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 〰️

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.

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

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.

"How Much Does Window Film Cost?

This question comes up a lot here at Solar Vision, and I’m sure other window film companies too. Aside from being asked by customers when they call, it’s usually one of the most popular searches when people click on our Google Ad. Unfortunately when a customer clicks on ours or any window film page, the answer is not clear at all, and most likely not available. Why is this? Why isn’t window film pricing transparent? The short answer is much like carpet or tile, there are so many variables that can change the price you’ll be quoted. However via this BLOG, I’d like to at least help you answer the question as to whether or not the average price of having film applied to your basic window is of value to you.

As a window film dealer, I’m biased. I think window film is a no-brainer. Why? Well, because it can be one of the most important home improvements you can make. Window Film is there to protect you, and your home from heat, glare, and UV Rays. This can save you on your energy bills, make your house cooler, and more comfortable, while reducing the fading of your furniture, flooring, and window coverings. With all these benefits why not look more seriously into window film?

Unlike other home improvements window film is inconspicuous. This might make it a more difficult purchase psychologically, because you don’t see or notice this passive system once in place. It’s not super fun like a new 72 inch TV with Dolby surround sound, or a new couch you just purchased at Room and Board. No one is going to really notice your new window film, like they would notice a new sofa, or 72 inch TV. Your Mother In Law probably won’t comment on your new window film. However, she might comment on how much more comfortable and cooler your house is.

Example of Double Hung Window

Okay, commercial over. Let’s go back to the price. Window Film is generally charged per square foot, it seems odd, but most of the time, your square foot price is all-encompassing. It includes the material, labor, tax, and all the other cost associated with running a business, those items coupled with the hopes of making a profit is accounted for in your total price. Without going into all the math, let’s just say on average you’re probably going to pay between $15-$20 per SQFT to have solar window film installed. Window film is going to run you between $200-$400 for a basic double hung window, dependent on product type. This is about the same price as quality window coverings, which will most likely fade and ruin over the course of a few years without window film. I digress…one more plug.

These numbers are not absolute by any means, and different companies may charge different prices dependent on their cost of material, labor, and whether or not they have overhead like rent, and insurance (I highly recommend using a company with insurance). However I hope this helps get you closer to making that phone call to have your windows tinted.

Please also keep in mind other factors, like french panes, these windows will cost much more than a standard double hung window, or architectural windows that are large, and may require special equipment to reach, like the ones pictured below. These are all variables that could add additional cost to your window film installation. There are also variables that can lower the cost, like total square footage. The more the merrier in the window tint world. This means the more windows you have filmed, the more likely your are to receive a square footage discount which will lower your per square foot price.

Much like carpet or tile, what you pay and what your neighbor pays can vary. That’s because window film is a custom project specific to your home or office.

Call Solar Vision today at 303-862-6376 to schedule your window film estimate. Or if you want a quick turn around on pricing, you can always email us with photos, and measurements of your glass at info@coloradosolarvision.com , and get an estimate back from Solar Vision within 24 hours.

Not sure which window film is best for your home? Click here to see our expert recommendations.

***Pricing is not absolute, many variables come into consideration for window film pricing. Many companies may even have project minimums. Solar Visions minimum price is $650.00. The pricing provided above is for educational purposes only and is not an estimate from Solar Vision Inc., or 3M.***

3M Prestige installation taking place. The 2nd top window from the left has 3M Prestige 50 on it. The 3M Prestige 50 window film is actually ENHANCING the view, not taking from it.

Why Exterior Film?

One of the questions we get the most as a window film company is “does it go on the outside or inside”? Our answer is “both”! Generally window film is applied to the interior portion of your glass. This is great for durability, and access, and while interior window films perform great, sometimes they’re just not enough, and that’s where exterior film comes into play.

Exterior window film can be a great option for a couple of reasons. The number one is performance! Exterior film reduces the heat in its tracks. The heat is absorbed prior to even hitting your glass. Since the heat is absorbed on the first surface, this significantly reduces if not eliminates any potential glass breakage, while absorbing a drastic amount of heat. Another great use for exterior film is access. Skylights, and other hard to reach windows might not be accessible from the interior.

