3M window film

How to Help Fed Up Employees Stay Cool in the Summer

July 7, 2017 by Carol S Leave a Comment

We know what you’re thinking: what do you mean fed up employees? How are they so fed up? If you’ve ever seen people wearing sunglasses indoors, then you know how hot an office can get in the summer. And with many employees working longer hours, offices can get awfully hot and stuffy!

Recent Window Film Installation at Some South Bay Fruit Company

Here are some pictures from a recent job in the San Francisco South Bay. We can’t reveal the name of this fruit company, but we will say that their fruit is highly regarded.

South Bay Fruit Company Window Film Installation

With that said, here are some hints to keep employees (and you!) happy in the summer time heat.

Ice, Ice, Ice

Keep plenty of cold beverages on hand, and an ice machine or three around so everyone can have a cold beverage.

Go Old School

If you don’t have an air conditioner–and we hope that you do–you can use strategically placed fans. This surprisingly simple solution can really help to keep you cool. For more tips, here’s a good Wiki: 3 Ways to Cool Yourself Without Air Conditioning.

Microclimates in the Bay Area

If you’ve lived here in the San Francisco Bay Area for awhile, you know how much temperatures can vary from one neighborhood to the next. Downtown and South of Market could be 15 degrees hotter than out by the beach.

The East Bay, Marin, and Peninsula

If you go the East Bay or to Marin County, the temperatures can be much hotter than downtown. San Francisco is generally cooler in the summer.

San Francisco MicroClimates

While tooling around the interwebs, we found this neat app for discovering microclimate temperatures within San Francisco: Mr. Chilly.

Back to Keeping Employees Cool

In buildings, there are also microclimates. One side of the building can be quite cool, while the people on the other side of the building can be complaining about the heat. And in case you think you don’t need window film in San Francisco, you might want to read our recent post: Why the Hell Do I Need Window Film in San Francisco?

Fans, Hydration, and Window Film

Our last suggestion to you is window film. Window film helps even out the temperatures and keep everyone happy. Window film also protects your employees’ health. In fact, window film is one of the ten best ways to protect against skin cancer.

Got Microclimates?

We’d love to talk to you about your building’s microclimates! Give us a call!

It Looks Like a #1 Winner: the 3M Window Films Marketing Leadership Award!

June 7, 2017 by Carol S Leave a Comment

We’re very proud to announce that we recently received 3M’s Window Films Marketing Leadership award!

Regional Award

The Marketing Leadership award is a Regional Award given to the Dealer with the most exemplary Marketing, Communications, Branding, etc.

One Award in the Four Regions

There is only one award in the four regions — West, East, South & Southwest.

3M gave us this award at the most recent regional Prestige Dealer Conference in Los Angeles this Spring.

It’s An Honor And Privilege

The conference is full of many top window film companies 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.

How to Stay Cool in the Heat? You’ll Love 3M™ Thinsulate™ Window Film

May 25, 2017 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Are you looking for a way to stay cool? We’re excited about 3M™’s Thinsulate™ Window Film! Thinsulate™ helps you preserve the look and feel of your building. It reduces heat loss and keeps the temperature comfortable.

Save up to 10% of Your Energy Costs

If you have single-pane windows, Thinsulate™ can help you save up to 10% of your energy costs. And here’s the official 3M™ video, if you’d like to hear about it straight from the camel’s mouth:

There are so many benefits to 3M™ Thinsulate™ window film:

Preserves the look and feel of your building
Reduces heat loss
Keeps the temperature comfortable
Rejects the heat in the summertime
Maintains cool in the wintertime

sunlight photo — Photo by Brian Tomlinson

And if you’re trying to stay cool in the summertime,you could use Thinsulate™. And if you’re all bundled up inside your home during the winter, Thinsulate™ is still the answer.

