Window Tinting News In Iowa City, Iowa And Surrounding Areas

Improve Facility Operations With Commercial Window Films

webmasterSeptember 28, 2022Commercial Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

This past year has really changed the way that commercial spaces are being utilized. In light of these changes, it is imperative that building managers take steps to operate the facility more efficiently and make their space stand out from the crowd. FacilitiesNet had an article that discussed how commercial window films could improve facility operations, and we wanted to summarize the findings below.

3 Ways Commercial Window Films Improve Facility Operations

Reduces Energy Costs: When window film is installed, the stress on the HVAC system is greatly reduced. Film keeps the cool air inside during summer months and limits heat loss during the winter months. These benefits can ultimately result in lower utility bills for facility managers.
Improves Safety Measures: Windows and doors are any building’s main point of entry, even for those who are uninvited. Safety window films can help reduce property loss and damage in the event of a burglary attempt by making it far more difficult for criminals to penetrate the building through glass doors and windows. Also, in the unlikely and unfortunate event of a natural disaster or extreme weather event, safety and security window film will help minimize damage to property and occupants.
Increases Productivity for Occupants and Preserve Furnishings: Window film lets in natural daylight, but blocks 99% of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays, and up to 82% of the sun’s heat. Sun beaming in through the windows can be harmful to the building’s occupants and damage the furnishings. Window film can solve these problems, making it easier for employees to get their jobs done comfortably while protecting their skin and the interior furnishings.

We hope that you found this information enlightening and useful. If you would like to see the source article at FacilitiesNet, click Here

If you are interested in learning more about commercial window film, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Energy Control Of Iowa today by calling (319) 423-9663 or email us at woody@energycontrolofiowa.com. We are located in Iowa City, Iowa and cover the entire greater Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Quad Cities areas.

Considering Home Window Replacement? Read This First.

webmasterSeptember 23, 2022Home Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

Have you been considering a home window replacement? There may be some better ideas that you should consider before pulling the trigger. In this post we summarize an article from The Washington Post entitled “What to consider before replacing the windows on your home“.

The article is based on the author being asked by a friend for some advice on having their home windows replaced. He explains that retaining and retrofitting your existing windows might be a much better option. He also makes the point of saying with current inflation that the sticker shock on window replacement might be quite eye-opening. He states that “It may be a better idea to install new weatherstripping and window films, and to paint your existing windows with the best urethane resin paint you can find
We hoped that you enjoyed this article considering a home window tint retrofit instead of home window replacement.”

As we install window films, we will focus on that option. These films are installed on your existing windows most commonly on the inside surface. Most home window film and tint installs can be done fairly quickly with very little disruption to your home. As the author mentions in the article, “you can apply transparent films to your existing windows and achieve the same results. One film can reject 97 percent of the IR light that’s trying to transform the inside of your house into a blast furnace. Another film can block significant amounts of UV light that work to fade your fabrics and carpets. These films cost a tiny fraction of what a new window might set you back.”

One thing the article mentions to consider is how long you might be staying in the home if you think the replacement windows will pay for themselves in the energy savings. He mentions that this might be much longer than you might expect by saying “My calculator showed it would take more than 86 years to break even. Yes, as energy costs rise, the payback period is reduced. Do your own math using your true annual heating and cooling costs. I think you’ll be stunned by the length of your payback period.”

We hope you enjoyed this post. If you would like to read the entire article in The Washington Post, click HERE.

To learn more about the residential window films we offer, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Energy Control Of Iowa today by calling (319) 423-9663 or email us at woody@energycontrolofiowa.com. We are located in Iowa City, Iowa and cover the entire greater Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Quad Cities areas.

Home Window Tint Retrofit – Builder Trend Lists The Benefits

webmasterSeptember 15, 2022Home Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

Home Window Tint - What You Need To Know by Builder Trend in Iowa City, Iowa

We recently came across an article on Builder Trend that detailed some common questions and statements about a home window tint retrofit and their answers. As the article mentions, many people view retrofitting home window film to your existing windows as a luxury home improvement, but this upgrade to windows can improve the comfort of your home and possibly even save you money.

With that being said, let’s jump in. Here are some common statements and questions and the answers we are summarizing from Builder Trend.

