Jude, Brad's son, tried out for the job. Shelley hired him on the spot. Who wouldn't want to hire him. He's a go-getter like his daddy. They were waiting for someone to pick up glass from the shop. Jude likes to help with anything he can, especially with his Dad.
Solar Control for Apartment Living
Solar Control for apartment living can be achieved through the use of a variety of solar control window films. I have seen a number of apartments that get a lot of sun have all kinds of things in their windows to make it more comfortable. I've seen cardboard, newspaper, sheets, and even a mattress. Rental property owners may ignore this or pose fines, but ultimately it affects the value of the property. Solar control window films can greatly reduce the amount of sun and glare coming into a room. Because it eliminates 99% of the UV rays, furnishings are not damaged. It has the added protection of reducing the risk of skin cancer. Apartments usually are fitted with single layered glass. Applying window film will give the window the effect of being double layered glass. This would result in energy savings. If a rental property company is energy conscious, it could advertise as making these changes to help save energy. Solar control window film is especially valuable in those areas that get direct sunlight especially in the loft apartments on the top floors.
Window film is an relatively inexpensive way to make apartment living more comfortable. Window film is easy to clean. It is cleaned as any other window after 30 days.
3M Night Vision 15
3M Night Vision 15 was applied to windows in this home in Arrowhead. 3M Night Vision 15 is used when the clients want a darker film that lets in the least amount of light. The views from this gorgeous mountain home are still maintained. The film helps the occupants to be more comfortable in their home and blinds or other coverings may not be needed. This depends on the amount of light entering the home and the desires of the owners. In some cases, blinds may still be needed during certain times of the day. (solutions.3m.com) Night Vision 15 is the darkest of the Night Vision Series. Its low reflectivity leaves the view from the home more clearer than ever. This is wonderful especially in homes which are purchased because of the spectacular views in mountain homes.
3M Night Vision:
- Is easy to maintain
- Can be cleaned as any other window after 30 days
- Does not inhibit wifi or other electronic signals
- Gives daytime privacy, with the ability to see out at night
- Rejects up to 71% of heat
- Reduces glare
- Reduces fading of furnishings and eliminates 99% of harmful UV Rays
- Lets in 35% of light into the home
- Has an abrasion resistant coating for added durability
- Is covered by 3M warranties
Chalkboard Film
Chalkboard film can be used to make any flat surface into a chalkboard. Film can also be used to make a flat surface into a whiteboard. The film is less expensive than a traditional chalkboard. It is removable. It can be cleaned in the same way any chalkboard would be cleaned. This architectural film can make a fun space for children.
On shows like "Restaurant Impossible", the decorators are using the chalkboard look a lot to put menus or logos on the wall.
3M Film Uses in Hotels
3M film uses in hotels are many. Window film can provide energy savings, comfort, and added safety and security. Architectural films can provide beauty and give the hotel a unique look. The creative environment is limited only by one's imagination. Safety and Security is enhanced by using a safety and security film to prevent break-ins. In vulnerable areas, the film will prevent intruders from breaking a glass to get in the building. Often hotels are in places without a lot of people around, so this would give extra security to a building. Another way 3M window film can add to security is that if there would be an event such as strong winds, hail, etc. which could break the glass, the glass would hold together and not allow shards of glass to fly and cause injury. If a hotel is in an area where there is graffiti, anti-graffiti film can be applied to the glass protecting it from paint, acid, scratching. The film acts as a sacrificial layer which takes the graffiti and can be removed. (solutions.3m.com)
Solar Control can be achieved through 3M Window film. Glare can be greatly reduced. Heating and air conditioning costs can be reduced with the application of one of 3M's variety of solar control films. UV rays are reduced by most films by 99 % eliminating the harmful effects of the UV rays on carpeting, drapes, art, furniture and other furnishings.
Decorative Films can be used in the building to make updated creative environments. Graphics on film can put any picture on a wall at any size. Fasara films can be used to add privacy and beauty. The films can be die-cut or custom printed. Di-Noc can be used to remake surfaces such as pine into teak or paint into marble. There are hundreds of surfaces to choose from.
Solar Vision's Mission Statement is to inspire a passion for and generate living and working environments that are comfortable, safe, energy efficient and innovative. Let Solar Vision's staff inspire you.
Window Film Uses in Churches
Window film uses in churches add to their beauty, safety, and energy efficiency. There are few things more beautiful than a stained glass window. The window creates a worshipful environment and help to set the tone in the church building. Stained glass is very expensive and not all churches have the resources to have them. Window film can be used in place of stained glass to give the church the atmosphere it wants. Traditional art can be used or modern art can be used. Any picture or any graphics can be imprinted on the film and put on the glass at a fraction of the cost of stained glass. The picture can be on one side or both sides. A picture can be made so that one can see through the glass on one side and have the picture on the other. Logos and murals can be put up on any flat surface of the church. Some churches are mixing new art with the more traditional art. New technology is used to create whatever look the artist imagines.
