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.

Trends in Commercial Architecture

Trends in commercial architecture include lots of glass. Glass walls are bigger than ever.  Glass walls create lots of opportunities to use natural light and open spaces.  Along with these glass walls, come new innovative uses in design using 3M Fasara frosted and decorative window films.  These films allow in light while adding just the amount of privacy wanted by the inhabitants.  The design elements are limited only by the imagination. (solutions.3m.com) Not only does the decorative films allow light and beauty in these spaces, they also add safety.  The film lets someone know the glass is there and will not be walked into.  In case a window is broken the fragments will hold together.

The glass with film is easy to care for.  It can be cleaned as any other glass after 30 days.  A plus is that finger prints do not readily show.

Solar Control for Apartment Living

Solar Control for apartment living can be achieved through the use of a variety of solar control window films.  I have seen a number of apartments that get a lot of sun have all kinds of things in their windows to make it more comfortable.  I've seen cardboard, newspaper, sheets, and even a mattress.  Rental  property owners may ignore this or pose fines, but ultimately it affects the value of the property.  Solar control window films can greatly reduce the amount of sun and glare coming into a room.  Because it eliminates 99% of the UV rays, furnishings are not damaged.  It has the added protection of reducing the risk of skin cancer. Apartments usually are fitted with single layered glass.  Applying window film will give the window the effect of being double layered glass.  This would result in energy savings.  If a rental property company is energy conscious, it could advertise as making these changes to help save energy.  Solar control window film is especially valuable in those areas that get direct sunlight especially in the loft apartments on the top floors.

Window film is an relatively inexpensive way to make apartment living more comfortable.  Window film is easy to clean.  It is cleaned as any other window after 30 days.

3M 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.

Church Samples 3M Night Vision

The church members at Father Dyer Church in Breckenridge asked Solar Vision to apply samples of 3M Night Vision to make the church more comfortable and still maintain their gorgeous view of the mountains in the area.  Father Dyer Church is a historical landmark.  It is 133 years old and is an active Methodist Church.  3M Night Vision comes in 3 different shades.  The 3 samples were placed on the window and the people of the church will decide which one best meets their needs.  This is one of the ways Solar Vision consults with clients to help them choose the best window film to meet their needs.

3M Night Vision helps block the suns rays and reduces glare and heat.  Natural light still enters the room and the outside view can still be enjoyed.

3M Night Vision Provides:

• Reduced glare
• Reduced fading
• Rejection of 70% of heat
• Protection for skin from UV rays
• Energy conservation
• An aesthetic pleasing look
• Retention of beautiful views

As always 3M backs their window film with their lifetime warranty.

Window Film Reduces Light Pollution

Window film can aid in reducing light pollution.  In creating buildings that are environmentally and socially responsible, designers seek LEED credits.  LEED is a building certification program developed by the US Green Building Council. Credits are given for new building construction and major renovations. There are 9 possible points a building project can achieve through the use of window film.  One credit can be earned in the area of light pollution reduction. Light pollution is misused light or misdirected light.

 The light pollution creates:

• Sky Glow which is a hazy glow over urban areas caused by light escaping into the night sky.
• Glare shining into the eyes of pedestrians or drivers.
• Light Trespass which is light shining into a neighboring buildings.
• Light clutter such as in the area of Las Vegas casinos.

Light pollution effects all of us by:

• Consuming valuable natural resources.  Hundreds of millions of coal and oil are used.
• Polluting through the use of fossil fuels.
• Disrupting nocturnal wildlife.  One example is the baby sea turtles in Florida who move toward the artificial light on the beach instead of the natural light of the moon's glow that leads them out to sea.
• Affecting human health by disrupting circadian rhythms and melatonin production, depressing the immune system, and disrupting sleep patterns.
• Destroying the enjoyment of the view of the starry night sky. (www.starrynightlight.com)

Window film is not the cure for all those things, but it can play a part.