My energy bill is too high. – Window tinting can lower energy costs. The insulating effect provided by the film prevents heat and cold from escaping homes. The savings will vary depending on factors such as the size of the home, the age and condition of the windows, and what part of the country they live in. For example, the warmer the climate and the older the home, the bigger the savings.
This room is too hot to use during the summer. – In addition to saving energy costs, tinting windows can also make a home more comfortable by reducing the heat and the glare of the sun’s rays. Balanced temperatures mean rooms can be used any time, no matter how much the sun shines.
The sunlight in this room is fading my furniture. – If your noticing negative effects of sun exposure on their furniture or hardwood floors, tinted windows can help. The estimated UV reduction on most window films is about 99%. This means tinted glass can almost completely eliminate harmful rays from the sun and protect their belongings.

Source: Blog, Style by Emily Henderson
We never open the blinds because we like our privacy. – So, you like your privacy? No problem. Certain shades of tinted film can prevent others from seeing into your home behind the glass.

If you would like to read the complete article in Builder Trend, click HERE.

We hoped that you enjoyed this article on a home window tint retrofit. To learn more about the residential window films we offer, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Energy Control Of Iowa today by calling (319) 423-9663 or email us at woody@energycontrolofiowa.com. We are located in Iowa City, Iowa and cover the entire greater Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Quad Cities areas.

3 Critical Components Of A Quality Home Window Film Installation

webmasterSeptember 8, 2022Home Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

Benjamin Franklin once famously said “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” More appropriate words cannot be said as it relates to having the windows tinted or filmed in your home. We wanted to write this article to shed some light on 3 very critical components of a quality home window film installation, not as a way to try and point you toward our company, but to equip you with information to make a good decision about who you entrust with this project.

Home Window Film Installation Critical Elements

Quality of Window Film Being Used – Like most things in life, window film / tint comes in a wide range of technologies and quality levels. It is critical when comparing different window film offerings that you understand the underlying product that will be used. First, let’s discuss quality. Window film is produced in various areas around the world at drastically differing quality levels. The construction of the film and the adhesive that holds it to the windows are where the rubber meets the road. The issue is that they all may look very similar the day you install them. Problems can arise if the film begins to fade, change color, delaminate, etc after a few years. Worse yet, it can begin to lose adhesion to the glass and bubble. You may have seen a window with film installed with this unfortunate problem.
Technology of Window Film Being Used – Now, let’s look into the technology of the film being used. Some films are basic metal technology (cheapest cost), they may give some performance but may not have the desired appearance. Others are high tech infrared filtering films (more expensive cost) that not only look great but also block a great deal of heat. It is important that you know what technology the films are so you can truly compare apples to apples.
Expertise of the Installation Technician – It goes without saying that this one makes a huge difference. Just like the skill of the person that cuts your hair, does your taxes or builds a home, experience matters. It is a safe assumption that people in skilled trades, like window film installation, get better over time and with the number of windows they have installed on. A good installer can take sub-standard film and make it look pretty good. A mediocre installer can use the very best film and still may produce a sub-standard result. There is simply no getting around the fact that the expertise of the installer plays a huge role in how well the final outcome of a window tint installation will be.

We hope this brief article will help you make a good choice with regard to a home window film installation. To learn more about the residential window tinting and films we offer, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Energy Control Of Iowa today by calling (319) 423-9663 or email us at woody@energycontrolofiowa.com. We are located in Iowa City, Iowa and cover the entire greater Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Quad Cities areas.

School Security Vulnerabilities – Window Retrofit Targets Weakness

webmasterSeptember 1, 2022Safety & Security Glass Film in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

As children across the country begin heading back to school full time, a mainstay of the news has become school safety and what can be done to protect students and staff. While a great deal of the safety is focused on COVID related modifications, many of the upgrades being discussed and implemented across the country also have to do with school security vulnerabilities as it relates to student safety.

It is very unfortunate that physical school security has become a primary topic of conversation, but it is part of the reality of the world in 2022. It sometimes is difficult to discuss school security and student safety strategies without appearing to have an agenda or be trying to sell something. While we are sensitive to this, we also feel that it is important to share information that can have a positive impact on potential incidents in the future. This article is designed to illuminate the topic of glass being one of the greatest school safety vulnerabilities.