Bible versus can be used to remind people of messages the church wants to emphasize.
Privacy can be added where it is needed in the church using Fasara frosted film. So many looks can be achieved through the use of Fasara films. Computer aided design techniques are used to plot and cut the film.(solutions.3m.com)
Solar control window film will cut down on energy costs and if there would be film breakage because of something like a weather event, the film would hold the glass shards together and prevent injuries. The film cuts down on glare and protects furnishings from harmful UV rays.
Unfortunately, sometimes churches are targeted by vandals. Anti-graffiti film can be placed on signage or windows to prevent vandals from ruining the sign or glass. Safety and security film can be put on glass to prevent break-ins. Because some of the time no one is in the church, the church may be a target for robberies or vandals. The films give an extra layer of protection.
The window film is used in retrofitting situations as well as new construction. It is easy to clean.
Our Solar Vision mission is to inspire a passion for and generate living and working environments that are comfortable, safe, energy efficient and innovative. If you have any design needs, comfort, and/or security needs in your church, please call Solar Vision. Our staff will work with you to meet your needs.
3M Prestige 60
3M Prestige 60 was applied to this home. The film was applied to the bottom window and the top window had not been applied yet. This is a picture that represents well how the view of a window is maintained. 3M Prestige 60 is the ultimate in window film technology. It consists of over 200 layers and is as thin as paper. The technology used is called nanotechnology. The folds cannot even be seen using a microscope. These folds bend and catch light to create a film that produces the effects out clients want. (solutions.3m.com) 3M Prestige 60:
- Reduces the amount of energy used to cool a home
- Eliminates over 99% of UV rays which damages furnishings and is a cause for skin cancer
- Is less reflective than class, so it enhances views
- Is nonmetallic and does not interfere with cell phone or wifi signals
- Increases personal safety by holding together shards of glass in the event of something that would cause the glass to shatter
3M Prestige 60 is covered by the 3M Lifetime Warranty.
Exterior Prestige Window Film
Exterior Prestige Window Film is made using nanotechnology. The film consists of over 200 thin layers and is the thickness of a piece of paper. This technology allows the film to provide superior heat control and glare reduction while preserving exterior and interior window views. The film contains no metals so it does not interfere with wireless signals. It is used in areas that are difficult to film from the inside. If there is furniture that is difficult to move or permanent fixtures that make it impossible or near impossible to put on a film from the inside, then Exterior Prestige Window Film is the solution. Exterior Prestige Window Film might also be used if there is a high likelihood of breakage of a particular type of glass. With the exterior film, the sun does not heat the glass. (solutions.3m.com) Exterior Prestige Window Film:
- has a strong scratch resistant coating
- not self-cleaning, but repels water
- has virtually no chance of glass breakage
- can be used on dual or triple pane glass
- has high heat rejection with high visible light transmission
- comes in Prestige 40, 70, and 90
- reduces air conditioning costs
Colorado and Company
Shelley did a fantastic job talking about Solar Vision and 3M Window Film on Colorado and Company. Heath and Ben did the installation on the video and Lucinda did the sales. A special thanks to Lisa and Steve Strother who let us film in their home and to Lisa who was interviewed.Shelley demonstrated with a heat source in a box and glass with 3M Prestige window film applied, other window film, and glass with no film. She showed how well the 3M Prestige window film performs.
3M's 2014 Dealer of the Year Award
3M's 2014 Dealer of the Year Award for the Rocky Mountain and Northwest Region's was received by Solar Vision. This is the 3rd year Solar Vision has received the award. We also received it in 2011 and 2013. The award is based on sales. Heath and Shelley went to LA where they accepted the reward. Congratulations to all those associated with Solar Vision.
Solar Vision's TV Debut
Solar Vision's TV Debut will occur on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. A video in the home of a Steve and Lisa Strother was made to appear on Colorado and Company. Heath, Ben, and Lucinda are on the video along with the home owner Lisa Strother. Shelley will appear live on the show and be interviewed by the host.
Church Samples 3M Night Vision
The church members at Father Dyer Church in Breckenridge asked Solar Vision to apply samples of 3M Night Vision to make the church more comfortable and still maintain their gorgeous view of the mountains in the area. Father Dyer Church is a historical landmark. It is 133 years old and is an active Methodist Church. 3M Night Vision comes in 3 different shades. The 3 samples were placed on the window and the people of the church will decide which one best meets their needs. This is one of the ways Solar Vision consults with clients to help them choose the best window film to meet their needs.