The goal of the credit for Light Pollution Reduction is:

Minimize light trespass from the building and site, reduce  sky-glow to increase night sky access, improve nighttime visibility through glare reduction, and reduce development impact on nocturnal environments.

One way window film can meet this requirement is to reduce the amount of light passing through a window from the inside to the outside by up to 85% while minimizing the reflection from the interior lights. Even at night an amazing view can be maintained.  (multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/6636910/sustainable-design-information-sheet.pdf)

To see if a project qualifies for this credit most of the internal light has to fall within the building.  Luminosity measurements are taken outdoors with all the lights off and are compared to the measurements with all the lights on. The credit is achieved if the outdoor illumination level does not increase more than 10 % with the lights on.  Window films with lower visible light transmission ratings will greatly reduce the light trespass from the buildings.

Our Solar Vision representative can help you find the right film that can meet your needs for reducing light trespassing.

3M Window Film Saves Art Studio

3M Window Film saves art studio located on an Iowa historical farm.  When straight line winds hit the farm house, the windows in the art studio located in the southeast corner of the home cracked.  The windows, however, held together because of the window film.  If the rain had gotten in the house, precious art work which could not be replaced and expensive art supplies would have been lost.  The window also stayed in place for a period of time until the window could be replaced.  Injury and damage due to flying shards of glass was eliminated. The owner is an artist and interior decorator.  She knew that her antiques, furnishings and artwork was being protected everyday from the harmful effects of UV Rays by the window film applied to all windows of the house.  The film also reduced glare and provided privacy.  The windows did not have to be covered with drapes.  The beautiful landscape of this home was not diminished by blinds or other window coverings.  She was also able to use less energy in cooling her home. The window film provides extra insulation to the windows. For example, if you have single-paned window, the film would make the window perform like a double-paned window.

The owner is so thankful she had the window film applied to her windows.  The loss due the weather event would have been great.  Insurance can't replace property with sentimental value or creative property.

Anti-Graffiti Film Protects Windows

Anti-Graffiti Film protects windows from permanent damage.  Urban centers all over the country are having difficulties with graffiti.  City officials, residents, and property owners are continually seeking solutions to the abatement of graffiti in their neighborhoods.  Anti-Graffiti window film have properties to decrease the harmful effects of graffiti.  Anti-Graffiti window film can be a less costly solution over window replacement. Cities, not only in the US but all over the world are having trouble with graffiti vandalism. When graffiti is visible, people are less likely to shop, eat, go to other venues in the area. People are concerned that if graffiti is allowed that other crimes may also be in the area. Gang activity is also a concern.  Residents and visitors do not feel safe.  Graffiti can be in rural or small town areas as well.

City leaders seek ways to combat this growing issue.  One way is to take down graffiti ASAP. Window film can help remove the graffiti quickly.  The tagger or gang member wants to be recognized and if it is not up long, they won't get the attention they seek.  Another way is to give graffiti artist a place to do and show their work.  This can work for the person who is trying to get artist recognition.  Denver recently has added more police presence downtown for reasons other than graffiti, but graffiti is a part of it. Some youth like to show their independence from authority or take their anger out on people through graffiti.  Schools could benefit from window film by putting window film on restroom mirrors and other glass surfaces.  Graffiti is a senseless crime that is very costly. The city of Denver spends over a million dollars a year on graffiti removal.  Larger cities spend even more.  Window film can't solve the graffiti issue, but can be used as one of many tools.

Advantages of  3M Anti Graffiti Window Film Include:

• Scratch resistant
• Protects glass from permanent damage
• Gouge resistant
• Easily removed and replace by professional
• Used indoors or outdoors
• Resists acid or etching tools
• Can be cleaned as any other window surface
• Anti-graffiti film is clear and distortion free
• Has other benefits of window film such as 99% blocking of UV rays
• Comes is two thicknesses for low risk and high risk areas
• Backed by 3M warranties

Window replacement can cost up to twenty times the cost of window film. Window film is one of the many tools businesses and communities are using to combat the costly damage of graffiti.