San Francisco Bay Area

The Best Time to Think about Window Film

November 29, 2022 by Carol S 1 Comment

Of course, we think the best time to think about window film is right now! There’s so much you can do with window film, and the list just keeps getting longer and longer. If you didn’t already know about all these reasons to think about window film (or if you have trouble getting to sleep), here are just a few of our favorites! Recently, we wrote about Ten Ways to Use the new Japandi Interior Style at Home. You might like it–since you can also incorporate Japandi style using window film.

Protects your eyes against glare

Just like you’d use window film on your car windows, you can use window film either at your office or at home. Your eyes deserve a little rest, don’t you think? Don’t you already have enough stress in your life? We know that we do! Glare can cause headaches and give you premature wrinkles. We even know some places where employees have to wear sunglasses indoors. (Don’t do that!)

Gives you privacy

You might love your neighbors, but do they really need to see every single thing your family does at home? No, they do not! They don’t need to see what you’re eating, what you’re wearing on a particular day, or what you just bought at the Black Friday sale downtown. For that, they have Instagram! For more details about window film and privacy, see 3M’s site.

Saves your skin

The UV protection on window films filters out the UV rays that can harm your skin and protect you against skin cancer. As if the other reasons here weren’t enough, protecting your skin and health is the most important. You may also want to use a hat with a big brim and sunscreen when you’re outdoors, since you probably won’t have window film then. The Skin Cancer Foundation has all kinds of information on how to prevent skin cancer.

Decorative window films give you an edge

We’ve written about decorative window films before. Check out 3M Fasara Decorative Window Film:Dotty for Dots. There are many kinds of decorative window films and 3M is adding new ones all the time. Imagine hanging a piece of glass covered by window film, used as a divider–either at home or at your business.

Makes your neighbors jealous

Now that you can see into your neighbor’s house, but they can’t see into yours, they might be just a little bit jealous! One thing you might want to share with them, though, is that you recently got window film! If they’re like the guy in the picture above, he might even be less grumpy! It won’t work on everyone, but it’s worth a try!

We’re here for you

If you’re having trouble deciding what kind of window film you might want, give us a call! We’re super friendly, unlike the guy in the picture above. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin. Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Can Technology Save Billions of Birds with Window Film?

October 27, 2022 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Did you know that many, many birds die each year from crashing into windows? According to Portland Audobon, up to one billion birds die each year from window strikes! Not only that, but “54-76 percent of window collisions are fatal.” What’s a bird lover to do? If you’d like to know, read on.

It’s that time of year

At this time of year, millions of birds are migrating. According to the National Audubon Society, birds migrate mostly during spring and fall. The National Audobon Society has a first-of-its-kind digital migration platform where you can see the path that migrating birds take. So even if you don’t get that window film up this fall, you could try installing it by spring.

How and why do birds fly into glass?

According to Collide Escape “Collisions are most commonly caused by the reflective characteristics of glass. Because the outside of glass reflects the environment around it, birds do not recognize it as a barrier.” Even people have been known to walk into glass, so it’s not so strange that birds would see glass and assume there’s a clear flight path. Unfortunately, many birds are injured or die when they fly into glass.

Our Custom Bird Film, installed during construction

Why do birds suddenly appear?

If you’re a fan of the Carpenters, you already know the answer to this question! But on a more serious note, birds do seem to come careening out of nowhere at all times of the day, just to smash into your windows. Sometimes they’re looking for bugs, or they’re in a hurry to get to their nests. Other times, they seem to just be stretching their wings for the sheer joy of it.

Why should you care?

The loss of birds through window strikes is a huge loss to our biodiversity. The “canary in the coal mine” concept is one that relates to humans, too. Losing birds means losing some of ourselves, too. Not only that, but our own personal health is at risk. The North American Bird population is down some 2.9 billion birds, according to a study discussed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (quoting an article in Science).

What can you do?

Window technology can help reduce the numbers of bird strikes. According to Mongo Bay, window tech could save billions of birds, and it’s already here. For instance, bird safety window films “engineered specifically to allow birds to see reflective windows that otherwise appear invisible, preventing injury or death for the birds, as well as preventing potential damage to your property” according to Solyx, maker of Bird Safety WIndow Films. Scottish Window Film has an excellent article that outlines all you can do: Bird Strike Prevention. Check it out!

Want to know more?

We’d love to protect the birds in your neighborhood with window film! Give us a call at 415.623.8700 when you’re ready to save the birds! We’d love to talk to you and answer all your questions! We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin.

Will Window Film Make My Life Better?

