun

If you’re ever confused about whether to use sunscreen, don’t be! Even if it’s cloudy, ultraviolet rays can damage your skin. Here’s a comprehensive list of types of sunscreen, strength, and other things to do to protect your skin. But how, you might ask? Keep sunscreen everywhere: in your car, in your bag, at home, etc. The hours between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. are especially dangerous.

Apply Lotion with Sunscreen

For men, after shaving is a good time to apply lotion with sunscreen to prevent melanoma. Although melanoma makes up only 1% of skin cancers, it makes for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Men, in general, have a harder time using sunscreen. But lotion makes your skin softer and more touchable.

Prevent Melanoma

The AAD has designated a hashtag, #MelanomaMonday, to kick off Skin Cancer Awareness Month. And they’ve created a fun video, too! Take a minute and check it out! We’re talking to you, guys!

Window Film and Skin Cancer

Window film prevents most of the UVA radiation that can penetrate glass. Here’s what the Skin Cancer Foundation has to say: “However, at least 50 percent of UVA rays can pass through windows. Window film is an increasingly effective solution, offering substantial indoor protection by blocking up to 99.9 percent of UVA radiation.”

Commercial and Residential Window Film

Call us if you need window film for your home or office! We work all over the San Francisco Bay Area, including Silicon Valley, San Jose, and the Peninsula.

Here are some recent articles to show you our best films:

Join Us in Preventing Skin Cancer

No matter what your reason for preventing skin cancer, it’s important that you do. For instance, looking good is a great reason! But how about being around for your family, saving money on doctor’s bills, and keeping all those sunscreen manufacturers in business. Just kidding about that last one! But come on! Staying alive?

family picnic photo — Photo by Seattle Municipal Archives

3M Window Film: 50th Anniversary – Now You See it, Now You Don’t

March 4, 2016 by Window Works 2 Comments

You might not know that window film not only protects you and your family from UV light, even when you’re indoors, but that most of the time it works so well that you don’t even know it’s there! And that using 3M window film is the way to go. 3M window film has been around for 50 years, and 3M is a company that you already know, like, and trust.

You might have read our previous post about 3M Window Film’s 50th Anniversary – Luxury and Trust in a Remarkable Combo.

Window Film is Thin

Can you say Post-It Note thin? That’s how thin window film is. Once it’s applied to your glass, you can barely tell that it’s there, even though it’s filtering out dangerous UV radiation for you. As you sit there, eating your breakfast, watching t.v., or playing with your kids, window film protects you.

Sunscreen Without the Grease

We do love sunscreen, and recommend it anytime you’re outdoors, especially at the beach. But when you’re inside relaxing, who wants all the trouble? There’s already a solution to this problem, and it’s window film!

Fade Reduction

Not only does 3M’s window film protect you, it can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays to reduce fading of furnishings and carpet. You’ve seen those homes where the beautiful wood floor is faded near the windows? Don’t let that happen to you!

piggy bank photo — Photo by kenteegardin

Saves You Money

Window film helps you with the bottom line by reducing cooling costs. This is true for both residential and commercial buildings, where the sun’s glare can cause overheating inside the house. This seemingly insurmountable problem can be solved with window film.

Know, Love, and Trust

It’s often said that people do business with people they know, like, and trust. What about companies that you know, like, and trust? The same statement holds true. And 3M’s 50 years of history producing window film means that they’re a solid company.

happy photo — Photo by Alex88 (All Images Taken By Me)

Photo by Alex88 (All Images Taken By Me)

Give Us a Call!

We’re in Santa Clara, and provide service all over the San Francisco Bay Area.

3M Fasara Decorative Window Film: Stripes Forever

January 18, 2016 by Window Works 3 Comments

If your home or office is a little boring, you might consider the use of stripes. Stripes add energy and a modern feeling to any building. You can add them via striped rugs, wallpaper, or wall paint, as outlined in this article from Freshome, 40 Daring Striped Interiors. When our clients say they want a bold, fresh look we ask them to consider 3M Fasara decorative window film (in particular stripes!).

Series on 3M Fasara Decorative Window Film

This is our first in a series on this wonderful decorative window film. Here are two other posts in the series:

Control Light and Privacy

You have the ability to control light and privacy with all 3M Fasara deco window film. With the striped films, you can alter the width of the stripes depending upon how much light or privacy you need. For example, the wider stripe in the 3M™ FASARA™ Arpa lets more light through. And you can cover part of the window or the entire pane of glass.

