window film

How Do I Eliminate Sun Glare through Windows? Six Ways

September 30, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

With the sun’s heat so brutal lately, we’ve all been suffering from sun glare. And climate change has been getting worse, so in all likelihood we’ll be getting more sun glare in our future, too. If this sounds like an issue that might be bothering you, we’ve collected six ways to eliminate sun glare. Most of these ideas are for your home or business, not your car. We’ve written about sun glare before and you might like: How to Dramatically Cut Back Sun Glare.

Hang thick curtains

Curtains can certainly help you eliminate sun glare and also keep the temperature inside your house cooler in the summer. Thick curtains will also cut down on noise while keeping the inside of your house darker if the glare is giving you headaches. Blackout curtains will also do the trick, especially if you’re a night worker and need to sleep during the day.

Wear sunglasses and a hat

Don’t laugh, but we actually know people who have to do this inside their own homes and businesses. Maybe the owners (in the case of businesses) don’t realize how the glare affects its own employees and customers? Or maybe they don’t want to fix the problem? Just guessing. Anyway, I digress. Sunglasses and hats will indeed cut down on sun glare, even if it seems like a silly solution. For more information on protecting your eyes from glare, see Protecting Your Eyes from the Macular Society.

Find a shrubbery

There’s something about the word shrubbery that’s just…funny! It always reminds me of that Monty Python movie where the Knights who say “Ni!” demand a shrubbery. A nice one. And not too expensive. But I digress. Again. Trees and shrubberies can provide much-needed shade and help eliminate glare, too. There is an issue, though. With trees and shrubs overhanging your house, your insurance company might complain. Around here, with fire danger high, trees can catch fire and drop onto your roof. Also, tree limbs can break off and damage your roof during storms.

Awnings are great

Some awnings are retractable, so you can extend or retract them as necessary. Although this is a bit of work, it will definitely help with sun glare. And you might enjoy the little bit of extra exercise you get extending and retracting them. As the Department of Energy explains in this article, “About 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. In cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat.”

Eliminate the windows

Seriously, though, if you’re going to work so hard to cover your windows, why even have them? You could just build a concrete bunker and be done with it. You could also live in a cave! But most people appreciate the comforts of a home. With. Windows.

You knew we were going to say window film, didn’t you? And you guessed correctly! Window film helps reduce glare, saves your eyesight, and keeps your home more clutter film than if you didn’t have it. Window film also has some surprising benefits: Surprising Uses for Window Film.

We’ll keep you informed

Have questions about how to use window film to cut down glare? Give us a call and we’ll give you some ideas! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your home or office. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

NorCal Facilities Expo October 9-10: Five Reasons to Join Us!

September 17, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

We’d love for you to join us at the Northern California Facilities Expo October 9 and 10, 2024. It’s in Santa Clara, California at the Santa Clara Convention Center. We’ve been going for more than the number of fingers we have, but here are the most recent posts:

The Five Ws

By the way, we’ve gone to other facilities expos before, but we’ve been to this one a lot! Also, here are the W’s you might like:

Who: Window Works and many other vendors
What: the Expo showcases vendors of interest to facilities managers
Where: Booth 410 at the Santa Clara Convention Center (near Levi’s Stadium)
When: Wednesday, October 9 & Thursday, October 10
Why: It’s fun, free, and there’s plenty of easy parking! 🚗 (see more reasons below)

Here are some reasons you might like to visit the Expo and see our booth (oops! gave one away already!).

Photo Contest

Come by our booth and take a photo with us and you’ll be entered into a contest! And don’t worry–we won’t share your name with anyone!

It’s Fun

Don’t you love events where you get to walk around and talk to people and learn about new products and services? So do we! That’s why we keep going back year after year. You’ll see some amazing new products and visit our booth, as well as others! For instance, we love our neighbors at Atlas Copco, one of the sponsors this year!

It’s Free

Hey, this is so a good reason. And sometimes the best things really are free, despite that old saying You Get What You Pay For. Like puppies, and parks, and having conversations with future friends. Even the parking is free! Plus! If you’re counting your steps like most of our friends are these days, you’ll get a lot of exercise aka steps!

You’ll Learn Things

We can’t say which things you might learn, but there you go. How does that old saying go? You don’t know what you don’t know or something like that. We’ll definitely teach you some things about window film if you stop by our booth.

Swag from 2023's NorCal Facilities Expo — Swag from 2023’s NorCal Facilities Expo

It’s Swagalicious!

Some of our most favorite swag comes from the Northern California Facilities Expo. And if that’s what gets you in the door, we’ll emphasize that. Let us know whose swag you like the most! And which booth is your favorite, too!