Liz Crawford wrote a piece recently titled “Is Your Child’s School Safe? Examining The Top 3 School Safety Vulnerabilities“. In this article, she noted glass as being one of the top three vulnerabilities because of the extensive use of tempered glass in schools. She, along with Craig Gundry, Vice President with Critical Intervention Services, discussed and said “Another common security vulnerability in schools is extensive use of tempered glass glazing. Tempered glass shatters into small pieces and Gundry believes one gunshot into the glass will make it easy for a gunman to enter the building. Critical Intervention Services estimates a gunman can get into a school in roughly nine seconds if confronted with tempered glass.”

Gundry also said, “One of the reasons tempered glass has historically been much more common in architectural design as well as indoor environments is because of the price. It is less than half the price typically of laminated glass,”.

While it is true that we see this specification in schools regularly, there is good news. This school safety vulnerability can be addressed by retrofitting existing tempered school glass with a security window film. When someone tries to gain access through the glass of a protected door or window, the security window film would allow the glass to break, but it would maintain the glass in the frame. While this film / glass combination can eventually be penetrated to gain access, the objective is to create resistance that slows the entry down. The goal is by slowing the entry down that will be giving school officials and local authorities time to respond to the threat.

If you would like more information or have any questions about how security window films can help address school security vulnerabilities, please contact us by calling (319) 423-9663 or email us at woody@energycontrolofiowa.com. We would be happy to provide you with a free property assessment and estimate on retrofitting security window film in your Iowa City, Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Quad Cities area school.

Commercial Window Film Benefits For Property Owners & Facility Managers

webmasterAugust 27, 2022Commercial Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

Commercial Window Film Benefits For Property Owner / Managers - Commercial Window Films in the Iowa City, Iowa

There are many changes happening in the world of commercial real estate. Spaces are being re-imagined to accommodate the needs of a workforce in a post-COVID world. Keeping current tenants happy while attracting new ones involves many factors, not the least of which is the comfort of the space. Controlling the sun streaming through the windows of your building that can cause excessive heat build-up and glare often results in tenant complaints. Commercial window film can help create a more pleasant work space by controlling the sun.

Modern commercial window films retrofit to your existing glass to produce some stunning, cost-effective results. The list below are just a handful of the benefits possible.

Increased tenant comfort and reduced tenant complaints.
Tenant retention due to more comfortable and usable space.
Eliminates hot and cold spots across spaces.
Updates building appearance without changing the overall exterior appearance.
Potential rapid return on investment through energy savings.
Add privacy, branding or create visual breaks in a space with interior glass panels.
Affordable alternative to replacement windows.

These films can be added to your glass with very little disruption to the space and tenants. Upgrade your commercial space today in a way that makes it more comfortable for tenants and possibly pays for itself through energy savings. Also, as a retrofit, these films can always be removed in the future if a space is reconfigured or changes need to be made. There are so many options available to you via these innovative films.

Energy Efficiency Addressed With Window Film – Experts Weigh In

webmasterAugust 5, 2022Commercial Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

Energy Efficiency Claims and Real Information From The Experts

When it comes to commercial buildings, statistics and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR are alluded to quite frequently. And some of this information can be quite overwhelming. When you hear some of these energy efficiency facts, how do you decide to take action within your own building?

Here, we explain how high-performance, low-e window film can address the energy efficiency statistics and claims that exist in our industry.

Claim: Approximately one third of a building’s cooling costs can be attributed to solar heat gain through windows.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

How Window Film Helps: If buildings don’t have a way to reduce solar heat gain coming in through window glass, then cooling systems may be used more often to keep tenants and occupants comfortable. Using window film to reduce solar heat gain can make a big impact on cooling costs by helping to even out hot and cold spots, regulating temperatures near windows to improve thermal comfort, and reducing cooling requirements.

Newer low-e films are designed to be spectrally selective, reducing a large portion of the sun’s infrared heat while allowing visible light to pass through.

Claim: HVAC systems account for roughly 41% of total commercial building electrical usage – almost double that of any other building system.

Source: Alliant Energy

How Window Film Helps: Reducing heating and cooling loads can lessen HVAC energy usage – and high-performance, low-e window film may help you accomplish this. After installation, you may notice reduced HVAC usage thanks to more controlled interior temperatures throughout the building. Another bonus? When you reduce loads, you also reduce stress on the system. The more often it runs, the faster the equipment may need repairs or replacement. When it runs less often, you can prolong the life of your HVAC system.

Claim: Energy costs represent 30% of a typical building’s annual budget and is the single largest operating cost.