At Solar Vision Inc., our favorite product is 3M Exterior Prestige Window Film. 3M Exterior Window Films offer great performance, and come with up to a 15 year warranty. 3M Exterior Prestige Window Film is designed to last, and will keep your home or building cool, and comfortable for years to come.

Click here for 3M Exterior Prestige Technical Details!

3M Prestige Exterior 40 (PR40X) applied to first floor windows at this apartment complex to reduce heat in gym area.

3M PR40X can enhance the look of your home or building.

WINDOW FILM IN THE WINTER?

Definitely! The winter can be some of the most intense sunshine of the entire year. Especially for those south facing windows. Some homes with large picture windows can even become uncomfortably hot in the winter. Along with heat, the winter glare can be incredibly intense. Plus, UV rays don’t care about the temperature outside. They’ll cause just as bad, if not worse damage and fading to your homes furnishings and window coverings in the winter, as they do in the summer.

Depending on your situation you have many window film choices. If heat and glare are your main issue, then a traditional window film will work great. However if you’re also looking to retain the heat in your home while blocking the heat during those intense part of the days an insulating film might be what you need. An insulating window film like 3M Thinsulate will make your home more efficient 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Solar Control Window Film is a necessary upgrade for any home, any time of the year, and there is no better time than the winter time to make your home more comfortable year round.

3M Night Vision 25 applied to the windows at this home in Avon, CO. Great views of the slopes, less the glare, and UV Rays! A must

3M Prestige Window Film application in Vail, CO.

3M Prestige 70

3M Prestige 70 window film is the perfect solution for heat and UV reduction. You can hardly tell it’s even there, but you can feel it! If you’re looking to protect your home, or building without changing the appearance, 3M Prestige 70 might be just what you are looking for.

• 3M Prestige 70

• 69% Visible Light Transmission

• 50% Solar Energy Rejected

• 99% UV rejection

The window on the right has 3M Prestige 70 applied to it, the window on the left doesn’t.

Window Film and Water

Most windows films are applied using a solution of soap and water. The adhesives of window film are on the film. To activate the adhesives they need to be completely soaked with water, making water one of the most important aspects of a good window film installation, well that, and a great Installer.

Because water is so important, Solar Vision Inc. has decided to partner with Culligan Water to ensure we are only using the best water on the market for our window film installations. Our in-shop water filtration system uses reverse osmosis, and softening to ensure the cleanest install possible. 

Water can be different all over town depending on the city you live in. Some cities have very hard water which can leave a haze on your glass, and make the install very difficult, by using purified Culligan water straight from our shop, our installs are consistent, no matter what part of Colorado you are from. 

A good film install starts with a great Installer, the best window film on the market, and Culligan Water. 

This little co-branded contraption is a pressurized water tank used for installing window film. 

Home Window Tinting

It's that time of year again, it's starting to warm up, and the sun is staying out longer. There are many reasons to have film added to your homes windows, but the number one concern we hear from our customers is heat. In spite of our best efforts…air conditioning, blinds, curtains, it still might not be enough! This is where home window tinting can help.

Home window tinting can lower your overall utility cost by blocking up to 50% of the heat entering through your homes windows, and since the film is absorbing that heat you can leave the blinds open longer. Think about it, why have windows in the first place if the blinds are closed, and the curtains are drawn all day, we might as well build windowless homes. That'd be super-efficient, but not very attractive. Adding a 3M solar control window film to your homes windows will allow you to open the curtains and enjoy your natural light and views again.

Other benefits of home window tinting are less fading, and less glare. We spend so much time choosing furniture, flooring, and window coverings, it would be a shame to allow all of those costly items to deteriorate quickly. Adding a 3M solar control window film to your homes windows will drastically slow down the fading and damage caused by UV Rays. Think of what the sun’s rays can do to your skin? They cause the same damage to your home and furnishings, only much quicker.

