Fragment Retention Window Film: Five Reasons You Need it

April 27, 2022 by Carol S Leave a Comment

If you’re a building or facilities manager for a high rise building, you definitely need fragment retention window film. After all, safety is a top concern for most facilities managers. Here are a few reasons you need it.

Prevent glass shattering

You’ve all seen the YouTube videos where glass falls and shatters everywhere, injuring people close by and even bouncing and hurting people across streets. And those tiny shards of glass are difficult to see. So cleanup is a mess. Fragment retention window film helps to keep glass together when it breaks. Glass still breaks, but with this window film it doesn’t explode all over, as it would without the window film. 3M has an article that discusses why fragment retention window film is a good choice for schools. We think it’s an even better choice for high rise buildings!

Keep bad glass from shattering everywhere

For those unfortunate scenarios where there’s globally sourced glass (we’re talking to you, facilities manager on a budget), using the right window film keeps everything together. If you’ve acquired cheap glass, you need fragment retention window film more than ever, since cheap glass is more susceptible to spontaneous shattering. By the way if you’re a facilities manager, we’d love to connect with you at one of the expos or conferences for Facilities Managers, like this one: The Window Works Crew at the Fabulous Northern California Facilities Expo 2021 in Santa Clara.

If you have large glass windows, they will be more susceptible to stress

Tornadoes, hurricanes, and weird weather are becoming more common

We don’t have to tell you that the weather is changing. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we’ve had all sorts of heat waves, droughts, and downpours. We’ve even had the occasional tornado, if you can believe that! If you’re somewhere that has tornadoes, hurricanes, or even bomb blasts, fragment retention window film can help. When your big windows get hit by bad weather, you want your glass to stay together and not explode into a million pieces.

It’s easy to install

What is that old saw about an ounce of prevention versus a pound of cure? That applies here. The window film is your ounce of prevention. Also, since it’s easy to install (for us, that is), you don’t have to spend days, weeks, or months remodeling. Right now, you may hear from your contractor that building material is stuck on ships or impossible to get.

Size Matters

If you have large glass windows, they will be more susceptible to stress. So if you’re in a high rise, those large windowpanes are at greater risk of shattering from temperature fluctuations, especially during the spring and fall when temperatures tend to change more. For those large windows that are more at risk, use fragment retention window film, in case one of your large windows shatters. Read Bob Vila’s article about the drawbacks of thermal pane windows.

Call us for more reasons!

If you have questions, call Window Works customer care at 415.650.5200. We really are very friendly.

We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin!

Central Valley Facility Expo: Five Best Highlights

April 6, 2022 by Carol S 1 Comment

The Hills in the Central Valley | Central Valley Facility Expo

Recently, some of us traveled to the Central Valley Facility Expo in Modesto, California. As they say on their website, the Central Valley Facility Expo “attracts a diverse audience of facilities managers, maintenance managers, and energy managers from a wide variety of industries including food processing, government, healthcare, manufacturing, education, wineries, utilities and others.” We had boatloads of fun chatting with everyone at the Expo and here are some highlights! By the way, we love visiting the facility expo, and we’ve written about it before here: the 2021 Northern California Facilities Expo (that’s the one in Santa Clara!).

The drive up and back

We choose to live in California for a reason. Or maybe for 100 or 1000 reasons! It’s a beautiful place to live, and spring could be the best time to visit! Driving over we saw green fields, which might not be green for much longer since we’re in a drought. We haven’t had much rain, so everything is already starting to turn golden. And the hills stay golden until the rainy season starts back up in the late fall.

Educational seminars

From renewable energy to creating a safe environment to LED lighting, there were seminars for everyone! We didn’t have a lot of time to attend the seminars, but we got a kick out of talking to people as they went to the seminars. Of particular interest were the seminars on emergency planning and lighting. Here’s a full list of educational talks. (Did you know that generators are vulnerable to failure because of infrequent operation?)

Asia Bautista, Kashmir Uppal of Atlas Copco and Lisa Nagel of the Facility Expo (from left to right)

Meeting people

Sometimes when people stop by, they just have a quick question, so we’re super polite and friendly to everyone. At the beginning of the first day, people really wanted to talk about heat reduction window film, since Modesto gets scorching hot in the summertime. We really enjoyed meeting the facilities coordinator, Lisa Nagle. That’s her, above.

Donna, extolling the virtues of blast retention window film

Hobnobbing at Happy Hour

We know you’re thinking that maybe hobnobbing is the same as meeting people, but hobnobbing is a little more! For one thing, there could be beer or wine involved. Speaking of which, we co-sponsored the Happy Hour with our friend Kashmir Uppal, of Atlas Copco, a manufacturer of huge air compressors. We tried to get the facilities people to put the happy hour bar into our booth, but no luck! Oh, well. There’s always next year! Some of the exhibitors have had booths at other facilities expos before, and we’re always happy to see them again! For instance, the guys at Sunbelt Rentals really seem to get around! They’re a friendly crew!

