Safety and Security Film – Charlotte, NC

Safety, or security window film can be installed for a number of purposes, including protection from accidental injury, violent weather, crime, and explosions. Safety / Security film help to reduce the danger posed by shattered glass fragments by keeping them together, attached to the film. Security film can help to protect your home or vehicle from intruders by making the glass harder to penetrate.

Protection from Accidental Injury
Like an invisible shield, security films offer protection from broken glass when accidents occur at home and at work. When ordinary annealed glass breaks, it poses considerable danger. The shattered pieces become daggers that can cause serious injury or even death. Engineered with powerful adhesives, security films reduce the hazard of broken glass by keeping the pieces together and safely attached to the film.

Protection from Violent Weather
When Mother Nature loses her temper, devastation and loss is sure to follow. Glass is always one of the first casualties during a hurricane, tornado or earthquake. During violent weather when glass breaks, wind, rain and flying debris are given full access to your home or office, causing property damage and destruction.

Security films are Mother Nature’s match. Able to withstand extraordinary wind and force, security film helps prevent entry of water and wind-borne debris, providing superior protection 24-hours a day. Disasters can strike with little or no warning; security films are always ready.

Protection from Crime
Windows and doors are the most vulnerable parts of your home or place of business. They are points of entry for criminals and smash-and-grab thieves. Glass is an inviting target for vandals intent on mischief or worse.

Alarms and security systems are helpful, but provide little protection from experienced or determined intruders. With security films, intruders cannot readily penetrate the glass, even by striking it with a heavy implement. Usually they become discouraged and quickly depart for some easier target.

Protection from Explosions
Bombs. Industrial explosions. Terrorist attacks. In an instant, an explosion can fire broken glass fragments at lethal speeds. Research conducted after explosions, points to flying and broken glass as one of the main causes of death or injury.

While nothing can completely protect against powerful explosions, security films have proven their effectiveness in these moments of extreme danger.

Article originally found at the International Window Film Association website.

Benefits of Window Film – Charlotte, NC

Benefits of dealer installed window film products for residential and commercial buildings:
In response to the many requests for a statement on the benefits of installed window film products the International Window Film Association has compiled the following information.  This list may not include all potential applications and depending on the product recommendations, many products will not provide all of the benefits listed.  It is the responsibility of the installing dealer, as well as the informed consumer, to determine which window film product will best suit their need.  Working with an International Window Film Association (IWFA) accredited “Solar Control Specialist” assures the consumer that the dealer they are working with has successfully completed testing on important areas of technical and installation expertise.

All window films typically offer:

• Up to 99% Ultraviolet (UV) light reduction resulting in significant fade protection for furniture, carpet, draperies, wood, etc; reduced fabric/textile deterioration; reduced exposure to UV radiation, which has been linked to certain cancers.
• Increased shatter resistance resulting in increased peace of mind, increased safety for family & friends, heavy gauge security films offer significant benefits from natural disasters
• Scratch resistant hard coating protects against accidental abrasion and product deterioration from normal cleaning, hazy appearance typical with plastic type materials.
• Performs well in all climates

Metallized/solar control window film can provide:

• Significantly reduced solar heat gain resulting in increased comfort, reduced air conditioning costs, reduced HVAC equipment wear and tear/maintenance, increased fade resistance.
• Glare reduction
• Daytime privacy
• Attractive accent to home and business windows
• Lower energy demands from utilities resulting in lower overall energy costs, decreased demand for new power generating facilities, decreased environmental emissions.

With “Accredited Solar Control Specialist” installations you can expect:

• Knowledgeable sales consultants.
• High quality materials and installation.
• Manufacturer warranties covering product failure.
• Glass thermal shock fracture and IG unit seal failure coverage.
• Confidence you are dealing with an industry professional.

Article originally found at the International Window Film Association website.

Professional Referral Program

ATTENTION: Realtors, Designers, Contractors and Business Professionals

$$$ ADD AN INCOME STREAM TO YOUR BUSINESS WITHOUT ADDING TO YOUR BUSINESS $$$

Southern Comfort Solar Control is pleased to launch its new Professional Referral Rewards Program!

