IPA What is that?

If you’re looking into Security Film for your building, you may or may not have heard about the Attachment System, or what we at Solar Vision Inc. generally refer to as IPA. So what is IPA? It’s 3M’s Impact Protection Adhesive, an incredibly vital component of a Safety and Security Film system, as it attaches the security film to the frame of the glass. This is what keeps the film in place after the glass has been broken.

If you have Security Film, you need the Attachment System too, and if you don’t have it, you should look into adding it to your installation. The Attachment System can be installed using IPA, or Dow Corning 995 depending on the manufacturer of the film installed.

Now, what should it look like? While it’s made to mimic a window gasket, it is an adhesive, so perfection will be difficult and hard to obtain, however it shouldn’t look like a hot mess either. It is possible to make this system look good, and relatively unnoticeable to the untrained eye.

I recommend watching our quick video above to familiarize yourself on exactly what this component is, and how it’s applied. And visit our Security Film page for more detailed information and specifications on these products. Not all windows and frames are the same, and the Attachment System will not function as designed on all window types. Make sure you are working with a reputable Window Film Dealer when having your Safety and Security Film system installed.

Women in Construction

Stephanie featured here is part of our Installation Team.

It’s Women’s Day, and Women in Construction week, which makes it a great day to write about Women!

According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics Women currently make up about 10% of the Construction Industry. Not a huge number, but one that in my opinion will grow over the next few years. The construction industry has plenty of open jobs available, and a lower pay gap of 94.3% vs. the national average of 81.5%. Making it a career more Women may pursue.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat18.htm

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/womens-databook/2020/home.htm

Summer picnic. Sorry about the mid-bite pic Susie!

So why am I touting Women in Construction as a window film company? Well, we are part of this broad industry. While window film might not be the first thing you think of when you think of construction, we do come up on most plans. At Solar Vision Inc. 90% of our work is contracted through a GC, or Glazing Company, and half of that work is Estimated by a female Team Member.

Crystal is our Operations Coordinator. She handles job prep, and ensures our Install Team has everything they need.

At Solar Vision Inc. half of our Team is made up of Women. We’re an MWBE company, but not just on paper. Women are an integral part of our daily operation from Estimating to Installation.

Solar Vision couldn’t operate without these amazing Women. I treasure, and look up to all of them. Outside of their professions they are amazing Moms, Friends, and Aunties.

By, Shelley Meador

Women of Solar Vision Inc.

Shelley Meador, President

Lucinda Costello, General Manager

Crystal Mentor, Operations Coordinator

Susie Schurr, Sales Manager

Yvette Frend, Estimator

Julie Draughon, Sales Coordinator

Stephanie Rangel, Installer

Check out our About Page for more information on our Solar Vision Team.

3M Night Vision vs. 3M Prestige

So you’re looking to add some solar control window film to your windows, and aren’t quite sure about which direction you want to go. You’ve edited your choices to interior Night Vision and Prestige, now it’s time to decide which one, and with 6 options that can be difficult. So in order to make this easier lets decide whether we’re going with Night Vision or Prestige, then we can limit our choices to 3 options and make a film decision from there.

When deciding whether or not you want to go with Night Vision or Prestige you have to determine exactly what your needs are. If your needs include glare, then you’ll be able to eliminate Prestige pretty quickly, as 3M Prestige Window Film will not help much with glare issues. If you are not willing to darken your windows and don’t want a reflective film than it’ll be easy to eliminate Night Vision.

3M Night Vision 15

When Night Vision is a better option than Prestige:

1. Glare Issues

2. Budget Conscious

3. Best Heat Control Possible

When 3M Interior Prestige is a better option than Night Vision:

3M Prestige 50

1. Wood Frames or French Paned Windows

2. Want to allow as much light as possible

3. Do not want to change the aesthetic of your home or office

Once you’re able to determine what the main issues your are experiencing with your windows are, you can decide which direction to go quite quickly. In my opinion, if you’re looking to reduce glare, and heat, the best interior film option will be Night Vision 15. Along with a 43% heat reduction, this film comes with a great price point. In my opinion 3M Night Vision 15 offers the most bang for your buck.