September 14, 2022 by Carol S Leave a Comment

We get questions like “will window film make my life better?” all the time! Believe it or not! And our answer, without hesitation, is “it sure does!” Because what other product blocks UV light (which causes skin cancer), provides privacy, holds glass together in case of earthquakes, etc., and keeps you cooler? None that we know of! So there. Pretty soon, you’ll feel like the guy in the picture above. The guy in the middle–not the guy over on the end.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

We can only say we love window film because it’s true. We all use it at home as well as at work and on our car windows, too. Once you’ve had window film, you can’t go back to not having it. And if Bob Vila thinks it’s great stuff, then who are we to disagree? You might like Bob Vila’s The Best Window Films of 2022. Bob Vila says “A significant consideration when shopping for the best window film is functionality. Determine what’s important in terms of privacy, decor, light/darkness, UV light blocking, and energy saving.”

Stop the sensory overload

The world keeps getting noisier and noisier–both in terms of actual noise, but also loud colors, ads, etc. If you get sensory overload, window film can certainly help give you that moment of zen you need. And speaking of zen, we’ve talked about zen before. You might like: How to Have a Zen Experience with Window Film. Because if you see your neighbor’s ugly backyard every morning, that’s not a good way to wake up! So why not block that view with window film?

Decorative window films make you an insta-decorator!

That’s right, there are decorative window films. There are many of them. So not only can window film provide you with privacy, but you can get a beautiful effect at the same time. Some of them are incredibly beautiful–we love the Japanese washi paper ones, for instance. Want to know more about 3M glass finishes? Check out the dichroic glass on the 3M site, too! By the way, Window Works is a certified 3M dealer, so we can help you choose one (or more) glass finish to prettify your space!

Fragment Retention

Another terrific feature of window film is that it can retain window glass fragments, as we’ve written about recently. Fragment retention window film: five reasons you need it. Large sheets of glass are more susceptible to breakage, and if you’re a homeowner or business owner, you don’t want people to get hurt.

Give Us a Call!

We’d love to provide window film for your home or office! Give us a call at 415.623.8700 when you’re ready to discuss window film and make your life better! We’d love to talk to you and answer all your questions! We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin.

Window Film Ideas for High Tech Companies You Need to Know

August 31, 2022 by Carol S Leave a Comment

So you know some or maybe even most of the high-tech companies we support and do business with. One is a Fruit Company, another you use to search when you don’t know something, and a third is where you pin all the things! If you still don’t know what we’re talking about, you can take a look at our website! Yes, we do get around, but we don’t like to brag. Much. Anyway, if these high-tech companies use window film so much and so often, chances are good that you could also use the same ideas. Right? For example, in the image above, you can see that this space is very homey like a living room, yet is a company shared space.

Window film blocks the light

Is the sun blasting right into your eyes, or is the light simply too bright? Have a more comfortable work day with window film. You can use the same window film on your home that you do at work. And if you’re working from home, why not create a more soothing environment? Since people aren’t traveling as much, they like to have a staycation atmosphere at home. After all, you don’t want to have to wear sunglasses indoors, do you?

Window film helps prevent skin cancer

We’ve talked about window film and skin cancer many times before. Window film blocks the UV light that causes cancer. In fact, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends window film. In their blog post, Not All UV Rays Stay Outside: How Window Film Can Help Protect You, The Skin Cancer Foundation proclaims “Those UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface and are quite good at finding you. They can bounce off reflective surfaces like water and, most relevant during the workday, they can penetrate window glass. If you’re sitting next to a window on a sunny day, those UVA rays hitting your skin are doing damage. (Window glass filters out most UVB rays.)” Yes, we’ve discussed how window film blocks light and prevents skin cancer before.

High-tech companies use window film for privacy–you could, too!

High-tech companies are letting people work from home

Many people are working mostly from home if they can. So don’t sit at the dining room table you share while your kids do their homework and squint all the time! One of our recent blog posts was about this blending of work and home: Trend Alert: Why the Blending of Home and Work Life is the Next Big Thing.

Got questions? We’ve got answers!

Maybe you don’t know exactly what you want. We have a lot of experience working with high-tech companies! If you want to chat about your work-from-home options, give us a call! Window Works customer care is at 415.650.5200. Pick up your phone and enter our number! We really are very friendly, and we’ll answer your questions.

We work all over the San Francisco Bay Area, and would love to talk to you!

Dark and Moody Interior Glass: How to use it and why!

August 17, 2022 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Why would you want to use dark and moody interior glass? Not simply because it’s trendy, right? This trend began last year, when images showing dark interior glass starting bubbling up all over the internets. In our experience with local San Francisco Bay Area businesses, glass office fronts are all going tinted AND combining with dark patterns — so for the first time in years we are seeing dark interior window film. If you want to know why you might want to start using darker and moodier interior glass, stick around. We’ve got some ideas and examples for you!

