3M Daylight Redirecting Film

It was approximately 6 years ago that I gave my first Day Lighting Presentation for an Architectural firm in Aspen, CO (rough life, I know). The presentation was in an effort to promote 3M’s Daylight Redirecting Film, their newest product at that time. While the original product came with a few hiccups, over the years 3M was able to develop it into a simple adhesive application for clerestory glass (upper windows) . Reception for this new product was great, at every Architectural Event, Daylight Redirecting Film samples and brochures flew off the table. It was a cutting edge application that we thought would be all over architectural specifications in the coming years, however we were wrong.

What happened? Why isn’t Daylight Redirecting Film on every school, recreation center, box store, and building of any kind receiving direct sunlight? Why haven’t these revolutionary technologies caught on? In my opinion, rough timing. Unfortunately the debut of products like Daylight Redirecting Film were overshadowed by tragic events that brought security film to the forefront. This was good and bad. While it’s been good for business and has added a layer of safety and security to many projects, it’s halted the original driving force of our industry which is energy reduction, and efficiency.

90% of the Architectural Presentations I’ve given in the past 5 years have been on Safety and Security Film. I hope that in the coming years this will start leaning towards energy efficiency again. Security films have brought a new found popularity to the window film industry. My hope is that we can use this popularity as a way to bring more attention to the energy efficient window film products that 3M and other manufacturers have developed over the years.

While it’s been 6 years, our excitement for these products hasn’t changed. Solar Vision Inc. just completed another Daylight Redirecting Film project at a bank here in Denver, and the outcome is amazing. 3M Daylight Redirecting Film is a product that reaches beyond my expectations of what window film can do.

At Solar Vision , we believe that almost every business and building can benefit from 3M Daylight Redirecting Film. Along with utilizing the sun, a natural resource to provide interior lighting, it is also the only window film product on the market that can eliminate glare, without eliminating the light. Check out the video below to learn more about 3M Daylight Redirecting Film, and call Solar Vision Inc. 303-862-6376 to learn more about all the energy efficient window film options we offer.

-Shelley Meador

3M Daylight Redirecting Film at work, moving the light upwards and into the building. 3M Daylight Redirecting Film has a frosted look leaving your clerestory glass (upper windows) quite attractive while utilizing light in the most efficient manner.

Yay!! New Fasara Book!!

Every 2-3 years something magnificent happens! The release of the latest 3M Fasara Films Catalog. We love decorative film at Solar Vision Inc., and when a new Fasara catalog comes out, that means new creative finishes to enhance retail, office, and residential spaces throughout Colorado!

One new product of note is the addition of 3 new 3M Fasara Cloud colors shown below. 3M Fasara Cloud has been a huge hit since it’s introduction in 2017, and 3M has answered the call for more options of this dual gradient film.

There’s much more than just new 3M Cloud Colors. Check out all the designs here, and call Solar Vision Inc. for more information on 3M Fasara Glass Finish Films.

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.

In House Graphics

Did you know that Solar Vision Inc. produces most of our graphics in house? Relocating to our new 6000 SQFT space in Henderson, CO has made it even easier for us to design, produce, and install your business' graphics. 

Send us your ideas, and artwork, and we'll produce a proof for your review. 

Our in-house graphics plotter can turn your concepts and designs into actual artwork for your office or store. 

Our Graphic Artist and Install team can produce what you need in house. Making the turn around on your graphics installation quick, and efficient.

One of many customer ideas designed, produced, and installed by Solar Vision Inc. 

What are Your Processes?

This New Year's Eve our family opted for a quiet movie marathon over crowds, and parties. We each chose 1 movie, and perused Amazon to decide what movies we'd watch. The 11 year old went with "School of Rock", an oldie but goodie that never disappoints. The husband rented "The Mountain Between Us". Perhaps he should of read a couple of reviews, because what we thought would be a harrowing disaster movie turned into a love story that made little sense. I decided to go with a free movie and stumbled across one I'd been meaning to see for many years, "Temple Grandin". We definitely saved the best for last! 

The movie got me thinking of a time our company, Solar Vision Inc., worked indirectly with Dr. Grandin at Colorado State University. We were asked by the Contractor to produce some window graphics for their newly remodeled Animal Sciences building. One of the graphics they asked for was one of Dr. Temple Grandin's cattle handling designs. When we were working on the graphic about 3 years ago, I'd heard of Temple Grandin but honestly did not fully understand the depth of the importance behind her work.  After watching the movie, and doing some internet research on Dr. Temple Grandin, I have a renewed respect for processes in life and in business. 