Use a Combination of Thin and Wide Stripes

To give your room a fun, jazzy look, why not combine thin and wide stripes? If you need ideas for how stripes would work with your interior, Houzz can give you inspiration. With 3M Fasara window film, you can use thin and wider stripes.

Fun Plus Sophistication

Like polka dots, stripes are fun yet sophisticated. You can use stripes to elongate or stretch a room, making it seem bigger, wider, or taller. Stripes in a room do the same thing as stripes on a person, and can make your room look taller and sleeker.

Cost Savings

Besides improving your life, window film can save you a lot of money. Rather than purchasing or creating etched, cut, sandblasted, or textured glass, you have the option of modernizing your look with window film. Many of our clients love the flexibility that decorative window film gives them.

A Look Interior Designers Love

If you’re a designer, you’ll love the look of 3M Fasara window film. And did you know about our Referral Agent Program? Check it out and then give us a call!

Anti-Graffiti Film Can Save Your Glass

January 8, 2016 by Window Works Leave a Comment

Many urban areas are facing a growing problem: graffiti. Graffiti can appear on all types of surfaces, but we want to talk to you about glass today.

Anti-Graffiti Film Saves You a Bundle

The cost of anti-graffiti film is is miniscule compared to the cost of window glass replacement. The anti-graffiti film protects your glass from etching, gouges, and scratches, as described on 3m’s page.

Graffiti Leads to Crime

The results of a study detailed in the Nov. 21, 2008 issue of the journal Science, support and expand on the so-called broken windows theory which forms the backbone of many crime prevention programs in major cities such as New York. Read more about how graffiti triggers crime.

Easily Replaced

When vandals strike, the anti-graffiti film can be easily removed, along with any graffiti or marking that could mar the glass surface. The glass will then be ready to have the film replaced. The replacement is quick and fast and does not have to disrupt most work schedules, unlike replacing a huge sheet of window glass.

Main Uses

Anti-graffiti film protects surfaces in elevators, escalators, bathroom mirrors and glass counter tops, as well as hallways, doors, and anywhere there is glass that could be vandalized. There are other types of commercial window film and here are some frequently asked questions.

Anti-Graffiti Film Growing in Popularity

Anti-graffiti film is becoming increasing popular for its ease of use, low cost, and installability. By reducing or eliminating graffiti quickly the surface affected and the entire neighborhood can be improved.

Give Us a Call

When you decide that your building or property needs anti-graffiti film, give WindowWorksCA a call. We are in Santa Clara and service the San Francisco Bay Area.

How Window Film Protects Your Skin

June 24, 2015 by Window Works 4 Comments

You might think that window film is only aesthetic: it makes your car or building look snazzy and reduces glare while you’re driving or seated near a window. But did you know that window film also protects your skin? Here are a few ways it can protect your epidermis.

Ultra Violet Radiation

Ultra violet (“UV”) radiation travels through both your home and car windows, and can damage your skin. Some people think that glass protects them from UV rays, but only car windshields block UVA and UVB rays. On the side and rear car windows, most UVA is not blocked, as explained in this article from the Melanoma Education Foundation. Window film blocks this dangerous radiation, protecting your skin.

Ultraviolet-A Rays Penetrating the Atmosphere

Left-Side Cancer

Drivers with left-hand drive develop more skin damage and cancer. Even with the windows up, UV radiation gets in and hits your skin, causing more damage to the left side than to the right. “Long-time drivers are found to have rougher, more pigmented skin with greater solar damage on their driver’s side,” noted Albert Kligman, MD, PhD, emeritus professor of dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Philadelphia, according to a post from the Skin Cancer Foundation’s website. In countries where drivers sit on the right side, there is more right-side cancer.

Long-Wave UVA Rays

Most car windows offer little to no protection from the long-wave UVA rays that can cause serious damage to your skin. Sometimes the front windshield can offer a little, as mentioned above, but nowhere near what you would get with window film. But window film blocks up to 99.9 percent of UV radiation.