Because it’s mysterious

We all need more mystery in our lives, don’t we? The moody and romantic sight of this dark glass will make you curious about the space. Who lives or works here? What do they do all day? Would you like to have a similar space? These are questions which may start swirling around in your mind when you see a space like this!

Magic and mystery appear side by side with this dark film against the marbled floor

The new dark Fasaras have a special magic

Last year, the new dark 3M Fasaras started to appear with the blue and gray cloud dual gradients. With this year’s patterned window films thrown in, we can see a different story line building. By the way, we’ve written about Fasara window film before. You might enjoy some of these:

As you might be able to see, we’re huge fans of 3M Fasara! And if you’re wondering what the heck Fasara is: “3M™ Fasara™ is a family of polyester, decorative films for glass surfaces that transform an interior’s ambiance with finishes that have depth, subtly, modernity, energy, precision and more. Created in collaboration with leading designers from across the globe, the new, trend-setting collection will give you even more ways to create stunning visual effects on interior glass surfaces, as well as add privacy and control light.” So there’s that.

Check out this dark and moody bachelor pad!

Dark and moody glass plays well with others

As you can see in the image above, the dark, moody glass gets along with others. Look at all the different textures, such as this mottled stone in the bathroom and kitchen. It combines well with wood, tile, and many other materials, too. Color might be a consideration, as you’d want your glass have similar tones, but not be too matchy-matchy.

A space for relaxation…and more

Maybe you need a special place to unwind at the end of the day with your music and big leather chair. Or maybe you could use this room-within-a-room concept, above, in your office. You could even have an office at home that’s completely enclosed from the rest of your home.

Give Us a Call!

Maybe you don’t know exactly what you want yet. We can guide you! If you want to chat about your dark-and-moody options, give us a call! Window Works customer care is at 415.650.5200. Pick up your phone and enter our number! We really are very friendly, and we’ll answer your questions.

We work all over the San Francisco Bay Area, and would love to talk to you!

Trend Alert: Sound Attenuation and Some Ways Design Can Help

July 15, 2022 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Ever walk into a restaurant so loud that you wanted to leave immediately? You might have wanted to actually talk to your friends but the sound in the restaurant bounces all over and seems to get louder the longer you’re there. You think you can withstand the din, but pretty soon your head starts pounding and you can’t hear anything. You look at ways of dampening sound, but the same old same old choices are there, design wise. What to do? Hang on and we’ll show you some new ideas we came across from our recent trip to NeoCon! By the way, if you missed our last post on NeoCon, here it is: NeoCon 2022.

Soundproofing colors and shapes are fun and functional

How do you design soundproofing?

Dampening sound has been big for a long while (flat on the wall cut outs or hanging acoustic tiles), but the newest sound attenuation ideas are giving it depth, dimension, shape, and complexity in its design. Dampening sound is like using a shock absorber to dampen sound waves. The shock absorber deadens the sound and stops its amplification. Historically, acoustic panels and fabrics that hang on the wall or from the ceiling have been used. With the new designs, it’s more about dampening sound, though. It’s also about creating a beautiful and welcoming space. By the way, if you’d like to learn about how acoustic panels work, here’s a great article from Loftwall.

A combination of quiet spaces with less quiet ones gives everyone a choice

Can you create a welcoming space with design?

In the past, those who wanted sound dampened were stuck with just a few choices. Jump to today, where there are more choices and ways to create a welcoming space. Check out some of the designs we’ve highlighted from our recent NeoCon trip and you’ll see what we mean. They’re exciting, fun, and functional! And if you’d like to know more about how architects can use soundproofing, here’s An Architect’s Guide to Soundproofing, by Sound Cow.

Modular meeting spaces can easily be soundproofed and still be open

What’s the best shape for soundproofing?

While many designers choose the eggcrate because of its versatility, today there are many design choices. According to this article from Hush Echo, the strip shape offers “better sound absorption properties than a smooth shape while offering a similar low-key design.” However, we think there are so many choices out there that you might be surprised at the designs you can find that check all the right boxes.

We love the Aeonica system! With just five pieces you can endlessly model various pods

Colors and textures are braver than ever!

In the soundproofing world, Turf and Spacestor Aeonica are the superstars! We love the Aeonica system! See the five pieces you can use for an endless variety of pods! We absolutely loved seeing both Turf and Spacestor Aeonica and we think you will, too!

Highlights from New 3M Fasara Patterns

May 31, 2022 by Carol S 1 Comment

Here is one highlight from the new 3M Fasara Patterns

By now you’ve probably realized that everyone at Window Works is a huge fan of 3M and Fasara window films. And if you haven’t realized that, then you’re in for a treat! Because we’re going to share some of the newest, funnest, most gorgeous window films and some of their uses. Prepare to be surprised!

Here are some of our favorite new Fasara patterns.