Banana Tension Grip Thingie was our favorite swag!

The swag

There was all the usual swag, such as pens, Post-it notes, hats and tons of candy (why is there always candy?). But we’re talking about the Advanced Swag(tm). You know what we’re talking about! The swag you keep forever, like the banana tension grip thingie we had to trade to get.

Why your New Year’s Resolutions should include window film installation

January 5, 2022 by Carol S Leave a Comment

If your New Year’s resolutions don’t include window film, you’re doing it wrong!

You’ve heard about the usual New Year’s resolutions, all the ones you write down and promptly forget. But what about creating some New Year’s resolutions which are easy to keep and require very little work from you? What about those resolutions? Here are a bunch of reasons you ought to include window film installation in your list of resolutions. Not that we’re telling you what to do. But stick around and maybe we’ll convince you!

New Year’s resolutions should be easy

Seriously, when was the last time you had an easy resolution? Are you really going to lose weight in January, a time when every cell in your body is screaming at you to eat all the cupcakes and binge-watch Netflix? NO! And are you going to battle the gym right now, what with the new Covid restrictions? Are you going to triple-mask so you’ll feel safe? NO! But guess what? (If you were here, you’d say “What?!”) Window film installation is super easy!

New Year’s resolutions should improve your health

You might already know that window film reduces UV rays coming through your windows. And that those same UV rays are what cause skin cancer. If not, you’re hearing it here first. Window film can improve your health! It’s like having sunglasses on your house or office! But don’t take our word for it–check out the Skin Cancer Foundation’s excellent article Not All UV Rays Stay Outside: How Window Film Can Help Protect You.

Use window film with dots, patterns or stripes to make your office look snazzier

New Year’s resolutions should lower your heating and A/C bill

With Thinsulate window film, your temperatures will even out. That is, your place will be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. So your heating and cooling bills will be lower. And doesn’t everyone want lower power bills? By the way, we’ve written about Thinsulate before because we love it so much! Why Use 3M Thinsulate Window Film: Five Good Reasons You Need to Know.

New Year’s Resolutions should make your home or office look better

Did you know that window films have improved a lot over the past years? There are many decorative window films that can add to the easy glamor of your place, with gorgeous designs that will make you the envy of your neighborhood. Take a look at some of our decorative window films here: Decorating with Window Film. 3M Fasara window film comes in a variety of designs. There are patterns, dots, and stripes.

So easy a kid could do it!

If your kid can pick up the phone and find us, and you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, you could be done with your New Year’s resolutions! That’s not to say you should make your kid call us! All we’re saying is it’s that easy. We work throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin! Call Window Works customer care at 415.650.5200 for pricing and more information. We’re very friendly!

Spectacular Window Film that Will Save You Money

October 31, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Spectacular Window Film that Will Save You Money

You’re probably wondering how window film can help you save money. Aren’t you? You will see some cost savings immediately. However, the more important, critical benefits will help you in the long term. Seriously–how do you put a price tag on your health?

Lower Power Bills

With window film, you can save money during both the hot months, with less air conditioning costs, and during the cold months, where your heating bill will go down. Using 3M’s Thinsulate evens out the temperatures year round, saving you money no matter what time of year it is. We’ve written about Thinsulate before, and you might like to read our most recent post: How Does Window Film Help You in the Winter?

Spend Less on Your Health in the Long Run

The science is clear: UV rays cause skin cancer. Most people feel safe indoors, without realizing that UV rays can pass straight through glass, damaging your skin, your eyes, and more. Your family deserves to feel and be safe in your home. So why not invest in your long-term health the way you invest in health insurance? To read more about UV rays and cancer, read more about window film and skin cancer at The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Saves Your Floor, Rugs, and Furniture

Do you love your floor, rugs, and furniture? How about your other belongings? UV light not only damages your family’s skin, but it damages much of your furnishings. Window film can prevent damage to your valuable decor. You’ve probably seen damaged rugs and flooring, but with window film, you can hold onto your cherished possessions longer. Losing the lovely pieces you’ve spent days curating saves you not only money but headaches. Save Money and Beautify Your Home at the same time.

Preserves Your Photographs

Certain of your valuables may be irreplaceable, such as your family photographs. That’s why museums use window film to protect heirloom photographs. You may not be able to put a price tag on your own family heirlooms. Why not protect them with window film so that your family can enjoy them for years to come? Check out Houzz’s excellent article “A Surefire Way to Prevent Sun Damage Indoors.”