Exposure to UV Radiation is Cumulative

Those UV rays are sneaky and the damage is cumulative. Even if you can’t see the damage with your eyes, the damage is occurring. Wrinkles, sun (or “liver”) spots, and cancer are three of the ways that your skin can be damaged. And it’s not always easy to remember to apply sunscreen or wear a hat, so window film protects you even when you’re not thinking about protecting your own skin.

Window Film Can Help Prevent Skin Damage

In addition to wearing sunscreen, avoiding the sun between 10:00 and 2:00 (according to the Mayo Clinic) and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, window film is one of the best investments you can make to prevent skin damage. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends window tint as part of a comprehensive skin care program.

Need Help Deciding Which Window Film Is Best?

Give Window Works a call to see which window film would be best for either your car or your building. We are located in Santa Clara, near the San Jose Airport, and our crew travels throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

3M Daylight Redirecting Film: Five Ways it Can Change Your Life

June 10, 2015 by Window Works 1 Comment

Chances are you’ve never heard of daylight redirecting film, or known that it could change your life. But it can! We’ve written about window film and its benefits before, but daylight redirecting film is completely different. In case you didn’t know anything about this wondrous film, here is an introduction.

Daylight Redirecting Film Can Decrease Absenteeism

People react positively to natural daylight. And many builders create larger windows to allow more light into buildings. However, you can use 3M’s Daylight Redirecting Film rather than installing larger windows. And having more light makes a better work environment, which decreases absenteeism. See the video below to find out how.

Daylight Redirecting Film Works At All Times of Day

Even if the sun is low in the sky or there’s not that much light, 3M redirecting film can redirect sunlight and brighten up your office or home. The film can be modeled using software to redirect light according to your building’s orientation, weather, and time of year.

The video below shows a timelapse of 3M Daylight Redirecting Film in a building:

3M Daylight Redirecting Film Throws Light Deep into Buildings

We couldn’t say it any better than this 3M website: “New to the world 3M Daylight Redirecting Film, utilizes micro-replication to redirect light that would have originally hit the floor a few feet from the window, up onto the ceiling, helping to light the room as deep as 40 feet from the window.”

3M Daylight Redirecting Film Reduces Glare

Without window film, people often use shades or black-out curtains to block all light, which keeps the interior of a room dark. Without glare, people feel comfortable without the addition of curtains or shades, increasing their comfort.

Daylight Redirecting Film Increases Comfort

3M Redirecting Window Film is Cool

And by cool, we mean literally cool. And in the summertime, having a cooler home or office means less cooling costs.

Questions?

If you’re wondering about window film, give us a call! We recently moved to Santa Clara, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Window Film: Seven Ways it Can Improve Your Life

May 13, 2015 by Window Works 2 Comments

You may have heard of some of the benefits of window film for your car, but there are so many other ways it can improve your life. Here are just a few benefits of window film:

Window film protects your skin

Ultraviolet rays can penetrate glass and find you. But window film reduces the sun’s short-wave, UVB rays by nearly 100%, protecting you from aging and skin cancer. Read more from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Reduces glare

When you drive at dusk, in particular, you’ll see a lot of glare. And glare can keep you from seeing the road and cause eyestrain. AAA has some good tips on driving at night and managing glare. http://dev.seniordriving.aaa.com/understanding-mind-body-changes/vision/driving-night-managing-glar

Keeps you cool

3M’s Prestige Series window films use non-metallized, multi-layer optical film and nano-technology to reject up to 97% of the sun’s infrared light and reject up to 60% of the heat coming through your windows. The non-metallized film allows you to get signals from your cell phone.

Window Film lets you watch your energy bills fade, not your furniture

Lessens fading of your furnishings

UV rays enter your windows and damage your furniture, rugs, and flooring. You could think of window film as insurance for your valuable furnishings.

Protects quick entry through window panes and glass doors

Safety film holds the glass together and makes glass more difficult to break. Sometimes that extra few seconds is all it takes to keep someone from breaking into your home or business.

Lowers cooling and heating costs

Window film keeps your home, office, or car more even in temperature. When you have window film installed, air conditioning costs go down by about 30%. And with the price of heating and cooling going up every year, we really enjoy that savings.

Provides privacy

Decorative window films easily provide privacy for conference rooms, offices, and do not sacrifice natural light. Not only that, but there are many beautiful choices that add to the aesthetic appeal of your home or office.

How may we help you?

We’ve recently moved to Santa Clara. What can we do to help you?