If you are like me you have taken a hard look at your business over the past several months and have found new, better, and different ways of conducting it. How to get more with what you have?  How to spend less but make more (or as much)?  What works, what doesn’t work?  At Southern Comfort Solar Control we have found that building, maintaining, and rewarding good referral sources like you generates quality leads and ultimately paying customers.

By working with Southern Comfort Solar Control, we can show you how to add window film to your existing business and profit significantly, or we can do all the work for you, assume the risk, handle warranty issues, as well as install everything and still reward you handsomely for the referral.  You can be added to our billing system as a preferred referral source and receive payment upon job completion, or you can choose to pass your reward onto to your client via an invoice credit.

We are also open to other creative ideas to make our relationship a win-win-win for all parties involved.

Call us @ 704.677.6535 to learn more details about our Professional Referral Rewards Program or visit us online at www.SouthernComfortSolarControl.com and click on the “Contact Us” tab.

Tinting Windows in Charlotte, NC and surrounding suburbs.

UV Fading Misconception

I have noticed a BIG misconception by my recent clients about UV fading of their furnishings and floorings.  Almost all of them stated that they are concerned about further damage by UV fading now that the weather has got hot again.  I cannot make this clear enough, UV fading knows no season; it is a year round problem irregardless of the outside ambient temperature.

I’ll demonstrate it like this… Have you ever got a sunburn in the winter months, perhaps if you went skiing?  Have you ever got a sun burn on a cool overcast day?

Case and point, if your skin can get sunburned in the winter or on an overcast day aren’t your furnishings and floorings being exposed to the same damaging UV rays?

If you would like further information contact us @ 704.677.6535 or visit us online @ www.southerncomfortsolarcontrol.com

Serving Charlotte, NC and surrounding suburbs.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

By Ron Jones, LEED AP, Commercial Business Development, Madico
In an actual building, Madico’s RS 440 film was used  and temperature points were measured using data loggers. At peak sun exposure, the variance in temperature ranged
from 11‐12 degrees Fahrenheit. This representation shows graphically the fact that heat gain
increases with sun exposure.
A significant change in heat gain creates major issues for a building’s HVAC system as well as occupant
comfort. Many building engineers will admit that some systems are trying to cool a floor on one side due
to solar heat gain, while generating heat on the other side. Occupant comfort is very difficult to manage
in this type of situation.
With the proper selection and application of window film a commercial property can recognize various
advantages.
• Energy Savings:  Simply stated, if solar heat gain doesn’t enter through the building’s glazing,
you don’t have to spend as much energy or money generating cold air to offset it.

• Occupant comfort:  As the sun moves around the envelope of the building through a normal
day’s cycle, it creates hot and cold spots. An effective window film can manage the solar
heat gain to greatly reduce these variances, increasing occupant comfort.
• Reduced wear on mechanical systems:  Any machine that is forced to run at or near capacity
will inherently have more maintenance and repair issues than one that runs at a lower
percent of capacity. Film can reduce the load on mechanical equipment by managing the
heat gain through the existing glass.
• Glare reduction:  Glare is simply an over abundance of light. When the human eye is
exposed to overwhelming amounts of light a number of physiological responses occur. The
end result for an office environment is loss of productivity. Glare can be managed for
optimal lighting allowing for maximum productivity.
• Daylight harvesting:  While glare is often an issue, lack of light has a similar effect on the
human body. Energy control window film used on existing glass can be gauged for optimal
lighting. At Madico, we have the tools to simulate energy savings for multiple film
selections. Once energy impacts are established, the aesthetics of the choices can then be
assessed.
• Reduced deterioration of materials:  Ultraviolet light, heat, and visible light contribute to
90% of the causes of fading, as well as contributing to the deterioration of the adhesives
used in carpeting, wallpaper, etc.  Film manages these elements by prolonging the life of any
and all materials affected by solar energy as well as the heat generated from that solar
energy.
As Darrell Smith, Executive Director of the International Window Film Association says “Window film
works best when it’s needed the most.”