If you have Wood Frames, French Panes, or incredible views, my expert suggestion would be 3M Interior Prestige 50. This film provides a 25% heat reduction, and in my opinion makes your views even better by adding just a tinge of shade which enhances the outdoor colors and views. It’s my personal favorite.

There are so many film options which can make deciding difficult, but with all the options it allows customers to customize a film choice specific to their needs. I hope this BLOG will make it easier to decide which interior film product will work best for you.

We just went over our interior products here, but also have amazing exterior products for those looking to reduce as much heat as possible. Check out our Exterior Window Film Blog post to learn more about our exterior film options.

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to us at 303-862-6376 or info@coloradosolarvision.com.

By, Shelley Meador

Interior Window Film vs. Exterior Window Film

Exterior Prestige 20 on Statehouse Restaurant in Commerce City, CO

In a recent Sales Meeting we had a discussion about creating some marketing material we could send out to customers weighing the options of our Interior Prestige Window Films vs. our Exterior Prestige Window Films. We wanted to have a simple answer or solution for our customers that would make it easy for them to decide which film product they wanted. However when weighing the pro’s and con’s it was easy to see that Exterior Film will almost always be the answer.

While I love our Interior Window Films, and a 20%-43% heat reduction is nothing to balk at, it’s difficult to convince someone that this is a better option than an exterior product that will provide a 59% heat reduction, because it isn’t. If heat, and wanting to reduce your solar heat gain are the main issue for you, than an exterior film will almost always be the way to go.

Now that I have you hooked on the idea of an exterior film, what would be some reasons to go interior. Well there are a few. Exterior Window Films are applied outside in the elements. In Colorado this means we have approximately 6-7 months to complete these installations. And the conditions need to be good. Think of a nice Colorado day with low wind and no rain or snow. That’s what we need. Check out our Exterior Window Film brochure for more detailed information on the requirements we need for a clean installation.

Other reasons could be French Paned windows, or Wood Framed Windows. These are not good candidates for exterior window films. The intricacies of these windows require a clean indoor climate to attain IWFA visual quality standards.

3M Exterior 40 application in Aspen, CO

There is also cost and warranty. Exterior Window Film is more expensive than interior, this is due to the cost of the materials, and the additional time needed to install these films safely and correctly. Exterior Window Film warranties are for 10 years, vs. an Interior Film Warranty which can be up to a Lifetime for residential customers.

Many times heat may not be a huge issue, but fading is. In that case, one of our interior films will work great for you. All window films reduce 99% of the UV Rays whether they’re dark and reflective, virtually clear, or on the outside, you’ll get fade protection regardless of the product you choose.

Well there you have it. This is wordy, I know, but I feel we have need to be forthright with our customers, and if you want heat reduction, exterior is probably the way you want to go.

If you have any questions about our Window Film Products and services, please don’t hesitate to call or email us at info@coloradosolarvision.com or 303-862-6376.

You can also visit our Solar Control Window Film page to access data, and warranty information.

Solar Heat Reductions are not absolute. These are estimates based off of a standard clear double paned window with an approximate solar heat gain coefficient of .70 prior to having window film applied.

Alex working hard applying Exterior Prestige to a home in the Denver Metro area.

3M Exterior 40 going on Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Co

Exterior Prestige 40 on home in Commerce City, CO

LOW-E Windows

You’ve probably heard of Low-E windows. This is not a new technology, and for the most part is code enforced throughout Colorado. Meaning if you were to build a home, remodel a home, or just replace your windows, many counties in Colorado are going to require windows with a U-Value/Factor. So just what is U-Factor? Well an Engineer would tell you:

U-FACTOR (THERMAL TRANSMITTANCE). The coefficient of heat transmission (air to air) through a building component or assembly, equal to the time rate of heat flow per unit area and unit temperature difference between the warm side and cold side air films (Btu/h · ft2 · °F) [W/(m2 · K)]

Low-E glass helps retain heat in the winter.

Or as I would say, the amount of heat finding the cool air via your glass in the winter, and just the opposite in the summer. Remember the cookie smell example in your middle school science class? When baking cookies the warm air will continue to permeate a room or your whole house as that warm air finds the cooler air, which is why your house smells so good when you bake cookies!

