Upstate South Carolina Archives - Sundown Home & Office Window Tint, Blinds & Shades - Serving Western NC, Upstate SC, and Eastern TN

October 18, 2018 by Sundo

Hotel Association Advises on Using Energy Saving Window Film

The American Hotel & Lodging Assiciation (AHLA) published an article that discusses how energy saving window film can be a cost effective solution for hotels dealing with heat gain issues. The article uses the Department of Energy‘s Energy Saving Calculator to look at how the return on investment of retrofitting existing windows with film versus replacing the windows. Using their research, the analysis showed that an energy saving window film installation would save enough on energy costs to pay for the job in roughly 2 years.

The article summary stated the following:

“A total window replacement with solar-control low-E windows does provide good energy savings; but is a relatively poor return on investment due to high material and installation costs. As a result, the return on investment for window film is faster than installing low-E windows.

In reviewing the replacement of windows or retrofit of energy-savings film, the application of energy saving window film should be strongly considered in lieu of window replacement only if existing windows are functionally sound.”

The article used reference pieces from the Department of Energy and the EPA’s Energy Star websites for their research.

If you would like to read the entire article, click HERE

If you would like to learn more about energy saving window film, click HERE. If you have any questions, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss the options of implementing a window film into your western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee area hotel or commercial space.

October 4, 2018 by Sundo

What are Window Films and How Can They Be Used?

The Basics

In simple terms, window films are comprised of a thin, strong sheet of polyester laminate that is treated in variety of ways to improve the look or performance of existing windows when applied. Typically, the film is applied to the interior surface of existing windows as a retrofit. To properly adhere to the glass, one side of the film has an adhesive that bonds the film to the glass surface and the other side has a scratch-resistant coating for durability.

There are window films created specifically for home and commercial building improvement applications. There are also window films designed for decorative glass enhancements and to increasing the safety and security of glass openings.

Popular Uses of Window Films

Energy Savings

Keeping a home or commercial building comfortable means utilization of a HVAC system. It is estimated that roughly 30% of the need for cooling and heating is as a result of heat passing through windows openings. Window films technology is such that it can actually act as an insulator on your window. Keeping the heat out in the Summer and helping retain the heat in the Winter. The result of this is that your HVAC system will not need to work as hard to keep the space at the desired temperature. By reducing the workload on the HVAC system, you are reducing the energy needed to keep your home comfortable.

Glare Reduction

Modern architecture often features large windows. While this opens up a space, often these large windows bring with them glare issues at certain times of the day. Window films can be used to reduce glare by up to 87%, relaxing your eyes and making it easier to do things like viewing a computer or television screen. Also, because modern window films are made with ultra-clear, distortion-free materials, other than the glare reduction, your views will be maintained and you probably won’t even know the film is there.

Preservation of Furnishings

First, let’s discuss what exactly causes this type of sun damage. A common misconception is that the sun’s UV rays are what cause sun damaged floors, furniture and furnishings. While these UV rays are certainly the largest component that causes fading, as this chart illustrates, they only account for 40% of the total. Solar heat, or the heat you feel passing through your windows and the visible light streaming in are also major contributors. These account for an additional 25% each of the causes of fading. The last factor is listed as “other” as it is comprised of a variety of things that are harder to control and are not major overall contributors. These are things like interior lighting, humidity, etc.

One of the first things you might realize from this chart is that you cannot “stop” fading completely. The fact is that unless the item you want to protect in a dark, climate controlled room, it will typically fade over time. However, if you plan to have the flooring and furniture in a place that will be exposed to these elements, the most you can do is attack the major contributors of fading. By significantly attacking these contributors, you can slow down this fading process and extend the life of your floors or furnishings. For these reasons, one of the best ways to attack the primary causes of sun damage and fading is with window film.

Add Decorative Element or Branding to Glass

Installing decorative window films to glass can provide privacy for the occupants of the space. The possibilities are nearly limitless as decorative window films come in frosted, tinted, or colored window film at various opacity levels to get the privacy you need without sacrificing natural light. In addition, decorative window films can be used to display company branding or to customize your space with unique designs, prints, or patterns, including styles that resemble cut or texturized glass. Finally, these films are easy to clean, durable and can be removed easily and inexpensively without damaging glass.

Safety & Security

It probably is no surprise to you that windows are the most vulnerable parts of any building. They represent easy points of entry for people who may mean harm to the occupants, the building itself, or its contents. In addition, in a natural or man-made disaster, flying glass from window is often a major contributor to injuries and death. However, when professionally installed safety and security window films are added, the glass doesn’t shatter, delaying the intruder’s entrance, and preventing flying shards of glass from harming anyone.

