Santa Clara – Page 2

Afraid of the Sun? You Should Be!

November 14, 2016 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Recently, during a Twitter chat, a few of us were talking about good blog posts, and Floors to Your Home, an Indianapolis-based Flooring specialist, suggested discussing window film and how it prevents premature aging. So here you go!

A1: Or, for us skincare nerds, how window film prevents premature aging. #constchat

— Floors To Your Home (@FTYHFlooring) October 13, 2016

Sunlight, Your Skin and UV Rays

Sunlight is made up of harmful UVA and UVB that can cause premature aging as well as more serious conditions. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation “UV radiation is considered the main cause of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These cancers strike more than a million and more than 250,000 Americans, respectively, each year.”

Window Film Blocks Harmful UV Rays

According to 3M™ “By reducing the amount of heat gained through transmission of sunlight, 3M™ Window Films let in the natural light you love while rejecting heat and UV rays.” And 3M Window Film blocks up to 99% of harmful UV rays–the rays that cause skin damage and premature aging. So imagine if you will having sunblock that encases all your windows and protects your skin against premature aging. It’s like that.

Want Younger-Looking Skin?

Stop thinking of window film as a luxury, and instead allocate some money to your health care budget. Window film takes the worry out of blocking UV rays, and it can be used on your home, your business, or your car. Skin damage is cumulative, so a little prevention goes a long way towards keeping your skin healthy. According to WebMD:

“Sun exposure causes most of the skin changes that we think of as a normal part of aging. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin.”

Elastin Keeps Skin Elastic

Without elastin, the skin can’t “bounce back” like it does with children. So keeping out of the sun, or protecting your windows with window film, help to prevent the damage from UV rays that cause the loss of elastin to your skin.

Every Little Bit Helps

While window film isn’t your entire skin care strategy, it certainly helps. Nobody wants to have to protect their skin indoors, but that’s exactly what you need to do if you have windows!

Got Questions?

Call our office in Santa Clara, California! We can help.

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.

3M’s Sun Control Window Film: Spotlight on Protection You Need to See

September 13, 2016 by Carol S 1 Comment

3M Sun Control Window Film: Spotlight on Protection You Need to See

Did you fall in love with some big, beautiful windows when you moved into your new home or office? Then you probably know what it’s like to see the damage that sun can do to your flooring and furnishings! If you’ve ever peeled back a rug and seen a discolored floor underneath, you know what I mean!

How Do You Protect Your Floor?

Of course, you could always add curtains to your windows. There are some excellent ones that block out all the light, and also make a quieter space for you. But you might not be such a big fan of the dark, man-cave look.

Louvered shades or blinds are another option.

3M™ Sun Control Window Film

We love window film. We cannot lie. Not only will 3M™ Sun Control Window Film block out harmful UV radiation that damages your furnishings, and your skin, you’ll be lowering your heating bill at the same time! That’s a no-brainer in our opinion!

Carpet Stays Bright and Cheery

Your carpet will thank you for using window film. And not just your carpet, but your couch, and that beautiful table that you shipped from that one Hawaiian vacation. Now you won’t have to twirl it around every other week to keep the fading even on both sides.

hardwood floor photo — Photo by Rubber Dragon

Hardwood Floors Stay the Same Color

If you’ve ever seen the damage UV light can do to flooring, it can be quite dramatic. As Tadas Sadunas explains in this wonderful hardwood floor blog, some types of wood darken, some get bleached, just like the different types of skin. Yes, there are finishes that give your floor some UV protection, but window film is much easier.

Wearing Sunglasses Indoors?

Do you know someone like this? The sun is so bright that everyone has to wear sunglasses indoors! And that’s not right! You should feel comfortable indoors–as well as safe. Wearing sunglasses indoors is just so…silly! Not that we’re anti-silly, but you should be able to control the silly. And with window film you can!

UV Damage is Cumulative

We don’t want to harp on it, but ultraviolet light damages your skin and causes photoaging. So to keep your furnishings and your skin safe, you need to protect yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which by the way can travel through windows and damage everything in sight.