With heating and cooling, the exact same thing is happening, in the winter, the heat in your home will try to move through your glass to find the cooler air. This is where Low-E/U -Factor windows come into play. They add protection to your glass, making it more difficult for that warm air to escape through your windows. Generally when we think of Low-E, we think of retaining heat, but the same is true with cool air. In the summer the U-Factor, can help retain your cool air as well.

Adding Window Film will reject optimal amounts of solar heat, and UV Rays.

While society is moving in a direction to make all windows Low-E, we aren’t quite there yet, and don’t all have Low-E Glass. Because there are some windows still lacking in this area there are options to add this to your homes windows, without replacing the glass. A few film manufacturers have U-Value rated film. However some of these films tend to be a super reflective, and not very attractive. Most of these films will not make it past your convenance. There are a couple options that will, but unfortunately due to the warranty issues with Low-E window film, along with their low availability Solar Vision Inc. does not market or sell these products.

Luckily most of us already have U-Value added to our glass. And while this thermal insulation is great, building codes for solar heat gain are still relatively low, meaning while your Low-E glass is helping insulate your home, it doesn’t reject as much heat as we’d like. Which means Window Film is still very much needed, especially in Colorado where our homes can heat up quick even in the winter due to our powerful sun rays. Also, Low-E windows do not block 99% of UV rays either, which is another benefit of window film. Long story short, adding a solar window film to your Low-E windows might create the perfect window.

Adding Window Film to your Low-E windows eliminate 99% of UV-Rays and can lower your solar heat gain.

Call Solar Vision Inc. today for details and pricing on our solar control window film products. And visit our understanding window film data blog to familiarize yourself with all the glass specifications. This is really helpful information if you’re in the market for window film, or new windows.

Call Solar Vision Inc. 303-862-6376

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Call Solar Vision Inc. 303-862-6376 〰️

Distraction Bands...Can you see them?

Well hopefully you can! Distraction bands are a great way to enjoy an open office plan without having to worry about your Co-Workers walking into the glass. I know it sounds silly, but it really isn’t. While the occasional walking into glass and spilling your drink is funny, once in a while it can result in a serious injury which is not. People have experienced broken noses, and knocked out teeth from something as simple as walking into glass.

Adding some distraction bands is a simple way to solve the problem. They can be a small band of frosted film, or something with a little more depth like the Distraction Bands featured below. Regardless, it’s an addition to your office that should not be avoided.

Distraction Bands are an easy addition with the use of Window Film! Ensure you are working with a qualified reputable dealer. While they look like a simple application, they can be anything but. The bands need to line up straight, and with the narrowness of the design, it takes a skilled eye to install correctly.

Call Solar Vision Inc. today at 303-862-6376!

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Call Solar Vision Inc. today at 303-862-6376! 〰️

Adding Solar Film to French Panes

Home in Avon, CO having 3M Prestige 70 applied

Having a Window Film company based in Colorado means there’s no shortage of French Paned windows. We have a vast array of home styles in Colorado from Swiss Chalet, and Mountain Modern in our High Country, to historical Bungalows and Four Squares in Denver. All of which can contain a variety of different French Pane types.

While French Panes may seem like a simple process, it can be anything but. Even though the panes are small, they are all like individual windows for film application. Each piece has to be individually cut and installed, much like a large window.

Since we’ve done our fair share of French Panes, and have learned what does and does not work, we’ve limited our film options to 3M Prestige 50, 60, or 70.

Example of Light Gap

3M Prestige Window Films work great on French Panes. They reduce heat, and fading without changing the look of the glass. Going with a dark film on French Panes can be a mistake as you run the risk of noticeable light gaps between the film and window frame.

When choosing a company to apply film to your French Paned windows, ensure you hire a company that has a lot of experience with this application. At Solar Vision Inc. our Film Installers have had plenty of practice, and new Installers are put through in-house training where they practice this application on demo windows.

Call Solar Vision Inc. 303-862-6376

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Call Solar Vision Inc. 303-862-6376 〰️

Home in Larkspur with 3M Prestige 70 application

Call Solar Vision Inc. today at 303-862-6376 or email info@coloradosolarvision.com to have film applied to your French Panes. A film application will reduce UV and Heat, protecting your home and frames from fading and damage.