If you have any questions, would like more information on window films or would like to arrange a free, no obligation consultation with someone on our team, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss the options of implementing a window film into your western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee area space.

September 20, 2018 by Sundo

We Have Commercial Window Films That Will Upgrade Any Building

You’ve got High Building Standards. We Have got Commercial Window Films to Match

We realize your desire for glowing, natural sunlight without any undesirable side effects. Raise the style, performance and safety of your building projects to impressive new levels with Llumar Commercial Window Films professionally installed by Sundown Window Tinting. They give you the tools you need to improve occupant comfort, lower energy costs, enhance privacy, help reduce fading, protect against graffiti, help deter thefts, and help keep shattered glass in place.

That’s a long list of benefits, and every LLumar Commercial Window Film product is backed by a manufacturer’s limited warranty. Uncompromising requirements for window film technology, manufacturing and installation have made Llumar the product of choice for iconic buildings from Buckingham Palace to the Vatican to Chrysler World Headquarters. That is why we use this product line at Sundown Window Tinting and we know their solar, decorative and safety films will inspire your confidence too.

Here is a Commercial Window Film Overview

Commercial Solar Window Films – Let in the Sun on Your Terms

The extensive selection of solar window films can give you sunlight without sacrificing comfort or productivity. Find the match for your climate, design and building requirements.

You can learn more about our Commercial Solar Window Films by Clicking HERE

Commercial Decorative Window Films – Add Privacy, A Design Statement, or Both

The thoughtfully curated line of decorative film designs can subtly disguise views or boldly capture attention. With gradients, patterns, and more, your imagination is the only limitation.

You can learn more about our Commercial Decorative Window Films by Clicking HERE

Commercial Safety and Security Window Films – Strong, Clear Protection for Property Values and Peace of Mind

Commercial Safety and Security Window Films are tough, invisible films are an added layer of defense against theft, vandalism, weather and more. They’re an investment in both property value and peace of mind.

We hope this brief post shed some light on what commercial window films can do. If you are interested in learning more, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a free, no obligation assessment of your commercial building and how window film can help, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss the options of implementing a window film into your western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee area space.

September 7, 2018 by Sundo

Seven Noteworthy Benefits of Utilizing Home Window Films

We recently came across an article published by Proud Green Home that discussed how home window films could make your house more energy efficient. However, in addition to energy efficiency, the article mentioned six additional noteworthy benefits of utilizing home window films. We have summarized them below as thought you might be interested in all of the ways that window film can compliment your next home improvement project.

Benefits of Home Window Films

Reduces Glare – Applying tint to your home windows can result in blocking significant amount of the sun’s glare from passing through the glass.
Protects Your House Interiors –The sun’s UV rays penetrate through windows of your house. With prolonged exposure, your house furnishings, carpet, rugs and upholstery can become faded and damaged. Window tinting offers a great solution for fading issue as it typically blocks 99% of the UV while still allowing you to enjoy your windows.
Energy Savings –Window tint can act as a window insulator keeping heat out in the Summer and retaining heat in the Winter. This can help home owners decrease their utility bills by reducing how hard their heating and air conditioning system needs to work to keep the house comfortable.
Increased Privacy – Window films can be used strategically throughout your home to offer additional privacy through certain windows without the need for blinds or curtains.
Enhanced Safety – Accidents happen and a window can bet broken. When this happens with a typical home window, the glass breaks in a way that can be dangerous. Home window film can keep the broken glass in place and reduce the danger.
Added Security – Security home window film exists that can provide the other benefits listed and make uninvited entry into your home more difficult. This makes these types of films a perfect compliment to a home a security system.
Affordable Alternative to Window Replacement – At some point nearly any window may need to be replaced, but by using home window films you may be able to significantly extend the useful life of your existing windows while achieving the benefits you desire. Having a professionally installed window film applied is much less costly and far less disruptive to your home than window replacement.

We hope this list helped you understand the variety of ways home window films can improve your home. If you would like more information, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a free, no obligation assessment of your home and how window film can help, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss the options of implementing a window film into your western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee area home.

August 23, 2018 by Sundo

School Safety for Back to School – Is Your Child’s School Safe?

With Back to School upon us, we wanted to share an article about school safety and how security window film can be part of an overall solution to keep kids safe. This article was in Business Insider and is titled “Here are the best ways to protect schools, workplaces, and ourselves from active shooters.” The article talks about a variety of ways to increase school safety, and they specifically mention security window film. The article states the following in the section on the use of technology to improve safety:

“Protective and intrusion resistant doors and windows creating delays in an aggressor’s ability to gain entry. For pre-existing locations the addition of protective window film, improved locking mechanisms and/or frames as well as other reinforcement techniques can be effective.”