Nearly Invisible

You can see Thinsulate™ window film, but only if you really try! It’s so thin, that you might not even realize it’s there! That’s the beauty of it. It protects you so well, that you forget it’s there.

digital scale photo — Photo by vuvanhahung

Gives You Control

Don’t you like to control the temperature within your own home or office? If you’re not running over to the temperature gauge every other minute, you could be using that time for something else. And with the recent extreme temperature fluctuations, wouldn’t that be a relief?

thermostat photo — Photo by CORGI HomePlan | http://corgi-homeplan-how-safe-is-your-home.org

Photo by CORGI HomePlan | http://corgi-homeplan-how-safe-is-your-home.org

Stabilizes Temperatures

Now the rooms within your home or building can have similar temperatures, instead of one room being so extremely hot or cold.

Less Expensive

Installing double-pane windows can be a pain in the neck, as well as extremely expensive. There is a less expensive alternative: Thinsulate™! And Thinsulate™ is almost as effective as that extra pane of glass.

Thinsulate Window Film Keeps You Comfortable

Comfort

When you’re comfortable, you can work better, sleep better, and feel more at ease. Your employees and family will feel the same way.

Reduce Heat Loss

Thinsulate™ reduces heat loss by up to 38%.

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

Window Film Protects You

To see more about how 3M window film protects you, your family, and your furnishings, check out these articles:

Give Us a Call!

We’re in San Francisco, and service the entire San Francisco Bay Area! We’d love to talk to you!

Want to Be Happier? Window Film Boosts Your Well Being!

March 25, 2017 by Carol S 1 Comment

Recently, I bought the book Dan Harris’s book 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works–A True Story. What a clever title, I thought. Who wouldn’t want to be 10% happier? But then I got to thinking about window film, and how it could also make someone happy, too. We have yet to do the scientific analysis on how much happier window film can make you feel, but make no mistake! Window film will make you happier. Probably around 7.5% happier, but who’s quibbling?

How Does Window Film Make You Happier?

For one thing, when your windows have film on them, you feel safer. You’re not squinting all the time, and you know that the evil UV rays are not going to damage your skin inside the house. By the way, here’s our article about why you absolutely positively need window film.

You Feel Safer

Safety is definitely first in the area of UV light. The wrong kind of UV light can cause skin cancer, you know! Read about it on the Skin Cancer dot org’s website! Avoiding skin cancer? Pretty high up on our list.

Privacy

Even if you have curtains, you can enjoy the view with the curtains open when your windows are covered with window film. Seeing a beautiful view can make you happy, and so indirectly window film contributes to your being able to see the view. According to Jill Suttie’s article, nature can make you kinder, happier, and more creative. Think about seeing the sun set or rise and how happy that made you. Maybe it’s just a little thing, but it does contribute to a sense of well being.

Maintaining Your Home Makes You Happy

If you like to keep up your home’s value, then installing window film can also make you happy. We like knowing that window film can add to our home’s value–not just in the future (if we ever sell it), but more importantly in the here and now. And if you don’t believe us, you might want to ask that expert of experts, Bigfoot! Take a gander at our article: Bigfoot’s Guide to Beating the Heat.

How much happier will window film make you?

How Much Happier Will Window Film Make You?

The only way to figure out how much happier you’ll be is to give us a call and install window film.

Need Commercial Window Film? How to Choose the Best Company!

March 9, 2017 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Need Commercial Window Film? How to Choose the Best Company!

Drive around the Bay Area, especial in San Francisco, and you’ll see construction sites galore. With all the construction going on, we field a lot of calls about window film. How could you possibly choose the best company to help you install window film? Like that automobile insurance company that helps you choose the best insurance, we’re here to give you a hand!

Here are some things to consider if you are trying to choose an installer.

Go with Your Gut

All things being equal, and they’re usually not, go with your instincts. Do you get a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach when you think about the company you’re considering? Does your head start to throb at the prospect of doing business with them? Then they’re not a good choice! Now, we realize that “gut instinct” isn’t what most people believe they’re using, but most people do make their decisions based on emotion.

If you don’t believe us, read this article: The Myth of Rational Decision-Making, by Fast Company’s Vivian Giang. In it, Giang outlines how the stock market fluctuates based on weather. Yes, a sunny or cloudy day determines your portfolio.

Go with Experience

There are a lot of people who say they’re installers. Do they have experience, or did they start last week? Ask to see the installer’s portfolio, some examples of recent work, and ask how busy they are. Do you really want to leave the fate of your commercial building’s window film to someone who’s an amateur?