How to Remove Window Film?

Just don’t! Call a professional window film company to do it for you!

Removing Window Film can be Tough!

There could be various reasons for removing window film. Most commonly it’s to get rid of an outdated bronze, or silver reflective film and replace it with something more modern. Decorative Film also gets removed frequently as styles and spaces change.

While window film at times can be simple to remove, most of the time it’s a pretty strenuous task. This is due to the adhesive bonding the film to the glass. There are two types of these adhesives, there is a chemical dry adhesive, and a pressure sensitive adhesive. Both adhesives work well at keeping your film in place on the glass for years to come, however the chemical dry adhesive is going to be way tougher to remove than the pressure sensitive one. This is something important to keep in mind if you are installing film in a high traffic area where it might need to be replaced periodically, or if you think you might change your mind about the film install a few years down the road.

Now for the removal…It requires some blades, and a lot of elbow grease. Sometimes the windows will need to be scraped two to three time to ensure all the film and glue are removed. On top of that there are factors that could make it a pretty delicate situation, like scratchy glass. If the glass is prone to scratching, a steamer will need to be used to sweat the film off the glass, then you’ll need to use your hands for removal which takes much longer than scraping a blade across the glass.

This quick BLOG is in no way a “how to” on removing window film, and more of an informative bulletin on how hard it can be, and why it can sometimes be just as labor intensive as applying the film, or even more.

If you want to play it safe, and not mess up your glass or injure your wrist, consider hiring a professional window film company to do your removal. It will save you some time and your sanity.

WE'RE HIRING!

Join our amazing team! We are the largest 3M Window Film Dealer in Colorado with a multifaceted service line including solar, security, decorative, and graphic installations.

Teamwork is the Dreamwork!

All of our Installers are put through a comprehensive program consisting of classroom, hands on, and on the job training. Working at Solar Vision Inc. means you’ll be joining the best window film team in the industry all while learning a new essential skill set!

Window Film and Graphics Installation is more than just a trade. You’ll become a skilled Artisan after completing our Premier Installer Program.

If you’re looking for a rewarding job opportunity, check out our Installer Job Posting and give us a call today!

Premier Installer Program

Experienced Window Film Installer

OSHA 10 at Solar Vision!

Have a company coming to your home or office to provide a service? If so, are they trained to perform their job safely?

At Solar Vision Inc. we take Safety seriously. Because of this we’ve partnered with Trivent Safety Consulting. From OSHA 10 and Ladder training for all of our Employees, to Expert Consultation, we have the safety resources necessary to take care of the easy and tough jobs.

Most recently we had an in-house OSHA 10 class for new Employees.

Classroom OSHA 10 Training with Dax from Trivent Safety Consulting

Hands on OSHA. Here Employees are learning how to safely install scaffolding.

Residential Security Film Installations Cease 03/15/2022

It was a hard decision to come to, but after careful deliberation Solar Vision Inc. has decided to cease residential safety and security film installations. Our reasons for ending this part of our service come down to our Core Values, most importantly Ethical. Since these films are designed and tested for commercial use only, we will no longer sell them for residential grade windows.

1. Positive

2. Ethical

3. Reliable

4. Resourceful

5. Quality

This is for Residential Installations Only! We will continue our Commercial Safety and Security Film Installations. All of our Safety and Security Film products have been tested and GSA rated for commercial grade glass. We’re secure in the fact that these films work well in commercial settings when installed to manufacturers guidelines, using the highest quality products like 3M’s Ultra Safety and Security Films.

Happy New Year!!!

We look forward to an exciting 2022, and are so grateful for all our wonderful customers! Thank you so much!!

Happy New Year from the Solar Vision Inc. Team! We sure are good looking.

BOMA Golf Tournament. Sometimes we have fun too.

Ivan going above and beyond for a difficult installation. :)

Covid-19 protocol.

Mountain work is hard. But if you finish early enough you can go Mountain Biking.

Susie always manages to keep it light around here. :)

Dabbled in the Hard Hat business for a great customer!

More Mountain Biking. This job can’t be so bad. :)

Clay Shooting with some VIP customers.

Not sure what’s going on here. Ha!

