San Francisco Bay Area

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!

Best of the Best: 3M™’s Fantastic New Website is a Great Resource

January 17, 2017 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Recently, 3M™ launched a new 3M™ Window Film website. Before you run off to call your local 3M™ window film dealer, check out the site, filled with fantastic resources.

Here is a brief synopsis of our favorite parts of the site.

Commercial Window Film

3M™ was issued the first sun control window film patent in 1966, and their innovative window film products have helped provide protection from the sun’s harmful rays for 50 years. Today, millions of square feet of 3M™ Window Film have been installed all over the world. Upgrade your building with 3M™ Window Film, and you’ll be reaping the rewards for years to come.

Six Top Reasons to Use Window Film for Your Commercial Space?

Here’s a synopsis of some of our favorite 3M™ window film links:

Save Energy Reduce the costs of keeping your building comfortable for yourself and your tenants.
Improve Comfort With more extreme heat in the summer, and cold in the winter, you’ll want to even out the comfort level year-round.
Increase Safety Flying glass is one of the risks you can control. 3M window film helps you reduce the risk during a natural disaster.
Strengthen Security Unfortunately, bomb blasts, break-ins, and vandalism are becoming more common. 3M window film can help.
Enhance Décor/Privacy Achieve privacy while beautifying your office space.
Redirect Light One of the most amazing ways that 3M window film can brighten your office is by redirecting light deeper into your building.

Residential Window Film

If you aren’t convinced yet to use 3M window film for your commerical property or business, there are even more reasons to use window film for your residential needs:

Excessive Heat See some excellent case studies.
Excessive Cold Protect your windows — it’s like going from single-pane to double-pane or from double-pane to triple-pane windows.
Fading Do you know someone whose furniture or flooring is faded from the sun? Avoid that issue with window film.
High Energy Costs We all want the benefit of sun, but without all the side effects. Let in the light, and stabilize your energy costs with window film.
Glare You don’t need to wear sunglasses indoors! Avoid that glare.
Safety and Security When someone’s trying to break into your home, every second counts. Get added security with window film!
Privacy and Decorative Do you like the look of textured glass for privacy?

Still Confused About Which Window Film to Choose?

We’d be happy to walk you through it!

How to Punch the Polar Vortex in the Nose with Window Film

December 27, 2016 by Carol S 1 Comment

As I write these words in December, shivering, because polar vortex–everybody else is also wondering what gives with the extreme weather lately. The citrus trees are frozen in California, and people are buying up heated seat kits for their cars. What is happening, and when do we get to the part about punching the polar vortex in the nose? To distract you farther, here’s our previous article about why not to do your own window film installation.

Polar Vortex: What the Heck is it?

According to NASA’s website, “A polar vortex is an area of low pressure—a wide expanse of swirling cold air—that is parked in polar regions.” Contrary to popular belief, it is not a violent washing machine cycle–although you migt wish it was! If it was, we could just turn it off with a giant button. The weak polar vortex is causing extreme cold weather all over the place, which again is confusing, because you’d think a strong polar vortex would cause cold weather. Like the unstable drunken holiday party guest, the unstable polar vortex causes all kinds of trouble–which is why we’d like to punch it in the nose!

tahoe snowstorm photo — Photo by hillary h

Extreme Weather

You’ve already heard about how window film can keep you cool in the summer, but what about during cold snaps? Most people don’t realize that window film can keep your home’s temperature more stable. So that means warm in the winter as well as cool in the summer. And most people believe that weather is becoming more unstable–that is, colder in the winter, and hotter in the summer. So what’s a good home owner to do?

Does the Polar Vortex Even Have a Nose?

That is an excellent question! According to many sources, including NASA, polar vortexes have eyes. So–stick with us here–we’re going to make the leap in logic to assume that there is a face, of sorts. And most faces have noses. Probably in the 99% range. So there you have it.

Maybe Not So Literal

The point is, we’d like to not feel so afraid when people mention the phrase polar vortex. We’d like to be inside our snug homes and office buildings and feel that the weather, while frightful, would not bother us quite so much.