3M Night Vision helps block the suns rays and reduces glare and heat. Natural light still enters the room and the outside view can still be enjoyed.
3M Night Vision Provides:
- Reduced glare
- Reduced fading
- Rejection of 70% of heat
- Protection for skin from UV rays
- Energy conservation
- An aesthetic pleasing look
- Retention of beautiful views
As always 3M backs their window film with their lifetime warranty.
Reunion Colorado Garden Show
Shelley and Lucinda were at the Reunion Colorado Garden Show on Saturday talking to new potential clients in the Reunion neighborhood.
Solar Vision Staff Maintains Healthy Lifestyles
In keeping with our theme of continuous improvement, the Solar Vision staff maintains healthy lifestyles. The ladies of Solar Vision run marathons. Their most recent conquest was the St. Patrick's Marathon this year in downtown Denver. The guys also work on healthy living by doing cross training in the morning before they begin their day. Heath does mountain biking and the family does snowboarding and hiking. They climb 14ers. Addie has taken snowboarding lessons this year.
David rides his bike and I have gotten a new exercise machine though I must admit it is still in the box.
DICHROIC 3M Glass Finishes
Dichroic 3M glass finishes is a film that can be applied to glass or some plastics that show an array of color. The color changes with the light that it is exposed to, the color of the surface it is applied to, and the angle it is viewed from. This amazing film creates unique effects in whatever environment it is used in. (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/architectural-markets/home/glass-finishes/dichroic/) Dichroic 3M glass finishes are mostly used in commercial buildings, but can also be used in a home for a unique effect. The look can be obtained by purchasing dichroic glass, but using film is a much more cost effective solution. The application of it is also much less expensive than installing the glass.
Dichroic film 'plays' with light, reflecting and bouncing it to reveal a natural color spectrum.
Dichroic film is:
- a visible color shift from both sides of the film-covered glass.
- applicable for glass and many plastics.
- available in warm and cool colors.
- made of premium grade multi-layer polyester.
- non-metallic, non-conductive and non-corrosive.
Colors:
- The Chill shift in cool tones-blue, magenta, yellow and gold/blue color regions
- The Blaze are in warm tones
The film needs to be applied in an area where it will not receive abrasions. A clear laminate protection is recommended.
3 New 3M Films
3 new 3M films were announced at a webinar last Friday. 3M expects to introduce at least 10 new products over the next year. Two of the new products are value priced security films. One has a matte finish. It is priced for use on a large scale when prices need to be low. It carries a 1 year warranty. It is not as good as the Fasara film. The Fasara is whiter and is easier to cut. Also the Fasara leaves less residue when it is removed. The new film is able to compete with the lower priced films though Fasara is always the more recommended product. When pricing is an issue, this new film can meet a clients needs. The other security film is a black-out film and again is value priced. It is black on black and is glossy. It is used on the interior of the glass. (solutions.3m.com)
The third new 3M film is a mirrored film for a one-way mirror effect. No mirrored film that makes a one-way mirror is completely mirror on one-side and see through on the other. It is impossible to make this. The effect is achieved by a combination of light and film. The room on the mirror side must be brighter than in the room of the non-reflective side of the film. When I was teaching, we had a one-way mirrored glass from the teachers office to the classroom to be able to record student behavior. It was not film, but a special made glass for that purpose. It was not as effective as it could have been because of the lack of understanding of how the lighting affected the way it worked. When it was first installed, that might have been explained to the school staff but as time went on the information was not passed on to new staff.
These 3 new 3M films announced will be available March 1.
Colorado 2nd Place in LEED Certification
The state of Colorado achieved 2nd place in LEED Certification. Congratulations, Colorado! A new report by the US Green Building Council reported recently the top ten states with the highest ratings. The rating system calculates the square feet of the space that is LEED certified and divides it by the number of residents that live in the state. The measurement is a way to indicate how states are moving toward green building. Illinois was rated number 1 gaining a score of 3.3. Colorado received a rating of 3.2. Illinois and Colorado are the only 2 states that have been in the top 10 over the past 5 years. This type of measurement began by the US Green Building Council 5 years ago. If it were a state, the District of Columbia far surpasses the ratings of any of the states. (www.tripudit.com/2015/02)
LEED is used throughout the world to evaluate green building systems. The top rating is a Platinum rating. There is also a Gold rating. A Silver rating has recently been included so that more buildings can be rated at a lower cost. LEED certified buildings use less energy and water, reduce carbon emissions, save money, and create a healthier environment. There are a lot of things that builders have to do to acquire points for this ratings. This information is available on the USGBC website.