New Windows $$$$ vs. Window Film $

Home in Reunion neighborhood of Commerce City, with 3M Night Vision 25 applied to all of the homes windows. 99% UV rejection, Solar Heat Reduction of 29% solar heat reduction, and 72% glare reduction.

At a certain point in your homes lifespan you might need new windows. When or how that happens is a different story dependent on the quality of windows your home got in the first place, and regardless of that, the need for a complete window replacement is something that will take no less than 15 years to become an issue even worth looking into, and why is this, well for one it’s incredibly expensive! And the other reason is because you can have window film installed for a fraction of the cost.

I know this because I need new windows. I know….the horror! How could a window film dealer throw in the towel and buy new windows. Well here’s the story, our house is about 20 years old, and our windows are busted up! The glass itself performs well, because well, we have window film, but outside that our frames are a mess, and it’s hard to even open and shut or lock our windows.

When Heath (my husband) and I moved into our home about 8 years ago, the seals on the entire west side of our house were blown, the glass sliding doors were super scratched from the previous Owners dogs, and now we’re noticing Low-E failure on a few of the windows. We’ve been avoiding fixing the issue for years because of the cost, but after 8 years we’ve decided to finally throw in the towel and purchase new windows.

When our Salesman came to the appointment he broke out his BTU meter (a device that measures heat), and heat lamp to show us how well his glass performed over ours, but sadly to his dismay, our glass performed better because we had Night Vision 15 applied to it. He was not expecting this, and really didn’t know which direction to go with his sales pitch. I reminded him that our windows have film and perform incredibly well, but what we needed was a clean slate. I told him I also didn’t need to see a heat lamp, what I needed to see were numbers like the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of the glass, the U-Value, Light Transparency, and UV reduction. Unfortunately he didn’t have this on him, but I was able to google it and pull that info. Apparently many people don’t ask for the specifications, all he has to do is a heat lamp presentation vs. their standard glass. His presentation is probably pretty impressive most of the time, because standard builder glass that many Home Owners have, does not perform well, and lets in tons of heat and all the UV.

So why am I telling this story while trying to sell film. Well, because not everyone has the busted up window issues that we are dealing with. If your window frames, and seals are in good shape, but your actual glass underperforms, you’d be spending way too much money to have new windows installed when you can simply upgrade them with a solar control window film. If a customer called with my exact house asking to have the west side filmed, our approximate estimate would be around $3500.00 vs. new windows which are $15,000.00!!! That’s a 1/4 of the cost. It’s a no brainer really.

Half of the west side of my house located in the Reunion neighborhood of Commerce City. Currently has 3M Night Vision 15 applied, which rejects 99% of the UV, reduces solar heat up to 43%, and an 81% glare reduction. I’ll update post when my new windows are installed.

If your windows are really old, or single paned, or have terrible frames, our films can’t fix that. But if you are only dealing with performance issues, window film will actually perform better than most high performing glass, at a much lower cost. I know when my new windows go in, they’ll still be getting some film. The new glass only blocks about 50%, of UV, and I want 99% UV reduction. I also want to further reduce the amount of solar heat coming into my home past the abilities of the new glass, and of course with west facing windows, I’ll need some glare control. In general most windows, even new high performing ones can further benefit from the application of a solar control film. Believe me, we’ve applied film to beautiful brand new glass for many Home Owners as well, where the glass alone just wasn’t cutting it, especially when it came to UV rejection, and fading of floors and furnishings.

If you are looking to upgrade your windows, call us at 303-862-6376 or email info@coloradosolarvision.com . - Shelley Meador

Help! My Windows are Burning my Grass!

“My windows are burning my grass, or my turf, or my deck, or my new patio furniture. What can I do? I heard 3M Exterior Film can help”. This is a phone call we get at Solar Vision numerous times a week, and while we we’d love to have the answer to this problem, we’re hesitant to suggest an exterior film as a surefire solution.

Generally this damage is caused by intense glare, and sun beams reflecting from your Low-E glass. Our Exterior Window Films are designed to absorb and reflect heat while reducing interior glare, but they are not designed to redistribute concentrated glass distortions that cause these irritable light beams.