Check out Their Social Media

Does the installer you’re considering have any presence on social media? What are they posting or tweeting about? Not to brag, but we’ve been tweeting and posting since 2011! You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

See Whether They Have Multiple Locations

A sure sign of success is if a window film business has more than one location, or can service larger jobs. Sometimes a tiny shop isn’t the best, especially for a commercial application.

See Whether They're Affiliated with a Major Window Film Brand

See Whether They’re Affiliated with a Major Window Film Brand

Someone with a strong affiliation with a brand such as 3M signals that the business does high caliber work. We work with 3M window film, by the way. Trust in a brand that has been around for over 50 years!

Look at Their Website

Yes, take a look at other jobs they’ve done and what they’re saying on their blog as well! You may find case studies or examples of other jobs they’ve done to help you decide. Sometimes a picture is really worth a thousand words. Also, the articles on their website may give you ideas you hadn’t thought of, for instance. We have new-school technology, but old-world customer service!

Call Us!

If you want to know what kind of window film would be best for your windows, give us a call. We’re all over the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley (including Santa Clara and San Jose), and points beyond!

Window Film: Spotlight on the Invisible Hero of the Home Remodeling Business!

February 23, 2017 by Carol S 2 Comments

Heroic Proportions

Like Clark Kent, window film does a lot behind the scenes but is mild-mannered and dislikes bragging. Make no mistake, though, window film is a player of heroic proportions in the business! Here are just a few of the reasons that window film is a super hero!

Invisibility

People often forget that their window film is there. Because it’s invisible, it’s like a cloak that you put on once and forget. You don’t have to put on sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful UV light coming through your windows. Nor do you need to carry a parasol around every time you pass by a big window!

Protects Your Belongings

Your belongings are safe with window film–no fading or bleaching from the sun. Your carpets keep their original colors. And your couch retains its original brightness. You won’t pull back your beautiful oriental rug to see a faded wood floor, either! Your belongings retain their bright colors.

Safeguards Your Health

We are firm believers that without your health, you have nothing. 3M window film is the only film recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Protect your skin and the health of your family and friends with window film. Can any super hero protect you with the same vigilance?

Keeps out the Heat and the Cold!

Do you want to be able to punch the polar vortex in the nose? Of course you do! Just as soon as you figure out if the polar vortex has a nose, that is! Not everyone realizes that window film can even out the temperature in your home, office, or commercial building.

The Coolness Factor

Everyone knows that invisibility is the best super power there is! Was there ever any doubt? Think about the Cheshire Cat and Bilbo Baggins. Then consider the Invisible Woman and the more modern Iron Man. All of these characters and superheroes have invisibility as their super power. For a complete list, see Invisibility – Superpowers.

Now, if you needed a superpower for inside your house, what would it be? Why, invisibility of course!

lake tahoe beautiful photo — Photo by MrMitch

Safety and Security

If you work in a restaurant, you might want window film to protect your windows against break-ins. Window film holds the glass together, making a break-in less likely. And if your area is prone to storms, window film gives you peace of mind, since even if a window breaks, the pieces are held together and won’t hurt your customers!

Cut Down on Glare

Glare can be annoying, and with just a thin layer of window film, that glare can be greatly reduced. Again, it’s invisible, so your guests or customers won’t know it’s there. And the glare simply goes away! In our area, the San Francisco Bay Area, we get glare from the sun and sometimes from light reflecting off the bay.

Are You One of the Cool Kids?

If you’d like to be one of the cool kids, give us a cool! We’ll let you into the Cool Kid Window Film Club!

Solar Heat Gain: Why Should it Matter to You?

February 9, 2017 by Carol S 2 Comments

living room photo

According to wikipedia, Solar gain (also known as solar heat gain or passive solar gain) refers to the increase in temperature in a space, object or structure that results from solar radiation. Designers, architects, and building managers need to know about solar heat gain during the hottest times of the year. But did you know that during the cold times of the year heat gain is an issue as well?