Window Film Provides Decades of Safety

Many years ago a new skyscraper, the Hancock Tower, was built which forever changed the Boston
skyline.  A design marvel created by one of the world’s most famous architects, it immediately became
one of the city’s most recognizable buildings because the entire building was sheathed in massive slabs
of reflective glass. Older buildings could be seen reflected in its facade from miles away.
There was one minor issue.  The glass kept falling out of the building! This obviously concerned city
residents and government officials, alike. A multi‐block area was cordoned off around the building for
what seemed like years.   This debacle prompted Time Magazine to publish an article entitled “Those
Window Pains” in October of 1973. In fact, the building came to be known by locals as “The Plywood
Palace” due to the 3500 plus pieces of plywood put in place to replace the fallen glass.
Numerous steps were taken to correct the flaw. Counterweights were installed at both ends of the
building to minimize sway; every window was replaced with thermally tempered glass, and the entire
structure was stiffened with the installation of additional steel bracing throughout. These efforts
alleviated many of the issues but did not completely eliminate the glass breakage issues.
Then, along came a local window film manufacturer, Madico, Inc. of Woburn Mass., a suburb about 10
miles north of Boston. Working in conjunction with the renowned Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Madico developed a safety film that, when applied to the glass with a pressure sensitive
adhesive and attached to the window frames using a decorative mullion, would hold the broken glass in
place and prevent dangerous shards from injuring pedestrians walking below the 600 foot tower.
To Madico’s knowledge this is the first recorded usage of attached safety film.
Over the past decade, safety films have become widely recognized for their ability to protect people and
property from terrorist bombings, industrial accidents, wind borne debris from windstorms, and
nuisances like intrusion and graffiti.  These materials are generally manufactured from layers of
polyethylene terathalate (PET) and various types of adhesives.  They are applied to glass much like
wallpaper, bonding to the glass with proprietary pressure sensitive adhesives. Once cured to the glass,
the films hold the glass together in the event of breakage and, if attached to the window frame with one
type of the many available attachment systems such as FrameGard® or Frameflex®, can help prevent
blast loads and debris from entering a building when subjected to such forces.

But one question persists:  How long can a window film last?
Most film manufacturers subject their products to rigorous accelerated weathering testing before
releasing these products to the public. This testing is comprised of high intensity ultraviolet (UV) light
exposure, high and low temperatures, as well as extraordinary levels of humidity. This testing is
designed to emulate years of use in the field. Many testers also expose films to natural environmental
conditions at independent facilities throughout the “sun belt” ensure their real world weatherability.  All
safety films should also be tested at independent laboratories to determine the level of blast,
windstorm, intrusion, and safety standards they will meet.
But time is the real test … and Madico has some remarkable results.
Recently Madico had the opportunity to test the safety film it applied to the Hancock Tower over 24
years ago. While the accelerated weathering the films are subjected to provide a good idea how the
films will perform over time, there is no substitute to real life experience.
During this evaluation Madico tested for:
•Peel value, the force needed to remove the film from the glass. This is a measure of how well
the film will hold onto the glass when broken,
•Tensile Strength, the actual strength of the PET and,
•UV blocking, the amount of ultraviolet radiation blocked by the film.
The results were enlightening. Peel value remained +/‐ 3% of the original manufactured material.
Tensile strength tested at over 90% of its original value.  And UV Blocking maintained nearly 95% of its
original blocking power.
Madico prides itself on making the highest quality window safety film available. By having the
opportunity to test safety films that have been in place for nearly a quarter century, Madico can say
with unmatched confidence its safety films will continue to protect  people and property from glass
failure, natural disaster and even terrorist bombings for decades.

Obama’s State of the Union Address Highlights Renewables’ Role

Washington, DC [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

In his first State of the Union address, US President Barack Obama has highlighted the key role of renewables in the economic development of the country.

“Providing incentives for energy-efficiency and clean energy are the right thing to do for our future, because the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy. And America must be that nation.”

– Barack Obama, President of the United States of America

He said: “We can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow. From the first railroads to the Interstate Highway System, our nation has always been built to compete. There’s no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains, or the new factories that manufacture clean energy products.”