A few of the buildings in Denver which have received a platinum rating are: 1800 Larimer, NREL Research Support Facilities, Signature Centre, and Williams Village at the University of Colorado. A list is available on the web.
3M Residential Warranty
3M has a residential limited lifetime quality promise. The warranty applies to the purchaser as long as he/she lives and owns the home. It can not be transferred to the next owner. The warranty for the 3M Sun Control Window Film promises to:
- Keep its solar reflective properties without cracking, crazing, or peeling
- Keep its adhesion properties without blistering, bubbling, or delaminating from the glass
- Keep its appearance without discoloration
If the product is found to be defective under the warranty, 3M will:
- Replace the quantity of film that is defective
- Provide removal and reapplication with the labor being free of charge
The 3M residential warranty is also for glass failure due to thermal shock fracture or seal failure for up to $500 per window. The glass failure would need to be a result of the application of 3M Sun Control Film as long as the film is applied to the recommended types of glass and the glass failure is reported to the Seller within the specified time from the start of the installation. See specific warranty for these time frames.
Glass failure covered by this warranty must be reviewed by the Seller prior to repair, and only covers film and glass replacement.
A claim is made to the dealer from whom the film was purchased or to 3M.
The warranty is void if the product has been given improper care such as the use of abrasives to clean the window. The care recommendations are sent to the purchaser and is also at the bottom of the warranty information. The care instructions are also in a previous Solar Vision blog and/or is easily found on the Internet. (solutions.3m.com)
In comparing other window film warranties to the 3M residential warranties, most are similar to each other. As far as I could find, none surpass the 3M warranty. 3M has a reputation of standing behind their products. You can trust the 3M brand.
Energy Savings with Window Film
Energy savings can be obtained with the use of window film. Window film reduces the amount of heat that enters a room. Less energy is required to cool the room. In the winter, the film acts as an extra insulation on the window, reducing heating costs. LEED credits can be obtain by using window film. The number of points that are obtained, depend on the amount of energy saved.
The goal of this credit is: Achieve increasing levels of energy performance above the baseline in the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use. (www.3M.com/windowfilm)
There are 3 different methods for achieving this requirement. Up to 10 credits can be obtained depending on the amount of energy savings. For specific information on the methods see the sustainable design information sheet in pdf form on the 3m web site: multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/6636910/sustainable-design-information-sheet.pdf
Window film is a first tier technology that can have an approximate 3 year payback for buildings. Window films are ranked in retro-fitted building envelopes as having the highest probability of success. It ranks above replacement windows. Already existing materials are used decreasing the amount of waste. (https://promo.3m.com/assets/3MCAN/1202511082.pdf)
Window Film Reduces Light Pollution
Window film can aid in reducing light pollution. In creating buildings that are environmentally and socially responsible, designers seek LEED credits. LEED is a building certification program developed by the US Green Building Council. Credits are given for new building construction and major renovations. There are 9 possible points a building project can achieve through the use of window film. One credit can be earned in the area of light pollution reduction. Light pollution is misused light or misdirected light.
The light pollution creates:
- Sky Glow which is a hazy glow over urban areas caused by light escaping into the night sky.
- Glare shining into the eyes of pedestrians or drivers.
- Light Trespass which is light shining into a neighboring buildings.
- Light clutter such as in the area of Las Vegas casinos.
Light pollution effects all of us by:
- Consuming valuable natural resources. Hundreds of millions of coal and oil are used.
- Polluting through the use of fossil fuels.
- Disrupting nocturnal wildlife. One example is the baby sea turtles in Florida who move toward the artificial light on the beach instead of the natural light of the moon's glow that leads them out to sea.
- Affecting human health by disrupting circadian rhythms and melatonin production, depressing the immune system, and disrupting sleep patterns.
- Destroying the enjoyment of the view of the starry night sky. (www.starrynightlight.com)
Window film is not the cure for all those things, but it can play a part.
The goal of the credit for Light Pollution Reduction is:
Minimize light trespass from the building and site, reduce sky-glow to increase night sky access, improve nighttime visibility through glare reduction, and reduce development impact on nocturnal environments.
One way window film can meet this requirement is to reduce the amount of light passing through a window from the inside to the outside by up to 85% while minimizing the reflection from the interior lights. Even at night an amazing view can be maintained. (multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/6636910/sustainable-design-information-sheet.pdf)
To see if a project qualifies for this credit most of the internal light has to fall within the building. Luminosity measurements are taken outdoors with all the lights off and are compared to the measurements with all the lights on. The credit is achieved if the outdoor illumination level does not increase more than 10 % with the lights on. Window films with lower visible light transmission ratings will greatly reduce the light trespass from the buildings.
Our Solar Vision representative can help you find the right film that can meet your needs for reducing light trespassing.