With that being said, we wanted to explain what protective security window film is and how it can be used to increase school safety. Security window film is typically a clear layer of polyester film that is applied to a building’s existing windows on the interior surface of the glass. The film comes in a variety of different thicknesses and can be installed in several different ways depending on the level of safety or security required. Once installed, this film will hold the glass fragments of the window together in the event of a break. As it relates to school safety and security, this film will hold glass fragments together and reduce the potential of injury from broken or flying glass in a natural disaster, an act of terrorism or inadvertent breakage.

In addition, and in the way the article was referring to, this film by keeping the glass intact will slow down or impede potential intruders from gaining access to the building and give authorities time to respond. Often, intruders are looking for the fastest and easiest point of access and because doors and gates have been fortified in recent years, the next easier access point would be through a window. That is why safety and security film should be considered as a way to fortify this vulnerability.

To read the complete article in Business Insider, click HERE

We hope this article helped you understand how security window film can be used to enhance school safety. Contact your school to find out what technologies they are implementing to keep your children and their students safer. If you would like more information, click HERE. If you have questions, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss how these innovative films can improve the security in your western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee area schools.

August 9, 2018 by Sundo

Three Reasons Window Film Should Be On Your Home Improvement List

With the middle of Summer upon us, most of us have a Summer home improvement list we would like to get completed. With that in mind, we are going to give you three reasons why implementing a high quality home window film should be on that list.

Increased Home Comfort – Window films work to block excessive heat and glare from entering your home through the glass. Most homes have some windows that get a lot of sun throughout the day. In these areas of the home, there can be hot spots from the heat entering which is often accompanied by irritating glare. Often, in an effort to keep these areas of the home comfortable, your need to adjust your air conditioning. The problem then becomes that the home is often too cool in other areas where the sun is not shining in. By using window films on these specific windows, you can reduce the heat and glare specifically where the problem lies without covering the window with a blind or drapery.
Reduce Energy Costs – Continuing with the point above, if you have windows that are allowing excessive heat to enter the home, your air conditioning is likely having to work overtime to keep your home comfortable. All that extra running is costing you money. When you reduce the heat entering the home, your air conditioning will not need to work as hard to keep the home comfortable and you will save money on utility bills as a result.
Preserve Floors, Furniture and Furnishings – Our guess if that other things on your home improvement list may be things like new flooring, some furniture, artwork, etc. If that is true, you want to be sure to protect those things from premature fading and sun damage. The primary sources of sun damage and fading are UV, Heat and Visible Light. Window film works to reduce all three of these primary areas of sun damage. In fact, most films reduce over 99% of the sun’s UV rays which accounts for 40% of the total causes of sun damage.

Hopefully these three points have you convinced to place window film on your home improvement list. If you would like more information, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a free, no obligation assessment of your home and how window film can help, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss the options of implementing a window film into your western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee area home.

June 28, 2018 by Sundo

Washington Post Tells How To Prevent Sun Faded Furnishings & Floors

In a recent issue of The Washington Post in their Home & Garden area they tackled the topic of how to prevent sun faded furnishings and floors. The main product they discussed in the article was window film. As a retrofit to your existing windows, window film can help control the three primary factors that cause fading; UV Rays, heat and visible light.

In the article, they state:

“Having window film installed on the inside of your windows could be the solution. These films come with a wide variety of characteristics, enabling them to let certain wavelengths of light through while reflecting or absorbing other wavelengths.

Window film cannot totally prevent fading because other factors, such as humidity, account for about 5 percent of the problem. But depending on the window film you select, it can go a long way toward reducing the problem. All films block virtually all ultraviolet rays from the sun, which are responsible for about 45 percent of fading. Films also can block the rays that together cause about half of fading: visible light and infrared light, which causes heat.”

You can check out the entire article by clicking HERE.

It is important to fully understand what is causing the sun bleaching to occur to choose a product that will genuinely help prevent sun faded furnishings and floors in your home. You can learn more about how film combats this problem by checking out an article we wrote located HERE.

If you would like more information on the benefits of using an applied window film to combat fading, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss the options with you and provide you with a free, no obligation quote of implementing a window film into your western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee area home.