With the addition of an Exterior Window Film the intense sun glare will still be reflected to the same place, but at a lower temperature than without film. Which may or may not help with your turf burn. 3M recently released this bulletin to explain how exterior film may help with these damaging light beams, but they do not guarantee the efficacy. Simply put, sometimes an exterior film will help or mitigate the damage, and sometimes they won’t.

Other products on the market like solar screens could work, because it’s a screen with tiny holes, and those holes can assist in breaking up the damaging glare caused by your glass, and dispersing it more evenly. There are also some window film products on the market that claim to do the same thing, but unlike traditional window films, they may distort the view and give your glass a hazy look.

The good news is that you are not alone and there are ways to mitigate the issue. We hope you’re able to find the right solution for your home, and are always here to answer any questions you may have. Simply call 303-862-6376 or email us at info@coloradosolarvision.com.

By, Shelley Meador

Grass damage from Light Beam, not the dog. :)

What to Expect This Summer

Ivan and Julian out on a job site. Hopefully they can ditch these mask soon!

Wow! 2021 is already off to a crazy start. Business is up, but product delays are up too, and Labor is down. What does this mean to our customers? Hopefully nothing. Our plan is to be prepared to offer you our same services regardless of the crazy impacts the economy and supply chain have produced this year.

In the window film industry we’ve been lucky enough to not have too many material delays, and while procuring additional team members hasn’t been easy, we’re doing our best to complete as many projects as possible, while meeting our quality standard guidelines.

The most important thing to keep in mind as a customer is timing. Really think about when you would like your project to be completed. Window Film Installations will probably start booking about 4 weeks out come mid summer.

If you’re hoping to get your windows done to cool off your home or office before the summer ends, there are ways to speed up the process. You can start by getting a virtual estimate. Many window film companies can get a virtual estimate back to you within 24 hours. All you need to do is send over pictures, and window sizes, and a company like Solar Vision can get a price back to you quite quickly. If you have difficult to reach windows, are looking to add exterior film, or have French Panes, a site visit may still be required, however that can be worked out after you’ve received an estimate and are ready to move forward. See our Guide to Measuring your windows bulletin for information on what to send over.

Once you’ve received an estimate and are good on the pricing, it’s best to go ahead and get yourself on the installation schedule. We’ll send you samples to review, and if you are not quite sure which film you’d like at the time of scheduling, you’ll have a little bit of time to decide once you’re on the schedule.

If you want an in-home estimate, no problem. We’ll always try to get to your home or office for an estimate no more than a week out, with ASAP being the goal. There are a few of us here at Solar Vision that conduct onsite estimates, and we work together to ensure a timely site visit for our customers.

Window Film is in higher demand than ever, and we are super excited about that. However we want to ensure that this high demand doesn’t result in inferior customer service or quality. We’ll be working hard this summer, and year round to ensure our customers will continuously receive the exceptional Solar Vision Inc. service we are accustomed to providing.

Contact Solar Vision Inc. @ 303-862-6376 or at info@coloradosolarvision.com

Looking at Window Film Data

Have you ever been asked to look at data you aren’t familiar with, and to decipher it yourself? If not, you probably will soon if you’re shopping for window film. We in the Window Film Industry have a tendency to hand over product cards with tons of data, but not much insight on what it all means.

When shopping for window film, you’ll be handed a window film card, generally with an enclosed sample, and all the pertinent info about that product on it. But what does it mean to you, and what data or numbers should you be most concerned with? Well that all depends on what you’re buying solar control film for. Is it fading, one-way visibility, or just plain heat. This data can help you figure out which film product will work best for your needs.

The technical data above is for 3M’s Interior Prestige Window Film Products, and since most of us are looking to add film to double paned clear glass, we’re going to use those numbers in our examples below.

The First Number you’ll notice on Prestige or any window film card for that matter is a number following the name of the product. This number roughly represents the amount of visible light transmitted, and this is generally true for most window film manufacturer’s products.

Product Name = Visible Light Transmitted (The higher the VLT, the lighter the film). If you want to add a film that will not change the look of your glass, you’ll want to choose a window film with a high VLT, and probably not anything with a VLT under 45%.