Glass Amplifies Heat Gain

Some materials, such as glass, can amplify the effects of the sun, causing a space to heat up. We’ve all been in a too-warm space during the winter, feeling like hot house flowers well, in a hot house. With no water. The glass can cause the air inside your home to heat up, making you feel like you’re under a magnifying glass.

greenhouse photo — Photo by Drew’s Photo Shoots

Lack of Air Circulation

A fan can help to redistribute the hot air and replace some of it with cold air, but wouldn’t it be better to stop that air from heating up at the source? That is, by keeping the heat outside and a more moderate temperature inside your home.

Can Window Film Help?

Window film can block the UV radiation, and the heat, from entering your home or business. You might have seen our post about window film around the San Francisco Bay Area. Seeing a few real-world examples often helps people to decide that they, too, would like to be able to use all of their home, and not just the coolest parts!

Above is a snazzy video showing how window film works, in just a couple of minutes. The technology has been around for many years–in fact, 3M window film just celebrated their 50th anniversary!

mansion inside photo — Photo by PhotoAtelier

Enjoy Your Home

Don’t wait until you are about to sell your house to make it more comfortable for yourself. Life is short, and you never know whether window film would be the tipping point to make you want to stay! Having window film might make your home so comfortable that you might decide not to sell it. Many of our clients have told us as much. And if you’re thinking about installing window film yourself, read about why that might not be such a good idea.

Is Window Film Right for You?

We’d love to talk to you about window film! Give us a call to brainstorm, or just to have us answer a question. We’re friendly!

Why You Absolutely Positively Need Window Film

January 31, 2017 by Carol S 3 Comments

Why You Absolutely Positively Need Window Film

You probably already know that you need window film, but you need some justification for your decision. Am I right? After all, you’ve already heard about the awesome ways that window film blocks UV light, protects your furniture, and gives your family peace of mind.

In previous posts, we’ve discussed some of the following:

Window Works is All Over the Bay Area–and Beyond

If these carefully considered and–might I add–thoughtful posts aren’t enough to convince you, maybe some of our work will. After all, not to brag, but Window Works is all over the place. From Santa Clara to San Francisco to Tiburon and beyond!

Don’t Block That Gorgeous View

Above is a view of the most gorgeous San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Now you wouldn’t want to block a view like that, would you? Of course not! Rather than big thick curtains, use window film to reduce glare and keep your cool.

Shield Your Eyes from Too Much Sun

You can see how the sunlight hits the windows of this beautiful, modern home, above, in the San Francisco Bay Area hills. Without window film the light would hit the windows squarely and be overwhelming to the residents. Additionally, the window film is used as a barrier to add to and perhaps also to block part of the view.

SAN FRANCISCO photo — View of Alcatraz, San Francisco

Window Film as Design and Landscape Element

Your use of window film is only limited by your imagination! Whether the weather (see what I did there?) is foggy like it is in San Francisco, or bright 365 days of the year like it is in Santa Clara, window film can be used to protect your eyes and your beautiful views.

Insta-Privacy!

Above is an interior in process in downtown San Francisco. The window film gives the residents some much-needed privacy in a busy and crowded office. And it’s beautiful and modern-looking!

Separation Anxiety

In the image above, you can see one way to get a bit of separation between those in an interior of an office building and others in a conference room. You can get a fancy, expensive look without the cost of etched glass by using window film.

Need More Ideas?

We use only the best window film, such as 3M™ window films (see what solutions they have for you). We’d love to creatively apply our window film knowledge to your project, so give us a call!

DIY Window Film? 10 Reasons to Absolutely Make You Stop

November 29, 2016 by Carol S 1 Comment

You’ve had the idea of doing your own window film for some time. After all, people on YouTube make it look easy! But what could happen if you do? What could possibly go wrong? Here are just a few things that could end up ruining your day!

You’ll Have to Pay Someone to Fix it

We often visit clients who have tried to do their own window film, and we spend hours undoing what they’ve done because they watched a YouTube video and thought they could do it themselves. Don’t be that guy! Or that gal, either.

It Won’t Look as Good

Unless you have years in the field, working as an installer, there’s going to be a crimp in there somewhere. Or bubbles. The best you can hope for is “just ok.” We’ve been installing window film for quite some time, so we’ve made all the mistakes for you. Plus, you or your friend may not be using 3M Window film–so it won’t last as long.