Source: BOMA-Kingsley Quarterly/ENERGY STAR

How Window Film Helps: Operating costs include energy usage for HVAC, lighting, plug load, etc. And low-e window film can positively impact all of these factors. For example, uncontrolled daylight through window glass often causes tenants and occupants to shut blinds and shades. This may reduce the amount of natural daylight coming into the space, and place a higher demand on your electric lighting system. At the end of the month, you may notice higher utility bills if lighting has been turned on more often.

Claim: 80% of workers have trouble concentrating if the office temperature is higher than normal; nearly two-thirds say typical tasks may take up to 25% longer in warmer conditions.

Source: Cornell University

How Window Film Helps: As mentioned above, low-e window film can reduce plug loads – and here’s how. Unprotected glass can cause year-round indoor temperature fluctuations: warm temperatures in summer months due to solar heat gain, and cool temperatures in winter months due to thermal heat loss. If tenants or occupants are uncomfortable, they may resort to space heaters and fans to keep working environments at reasonable temperatures.

As a result, your electricity bills go up. Installing low-e film may remove hot and cold spots, reduce solar heat gain and thermal loss, and allow tenants and occupants to keep blinds and shades open. When they are more comfortable and have access to natural light and views to the outdoors, workers may be more productive.

Claim: Inefficient windows are to blame for 25% to 35% of wasted energy in commercial buildings.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

How Window Film Helps: The poor insulating characteristics of glass make windows one of the worst-performing components of your building envelope. Low-e window film can improve comfort levels and save energy by improving window insulating power by up to 92%. The right low-e window film provides single-pane windows with the same insulating performance as double-pane windows (and double-pane windows with the same insulating performance as triple-pane windows), significantly increasing the R-value of existing windows.This data was shared

Information Provided by Steve Debusk, Global Energy Solutions Manager from Eastman Chemical Company.

We hope this article enlightened you on some energy efficiency issues and how commercial window film can help. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Energy Control Of Iowa today by calling (319) 423-9663 or email us at woody@energycontrolofiowa.com. We are located in Iowa City, Iowa and cover the entire greater Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Quad Cities areas.

Retrofitting Window Film Offers 3 Eye Opening Benefits For Homes

webmasterJuly 29, 2022Home Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

While many people have become aware of the solar control benefits of retrofitting window film to your existing glass, we wanted to share 3 additional eye opening advantages available for homes.

3 Interesting Benefits Of Retrofitting Window Film To Your Home

Added Privacy – Often the usage of space changes over time. An example might be how many people are turning spare bedrooms and other home spaces into offices in recent days.. When this occurs, a window that may have been a good fit for the rooms previous use lacks privacy for the new objective. Window films can be retrofitted to add the desired privacy to your existing windows. The best part is that this film is removable if the space were to ever need to be reverted back to the previous use.
Improved Security – Clear window films can be retrofitted to your existing windows to helps keep the envelope of the space intact. Windows can be broken for a variety of reasons. From a burglary attempt or act of vandalism to a breakage from natural occurrences such as storms. Window films will keep the broken glass intact which makes it more difficult for someone to gain access to the space or weather to pass through the opening.
Increased Safety – As mentioned above, window film can help retain broken glass in place. This will help increase the safety of the space by reducing the risk of injury from broken glass falling or flying out of the window opening.

We hope that you found these additional benefits of retrofitting home window film to your existing home windows interesting. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Energy Control Of Iowa today by calling (319) 423-9663 or email us at woody@energycontrolofiowa.com. We are located in Iowa City, Iowa and cover the entire greater Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Quad Cities area

Sun Control Window Film Pros & Cons For Homes by Sciencing

webmasterJuly 22, 2022Home Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

We came across an article in Sciencing Online Magazine about the pros and cons of a sun control window film for your home. We thought this article shared some interesting information and we wanted to summarize it here.

The article begins by defining what these films are and what they are typically used for. The author writes “Solar window films were designed to control problems, mostly excess heat and fading from ultraviolet light exposure, caused by direct sunlight through home or office windows. These films are considered “retrofit” products that alter existing after-market windows and circumvent the need for new, upgraded window units.”