Questions about Window Film?

Have questions about how window film can help facilities managers? Give us a call and we’ll give you some ideas! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your overheated home or office. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Color of the Year Predictions 2025

August 28, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Every paint company, interior designer, and even foodie influencer has their prediction for the 2025 color of the year. So what’s a regular person to do? We’ve collected a bunch of these color-of-the-year predictions and we’re not even selling paint, interior design, or food, although we like all those things! We’ll give our own opinions, too, even though you didn’t ask for them. Also: you’re welcome!

We wrote about colors in the past, too. You might like Pantone’s Color of the Year 2023.

HGTV Home Collection by Sherwin Williams

Not content to have just one color, Sherwin Williams has given an entire collection of colors this fancy pants moniker. What do you think of it? Naturally Refined is the collection’s name and Quietude is the brand’s 2025 Color of the Year. This collection seems rather safe, since its focus is so wide. But our favorite is the Reading Nook with its Nutshell color (scroll down in the article), with the Nursery with Spiced Cider coming in second. Both rooms have unusual color combinations.

Martha Stewart talks about Behr’s Color of the Year

Behr Paint, which has chosen Rumors as its 2025 Color of the Year, has picked a beautiful ruby red color. We couldn’t be more pleased with this one. It’s rich and romantic and evocative of a bygone era, while also being modern. How can that be? No clue, but it works beautifully. So beautifully that Martha Stewart included it in one of her articles.

Valspar chooses a deep blue

Another deep, jewel tone color is Valspar’s gorgeous, ultramarine blue. It’s a soothing and relaxing blue that will make you want to relax wherever you use this color. And the article also gives some harmonizing colors which you might like. This is another winner.

Stainmaster picks Truffle

Don’t you wish you had the job of choosing paint names? Truffle is another deep color choice that envelopes you with earthy goodness. And it’s not just the kind of earthy goodness that pigs like, but humans like it as well! It’s a beautiful deep brown color that is available only at Lowe’s.

Mochi by Little Green

One of our favorites is Mochi, which probably looks very different depending on the light. It has peachy-pink undertones, and you could probably relax while eating your mochi in your mochi-painted kitchen. This is a neutral which would work anywhere in the house or office. Check out the color combinations on the Mochi website, too. You could even pair Mochi with other brownish colors, such as Nutshell or Truffle for tone-on-tone fabulousness.

Have questions?

You can use decorative window film to harmonize with whatever colors you choose for your home or office. Give us a call and we’ll give you some ideas! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your home or office. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Design Secrets with Decorative Window Film: You Need to Know These

August 14, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Did you know? Window film isn’t just something you slap on your car window. There are many ways you can use window film–from geometric patterns to custom graphics. If you were unaware of all the design possibilities, hang in there and we’ll show you a few examples of how you can use window film. By the way, we’ve talked about decorative window film before: How to Use Decorative Window Film. Window film has become much more subtle in recent times, so hang in there.

Window Film Creates a Barrier But Lets Light Through

Outdoor privacy

With cities becoming more and more crowded, you can use window film so that your neighbors don’t always have to see what you’re doing. On the rooftop above, you can see how window film creates a barrier, yet still lets light through. If you like to use your rooftop for picnics or gardening (as many do in San Francisco), this is a good option.

Privacy indoors

It’s critical that you have privacy indoors as well as outdoors. Window film isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition. For instance, you can cover half a window with window film so either your neighbors or your kids–or your neighbors’ kids!–don’t see what you’re doing. This is a good option for people who live in popular resort towns, where tourists gawk at their patios or decks. We’ve also covered some surprising uses for window film.

Dichroic window film gives you color!

Here’s another example, above, of what you can do with window film. In this case, Dichroic window film for the win! Isn’t it fun? Kids of all ages love the Dichroic window film. But you don’t have to use this film for a classroom. It would be equally fun for a kids’ room or gameroom as well.

On another note, 3M has some beautiful architectural finishes that can be used on glass or other surfaces. We love the 3M Fasara glass finishes: A new series of the popular Japanese paper “washi” design is available. The Shigure surface has a special matte finish that expresses the delicate fibers of Japanese paper.

Extending privacy outdoors

You don’t want everyone to see what you’re barbequing all the time, do you? Neither do we! Above is a privacy screen we did for a customer in Marin county. Of course, you could also cover a glass wall or partition indoors, too. Some people like to hang glass partitions and cover the glass with window film for a semi-transparent wall. You can create a wall without building something that blocks light and air flow.