To applause he added, “We should put more Americans to work building clean energy facilities and give rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy-efficient, which supports clean energy jobs. And to encourage these and other businesses to stay within our borders, it is time to finally slash the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas, and give those tax breaks to companies that create jobs right here in the United States of America.”

In a State of the Union speech clearly weighted in its call for a move to more bipartisan politics, and in the wake of a recent Republican Senate victory in Massachusetts, Obama warned of the consequences of delaying legislation saying: “Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse. Meanwhile, China is not waiting to revamp its economy. Germany is not waiting. India is not waiting. These nations, they’re not standing still. These nations aren’t playing for second place. They’re putting more emphasis on math and science. They’re rebuilding their infrastructure. They’re making serious investments in clean energy because they want those jobs.”

But, to create more clean energy jobs, more production, more efficiency and more incentives are needed, he said, highlighting investment in advanced biofuels. “And, yes,” said Obama, “it means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America.”

Continuing on his bipartisan theme, Obama added: “I am grateful to the House for passing such a bill last year. And this year I’m eager to help advance the bipartisan effort in the Senate. I know there have been questions about whether we can afford such changes in a tough economy. I know that there are those who disagree with the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change. But here’s the thing, even if you doubt the evidence, providing incentives for energy-efficiency and clean energy are the right thing to do for our future, because the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy. And America must be that nation.”

How To Select Window Tint for The Home or Office

Q’s: How does tinting affect heating and cooling costs?

What makes a great installation?

Why is it important to have service after the sale?

With today’s advanced window tinting films, there is hardly a question as to whether windows in the home or office should be treated.  The dyes that used to darken windows and the metal content that produced harsh reflections are gone.  New films incorporate nano-ceramic technology that offers protection from UV and infrared rays while remaining optically clear or invisible.  The result is a home and business owners have control over the architectural appear of their residence or office while gaining all the traditional advantages of tinting.

Those advantages are numerous.  Tinted windows can reduce heat absorption by as much as 78 percent during summer months, which can cut energy bills by 20 to 30 percent.  During cooler months, energy costs will increase slightly but overall a significant savings is realized.  Tinted windows significantly reduce fading of hardwoods, Oriental rugs, fabrics and artwork.  The prevent broken glass from shattering, and tax credits are available to home and business owners for some installations.  Duke Energy offers a rebate program for its commercial accounts.  As of this writing, a $1,500.00 tax credit is available toward the cost of the film (but not the installation) when it is installed before December 31, 2010.

Selecting the right installer is critical to making a good investment.  Poorly installed film will manifest itself in various ways: It doesn’t fit properly; it bubbles or peels; it fails to meet zoning requirements’ or dirt and hair are trapped under the film.  Find an experienced dealer who uses expertly trained installers, has a reputation for quality work and offers various films from which to choose.  The person you speak with should explain all of the products and how they will affect your building.  Ideally, tinting should be the dealer’s primary business because special tools and craftsmanship are needed for the job.

Window tinting is semi-permanent, meaning that removing or replacing poorly installed film can be costly.  This is why you should feel confident that the service you receive after the sale will be just as complete and professional as the service before the sale.  Insist on a warranty that covers cracking, peeling and bubbling as well as color changing and fading.  Make sure the warranty is inclusive of glass breakage and seal failure coverage.  Ensure you receive a receipt and manufacturer’s warranty forms and keep these documents on file in case you have problems later.

“Green” Light for Window Films

Growing numbers of ESCOs (Energy Service Companies) and “green” designers are persuaded of the value of integrating solar control films into many of their energy reduction packages.  Information and experience from projects around the globe, are making clear their cost-effectiveness, and field implementation is now an increasingly visible option for all decision-makers.

