San Francisco Bay Area

Automotive Window Film: 5 Frequently Asked Questions

July 8, 2015 by Window Works 1 Comment

Our clients ask us a lot of questions about window film. You might have heard that there are no stupid questions. And to that we’d add that there are some questions that almost everyone has! Here are a few of the ones we hear all the time!

Does the Film Go on the Outside or the Inside?

The film goes on the inside, although we use the outside of the glass to measure the film. If you look very carefully at already-applied film, you’ll be able to see the edge right up at the tippy-top of the glass.

Window Film Goes on the Inside of the Glass

Will My Window Film Turn Purple?

The short answer is that all window film fades eventually. The slightly longer answer is that the better the quality of window film, the less fading you will have. All window films have red, blue and yellow colors in them. but the yellow fades the fastest, leaving blue and red. Blue and red mixed together make purple, so you end up with purple. For a longer answer, take a look at this article from City Scoop: Why Do Window Films Turn Purple?

Is There Any Interference with my Cell Phone Signal?

We use 3M’s window film. To quote from the 3M website, “Because these films are non-metallized, you can be assured of zero interference with GPS or cell phone signals.” So talk away! Your cell phone signal is safe with our window film.

How Long Does Window Film Take to Apply?

Unless your vehicle is very large with many windows, the job will usually be done within a few hours. We usually recommend that you leave your car with us. By the way, we are now conveniently located in Santa Clara, very close to the San Jose Airport.

3M Window Film Doesn't Interfere with Your Cell Signal — 3M Window Film Doesn’t Interfere with Your Cell Signal

How Do I Care for My Windows?

Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the windows and a squeegee to help dry the windows, along with any normal glass cleaner. The scratch-resistant coating helps protect your windows and ensures that you don’t need to take extra care to protect them.

Have More Questions?

Give us a call, or contact us through our social media channels. We are @WindowWorksCa or @MotorWorksCA on Twitter, on Facebook: WindowWorksCA or MotorWorksCA.

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.

Surprising Facts About Safety Film

May 27, 2015 by Window Works Leave a Comment

You probably already knew that safety film could hold your windows together. Here are some other facts about safety film that you might not know! By the way, if you missed our post on how window film can improve your life, you might want to check it out.

Safety film enhances the strength of your windows by keeping the glass from shattering. Before a storm, the last thing you need is to be searching for plywood to nail over your windows!

Safety film prevents water from entering your home or business because the film acts as a barrier.

3M Safety Film for Commercial and Residential Use

Safety film is often used in historic landmarks to preserve furnishings from heat and UV damage, as well as to prevent crime.

Restaurants and other businesses use safety film to prevent glass from shattering and falling into food (or harming diners).

Where there is a danger from earthquakes, safety film can prevent windows from breaking and causing injuries.

Like other window films, safety film has the added benefit of reducing the heat coming through your windows.

Some 3M safety films are strong enough to handle bomb blasts. Some films can adhere to window frames, retaining the glass within the window frame itself.

We recommend 3M™ Ultra 600 safety film. It blocks 99% of the UV rays coming through your windows and offers the most tear and penetration resistance.

Window Works recently moved to Santa Clara. If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area and need safety film, give us a call! We’re conveniently located near the San Jose Airport.