Have Questions?

We have answers! Give us a call! We’d be glad to help. Call us at 415.623.8700 to discuss window film!

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.

Why Window Film Makes You Healthier and Why You Need to Know

January 25, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Maybe in the past you’d always thought of window film as a luxury, or something for people with too much money. But what if window film improved your health? What if window film could help block the UV rays that cause skin cancer? News Flash! Window film does screen out the UV rays that can cause cancer! Here’s how the sun and UV cause cancer from Cancer Research UK.

Your Eyes and Your Skin Need Protection

You eat healthy food, you drink plenty of water, but do you protect your eyes and your skin as much as they need to be protected? Probably not. It’s strange to think that you might need to wear sun screen indoors! But UV rays travel right through glass. So you might want to know How Window Film Protects Your Skin. Because maybe no one told you before.

Skin Cancer Rates on the Increase

Did you know that skin cancer rates have been increasing every year? And that over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined? Take a look at more statistics about skin cancer from Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation. Prepare to be terrified!

UV Rays Travel Through Clouds

While you might not get quite as many UV rays on cloudy days, UV rays do indeed travel through clouds. So fog won’t protect you, people of San Francisco! Take a look at these Six Common Sun Myths, Exposed, by CNN. 80% of the sun’s rays travel through clouds, which is why you’ll still get burnt on a cloudy day unless you take steps to protect yourself! And 80% is a B (not for you, but for those sneaky UV rays!).

Want to Live Longer and Better?

Preventing UV rays from reaching your skin can prevent wrinkles and premature aging as well as preventing cancer! We’d all like to look better as we grow older, right? Not to mention, we’d like to keep our eyesight in tip-top shape! Here’s an article about protecting your skin that you might like: Spotlight on Skin: Six Ways to Protect Yours Now.

Convinced Yet?

Give us a call! We’d love to talk to you about which kind of window film might be best for you!

Surprising Uses for Window Film You Need to Know

January 11, 2018 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Think you know window film? Think again! The technology has been moving forward rapidly, with so many new uses and designs. You’d be amazed at the ways that window film has grown up over the years. Here are just a few of its uses!

downtown glass photo — Photo by paul bica

Create Privacy in a Crowded Space

Do you share a tiny office space with a few people? You can shield yourself from others with a glass conference room wall covered with window film. Or you can cover part of the wall to cloak the people, and let the light shine through without anyone feeling exposed. Or if you have kids and you want to shield them from prying eyes, you could use window film as this DIY Curtain Alternatives article proposes. (Although we do recommend using a professional installer for window film.)

Shower in Peace

Now that there are kids running in and out of your bathroom, wouldn’t you like to shower in peace? While they brush their teeth, you can relax in the steam behind some beautiful glass covered in window film. Isn’t that better than trying to grab a towel?

Window Film Installation in Marin County

Add An Outdoor Design Element

We simply love the outdoor install we did recently in Marin County, above. Here, window film covers a wall and becomes a design element in the landscape. It also provides privacy.

Add a Rice Paper Look in Glass

A hanging glass window covered with a 3M™ FASARA™ Glass Finish in Altair gives a rice paper effect that can separate diners in an elegant, upscale restaurant. Create a wall without resorting to building something that blocks light and air flow. For more about 3M™ Fasara™ Glass Finishes, see our recent series:

blurred image photo — Photo by nicocordes

Don’t Give ’em Something to Talk About

Keep nosy neighbors at bay with half windows covered in window film. Or cover the full window with window film. Either way, you keep your corporate secrets a secret. Even if you’re just watching TV, do you want everyone knowing what you’re watching?

Let Us Know What You Need to Know!

Would you like to help us decide what kind of window film would be best for your home or business? Give us a call! We’d love to talk to you!

3M Fasara Decorative Window Film: Dotty for Dots

December 6, 2017 by Carol S 1 Comment

You may already be a big fan of dots for adding energy to your designs, but did you know that you could use decorative window film and there are hundreds of patterns available?

Series on 3M™ Fasara™ Decorative Window Film

By now you’ve probably committed to memory our previous post, 3M Fasara Decorative Window Film: Stripes Forever. Just kidding. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s a good one! This is Part Two of our series on 3M’s Fasara decorative window film. Keep your eyes on this space for the next in the series.

Why Dots?

Dots have the ability to create fun and to make us feel happy. They evoke images of poodle skirts, pop art, and large fanciful wall patterns. Using polka dots can make an interior peppy and smart. If you don’t believe us, take a look at this article, Decorating Your House Interiors with Polka Dots. And here is a fascinating look at the history of polka dots.