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

Let Us Explain Your Options!

We’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, and service homes and businesses up and down the peninsula, in the South Bay, as well as San Francisco. So if you’re considering window film, give us a call so we can explain your options!

Want to Control the Sun? Valuable Tips Actually Make You Healthier

August 27, 2016 by Carol S Leave a Comment

You’ve heard it again and again: stay out of the sun during peak hours (10-4:00 pm), use sunscreen, and wear a big hat! But what else can you do to put your health back in your hands? Read on to see!

sunlight photo

First Tip: Get Window Film!

During the hottest months in particular, Window film is like sunscreen for your house, car, or office. You might not always remember to use sunscreen, and with window film you won’t have to! So for heaven’s sake, use window film. Like brushing your teeth, window film is an investment in your future self’s health. And your future self will thank you!

Window film is good for your car, as well as your home, or business. So if you spend a lot of time in any one of these places, start with window film there.

Second Tip: Monthly Self-Exam

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, doing a monthly self-exam helps to catch early stages of skin cancer. Examine your nose, ears, and places that get lots of sun in particular. Check behind your knees, your back, and your face. If you can’t see all those places yourself with mirrors, have an “exam buddy” help you out!

Step-by-Step Skin Cancer Exam from the Skin Cancer Foundation

You could also have your general practitioner give you a look over. A dermatologist will probably give you the most thorough exam. If you have skin cancer in your family, you might want to do a self-exam and have a doctor examine you as well!

Third Tip: Protect Your Left Side

Anyone who drives is more prone to getting sun exposure from the left side (unless you drive on the other side of the road!). Keep a hat, wraparound sunglasses and sunscreen in your car, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. You’ve heard of tennis elbow, but what about driver’s face? Remember the truck driver with damage to one side of his face? That’s what the sun’s UVA rays can do coming through your car’s windows. Those bad rays can also penetrate clouds, in case you were thinking of rolling down your windows on a cloudy day!

In the summertime, you might be more likely to roll down your windows or ride on a motorcycle, or have the top down on a convertible. In that case, all of your sides need to be protected–not just your left side.

golf photo — Photo by Krzysztof Urbanowicz

Fourth Tip: Take Extra Precautions if You Play Golf

That’s right: golfers have more exposure to the sun than athletes who play other sports. But you can choose earlier or later tee times, and of course wear a hat, sunglasses, and a thick layer of sunscreen. If your skin is lighter, be extra careful, although anyone can suffer from skin damage. There are now specialty sun screens just for golfers, hats with extra air flow, and fabrics that have SPF protection built in. See the video on the PGA Show’s link for specifics.

Fifth Tip: Ask An Expert

Who would know how to stay cool better than Bigfoot? After all, he’s covered with fur, which he doesn’t shave even when it’s scalding hot. And if you try to mention global warming, he’s likely to throw a half-empty beer can at you!! Oh, you could also ask someone at 3M, since it’s the 50th Anniversary of Window Film.

Sixth Tip: Call Us for the Best Window Film!

We’re in the San Francisco South Bay, but travel throughout the Bay Area, up and down the peninsula, Campbell, Saratoga, Palo Alto, and San Mateo. As well as Sunnyvale, Brisbane, and the places in between!

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

How to Make an Invisible Theft Deterrent: New Window Film

April 14, 2016 by Window Works Leave a Comment

For commercial or residential property, there are a variety of ways to deter thieves. You can install alarms, lighting systems, monitors to record activity nearby, or have a trained guard dog. Here are some ways we have found that work wonders.

Window Film

Window film helps keep you, your family, and your business safe because it holds glass together. Every second counts when a thief is trying to get into your home. Don’t let the “crime of convenience” term be associated with your home–take aggressive steps to make it difficult for thieves to break in! And if you want to know how to keep your family’s skin safe, see our Dangers of Indoor UV Radiation: How to Protect Yourself. More about safety film below.