Global warming or not, the economic and environmental pain is real.  Even if it were not true that the globe is warming, claimed to be caused from our growing consumption of fossil fuels, there is no question about the tremendous rise in the use of these fuels and the increasing costs to the bottom line of personal and corporate energy budgets.  These fuels are becoming more costly with huge rises in demand in rapidly developing countries.  One can debate endlessly about the impact of CO2 as a greenhouse gas on rising average temperatures, the increasing strength of hurricanes, melting of glacial ice, rising ocean levels and the growing risks of direct environmental damage from oil exploration, distribution and processing.  But the argument comes to an end when the issue resolves simply to whether we can afford the “price” (however defined) of burning more fossil fuels at ever-increasing rates.

THE BANDWAGON IS PAINTED GREEN

Are there simple ways to reduce consumption and save money?  Indeed there are.  This article will focus on one way to improve the performance of glazing, a way that is not only simple, but also painless, passive and proven – in short “green”.  The use of solar control window films is soaring because of its demonstrable effectiveness, making the product a potential component of nearly every green building retro-fit design plan.  Indeed, the growth of the green building movement internationally will surely see the widening use of window films in the coming years.  This article explores the green building movement and justification of solar control films’ inclusion into green building plans.

THE GROWTH OF GREEN ORGANIZATIONS

Several organizations around the world are addressing the critical connection between global warming an ever-rising energy usage, attempting to reduce global demand for energy, improve energy efficiency, establish sustainable building development and promote “green” (environmentally friendly) buildings.  Several such organizations of note are the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy, the China Sustainable Energy Program, Sustainable Energy Europe, the US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System and the US Energy Start Program.

The LEED Rating System, for example, is a consensus-based IS national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.  LEED was created to:

• define “green buildings” establishing a common standard of measurement;
• promote integrated, whole-building design practices;
• recognize environmental leadership; and
• raise consumer awareness of green building benefits.

LEED emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies for energy efficiency and sustainable site development, and promotes expertise in green buildings through a comprehensive system offering project certification – an important part of which is building energy-efficiency.

ENERGY STAR is a US Government-sponsored program helping to save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.  ENERGY START offers a proven energy management strategy that helps measure current energy performance, set foals, track savings, and reward improvements.  Because of this emphasis on protecting the environments through energy-efficiency, many window film manufacturers have become ENERGY STAR partners.

SOLAR CONTROL FILM: FINDING ITS PLACE IN THE SUN

Window films have a 40 year+ history as a retro-fit glazing product.  And, over the decades, steady improvements in deposition technology, adhesive systems and scratch resistant surface coatings have resulted in truly viable products of impressive performance, appearance, and longevity.  Optically clear polyester films that are UV-stabilized, hard coated, and encapsulate sputter – or vapor depositions of any number of metals and oxides or IR-blocking nano-particle dispersions are making it painless to upgrade the solar performance of standard glazing systems.  These performance films offer overall energy savings for qualified building of 5-10 percent, and common payback periods of 1-4 years.

Energy Awareness Month – Save $$$ and Energy With Window Film

Save Up to 30% on Energy Bills with Window Film

Madico Window Film Provides Proven Energy Savings

The U.S. Department of Energy has proclaimed October as Energy Awareness Month to help Americans use less energy and reduce carbon emissions.

Window film is one of the smartest ways to make existing buildings more energy-efficient and save on energy bills. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), one of the world’s top energy research centers, reported that, “The most cost-effective options in terms of payback period are adding window films to existing windows, using mini-blinds (or some type of internal window shade), and planting trees around the sunny sides of a building¹.”

Recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Clinton Climate Initiative, window film provides energy-related savings as well as other benefits. Homeowners and facility managers can reap tremendous benefits from professionally-installed window film:

• Cut air conditioning bills up to 30 percent: By rejecting 79 percent of solar energy, window film keeps a room cooler and more comfortable. In commercial buildings, window film reduces the HVAC load and can significantly reduce the use of cooling systems.
• A cost-effective alternative: Professionally installed window film costs just $3.50 to $12.00 ft² on average — considerably less than replacement glass. LBNL found that window film tops the ROI list when competing with window replacements, blinds, awnings, shade trees and reflective roofs.
• Improve the ROI of other energy-saving products: Window film multiplies the return on investment of other technologies such as HVAC and refrigeration. For LEED certification, window film can be applied toward six distinct credit categories.