We’ll keep you informed

Have questions about how to use decorative window film? Give us a call and we’ll give you some ideas! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your home or office. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

How Window Film Helps Save Energy: Five Ways

July 30, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

You might have heard some of the other ways window film makes you life better, but does it help you save energy? It reduces glare, prevents UV transmission through your glass, and helps you maintain privacy. We’ll tell you about how window film saves you energy, too. And that can help you lower your power bills, something we all love.

Reduces Heat Gain

Heat gain is not something you want in your life. Heat gain is when the temperature rises due to heat from the sun. And when it’s too hot, it’s hard to do anything except sit on the couch and fan yourself. But with window film, heat that could get through your windows is reflected back and away. We’ve talked about heat gain before here: Solar Heat Gain: Why Should it Matter to You?

Acts as a Thermal Shield

Now, Thermal Shield might sound like something out of Deadpool and Wolverine, but we assure you it’s not. A thermal shield protects you from the heat coming through your windows. 3M™ window film is a very good example of an excellent thermal shield. Come to think of it, they could’ve used it in Deadpool and Wolverine. Maybe there would’ve been less fighting. That extreme heat makes everyone cranky.

Uses Less Energy Heating and Cooling

With window film, you’ll use less energy heating and cooling your home or office. Since your temperature will stay more constant, you’ll have less reliance on your A/C or thermostat, thus driving down the cost of your energy. And if you don’t believe us, maybe the Department of Energy will sway you? Here’s a quote from 3M’s website: “The Department of Energy considers window film a top-tier technology for energy conservation with one of the fastest paybacks — approximately three years.”

Eliminates Hot Spots

If you’re a facilities manager, hot spots can mean a lot of complaints from employees. You don’t want to have to move people around every time the sun hits a certain spot–do you? Window film helps you eliminate the hot spots and provides more even temperatures in all the offices. At home, there’s the same problem with hot spots. You shouldn’t have to move your from your favorite spot because of a hot spot.

Acts as an Insulator

Window film can be an insulator for your windows. When you think of insulation, you might think of the big thick pink blanket living in your attic. But a thin layer of window film can also give you insulation and keep you cooler in the summer as well as warmer in the winter.

Saves Your Energy

Have questions about how to save energy and window film? Give us a call and we’ll give you some ideas! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your overheated home or office. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

How to Avoid Extreme Heat: Five Ways

July 15, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Climate change is here, and with it, extreme heat. Learn how to avoid extreme heat and make your home or office more resilient to climate change. As Bob Villa says in his article Making Your Home More Resilient Can Boost Your Peace of Mind, “according to Realtor.com, 44.8 percent of homes in the United States are at risk of potentially serious damage from flooding, wind, wildfires, and other climate-related events.” Making sure you know how to avoid extreme heat is critical during these extra-hot days.

Insulation protects you against heat and cold

Not only does insulation help to lower your power bills, it protects you against extreme temperatures. And doesn’t it seem that every other day there are extreme temperatures somewhere? Even in San Francisco, where we typically are protected against extremes because of our naturally-occurring fog, we sometimes get very hot days. There are many more benefits of insulation, as the National Insulation Association outlines (did you know about its return on investment?).

Leaks around windows and doors

It’s better to check for air and water leaks around your windows and doors when the weather is good and not when there’s an extreme weather event. The Department of Energy has some excellent and simple ways you can check for leaks. For example, wiggling your doors tells you that there might be an air leak. (They didn’t use the word wiggling, but they really should!). Some leaks are really obvious. If your hat blows off when you’re next to a (closed) door, that could be a clue. Other leaks are sneakier. Air leaks can occur around switch plates or air conditioners. So get your caulk guns ready!

Energy Assessment

If you’re able to check your own home for energy leaks and where you might need to improve it, would you? You could either do it yourself (see the Department of Energy for its how-to article) or hire someone who might be more discerning and have more experience. With an energy assessment, you can check sealing gaps, determine your level of insulation, and much more. If your home is an older one, it’s likely that there are more energy-efficient choices available.

Better windows

Double-pane or even triple-pane windows can certainly help to prevent extreme heat. And those windows can also keep out the noise, too. If you live in a crowded city, or on a busy street, those noises and that heat can keep you awake at night. Is better sleep a priority for you? Then an investment in better windows might be just the ticket.

Window film

You knew we were going to talk about window film, didn’t you? Your family and your employees will thank you if you use window film to guard against extreme heat. We’ve discussed how window film reduces heat before: Heat Reduction and Privacy Window Film. We work with 3M and their wonderful window film often, and we can tell you about what we have learned.