One Window Film to Rule Them All

There are many types of window films–decorative, security, etc. But in terms of protecting you against the weather, the one we like is 3M™ Thinsulate™. It adds an invisible layer of insulation between you and the outside world. And we think that’s a lot like punching the Polar Vortex in the nose.

Questions About Window Film?

Call our office in Santa Clara, California! We work all over the Bay Area, including the peninsula, San Francisco, and Marin (as well as other parts of the state and country!) We can help.

marin snow photo — Photo by Eric Fischer

Window Film or Window Treatments: Which is Actually Better/More Attractive?

December 15, 2016 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Reducing Energy Bills

Both window treatments and window film can help to reduce energy bills. Here’s a fine article from Houzz about window treatments and how they can reduce your energy bills which includes highly-reflective film. Of course, there are other types of window films, too, such as the 3M’s new Thinsulate window film,

Keep Yourself and Your Tenants Happy

Nobody likes an unhappy tenant, and nobody likes uneven heat inside a building. Window film helps keep the heat at a constant temperature, as this article by 3M explains: Keep your tenants comfortable and you’ll keep them long-term. Window coverings do help somewhat to help moderate heat loss, but not as dramatically as window film.

christmas fireplace photo — Photo by regan76

Reduce Heat Loss

People think of window film in the summer, but window film can also help you stay warm in the winter. 3M’s Thinsulate film helps reduce heat loss, which might be what you’re considering in the middle of winter.

office window photo — Photo by tashmahal

Window Film is More Modern

If your building is constructed with modern material, including lots of steel and glass, then window film is probably the better option for you. Window coverings don’t have to be old-fashioned, but a lot of window coverings have a more vintage look. The words our customers use to describe it are clean, sleek, and stylish.

Window Film Is Less Maintenance

Usually a quick swipe with a cloth is all you need to keep your window film clean. Whereas window coverings may need to be removed and laundered in the case of draperies, or dusted. In the case of an industrial or commercial building, multiply the cost of that cleaning by however many windows you have.

Thank you!

Once again we’re indebted to the fine folks over at JorgMaterialHandling for the blog post idea. Thank you so much!

A1. Infographics with main benefits, cost comparison/longevity versus blinds, curtains or other window treatments. #constchat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) October 13, 2016

We’re Expanding!

In case you didn’t know, business is exploding! Our latest big job is in Baltimore at the Hyatt there, and we’re working all over the San Francisco Bay Area, from the South Bay up to Marin County, and beyond! So give us a call! We’d love to talk to you about window film. Window coverings? Not so much.

office garden photo — Photo by Ruth and Dave

How to Choose a Window Film Installer: 5 Best Ways

July 14, 2016 by Carol S 1 Comment

You’ve begun experiencing global warming and much hotter summers, and you’re thinking “now is the time!” What time is that? Why, time to get some window film, of course! How do you cut through all the baloney out there, and find someone trustworthy? Here are some ideas.

Check Them out on Social Media

Are they posting anywhere, and if they are, are they staying on message? Do you like what you’re seeing? Do they seem reliable? Are their posts filled with spelling errors, or do they seem to know how to write and share good content? Also, do they seem honest and reliable? By the way, here are some brands doing an amazing job on social media.

Stalk Their Blog

You’re doing that right now, aren’t you? See what the company you’re considering is writing about on their blog Do you agree with the posts you’re reading? Skim through a few to get a sense of what the company does. For window film companies, they may be discussing their own jobs, what you can do with window film in commercial situations, or the benefits of window film.

ferrari dealer photo — Photo by Michel Curi

Ask Whether They Service Your Area

Some installers are willing to travel a bit outside their regular area. If you like someone, give them a call and ask. They might even know someone in your area, since the window film arena is a fairly small world. We work in the San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose and Santa Clara, up to San Francisco. We’ve done both small and large jobs all up and down the peninsula.

talk shop photo — Photo by humanstatuebodyart

Check the Numbers

You can do your own research into the type of window film you might like. We highly recommend 3M window films, and you can get numbers on automotive, residential, or commercial window films on the site. Our blog has lots of ideas for new films you might not have considered. For instance, we have stripes, dots, and patterns.