• Prestige 70: 62% VLT

• Prestige 50: 45% VLT

Now that we know why a film is called Prestige 70 or Night Vision 15, we can easily decipher which film products will change the appearance of our glass. If you don’t want to darken your glass, this will limit you to films with a VLT of 45% or higher. If you don’t mind darkening your windows, you’ll have an even wider variety of options.

Once you’ve settled on how dark or light you want your window film, you’ll be able to utilize the technical data to find the perfect window film for you. Below are explanations of what all the acronyms and data mean.

Visible Light Reflected Interior: This is the amount of reflection the application of window film will add to the interior side of your glass.

Many window films will have a high interior reflection, some can even cause a mirror effect, especially at night. If you want to see out of your windows at night, you should probably stay away from window films like 3M Silver P18 series with high interior reflectivity, and opt for products with low interior reflectivity like 3M Night Vision series.

Visible Light Reflected Exterior is the amount of reflection the application of window film will add on the exterior side of your glass.

The higher this number the more reflective your glass will be. This is an important number to look at if you are wanting to add film for daytime privacy. Prestige 70 would not provide this for you, you’d need to look at a film with a VLR Exterior of at least 20%, like one of 3M’s Night Vision products.

• Prestige 70 VLR Interior: 13%

• Prestige 70 VLR Exterior: 15%

• Night Vision 15 VLR Interior: 11%

• Night Vision 15 VLR Exterior: 39%

SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient): The lower the number means the better the heat reduction performance.

• Prestige 70 on Double Paned Glass: 0.56

• Prestige 50 on Double Paned Glass: 0.53 (Prestige 50 blocks more heat than Prestige 70)

Solar Heat Reduction: This is the estimated reduction in heat transfer with the application of window film. The higher the number, the less heat transferred through your glass.

• Prestige 70: 21% heat reduction when added to basic clear double paned glass.

• Prestige 50: 25% heat reduction when added to basic clear double paned glass.

UV, Ultra Violet Light Rejected: All Window Films will reject 99.9% of the UV Light. This is because the UV inhibitors are the in the adhesive. UV is the main cause of fading.

Glare Reduction: The percentage of glare reduced with the application of a particular window film product. The higher this number, the better the film works at reducing glare. If you are looking to reduce glare in your home or office, you’ll probably need to look at a window film with a glare reduction value of at least 50%, like one of 3M’s Night Vision products to have any real benefit.

• Prestige 70: 22% Glare Reduction

• Prestige 50: 44%

• Night Vision 35: 60%

• Night Vision 15: 82%

While this doesn’t touch on every piece of data, and we’re only looking at a few different film types, you may still have questions. If so, give us a call @ 303-862-6376 or email us at info@coloradosolarvision.com. We’re here to answer your questions Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

All info provided in this BLOG is for educational purposes only, and does guarantee specific performance of glass after window film application. Numbers and estimated performance are based off provided 3M Technical data, tested using the application of 3M Solar Control Window Film on Double Paned Clear glass with an estimated SHGC of .70 prior to installation of noted window films.

Safety First!

At Solar Vision Inc. we take Safety very seriously. Just recently our Field Supervisor completed and passed OSHA 30.

I give Cecil Rincones nothing but props for following through with this long, and probably a bit boring at times training, but also incredibly important, and crucial. While we don’t require every Installer to complete OSHA 30, we do put all of our Installers through OSHA 10, amongst other trainings like Van Driving Safety, and Lift Certification.

Congratulations Cecil on 30 hours of Safety Training! We know you’ll put this to good use, and look forward to having a Safety Expert on our Team.

A Tale of Two Window Film Businesses!

Prepping Window for Decorative Film

Security Film being applied at Coors Field.

Exterior Window Film Application Denver, CO

Window Film, and Graphic Installations have come a long way. From an afterthought to what can be considered a crucial element in many construction plans.

The reason I titled this a Tale of Two Window Film Businesses, is because window film companies are ran in two different models. Model 1 is a more comprehensive model, it’s a developed company that includes Employees, or what I like to call a team made up of Installers, Estimators, Sales, and Support Staff. Model 2 falls into the old way of doing things, which is where one company acts as the Sales Agent, and coordinates the project, but hires another company, or person to do the actual installation.