Avoid extreme heat anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area

Have questions about heat reduction and window film? Give us a call and we’ll give you some ideas! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your overheated home or office. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Lower Your Power Bills this Summer: 5 Easy Ways

June 27, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

You’ve all heard of different ways to lower your power bills in the summer, but don’t some of them include ridiculous and weird tasks, such as covering your windows in styrofoam? Or even more ridiculous? Not wearing clothes! Sure, walking around naked all summer may keep you cooler, but we’re talking about ways that won’t embarrass you that way. Everyone wants to lower their power bills, right? If that’s you, then here are some ideas that won’t embarrass you or your mom or result in calls to the police.

Turn up the thermostat

Yes, turning up your thermostat even one or two degrees can make a big difference in your power bill. And if you’re at work during the day, this method is even easier. Of course, in the winter, you’ll want to turn your thermostat down. Naturally, you might also consider a programmable thermostat that could reduce the temperature while you’re away from home.

Run big appliances at off hours

Does your power company have peak hours? When you run an appliance you are essentially buying power from your power company. In our case (San Francisco), peak hours are from 4:00 – 9:00 pm. So if you run the dishwasher, washing machine, etc. at other times, you’ll spend less. CNet has a good explanation of peak hours if you want to know more: Peak and Off-Peak Energy Explainer.

Use energy-star appliances (or maintain your old appliances)

Make sure your furnace and large appliances are kept clean and maintained regularly. If you don’t know when the last time your furnace was cleaned, maybe it’s time to start a house journal. We’ve written about energy efficiency before. Well, actually, we had Tim Meredith, an eco-conscious writer, write the guest blog post. You might like Ways to Make a Home More Energy Efficient.

Get an energy audit

Does your power company offer a free audit? If so, take advantage of it so that you can see where your energy dollar is being spent. There are also professional energy assessors. See this post from the Department of Energy: Professional Home Energy Assessments. An energy assessment can tell you where your home might have a leaky door or window.

Window film

You knew we were going to talk about window film, didn’t you? When you install window film, a single-pane window acts like a double-pane window, and a double-pane window becomes like a triple-pane window. So your indoor temperature evens out, you’re more comfortable, and you spend less on that energy bill. Window film can be energy efficient as well as beautiful. You might like our article about Wabi-Sabi.

We work all over the San Francisco Bay Area

Have questions about window film? Give us a call and we’ll walk you through some ideas! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your energy-efficient home or office. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

How to Use Window Film for Wabi-Sabi Living

June 12, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

You’ve heard of wabi-sabi a lot lately, but did you know that window film can help you achieve the wabi-sabi lifestyle? If you have no idea about what we’re talking about, read on.

Define wabi-sabi

In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. In other words, that heirloom piece that you might have otherwise thrown away, but fixed? That is the perfect embodiment of wabi-sabi. For instance, I have a Buddha statue that belonged to my mother, but it was badly chipped. When I repainted it gold, it came back to life. You can do the same with something of yours. One definition of wabi-sabi that is particularly wonderful is something that becomes more beautiful as it ages.

The art of imperfection

We’re not saying that you need to use torn or bubbly window film in order to perfect the art of imperfection. You can have a combination of the perfect along with the imperfect. And you might like us to install your window film for you just so you can have that contrast. Here are a few reasons you might like to have us install your window film.

Beauty is imperfect

That branch from your yard that you use to hang ornaments on every Christmas? That is wabi-sabi. So is the flower with a missing petal, or the photo of that bird with a slightly ruffled wing. It’s imperfect and maybe even more beautiful because of its imperfection. Nothing in nature looks like A/I–or if it does, it becomes…suspicious!

Create a sanctuary

You could go on an expensive vacation, or you could create a sanctuary at home every day. Those people who work at home might appreciate the idea of a sanctuary even more than people who work every day in an office. Of course, you could also use a little wabi-sabi in your office.

Use what you have

Window film can help create a blank or colored canvas for you to set your design against. When you have lots of drapes or window coverings on your windows, your design can get lost. We’ve written about how window film can help you create a clutter-free environment before. So create a clean space as a background, then use what you already have to make a perfect space. We particularly like 3M window film since it can be used in so many ways.

Harmonize your space

When your space is harmonized, you feel calmer and — not to be too woo-woo about it — more zen. Your life won’t be perfect, but then again, if you feel calmer maybe your life will turn around. Maybe you’ll even be able to deal with those weird neighbors without yelling. Who knows?

We wabi-sabi all over the San Francisco Bay Area

Did you know that wabi-sabi is a verb? If not, give us a call and we’ll tell you all about it! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your wabi-sabi design. 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.

