A Tale of Two Window Film Businesses!

Prepping Window for Decorative Film

Security Film being applied at Coors Field.

Exterior Window Film Application Denver, CO

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

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

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

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

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

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

SOLAR VISION CUSTOM GRAPHICS

Solar Vision had the opportunity to work with a company called Blueprint here in Denver. If you haven’t heard of Blueprint, they are a super cool online company that will help you learn to make anything. Think of Pinterest, but without the Pinterest Fail.

Their in house Artist created some awesome designs for their meeting room glass, turning this blank canvas into inspirational graphics that highlight all the artistry they can teach their customers to do.

It wasn’t an easy application, but luckily at Solar Vision, our Graphics Coordinator Alex can create, produce, and install your work. Keeping everything in house from design and production to application, ensures a picture-perfect finish.

Custom Graphic cut from 3M Dusted Crystal

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.

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.