Updated the site to include the Green Building promo site that was used with the city of Houston and their Green Building Resource Center.  Conserve Energy with Solar Control Window Film.  Check out our films at the Code Enforcement agency.

The commercial window film, Dual Reflective 15 is pretty awesome and blocks 82% of the TSER.  DR 15 will lower your a/c bill, block the heat, conserve energy and save you money.  What's not to like about this window film brought to you buy your window film suppliers and distributors at Solar Control Films.

I love this film, Dual Reflective 5%.  It rejects 88% of the Total Solar Energy (88% TSER) which is fantastic energy conservation.  Check out the specs at: 
http://www.solarcontrolfilmsinc.com/dualreflective5.html

Insulation for your glass.

Solar Control Films launches their most effective heat shield film yet, Dual Reflective 5 (DR 5).  DR 5 will stop 88% of the total solar energy from entering your home or office saving you plenty of money during the summer months on your electric bill and keep you cool in your home or office.  The DR 5 solar tint reflects the heat so that it does not enter your building.  The Dual Reflective series includes:

• Dual Reflective 5
• Dual Reflective 15
• Dual Reflective 30
• Dual Reflective 40

Stay cool this summer with solar tint that rejects the heat.  Solar Control Films will refer you to a local installer in you area. 

It's great having summer workers come in to help out during the busy summer season, but all new workers need to be trained so that they can help give excellent customer service.  The key points in my training agenda are:

• Explain Window Film
• Auto Tint
• High Performance vs Non Reflective vs. nano ceramic
• 1 ply vs 2 ply
• Architectural Window Film
• Commercial, residential, solar
• Safety Film
• Dealer Support Manual
• Read the DSM; there is a wealth of information there
• Take Inventory 
• By being forced to take inventory, and employee leans the different sku's.  There is a huge difference between a NR 20% 40" vs NR 40% 20"
• Practice Roll
• 12" HP Sample roll & french panes
• Knock yourself out and practice with the 12" sample roll on french panes
• Things to learn:  liner vs scratch coat side; liner, how to remove it; how to clean glass, trim, olfa knife basics, slip solution, etc.
• Then, on to a side auto window
• Warehouse Work
• Pull customer orders
• Rotate inventory
• box making 101
• Strapping machine
• Customer service
• Answer the phone politely and see how you can help the customer
• Tech stuff
• IWFA solar film manual
  

Training new employees is always key and getting them to understand window film helps them understand customer needs.

I will be driving up to the new St. Louis tint supply distribution center this weekend to work with Richard and our summer intern, Raffaele.  Raffaele goes to school at Mizzou in Columbia so he is working in the warehouse during the summer.  He has shown initiative and already dropped samples off to prospective auto tinters in Columbia and he enjoys working with cars.  Raffaele was worded at detailing shops, so he has some auto experience.

If you are in central Missouri, be sure and give Raffaele a call so he can drop by when he's stopping it at Mizzou.  I will be in St. Louis for the next ten days, so give me a call with any questions if you are in the Midwest including Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, or Missouri (NE, KS, OK, AR, SD, ND, MO).  We'll be happy to talk to you about growing your business.

Stan should be working at the tint school towards the end of the month.  We also carry plenty of marketing support material to help you grow your business which includes, auto tint banners, HP auto film wall displays, NR auto tint wall displays, Auto table top car displays, commercial and residential wall displays, Global Dealer Support Manuals and plenty of installation tools.  Our contact information in St. Louis is:

Solar Control Films, Midwest Tint Supplier and Distributor
1220 N. Price Road; Suite B
St. Louis, MO 63132
314.993.8468
866.973.3456

Staying cool with solar control window film, we got back in touch with Eric who had the film installed six days ago & wanted to know what results he found with the film.  To summarize the customers' needs & what was installed; here is what we got:

• Too much light in bedroom (customer works nights & needs to sleep in the morning, but too much light enters.  He has shades, two thick curtains & solar screens & still too much light enters)
• Too much heat gain in bedroom.  Eric has central a/c, but he installed an additional a/c window unit to stay cooler in the bedroom
• Too much heat gain on the eastern facing windows in the morning
• Too much heat gain on the western facing windows in the afternoon.
• Too much glare entering the windows
• No privacy

So, Crystal, the professional installer / tinter recommended the following films based on the customers' needs.