How Window Film Helps You Go Green, Be More Eco-Friendly

May 29, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

If you’re considering window film, maybe if you knew how window film could help you go green, you’d have it installed. We’re almost entering the hot summer months and people are thinking about air conditioning. Did you know that window film can contribute to energy efficiency by reducing the need for air conditioning–lowering carbon emissions and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle? If not, read on!

Solar heat rejection

Window films are designed to reject solar heat, with some films (ahem! 3M) able to reduce up to 78% of the sun’s heat. Which means you won’t feel overheated as you sit next to the window trying to work or eating your lunch. Which also means since you’ll feel more comfortable you’ll be less likely to turn on that air conditioning! Exciting, isn’t it? We think so.

Heat gain reduction

Window film reduces the heat gain inside buildings, which also lets you be more comfortable. By the way, we’ve talked about solar heat gain before and you might like: Solar Heat Gain: Why Should it Matter to You? And wouldn’t you like to use all of your house (not just the coolest spots away from the windows)?

Improved insulation

While you might think of insulation as that pink stuff in your attic, window film is also a type of insulation. With window film, a single pane of glass acts like a double pane and–guess what?–the double pane acts like a triple pane! It’s like getting an extra scoop of ice cream! Sort of. In any case, window film works by preventing unwanted (hot) air from entering the house. And that’s a good thing!

Balance indoor temperatures

With climate change, temperatures can swing wildly from cold to hot like nobody’s business. Nobody likes that! You can’t plan what to wear and you always have to prepare for everything. But with window film, your temperatures are more even and everybody’s happy.

Energy efficiency

Since your temperatures are more even, you use less energy. You know where we’re going with this, right? So more energy efficiency means less air conditioning! And that’s sure to help lower your energy costs. Also, the coolants in air conditioning contribute to global warming, so you’re also helping the planet as well as yourself. Speaking of the planet, we’ve talked about climate change before, too: How Does Window Film Help Battle Climate Change? Five Ways.

Less strain on your HVAC unit

Less strain on your HVAC unit means less maintenance for you. You won’t have to call the HVAC repair person as often if the air conditioner isn’t working as hard. We apologize if we’re putting any HVAC repair people out of work with window film, by the way.

It’s so much easier to have an eco-conscious lifestyle with window film.

Where to start?

Do you have questions about window film and how to be more green! Call us and we’ll brainstorm with you! Our Eco-Friendly CEO wants to answer all your questions. We install film all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond. Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Do You Really Need Window Film? Top Reasons You Do

May 15, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

You already know about window film on cars and how it protects you from UV rays, but do you really need window film for your home and business? Let us tell you all the reasons you need it! It will only take a couple of minutes–pinky promise!

Your skin will thank you

Have you ever heard that saying Do something today that your future self will thank you for? No? Well, now you have! Skin damage is cumulative, which means that the slate is not wiped clean every night. Skin damage builds up over time, so what you do now will affect your skin for the rest of your darn life! Being exposed to UV rays (yes, even inside your home or office) can damage your skin. We’ve discussed this before, and you can check the Skin Cancer Foundation for their article: How much do you know about this sun protection strategy?

Protect your furnishings

Just like your skin, your rugs, furniture, and hardwood floors can be affected by the sun. We all have that one friend who lives in that sunny condo, but the floors have been bleached and their couch cushions look funny from being in the sun.

Provide privacy

If your neighbors are a little too close for comfort, why not put up some window film to get more privacy? People don’t have to know every time you are having a party! Although some people don’t seem to have enough going on, and are super nosy! We can advise you on the best choices for you and your neighborhood.

Like sunglasses for your house

Do you wear sunglasses indoors–and not just to look cool? We know people who do because the sun blasts through a window and they can’t see anything otherwise. Even some businesses have this issue. So protect yourself from glare with a little window film. By the way, you don’t have to put film on every single window. You can do a partial window, or even just one window.

Better energy efficiency

With window film, you can make your temperatures more even between the seasons. That means warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Sounds luxurious, doesn’t it? That’s because it is! And with energy bills going up by the minute, it seems, why not take steps now to reduce your energy bill?

Reduces clutter

One of our favorite ways to reduce dust bunnies caused by excessive curtains and window coverings is window film. It’s clean and doesn’t collect dust. If you insist on collecting Disney cookie jars, though, we can’t help you. We recently wrote about reducing clutter.

Where to start with window film?

We know you’ve got questions! Call us and we’ll answer your questions or find someone who knows! Our CEO of Why You Need Window Film is standing by to answer all your questions. We install film 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.