Window Tinting News In Iowa City, Iowa And Surrounding Areas

Great Home Gift – 3 Reasons Window Film Is A Great Choice

webmasterNovember 17, 2022Home Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

At this time of the year when we begin thinking about the perfect gifts, we wanted to share an article on why window film might be a great home gift to consider.

3 Reasons Window Film Makes a Great Home Gift

Improved Comfort – There are a variety of things that can impact the comfort of your home. One is a consistent temperature throughout the home. To accomplish that, you need to be able to eliminate hot and cold spots. These zones often are located near specific windows in your home. Some window films can be utilized to block excessive heat in the summer and retain heat in the winter. In addition, window films can improve comfort by reducing excessive glare coming through windows at certain times of the day.

Preserve Furnishings – Another way that window film can be a great gift for your home is by helping to preserve your furniture, flooring and furnishings. Most window films block 99% or more of the sun’s damaging UV rays. Because UV rays account for 40% of the reasons furnishings fade, nearly any window film will help increase the longevity of the interior valuables.

Upgrade Privacy and Decor – There are a variety of decorative window films that can be used to increase privacy by making glass panels opaque or frosted where needed. This can be extremely beneficial for bathroom windows or front door sidelight glass. In addition, these decorative window films can also be customized to add decorative elements and designs to glass panels within your home.

These are just a couple ways that window films can make a great gift for your home. 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.

How Does Professional Window Film Upgrade Home Windows

webmasterNovember 11, 2022Home Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

Have you ever considered a professional window film for your home? In this article, we wanted to explain the variety of ways that professionally installed home window film can upgrade the existing windows in your house. Unlike window film products of years ago, modern, innovative window films let in desirable light, block harmful UV rays, add insulation against outside climate extremes, and bring aesthetic upgrades to homes. It can be a solid return on investment when you work with professionals who know what they’re doing.

Despite this, there are still some unfortunate misconceptions carried over from more than two decades ago. We wanted to address these and explain a bit about how this new generation of window films work.

Does a window film alter the color of the light in your home?

The short answer? Nope!

For homeowners with a passion for interior design, there’s a misconception that a window film will alter the hue of the sunlight coming in from the window and affect the color palette in the room. While this may have been the case in the past with older technologies, the world of window films has changed a lot since its early days. The reality is that window films today can absorb heat and UV rays without using a dark or a metallic tint. While these films did reflect the sun and heat, they often did so while changing the look of a home and the nature of the light entering the home.

Newer technology in window films enable you to get heat rejection, glare reduction and UV protection while barely being noticeable on the glass. There are a variety of films to suit nearly any need, budget or desired appearance. To the original question, if you want great protection without a changing the color of the light, ask for color-neutral films.

Can window films reduce my energy costs?

If your home has a lot of windows that get sun throughout the day, air conditioning is likely needed to keep the rooms comfortable. Modern solar control window film act to stop the heat at the windows and reduce the amount of heat from the sun that enters your home. By reducing the amount of heat coming in, your air conditioning will not have to work as hard to keep the home at the desired temperature. The end result is less energy used and less wear and tear on your unit as it is not working as hard. Savings vary by particular house, number of windows, type of existing windows and the specific orientation of the home to the sun.

Does residential window film stop fading?

A common misconception is that UV rays are what cause faded floors and sun damage to furnishings. While they are certainly the largest component, as this chart illustrates, they only account for 40%. Solar heat and visible light are also major contributors, accounting for 25% of the problem. The last factor is comprised of a variety of this we simply put under the heading “Other”. These are things like interior lighting, humidity, etc.

The great thing about modern window films is that they work to typically block 99+% of the UV portion of the chart, but also work to reduce the contributing factors of visible light and heat. A properly specified window film cannot completely stop fading, but it can significantly reduce the primary causes of fading and dramatically extend the life of floors, furniture and furnishings in your home.

We hope this article opened your eyes to a couple ways modern, professional window film can help upgrade your home. 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.

New Construction Trends Facilitated By Commercial Window Films

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

Construction Trends Facilitated By Commercial Window Films - Commercial Window Film in Iowa City, Iowa

As we head toward the new year, we have been looking into various noted construction trends and how commercial window films can be a part of those trends. After reading several articles, we have come up with three distinct trends that window films play a role in.