Dr. Temple Grandin at a relatively young age took a well-established process and made it much better. Her process for cattle handling in the beef industry changed the way we process food, by making it more efficient and humane. What if she didn't have autism, would that process have ever been developed? What if she'd taken "no" for an answer? She was different, she was female, what did she know? 

Think of all the times you might have dismissed an idea, or process that could make your business or life better because maybe the person suggesting the idea didn't know anything about your trade, or they were too young, or just didn't see things the way you did. Have you missed an important opportunity? 

Processes are what can make or break a business or industry. If something isn't working in your business process, can you fix it? If not, can you put your ego aside and let someone else have a look? 

I thoroughly enjoyed "Temple Grandin", and I've enjoyed learning more about her afterword. The Business Owner in me found myself focusing on the processes and efficiency of what her mind created, however the human in me found myself intrigued with what the mind is capable of, and how sometimes to easily we dismiss people who don't fit our mold, or make us uncomfortable. Without the beautiful minds of individuals on the autism spectrum, I can only imagine a world with less innovation, technology, and creativity. 

As the daughter of someone who works with special needs children, I assumed that I had a good understanding of the subject. However I was very wrong! Watching the movie helped me better understand how someone with a different mind from me sees the world. It's rare that a movie can be enlightening, educational, and pull on your heart strings at the same time. If you have some free time, I highly encourage watching "Temple Grandin". 

Temple Grandin window graphic on display at the CSU Animal Sciences Building. 

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. 

This glass is ready for pick up!

Sometimes it just makes more sense for Glaziers to have their glass dropped off so that we can do the film install in our shop. This allows our Installers to control the elements like dust and dirt, while working more efficiently and quickly, which in turn saves our customers $$$. 

The film product featured below is 3M's Black Electrocut. This film is a great solution for hiding walls, and building interiors you do not want viewable from outside. 

Solar Vision Inc. Installer Josh is just finishing up this 3M Black Electrocut Install. 

Custom glass racks make it easier, and safer for us to transport the glass to your trucks. 

3M Daylight Redirecting Film

Imagine using a free resource to light your home or building? Well now you can using 3M Daylight Redirecting Film! Clerestory glass and other high up windows can cause a lot of heat and glare, which results in a nuisance below.  You can reduce the glare by using a typical solar control film, however, if you want to make the most use of your free natural resource you can use 3M Daylight Redirecting Film instead.

3M Daylight Redirecting Film takes the sunlight and guides it to the center of the room, instead of straight down. 

Below is an example of 3M Daylight Redirecting Film at work from start to finish. The pictures were taken at a local Denver bank. The lobby has a beautiful tower with large windows to allow in natural light. Unfortunately that light was causing a lot of glare issues in the lobby for the customers and employees below. After completion the light is now where it should be....up above!! 

Visit our DRF page for more info on this awesome new product by 3M! http://www.coloradosolarvision.com/3m-daylight-redirect/

This is a great photo to highlight what was happening with the light before 3M Daylight Redirecting Film was applied. This was still early in the day, so you can imagine where the sun glare ended up in the afternoon. In the eyes of everyone below! 

These high windows required a scissor lift for the application of 3M Daylight Redirecting Film! This photo highlights the soothing frosted appearance of 3M Daylight Redirecting Film. 

Here's a partial application of 3M Daylight Redirecting Window Film. As you can see the windows on the right are receiving the most sun during this photo, and the light is directed up. 

Here's an unaltered photo of the completed look. The 3M Daylight Redirecting Film has stopped the glare and downward direction of the sun's rays. Now the light is directed to the center of this tower allowing a beautiful glow to illuminate the lobby area of this bank.

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.

3M™ Dusted Crystal

You probably didn't noticed but 3M™'s Dusted Crystal Window Film is all over town as it's one of the most versatile window films on the market. Using 3M™ Dusted Crystal alone can give your windows an etched look for a fraction of the cost of sand blasted glass, but aside from that, did you know you can print, and custom cut 3M™ Dusted Crystal too?

Call Solar Vision Inc. today @ 303-862-6376 if you're looking to upgrade and customize your glass using 3M™ Dusted Crystal Window Film, or any of our 3M™ Window Film products.

Custom Design using 3M™ Dusted Crystal

Denver Skyline printed on 3M™ Dusted Crystal