• Dual Reflective 5% in the bedroom
• This architectural film was designed to be safe on all glass
• Only a 38% Solar Absorbance, which is safe on glass
• Keeps the maximum amount of light out
• Blocks 88% of the Total Solar Energy (TSER 88%)
• Shading Coefficient of .18 (SC .18)
• Dual Reflective 15% in the kitchen & living room / tv room back of house / eastern side
• Will allow more light inside the house than the DR 5% and keeps a consistent look to the back
• Neutral 20% for the front of the house:  study & 2nd bedroom
• This is the front of the house; so the customer wanted less reflectivity
• This film will still block 64% of the Total Solar Energy (TSER 64%)
  

And what did Eric say, 6 days later when asked what he thought about the film.

"Are you kidding, it is much cooler--i can already tell that the AC does not fire up as much. and yea, my room dark and cool, now! definitely a good investment."

Some of his other comments & benefits from the film are.
-We can open the blinds and curtains and see our views.
-Better security because we can see who is walking up to the front door through the windows
-Better privacy, we can look out, but the can't see us
-The hot spots in the kids bedroom, living room, kitchen & master bedroom are gone!
-It is cooler in the house.

Here at Solar Control Films, your tint supplier and distributor of Global Window Films; people are always asking if they can apply the film themselves.  Our answer is "Not well."  "You will save time and money by calling a professional tinter to install the film."

For the new professional tinter, the basic steps (and these are very basic) in installation window film are the following:

1.       Find a professional window film installer to tint your windows

·         You will save a lot of money, time, and aggravation, otherwise read on and proceed at your own risk.

2.       Acquire installation tools

·         Olfa knife                                     GT 027

·         Spray bottle                                  GT 097 & 098

·         Squeegees

                                                      i.      Blue Max w/handle              GT  122

                                                    ii.      Pro Squeegee                        GT 062

·         Scraper                                         GT 107

                                                      i.      Auto Scraper                         GT 212

·         Scraper SS blades                         GT 108

                                                      i.      Auto Scraper  SS blades        GT 137

·         Olfa blades SS (50pk)                   GT 116

·         Scrub pads                                    GT  085

·         Misc

                                                      i.      5 way tool                             GT 190

·         Paper towels (lint free)

·         Installation solution (Johnson baby shampoo & water)

·         Heat gun (auto installation)

3.       Decide which solar tint to use

4.      Installation solution

·         3 to 5 drops of baby shampoo (or “slip” solution) with water

5.       Prepare site

·         Clear everything out of the way

·         Drop cloth

·         Clean the area, including cleaning the window frame

6.       Clean surface of glass

·         This is the most important step!

·         Spay solution over entire window

·         Scrape the glass from top to bottom & scrape 100% of the glass

                                                      i.      Scrape along the edges very well

                                                    ii.      Clean out any & all silicon around window frame

·         Spray window again & clean

·         Spray window again & clean with #GT 053

·         Inspect glass so that no debris is left behind.  Check along the window frame

7.       Measure the window

8.       Cut window film from box

·         Measure twice, cut window film once!

·         Leave

9.       Trim film

10.   Clean glass surface again with #GT 053

11.   Spray solution on Glass

12.   Remove liner & spray solution

13.   Apply film to glass

14.   Spray solution to surface of film on glass

15.   Squeegee film

·         Start at the top

·         Squeegee from the center, to the edge of the glass

·         Squeegee other  ½ from center to edge, then work downwards

16.   Trim exact

17.   Squeegee again

18.   Squeegee sides with paper towel wrapped around squeegee

19.   Inspect

There are many great videas out there and tint schools to really get the technique down.  Practice, practice, practice.  Then call your professional installer.