3 Ways Window Films Play a Role in Construction Trends

Increased Energy Efficiency – From an article in Construction Review Online entitled “7 Construction-Technology Trends to Watch in 2021” (updated in 2022), they note that energy saving is an ongoing trend. They specifically say, “According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 20 percent of all U.S. energy use goes toward powering commercial buildings. Energy-saving building design and construction is a powerful way to help businesses save energy and cut costs while reducing their impact on the environment. Developing these buildings requires a whole-building design approach where the construction team designs and builds all the elements so that they work together. This innovative approach to building, along with corresponding energy-efficient materials and technologies, can produce buildings that are up to 70 percent more efficient than the average commercial building.” Window films can be retrofitted to nearly any commercial property to help reduce the heat coming through the glass and reduce the demand on the HVAC system. This can help the space be more comfortable and increase the energy efficiency.
Improved Spaces Without Work Disruptions – Because of the competitive nature of commercial real estate moving forward, the demand will be for improvements to the space without creating a work disruption. Window films retrofitted to your existing glass is a perfect fit here. It can be installed around work hours to have very little impact on work flow while making a significant improvement in the comfort of a space.
Spotlight on Sustainability – The online source Lets Build had an article entitled “5 Construction Trends You Want to Look Out For in 2021” discusses this. The article states “Moving towards a greener industry is another ambitious goal for 2021. In the fight against climate change, construction has to offer a lot by reducing waste and by supporting projects that can pave the way for more sustainable societies.” The very nature of window films being retrofitted to existing windows to achieve improvements instead of replacing them has a significant impact on reducing waste and the landfill impact of space improvements.

We hope that you are having a great 2022 and looking forward to 2023. This article was written to illuminate how commercial window films can play a role with current construction trends. If you would like more information on commercial window films we offer, click HERE. If you have any questions about these innovative films, please contact us 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.

Improve Home Comfort this Winter with Home Window Film

webmasterOctober 21, 2022Home Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

If You Need to Reduce Glare and Harsh Light, Home Window Film and Tint Can Help!

Most people think of window film or window tinting primarily as something that helps in the Summer. However, Winter is often the time when glare and harsh light become big issues. Is there a way to reduce glare, harsh light and improve home comfort while maintaining your views? The answer is yes, but first let’s look at why this problem may be worse in the Winter.

There are 3 reasons this is the case:

The sun is lower in the sky during these months which means that it is shining more directly into your windows versus from a more overhead position in the Summer months.
There are no leaves on the trees to block the sun. Many homes and commercial properties have foliage in the Summer that serves to offer some shade. In the Winter, with this gone, they have to deal with glare issue that are not present at other times of the year.
The refection of the sun off of the snow. When there is a layer of snow on the ground, it acts like a big mirror to reflect the sun’s rays. This can make any harsh light issue even worse at this time of the year as it is actually amplifying the light coming through the glass.

So, What Can Window Film Do?

The window film we offer is likely not like the picture in your head of a darkly tinted car. Technology has enabled current window films to block a great deal of glare as well as heat without restricting your view. In fact, like a high quality pair of sunglasses, the innovative technology found in window film today actually serves to enhance your views. The harsh light and glare is eliminated allowing your eyes to relax and your home or commercial space to become a more comfortable place to be.

We hope this article served to “shed some light” on how home window film can be used to reduce glare and improve home comfort in the Winter. 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.

Energy Efficient Retrofit For Older Home Windows

webmasterOctober 12, 2022Home Window Tinting in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa AreasLeave a Comment

Summer is officially over and cooler temperatures are starting to arrive. With energy costs projected to be much higher in the future, now is the best time to begin considering home improvements to make your house more energy efficient. One of the best ways to improve energy efficiency is by making your window openings perform better. This is particularly true with older homes that often have single pane or older double pane construction. We came across a great article in Times Square Chronicles that discusses some ways to make your older windows more energy efficient.

While the article discusses several ways to improve the energy efficiency of your windows, they specifically mention the benefits of using home window films as well. The article states that:

“Window film is an energy efficient layer that can be added to windows, improving how you heat and cool your home. There are solar film options that block ultraviolet rays so it can not just help with heating and cooling issues, but also protect your rugs and furnishings against sun damage.”

Are you aware that window film products can be retrofitted to existing windows to reject heat in the Summer, which saves on cooling costs, and some films even are designed to retain heat in the Winter to help save on heating costs. Not only can this make your home more comfortable year round, but you may be able to maintain that comfort level without breaking the bank.

If you would like to check out the entire article in Time Square Chronicles, 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.

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.

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.

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