Home window tinting can also drastically reduce the glare in your home. If you have glare issues and trouble seeing your computer screen, or worse yet your television, our 3M solar control window films can help with that too.

There are many reason to add 3M window film to your home. It's a no brainer, call Solar Vision Inc. 303-862-6376 today for a free estimate, and learn how you can cool off your home, protect your furniture, and reduce glare.

3M Prestige 50 window film application in Morrison, CO.

Light Pollution in the Mountains

Window Film can reduce light pollution in the Mountains.  Excessive light in rural and mountain areas have far ranging affects on flora and fauna as well as animals, reptiles, insects and birds.  According to Winslow Briggs's book, Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting, exposure to artificial light can prevent trees from adjusting to seasonal changes.  This affects the wildlife that use the trees as their natural habitat.  Light confuses birds in their migratory habits.  Frogs stop calling their mates.  Some animals will stay hidden longer and that reduces the time they have to hunt for food.  There are many studies that prove the affects of light pollution. (www.nationalgeographic.com) Though light pollution in the mountains may affect the environment, it is also the easiest one to solve.  All that needs to be done is be aware of it and do things to turn off and/or turn down the light that is being put out by our living spaces.

More and more people are moving to the mountains, because they love being in nature and because of the spectacular views.  One might think, one home on the side of the mountain won't  harm anything.  Flood lights or lights left on all night may be on to show the beauty of the home or because one feels safer if they can see outside, but these lights may disturb wildlife.  Homes are also being built with lots of glass, because of the views and trends in architecture. This extra light also affects the natural environment.

Some solutions are:

• Don't have on more light at night than you need.
• Window film on the windows can reduce the light from the windows by 45%-50%
• Put other coverings on windows as well, i.e. shades, drapes, etc.
• Use low wattage lighting outside
• Have motion sensor lighting outside
• Have shades that slope down on outside lighting

Solar Vision's experts will help you choose the film that will emit the least amount of light and still meet your needs for enhanced beauty, energy savings, safety, and protection from UV rays.

Window Film Reduces Light Pollution

Window film can reduce light pollution.  Depending on the type of film, Visual Light Transmittance can be reduced by 45%-50%. According to Global Trends and Implications for Downtown Denver, a paper prepared by Progressive Urban Management Associates in 2006, 3 billion people lived in cities and by 2050 6 billion people will be living in cities.  The implications for energy consumption, transportation, food, and environmental protection caused by this rapid urban expansion makes the need for sustainability  critical.

The management of artificial light is one of the many areas urban planners must prepare for.

Light pollution causes:

• Sky glow which is the light surrounding the urban skies is caused by over illumination of commercial spaces and poorly planned street and building lights. The stars are difficult to see in urban areas.
• Light trespass is the light from a building shining into another building.  It may be difficult to sleep in an apartment building next to a building that has a lot of light during the night.
• Endangerment to wildlife who are confused by the light.  Nocturnal animals do not hunt or mate as they are meant to.  More animals are in danger of becoming extinct.
• Human health is being affected.  Vision, headaches, hypertension, and an increased chance of developing cancer are some of the health issues.  Sleep is disrupted by the light and melatonin is decreased. (physics.fau.edu/observatory/lightpol-environment.html)

There are things that city planners and all of us can do to decrease light pollution.  One of them is to apply window tint to windows that meets 45% inside to outside visible light transmittance and/or use window treatments.  On a beach in Florida, new construction is required to put in windows that meet the 45% requirement because sea turtles are confused by the light and go inland instead of going out to sea.  People that already have homes are helping to save the turtles by retrofitting their windows with window film to meet the requirement. (Thisbigcity.net)

Window film meets LEED Certification requirements in this area and is worth 1 point toward building certification.

Credit 7:  Light Pollution Reduction (1 point)

Intent: Eliminate light trespass from the building and site, improve night sky access and reduce development impact on nocturnal environment.

Denver is a city that is at the forefront of working to make sustainable urban environments.  Denver is also experiencing rapid urban growth.  The challenges in keeping up with all the facets of urban growth is being met by our city leaders and urban planners with great care.

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