Dotty Window Film for Interiors

Dots can take an ordinary-looking interior from “meh” to marvelous, and boost the energy of your interior faster than you can say “Dot’s what I’m talking about!” You can change the colors and sizes of the dots, add throw pillows, or curtains with dots as well as adding window film with dots.

Exterior Window Film

But dotted window film is not just for interiors–window film can also modernize an exterior window, too. For ideas about glass designs, you might want to check out 3M Building Window Solutions.

Commercial and Residential

If you want a modern-looking office or commercial building, dots have a timeless feel. If you want more energy in your home, dots work there, too. Add dots to a rug, paint them on a wall, and then finish the look with dots on your windows.

Where to Use 3M Fasara Decorative Glass Finishes

You can use the film anywhere you’d like to add some playful energy, such as:

Conference Rooms
Bathrooms
Living Rooms
Elevators
Retail environments
For more ideas, see 3M Fasara Decorative Glass Finishes

Where Do You Use Dots?

Do you want to use dots in your designs? Let us know how we can help you!

3M Fasara Decorative Window Film: Stripes Forever

November 28, 2017 by Carol S 2 Comments

You might be wondering about the many types of window film there are. Window film is available to block out UV light, but did you know that you could use decorative window film and that there are hundreds of patterns available? This is Part One of our series on 3M™ Fasara™ decorative window film, which is a family of polyester, decorative films for glass surfaces. You can quickly transform your interior with modern and energetic designs.

And in case you missed it, here’s our last post: Window Film: A Quick and Easy Way to Save Money?

Series on 3M Fasara Decorative Window Film

For those of you who are fans of decorative window film, this is part one in our series. We’ll be following up with two others:

3M Fasara Decorative Window Film: Dotty for Dots
3M Fasara Decorative Window Film: Patterns

Before we go any further, there are a few reasons to use 3M’s Fasara decorative window film.

Control Light and Privacy

Who decides how much light you have in your home or office? If you leave it up to chance, you’ll be taking your chances! You may need a lot of lighting in one area, and very little in another. If you have a conference room or a bath, you might like to control the privacy. In both instances, 3M™ Fasara™ is a good option.

We suggest you use 3M™ Fasara™ any place you want to control light and privacy, such as:

Conference rooms
Bathrooms
Reception areas
Kitchens
Break rooms
Private offices

Use a Combination of Wide and Narrow Stripes

Use Wide or Narrow Stripes

If you’re one of those people who has difficulty choosing, the good news is that you don’t have to! You can get a combination of wide and narrow stripes and your glass will look perfectly chic! Of course, you could also just use either narrow or wide stripes. You might want to mirror what’s outside your window by choosing something similar for your interior.

Cost Savings Will Be Yours

Avoid the expense of custom curtains or window shades when you opt for 3M™ Fasara™ window film.

For more inspiration, see new designs here: 3M™ Fasara™ Glass Finishes.

Give Us a Call!

We’d love to discuss any kind of window film with you. We’re all over the San Francisco Bay Area, from the South Bay to San Francisco to Marin to the East Bay.

Window Film’s Superior Technology Boosts Bottom Line, Makes You More Secure

August 9, 2017 by Carol S Leave a Comment

If you own a home or business in the San Francisco Bay Area, or any metropolitan area, chances are you worry about your home or business when you’re not there. Even when you’re in the building, you might worry about people breaking and entering. You could hire armed guards, but what’s a simple thing you can do to increase your security and make you worry less? And by the way, did you know that window film can make you happier?

silver office glass photo — Photo by mkosut

Security Window Film

Did you know that there’s a security window film that will help hold the glass together in case someone tries to break a window and enter your building? Yes, there is!

From Break-ins …

Some neighborhoods have lots of break ins, while some might have lots of accidents. If your commercial building is unattended on evenings and weekends, you might feel nervous about having a glass storefront. But with security window film, there’s an extra layer of security to help give you peace of mind. We’ve written about the theft deterrent properties of window film before (you might like to read about it).

… to Accidents

People who live near parks where kids play might get a lot of baseballs coming through their windows. The same holds true for those who live on the edges of golf courses. Of course, no one is trying to break your windows, but accidents happen sometimes. And 3M security window film can hold the glass together in case it does break, and prevent flying shards that can hurt your coworkers or family.

Kitchens

From restaurant kitchens to corporate kitchens, security window film can keep your clients and coworkers safe. Because security film holds glass together, if by chance the glass above your chefs or diners should break, it will hold together and prevent splinters or shards.

What Kind of Security Window Film is Best?

There are three types that we can recommend:

For more information, give us a call! We’re happy to answer any questions.