Your Second Cousin is Very Talented

Yes, he’s a great plumber, but he’s not such a great window film installer. But you didn’t want to hurt his feelings when he volunteered to do it in exchange for a steak dinner. You figured that you love steak! So you thought it would be a win-win. What if it’s a lose-lose, though? What if you have to hide every time he’s in the neighborhood and pretend not to be home?

bubble tintp photo — Photo by Luke Hayfield Photography

There Will Be Bubbles

Bubbles are great in your champagne. But not so great in your window film. Every time you look through that window, you’ll see the bubbles and not the beautiful view. Although there are ways to remove bubbles, do you really want to explain to your neighbors what you’re doing with safety pins, credit cards, and hair dryers? Those are some of the tools that people have used to get the bubbles out!

There Will be Debris, Pet Hair, or Fingerprints

Do you know how to remove these, or what to look for if you see them? What if you have all three: debris, pet hair, and fingerprints? Any one of these can distract you from your beautiful view, and remind you of a job that’s not all the way finished.

You’ll Have to Buy Tools

Yes, you love having so many tools, but what if you’re only going to use them once? Where will you store them? How will you keep them clean in case you ever use them again? 3M has tools as well as window film, but a dealer will already have both.

You Don’t Enjoy Doing Windows

And by “doing windows,” we mean getting those windows squeaky clean! If that’s something you don’t enjoy, you could easily outsource to someone who does love doing windows. Doing windows is one DIY project that you can do yourself, however! We like this article from This Old House: How to Cean Windows Like a Pro.

Using the Wrong Chemicals

Maybe some rubbing alcohol and an old sock works well to clean other things in your home or office, but not if you’re going to install window film. And by all means, never use a live sheep! The sheep will get very angry and you’ll have little bits of sheep fur on your window. It’s not a good look.

Your Squeegee Isn’t Pro

Squeegees are one of those tools of the trade that needs to be perfect, without nicks and just the right length. If you got yours at Speedy Mart, it probably won’t be the best. By the way, if you want to know some reasons to get window film, here are a few. Some people even customize their squeegees to their windows. Are you willing to do that?

Who Can You Call if Your Install Goes South?

There is no Ghostbusters for window film installers! But if you hire a pro, you can call them and have them fix any mistakes they may have made. So give us a call. Please. We work all over the San Francisco Bay Area, including Santa Clara, San Jose, and the peninsula. We’d love to talk to you about some window film that’s perfect for your home or business!

The Genuine Truth about Window Film You Need to Know

September 29, 2016 by Carol S 2 Comments

There might be some things you don’t know about window film, but you probably know more than you think you know. Using window film makes you more likely to focus on health in other areas of your life. Window film has great value and affordability when you look at what it does for your furnishings and how it protects your skin’s health, too.

Without Drapes, Fewer Places for Dust to Collect

If you suffer from allergies, one thing you don’t need more of is drapes! With window film, you can just give it a quick swipe, rather than have to put everything in the washer (while you’re drugged up on anti-allergy meds and sneezing)! Makes for a much better experience during fall as well as spring, when allergies go crazy.

Focus on Health

People who are healthier put their focus on protecting their families and loved ones. Does that sound like you? Then why not make the investment in your health with window film? For instance, you don’t have to wear sunglasses inside, squint because of glare, or worry that your skin is being damaged. Window film protects your skin: it’s like having an extra thick layer of sunscreen on your house.

Protect Your Furnishings

Window film protects your valuable floors, furnishings, and you! And we particularly like 3M’s Thinsulate window film, as shown in the video.

Affordability and Value

Do you have a favorite outfit that you wear over and over? That outfit might have cost you a bit more than most, but if you think about the number of times you wear it, you come to the issue of value. Window film is the same way: you pay for it once, but you get back so much in terms of health, protection, and peace of mind. And that is priceless!

Give Us a Call!

We’d love to talk to you about the myriad ways you can use window film on your home or business. We’d love to help you find the perfect kind of window film. We are located in Santa Clara, but provide service up and down the San Francisco peninsula as well.