3M™ DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes

3M Fasara Di-Noc architectural Finishes bring you the beauty of hundreds of natural elements with additional new designs, Premium Wood, Metallic Palette and Artisanal Design, to inspire your masterpiece. And at Window Works, we can work with you to help you discover your palette and bring your space to life!

What is 3M™ Fasara™?

Straight off their website: “3M™ Fasara™ is a family of polyester, decorative films for glass surfaces that transform an interior’s ambiance with finishes that have depth, subtly, modernity, energy, precision and more. Created in collaboration with leading designers from across the globe, the new, trend-setting collection will give you even more ways to create stunning visual effects on interior glass surfaces, as well as add privacy and control light.” By the way, we’ve written about 3M Fasara before. You might want to check out those articles here:

Matte Series offers fingerprint resistance, matte texture, and an outstanding tactile feature

The Matte Series offers realistic texture by converting incident light into diffuse reflection and suppressing specular reflection. Specular reflection is a type of surface reflectance often described as a mirror-like reflection of light from the surface. The matte finish offers a softer lighting, without blinding people coming into your space. This series also provides fingerprint resistance. Explore the new world of design possibilities with 3M Matte Series.

Abrasion Resistant Series

3M™ DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes Abrasion Resistant AR Series are decorative surface finishes for interior applications in high-traffic areas. The abrasion resistant top layer reduces the visibility of scratches. So, if you have a surface that routinely gets scratched by people wanting to “leave their mark,” you can use the abrasion resistant series on those surfaces. Check out the table below for an example!

3M™ DI-NOC™ Architectural Glass Finishes

3M™ DI-NOC™ Glass Finishes can be used behind many glass surfaces and provide an opaque dimensional look when viewed from the front glass surface. The current Product line can be found in the 3M™ Glass Finishes Product Catalog. Ask us for more information.

Whiteboard glass finishes

Last, but not least is this new whiteboard glass finish. The 3M Whiteboard finish can be used to turn glass into a whiteboard, transforming a plain office wall into a learning opportunity! This architectural finish can convert interior surfaces into creative and collaborative environments. It’s compatible with most dry erase markers.

Check out 3M’s spec sheet for all the details.

Questions or comments?

Need help choosing? Or want to chat about your options? Give us a call! Window Works customer care is at 415.650.5200. Pick up your phone and enter our number! We really are very friendly, and we’ll answer your questions.

The Southern California Facilities Expo: Five Best Reasons to Visit!

May 10, 2022 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Just a few of the exhibitors at the Southern California Facilities Expo!

Recently, the Window Works staff attended the Southern California Facilities Expo, at the Anaheim Convention Center. From the SCFE website, “The Facilities Expo provides FREE valuable learning and networking opportunities in a unique format serving the southern California region. Bringing together the facilities engineering, MRO and green building communities, Southern California Facilities 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.”

Here are some images and highlights from our time at the facilities expo! By the way, we’ve written about other facilities expo’s before. See some of the other highlights here:

Asia Bautista and Kashmir Uppal, from Atlas Copco Compressors, LLC

Seeing friends

We tend to run into some of the same people at facilities conferences, whether we’re in South California, Northern California, or Modesto (Central California). Above, our fearless leader Asia meets with friend Kashmir Uppal, from Atlas Copco Compressors, LLC. Kashmir Uppal is San Francisco Bay Area · CTS Regional Sales Manager for Atlas Copco, in case you were wondering. Meeting long-lost friends is probably our favorite part of the Expo.

Seeing even more friends

We love reconnecting with friends! Don’t you? Here we are with some of our bestest buds, above. That’s Nick MacArthur, brother John MacArthur, and Bobby Slingsby from Graffiti Shield. Since Graffiti Shield is in Anaheim they didn’t have far to travel. And that beer certainly can’t hurt (more on the beer in a minute). Also pictured: Asia and Donna from Window Works!

The Giveaways and Swag!

Look at that cute little promo truck from 1-800-GOT-JUNK, above! McKendry and Affinity also did some top-notch branding with their giveaways. We love having all these reminders of our time at the Expo! They’ll have a special home in our office.

The Happy Hour

The Happy Hour, co-sponsored with Atlas Copco Compressors, LLC, was one of our favorite parts of the Expo! Yes! We had happy hour in our booth which meant we didn’t have to drive home, since we were already there! You know what we mean. But actually we were happy for more than just the Happy Hour–we’re super happy and friendly all the time.

Making new connections

Of course, making new friends is super easy when the reception is in your booth! You can see just a few of our new friends in the photo above.

Did we forget anything?

If you were there and we forgot something, or even if you just want to chat, give us a call! Window Works customer care is at 415.650.5200. Pick up your phone and enter our number! We really are very friendly, and we’ll answer your questions.

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.