The City of Houston requested that Solar Control Films assist them in demonstrating how solar window film conserves energy by blocking heat from entering a home and office.  Besides having applied Dual Reflective film to one large glass pane in the building to demonstrate the product, they Green Building Resource Center will have a "retrofit" section where they demonstrate to home owners how they can improve the energy efficiency in their homes. 

They acquired an old 1920's wood window and added insulation to the wall section and wanted window film applied.  I went to the Green Center to add the window film to half the window.  Dual Reflective 30 was applied, but it was not easy.  Although it was a small window, it was tough to clean due to the particles of the wood frame kept falling out & getting behind the frame.  After 30 minutes, the window was completed and squeegeed out and solar window film is on display to help grow the market for all tinters in greater Houston and Texas.  Hopefully, other Green Centers around the US will also display window film.

Those of us living along eastern & southern coastlines are well area that another hurricane season began June 1. 

Shatter resistant window film is a great way to help protect the envelope of your home and office.  How does shatter resistant safety film work?  Safety film is a thick polyester with a very thick adhesive that helps keep glass shards together should the window break due to flying debris.

When a window breaks without safety film or any other protective barrier, hurricane force winds can enter a house along with water and debris.  Again, shatter resistant window films help keep the glass shards together; thus helping to prevent wind and water from entering the home and office.

To find out more about how shatter resistant window film can help protect your home and office contact your local safety film installer or this office at 877.989.3456

The dog days of summer have arrived and a friend of mine, Eric, couldn't keep his house cool enough and constantly kept all his blinds & curtains closed to try to keep the heat out. I dropped by his house and talked about his solar problems at this house that included:

• Keep as much heat out as possible
• Reduce his electrical bill
• Get the house cooler
• Allow the family to open up the blinds & curtains again to get natural light in daytime
• Reduce hot spots in the kids bedrooms
• Allow privacy during the day
• Enhance the look
• Reduce the amount of light in the master bedroom since he worked some night shifts

I told him we could work out all his needs and showed him options of window films.  For the west facing windows that faced the street; Eric and his family picked on a Neutral 20%, for the back east facing windows, energy conservation was a big concern; so they picked a Dual Reflective 15%.  For the East facing master bedroom that had an extra A/C wall unit along with the central A/C, Eric needed to block as much light as possible so he could sleep during the day when he had to work the night shift, thus the new Dual Reflective 5% was chosen that would block 95% of the light & 88% of the Total Solar Energy.

Next, I contacted a local professional installer and had them quote Eric the job.  While the film was being installed, immediately they got excited as they could feel the heat being blocked with each solar tint installed.  The house cooled down, they opened the blinds and allowed more light inside the house.  They are a very happy customer and the installer did an excellent job.  There were many French panes, so is was not an easy installation.

As Eric gets his utility bills, we compare how much money he is saving with global solar tint from Solar Control Films.

Commercial window tint and residential window tint also known as solar control window film and solar tint is a great way to block heat from passing through glass and conserve energy by reducing the a/c load.  When choosing the right film, a solar control specialist will be able to assist you in picking the film that will fit your needs and keep your glass safe.  As the local premium solar film supplier and distributor, Solar Control Films Inc. has over 25 years of industry experience and will be happy to recommend a local professional tinter to assist you.  To understand thermal stress in glass, the following needs to be explained:

Part 1 of 10 from the Solar Control Window Film & Glass Series from the Global Window Films Architectural Film Consumer Guide #4070

The Effects of Solar Energy on Glass

As more and more people are having solar control window film installed on their windows, it is more important than ever to understand exactly the impact on glass that installing window film has.  There are seldom any problems when the proper solar control window film is installed on undamaged glass.  However, solar control window film can contribute to thermal stress fracture (TSF) and even lead to insulated glass unit (IGU) seal failure when under certain circumstances improperly selected window film is installed.  Circumstances that may lead to TSF and or IGU seal failure include

• Improper solar window film choice
• Rapid temperature changes and shading
• Pre-existing flaws or imperfections in the glass
• Tightness of glass fitting or framing
• Environmental conditions

As a rule of thumb, films with a solar absorbance of .50 / .53 or lower are safer than films with absorbance above .53.  Consumers in high altitudes with cold weather need to be particularly careful on their windows especially on eastern facing windows where the sun rises during the winter.