Pros & Cons of Sun Control Window Film For Your Home

Pros of Home Window Films

The author discusses a variety of films that can be used for the home, but summarizes her findings as follows. These films “can absorb and reradiate long-wave infrared heat, improving heat retention in the winter and lowering energy costs. Others reflect heat to the outside, minimizing summer heat — reducing central air conditioning bills and prolonging the life of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units. The same films can reduce glare and block up to 99 percent of harmful UV radiation from entering a home or office. The newest solar films have the capacity to be clear instead of tinted and can block out as much as 55 percent of summer heat while retaining heat in winter.”

Cons of Home Window Films

Regarding the cons, the author paints a fair view of all films, but does distinguish between some films available for DIY application from the professional window films that we offer and install. She notes; “Some films may not provide the advertised benefits or may begin to peel after a few years — though a quality film, professionally installed, may last 12 to 22 years. A film with a dark tint may significantly affect the view for people inside the house, while a film with a shiny outer coat can give windows a dark or shiny external appearance — or make the glass appear colored due to reflection of some bands of visible light.

Many homeowners associations prohibit such alterations in appearance. In addition, the application of window film voids some manufacturers’ warranties on windows, so check the details of any existing warranties before applying window film.”

It should be noted that professionally installed window films are checked specified to not create issues with the existing glass. In many cases, a window film manufacturers warranty can replace part or all of a window manufacturer’s warranty that might be voided if a film is applied.

Other Considerations

The author finishes up by listing some other considerations when considering a home window film. She mentions to “Choose a film that has been tested and certified by an independent third party. Third-party testing verifies that films meet health and safety standards — like fire safety, glass fragment protection and human impact safety — as well as energy performance standards. The National Fenestration Rating Council has certified more than 250 films for energy efficiency.”

We hope that this summary of the article was helpful if you. If you would like to check out the complete article, click HERE.

To learn more about these pros and cons and all of the other things a sun control window film can do for your home, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Energy Control Of Iowa by calling (319) 423-9663 or email us at woody@energycontrolofiowa.com. We are located in Iowa City, Iowa and cover the entire greater Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Quad Cities area.

Home Window Film Offers 6 Benefits You Will Appreciate

webmasterJuly 14, 2022Home Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

The benefits of home window film are wide-ranging. Windows open your home to natural lighting, warmth and views of the outside world. Unfortunately, they also open you up to high energy costs, heat build-up, excessive glare, and the premature fading of interior furnishings. Tinting your home’s windows with a quality window film allows you to bask in the sunlight, worry-free.

Cut Your Home Cooling Costs Up to 50%

According to the EPA Energy Star Buildings Manual in the United States, approximately half of a home’s utility bills are wasted by loss of heat and heat gain through untreated windows. Home window tinting can significantly improve energy efficiency. With a thin, virtually invisible addition to your home’s existing windows, window films can help you save up to 50% on cooling costs.

Reduce Heat and Glare

Open your blinds, shades, or draperies and let the sunlight in. In addition to blocking heat, home window tint reduces glare by up to 87%, making it easier for you to watch television or work on a computer in the comfort of your home. Because home window films are made with ultra-clear, distortion-free materials, you won’t even know it’s there.

Lessen the Effects of Harmful UV Rays

Most fabrics, furnishings and artwork can fade simply by allowing daylight to pass through an untreated window. Home window tinting will block up to 99.9% of all UVA and UVB rays, helping to protect your family and preserve the color of your furnishings, fabrics and carpets.

Corrects Temperature Imbalances

Window films can help eliminate hot and cold spots within your home by using film that reduces heat gain coming through the glass in hot areas. This will create a more balanced temperature across the space and reduce the load on your air conditioning system.

Protect Your Home and Family

Glass can be a real hazard in the home when broken from accidents, storms, or break-ins. Safeguard your family and your property with home safety window films. This transparent but powerful barrier helps hold glass in place should an impact occur, help keep an intruder out and help defend you against the unexpected.

Affordable Alternative to Replacement Windows

While damaged or deteriorating windows simply have to be replaced, home window tinting provides an affordable alternative to replacement when your goal is to improve energy efficiency. In fact, the cost for quick, professional installation is about one-tenth the cost of replacement windows!

To learn more about these 6 benefits and all of the other things a Home Window Film can do for you, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Energy Control Of Iowa today by calling (319) 423-9663 or email us at woody@energycontrolofiowa.com. We are located in Iowa City, Iowa and cover the entire greater Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Quad Cities area.

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