Both models can be quite successful in business, and it’s obvious which one is more “cost effective”. However, when we formed Solar Vision Inc. we opted for Model 1. While Model 1 comes with a lot of additional cost like Employee Benefits, and Payroll taxes, as Owners, Heath and I felt it was still the better option. This way of doing business would provide more opportunity for growth, and create meaningful Employment for people who chose to work at Solar Vision Inc.

Also as a Model 1 company, we can deliver better customer service, as there is no middle man. From pricing, contracts, scheduling to installation, it’s all handled through Solar Vision, not a third party. While service, and convenience are of the utmost importance, so is safety. Since our Installation Team are not Sub-Contracted out to another company, our customers can rest assured that our Installers are covered under our commercial, and workman’s comp insurance.

As a Model 1 business, we can’t always be the cheapest, but we do feel despite the additional cost, we can be of the most value to our customers, and in many cases still offer competitive pricing, and superior service.

Next time you choose a window film company, consider what type of company you’ll be working with, is it Model 1, or Model 2? It could make a huge difference in the accuracy, and timely completion of your project. -Shelley Meador

Will Window Film Break My Windows?

Over the past couple of months we’ve had issues with residential glass companies putting inaccurate information into potential customers ears. I’m sure most of these folks have the best of intentions and believe they’re helping their customers, however when an expensive couch, or new hard wood floors fade over the next 10 months, the advice has probably caused their customer more harm than good!

Window/Glass is made to be durable and handle all sorts of elements. This is why your windows work year round. The glass they’re made of expands and contrast dependent on the weather and other variables. So why does window film get such a bad rap? In my opinion it’s because it voids your glass warranty, and many glass manufacturers want you to avoid doing that, fair enough! Also as a Residential Glazier, most of their experience with window film is due to replacing broken windows.

So let’s speak about the a glass warranty first. Most Home Owners do not have a glass warranty. Unless you’ve just purchased new windows, or have just purchased a new home build, the odds of having a warranty on your windows is highly unlikely. This is because window warranties generally follow the original purchaser, and aren’t transferable. By purchasing window film, you may have just added a thermal stress fracture warranty to your windows that wasn’t there to begin with. When you purchase an interior 3M Window Film, you’ll receive a 5 year glass breakage warranty. And if you do have a warranty on your windows, companies like 3M will include a seal failure warranty to match your current glass warranty. This will ensure you have a warranty in place for breakage, and seal failure to replace the manufacturers warranty should it be voided from the application of window film.

Now what about actual glass breaking? Is this an issue? Should you be concerned? The short answer is no. If window film broke even 10% of the glass it was applied to, we wouldn’t be in business, and 3M would stick to Post-its as window film wouldn’t be a very cost productive business. The truth is that window film absorbs heat which adds to the thermal stress of your glass. Once in a while, window film is applied to a pane of glass that for whatever reason, possibly a manufacturing, or installation defect, cannot take on any more stress, and will cause a thermal stress fracture. There are also window films that absorb too much heat, like interior Prestige 40, and have a high risk of cracking annealed residential windows.

While this can happen, it’s an exception, and if you installed 3M Window Film, you’ll be protected by a warranty to replace that window should it crack. Plus a reputable window film company will not install a window film that has a high risk of breaking your glass. Prior to installing window film to your homes windows, ensure your window film company is running a glass checklist to ensure there is little to no risk of glass breakage. A glass checklist will take into account interior and exterior shading, along with glass type, frame, and exposure to determine which window film will work best for your glass, and not cause breakage.

If you’re still concerned with breakage, Exterior Window Films are a great choice. Exterior Window Films work extremely well, and since they are installed on the outside of your glass, it is the film absorbing all the heat, putting little to no additional stress on your glass, and pretty much eliminating any issues with breakage.

We’ve been running our window film company since 2004, and while we’ve had a few windows break here and there, it’s been an extremely small amount compared to 99% of our projects that went off without a hitch, or a broken window.

Here’s the truth, without window film your furniture, and flooring WILL fade, without window film, you will have excess solar heat gain penetrating your home, without window film that pesky glare you can’t control will always be there! With window film, your windows have little to no risk of breakage, and for interior applications, you’ll have a glass warranty, which you probably didn’t have before hand. The benefits far outweigh the risk!