Do you want to grow your solar tint business?  Try getting new contacts and jumping onto the "Green" bandwagon.  As we all know, solar control window film is a great way to conserve energy and for building owners to save cash.  We are also a "Green" product.  I have been working with the local chapter of the US Green Building Council promoting window film as an excellent way to conserve energy. 

Today, in the Green Building News, as per the USGBC, Houston Mayor White proclaims June 3 as USGBC-Houston Green Partner Day

 

The Houston May, Bill White, has issued a proclamation heralding the achievements of the U.S. Green Building Council Greater Houston Area Chapter.

 

On May 28, the proclamation was issued which declares today as U.S. Green Building Council Greater Houston Area Green Partner Day. The local chapter is also recognized as an agent of cultural transformation.

 

"The emergence of the U.S. Green Building Council-Houston as a community catalyst for sustainable design began in the commercial sector," states the proclamation.

 

It then references the successful year-long collaboration the chapter had with the Greater Houston Partnership. In 2007, the chapter and GHP conducted two symposia. The first focused on new construction and the second focused on existing buildings.

 

Also the city of Houston opened the Green Building Resource center where solar window film provided by Solar Control Films in on display as an excellent way to retrofit offices and homes to reduce the carbon footprint by conserving energy.  Dual Reflective 15 film from Solar Control Films has a shading coefficient of .27.  In Texas, solar tint can conserve up to 14 kWh per square foot of glass per year.  When you pay  $.15 per kWh in Houston, the savings will add up to $2.25 per square foot of glass per year….year after year of savings.  With a glass envelope of 1,000 sf on the building, the savings really adds up to $2,250 each year.

 

The board reserves one day a year to recognize its partners in helping it to achieve its successful ventures.

 

The board chair, Keith Reihl said, "We are delighted that Mayor White understands and recognizes the importance of healthier, cleaner and more energy-efficient buildings that incorporate environmental stewardship."  

 

The proclamation heralds the work of the chapter´s sponsors, collaborators, volunteers and other who have been instrumental in helping it gain momentum.

 

"The City of Houston salutes the organizers and participants of this worthwhile endeavor, and extends best wishes for a successful and rewarding observance," it states.

 

Good job city of Houston!

 

News information was taken from:

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147

 

Global Window Films founded more than 50 years ago, is one of the world’s largest and oldest  suppliers and  manufacturers of solar window film products. Global window films is a worldwide leader in the manufacture of a full spectrum of premium solar window films for automobiles, commercial buildings, and homes which includes commercial tint, auto film, residential tint, solar tint, safety film, auto tint, limo tint, and solar film.

As the only window film company that produces every element of our products, Global window films is very unique in the industry. An unsurpassed level of excellence and quality control during every step of the manufacturing process from the raw materials to the finished product is a result of our single source approach. Global Window Films is the only window film manufacturer that extrudes PET raw material (polyester). During the extrusion process, UV inhibitors are added; thus giving the film color stability and a much longer life. All of Global's two ply auto films have a life-time warranty along with a life time warranty for all residential film. Commercial window films & commercial shatter resistant window films have a 10 year warranty.

Global films are produced in a state-of-the-art facility with ISO-9001:2000 certification. Global markets its quality solar window films to professional dealers and tinters through a worldwide distributor network, dedicated to providing professional support and superior service. With product features designed to enhance installer convenience and customer satisfaction, plus service, pricing, and support to help dealers build their businesses, Global window film sets the standard for dependability, quality and dependability.  Global offers a complete range of marketing support material to help tinters to grow their business.


Solar Control Films based in Houston, TX and St. Louis, MO is the exclusive distributor for Global Window Films in the South and Midwest. They supply Global's commercial tint, auto tint, safety tint, residential tint, architectural film, solar tint, uv tint, safety film and tint tools. The supplier and distributor centers are located in Houston, TX and St. Louis, MO.