Own a Dog

Some dogs are better than others at protecting your property. You probably wouldn’t choose a tiny dog, unless it had a huge bark and a huger bite. But a Doberman or a German Shepherd with adequate training would do a great job. Both are on the Top Ten List of Dog Breeds for Protection. And if you own a dog, you might also want to post a Beware of Dog sign. By the way, here’s how Big Foot Beats the Heat. Big Foot is definitely big enough to help deter thieves.

Install Lighting

Motion detector lighting is one simple way to deter thieves. You can adjust the lights for different times of year, how long the lights stay on, and the distance-range setting. You may want to improve your security by pointing lights at all points of entry to your home. Here’s an excellent article on How to Choose and Install Motion Detector Lighting. You want to avoid having places for thieves to hide, such as behind bushes or doorways.

Have a Home Security System

There are a number of smart home security systems now available without the costly monthly fees. Be careful when choosing your home security system. Consumer Reports recently reviewed three of these home security systems, and found that they mostly deliver what they promised. Another deterrent is to post signs letting potential thieves know that you have a security system. If you decide that you do want to buy one of the big-name security systems, Huffington Post has a good article about how to choose one, and emphasizes ways to get discounts!

keynote photo — Photo by Ignite New Zealand

Get a Home Security Check

Many police departments offer security checks. Ask your local officers in blue to come by and walk around. They’ll give you suggestions to help beef up your security. Some tips are quite simple, such as locking doors, installing peepholes, and keeping exterior areas lit up. The San Jose Police Department has a good, five-minute video on preventing burglary. They emphasize that burglars are looking for easy entry into homes.

open fence photo — Photo by AJU_photography

Be a Good Neighbor

Being a good neighbor sounds like a cliche, but we’ve all known people who don’t even know their neighbors! If you don’t know yours, today is the day to change that! A batch of cookies and a walk through the neighborhood will quickly end the problem of living next to strangers. Or, if you’re too shy to walk around with cookies, you could take a digital approach and join a Facebook group, or a local NextDoor.com group.

Avoid Mentioning Travel Plans on Social Media

Of course you want to keep your friends updated, but why not share after you’ve returned? Those wonderful photos of you on the beach can surely keep for another day or two. Here is a list of things not to post on Facebook before or while you’re on vacation. For instance, don’t say you’re going to buy some diamonds and will be out of town for a few days.

window lock photo — Photo by Alain LE GUEN

Window Locks

Since windows are one of the least secure spots in a home, spending a little of your security budget can have a big impact on your home or business’ security. Window locks are an inexpensive option that does not detract from the style of your home. One of the best deterrents is a hefty window lock that is visible from the outside, as outlined in this excellent article, How to Burglar-Proof Windows.

3M Safety Film

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is this video about 3M safety film worth? Above, two industrious burglars try to break into a clothing store in Dallas, Texas, and eventually give up and drive off. They try hitting it and even throw a garbage can at it.

Safety Film is Invisible But Results Aren’t!

You’ll probably forget that you have safety film once it’s installed. But rest assured that it’s protecting you! It requires no feeding, no additional monthly fees, and very little maintenance other than occasional cleaning!

Give Us a Call!

Ready to install safety film, or have questions about whether it’s right for you? We’re in Santa Clara, near the San Jose Airport. But we travel all over the San Francisco Bay Area!

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 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.

The Northern California Facilities Expo ~ Santa Clara

September 17, 2015 by Window Works Leave a Comment

CAL_expo

We’d love our local friends to come and see us at the Northern California Facilities Expo. The Expo will take place Wednesday and Thursday, September 23rd and 24th, at the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054. It’s very close to Levi’s Stadium.

The Santa Clara Builders Exchange will be at the booth with us. They are on Twitter if you’d like to follow them there.
WindowWorksCA will be at Booth 423.
The Expo is free of charge.
We’re excited at the list of scheduled talks. You can get a list of the talks here.
Hope to see you there!