June 20, 2018 by Sundo

Department of Energy Discusses Window Film’s Energy Saving Benefits

In an article on the Department of Energy website Energy.Gov, they published an article entitled Energy Efficient Window Attachments in which they discuss the energy saving benefits of several window covering technologies. They included window films in the list and had some very positive things to say about the energy saving benefits they provide. The article states:

“Window films help block against solar heat gain and protect against glare and ultraviolet exposure…They can be useful for homeowners who don’t want to block views with other window treatments, but who have issues with glare and solar heat gain. They can also be a good choice on windows that are difficult to fit with other window treatments, or in places where artwork, furniture, or carpeting could be faded by UV exposure.”

The article goes on to discuss how different window films are rated by an independent council so that you can compare performance figures of differing films on an apples to apples basis. It is great to see window films mentioned for their energy saving abilities in any publication, but it is even more satisfying to see the Department of Energy recognizing their role in energy efficient design.

If you have any questions about this article or how you can use window films for energy saving in your home or commercial space, and contact us today. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing a window film solution in your western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina or Eastern Tennessee home before Summer.

June 14, 2018 by Sundo

Glass Is One of the Greatest School Safety Vulnerabilities

It is an unfortunate thing that school safety has become a mainstay in the news. It becomes difficult to discuss school security and student safety strategies without appearing to have an agenda or be trying to sell something. With that being said, we feel that it is important to share information that can have a positive impact on these incidents in the future and wanted to discuss the topic of glass being one of the greatest school safety vulnerabilities.

Liz Crawford wrote a piece recently titled “Is Your Child’s School Safe? Examining The Top 3 School Safety Vulnerabilities“. In this article, she noted glass as being one of the top three vulnerabilities because of the extensive use of tempered glass in schools. She, along with Craig Gundry, Vice President with Critical Intervention Services, discussed and said “Another common security vulnerability in schools is extensive use of tempered glass glazing. Tempered glass shatters into small pieces and Gundry believes one gunshot into the glass will make it easy for a gunman to enter the building. Critical Intervention Services estimates a gunman can get into a school in roughly nine seconds if confronted with tempered glass.” Gundry said, “One of the reasons tempered glass has historically been much more common in architectural design as well as indoor environments is because of the price. It is less than half the price typically of laminated glass,”.

We unfortunately see this specification in schools regularly. There is good news though. This school safety vulnerability can be addressed by retrofitting existing school glass with a security window film. in a recent article we noted “When someone tries to gain access through the glass of a protected door or window, the security window film would allow the glass to break, but it would maintain the glass in the frame. With work, this film / glass combination can eventually be penetrated to gain access, but as stated above, the objective is to create resistance. Slow the entry down. Giving school officials and authorities time to act.”

To learn more about how window film can help address this vulnerability to your school safety, check out the information contained HERE. If you have any questions or would like an onsite consultation, and contact us today. We would be happy to provide you with a property assessment and estimate on implementing security window films in your western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee area schools.

April 26, 2018 by Sundo

Save Money Cooling Your Home this Summer With Home Window Films

It won’t be long now. Summer will be here before we know it! The warm Summer weather is something many of us look forward to all year long, but it also brings higher energy bills as we use our air conditioning to keep our home cooler and comfortable. With that in mind, we wanted to share some ways that home window films can help save you on home energy costs this Summer season. This article discusses how window film can reduce the load on your air conditioning system which saves you money on utility bills and also HVAC system maintenance.

The first thing we want to explain is how home window films work to reduce the load on your air conditioning system. The simple explanation is that window film installed on your existing house windows reduces the amount of the sun’s heat coming into your home through the glass. On a hot Summer day, you air conditioning system might be struggling just to keep up with the demand to keep your home comfortable. Unfortunately, this demand for air conditioning is also happening all throughout your area at the same time. This spike in demand for energy allows the utility company to charge a premium on the energy you use during this period. Now, the good news. Home window film is very effective reducing the heat making its way into your home through the windows on those hot Summer days. By reducing the heat coming through the glass, your air conditioning will not having to work as hard, and use as much energy, to keep your home comfortable.

In addition, as a result of reducing the heat entering the home, the home’s air conditioning system will not need to run constantly to keep up with demand. This not only saves you money on energy costs as mentioned above, but will also save you system maintenance costs from wear and tear. The air conditioning unit consists of numerous components that each have an effective service life. The longer, and harder, a unit is forced to run, the faster these parts wear out and need replacing. Furthermore, as parts degrade they often do not work as efficiently as they did when new. The resulting system inefficiency translates into more energy being needed to get the same results in home cooling.

Our hope is that this brief article shed some light on how home window films can help save on home energy costs and system maintenance this Summer and for many years to come. If you would like more information about home window films and how they can be implemented into your house, check out the link located HERE and contact us today. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing a window film solution in your western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina or Eastern Tennessee home before Summer.