Ask for References

There may be references on the company website already. For instance, we installed window film for the Exploratorium in San Francisco. If you’re familiar with the Exploratorium, they’re a fantastic place on San Francisco’s Embarcadero. When they moved, they needed window film in their new location.

professional conference photo — Photo by tec_estromberg

Make Sure They Carry Reputable Brands

In window film, 3M is one of the top brands, if not THE top brand. Does the company you’re looking at carry a reliable brand? Not all window film is created equally–some will turn purple and bubble very quickly. Ask what brand or brands your prospective window film installer uses.

patagonia store photo — Photo by Andrew-Hyde

Got Questions?

We’d be happy to talk to you! If you’re considering window film, give us a call!

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 photo — Photo by Sigma.DP2.Kiss.X3

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.

Dangers of Indoor UV Radiation: How to Protect Yourself

February 23, 2016 by Window Works 2 Comments

Danger of Indoor UV Radiation: How to Protect Yourself — The Dangers of Indoor UV Radiation: How to Protect Yourself

You might think that if you stay indoors, wear sunscreen, and don a big hat that you’ll be safe from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. But did you realize that even indoors you can receive a lot of the wrong kind of ultraviolet light? There are two kinds of UV: UVA and UVB. UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, as outlined by SkinCancer.org. UVA rays are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year, and can penetrate clouds and glass. What can you do about it, though?

Windows Don’t Block UVA Radiation

Windows do not block all ultraviolet rays when you’re indoors. And while UVB rays can harm your skin, they are not as significant in harming your skin as are UVA rays are indoors. Perry Robins, MD, President, The Skin Cancer Foundation says: “We now know that UVA radiation can penetrate windows to reach the skin, accelerating skin aging.”

Use a Broad-Spectrum SunScreen

Your sunscreen should be at least 15 SPF, and include one of these UVA-protective ingredients: avobenzone, ecamsule, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. Make sure to apply it liberally to your face, in particular. Consumer Reports has a list of the best sunscreens, and what to look for.

Apply Window Film

Window film, which can be applied to home, office and car windows, blocks almost 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. This is the best way to prevent UVA rays from reaching you indoors. After all, you don’t always want to be wearing gloves, a hat, and sunscreen inside, do you? We have lots of different kinds of decorative window film, such as:

Have Questions?

As far as aesthetics, you may have lots of questions. We can help! By now you probably know that we are in Santa Clara, although we work all over the San Francisco Bay Area. Give us a call! We’d love to talk to you.

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.

Referral Agent Program

September 2, 2015 by Window Works Leave a Comment

Referral Agent Program

Are you an Interior Designer, Energy Consultant, Window Treatment Shop, Flooring Rep, or other trade related to Interiors, Homes and Energy Savings? If so, and your clients have a need for Energy Savings, Window Film, Fade Reduction or Safety Film; then become a Referral Agent by sending them to us and receive a commission!

Excluding your coworkers and family, think of someone you know that would be happy to win $200 right now. Don’t move until you’ve thought of someone. The RAP provides our agents with opportunities to build stronger relationships with existing clients and future contracts.

Do you have someone in mind? Great! Here is the link so that you can refer customer leads to Window Works:

go.3M.com/Refer-WindowWorks

Compensation

Once the window film is installed and payment collected, the 3M dealer (WindowWorksCA) will send you a check for up to 10% of the gross.

Our Window Film Product

Super cool protection.

The first of its kind, the 3M™ Ultra Prestige Series films are made from up to 42 micro layers of clear, tear-resistant film.

That strength is combined with Prestige Series sun control films to reject up to 60% of the heat coming through your windows and 97% of the sun’s infrared light.

These films also reject 99.9% of harmful UV rays, reducing the effects of fading on your furnishings.

Ultra Prestige Series films allow 50% to 70% of the natural light into your home. The result is films that offer all the benefits of sun control with safety features built in.

With these films, you’ll block heat, reduce hot spots and damaging UV rays, while also helping to hold glass together in the event of break-ins or severe weather.

Want More Info?

Here are Seven Ways Window Film Can Improve Your Life. We are located in the San Francisco Bay Area (near the San Jose Airport), and we service businesses and homes in the Bay Area.