Category Archives: Deed Restrictions

Consumer Window Tinting Comparison Advanced Film Solutions Vs. 3M

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Thanks to the power of the Internet, consumers have incredibly detailed resources to conduct their own research on nearly any product or solution.

It’s no different for investigating window film solutions for homeowners in Tampa Bay, Orlando or throughout the USA.

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Let’s assume that you recognize that window film is the right solution for glare, heat, uncomfortable rooms, rising electric costs and fading.

There are scores of choices and companies who are all vying for your business.

You may be familiar with certain brands and that’s understandable.  After all you have heard of Scotch Tape and 3M Post-It Notes; so that 3M logo might be tempting.

As an independent window film solutions provider Advanced Film Solutions established a differentiation strategy that allows our clients to find the perfect film for their specific requirements.

Our background (33 years at 3M) and more recently the last 17 years as Florida’s fastest growing residential and commercial window film installation company is unmatched in Tampa Bay and the Orlando region.

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Our commitment to detail and superior customer service has been recognized by Angie’s List Super Service Award Winner for8 straight years! 

We are also proud of our Accredited A Plus Rating from the Better Business Bureau.

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  • Is there a difference in the optical clarity of one film versus another?
     
    There are differences in optical clarity between the various window film brands. Advanced Film Solutions recommends VISTA, LLumar and Huper Optik Films that offer pristine clarity and unmatched durability.

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  • When in doubt; we recommend that you compare the actual window film being proposed in a side-by-side comparison. Advanced Film Solutions has never lost this “see for yourself” comparison.
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  • How about reflectivity?
    Most manufacturers produce reflective, dual reflective and non reflective window films to meet a variety of consumer requirements.
  • Reflective metallic films are effective in keeping the heat from entering your home.Advanced Film Solutions recommends our Vista dual reflectives based on the heat rejection, durability and optical clarity that are mandatory for Interior Designers.

  • Non-Reflective Films:

    Ideal for HOA rules and deed restrictions the best alternative is Huper Optik.  They have outstanding durability, clarity and superior heat rejection.

    Huper Optik is available in a wide range of light transmissions and all are less reflective than glass.

  • We have seen 3M Prestige at Home Depot and they claim that this film works better at an angle (like when the Sun is at 3 PM or 9 AM) they also claimed that their film blocks more heat than silver reflective films or very dark films. Is this accurate?

    The short answer is an emphatic – NO!

  • All window films and glass itself appear to work better when the heat source is at an angle to the glass. This is not unique to 3M Prestige Film or frankly any window film.

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  • But we saw a heat lamp demo and we could actually feel a dramatic reduction in heat with a clear Prestige Film? Seeing is believing!How could such a great demo be inaccurate or misleading?

  • The trick is fairly easy to explain. 

    The french fry lamp blasts IR heat in a narrow wavelength. The Prestige film blocks IR wavelengths in this bandwidth.

    The BTU meter is configured to measure IR heat in that specific wavelength.  In other words it’s a snake oil trick.Collage

Summary:

There are important differences between the various window film solutions available.

Advanced Film Solutions consultants can explain the differences and customize the perfect solution for your home.

We win supported by facts over perception and our clients reap the reward of a lifetime of comfort and energy cost savings.

Advanced Film Solutions

Tampa Bay -Orlando
 
877-575-3456

 

Finding The Perfect Window Film For Tampa Bay, Orlando Homes

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You’ve done your research or heard about the benefits of window film from a friend or neighbor. 

Now it’s time to find the perfect installation company and the best coating to apply to your home windows.

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How do you separate fact from fiction?


 
Where can you get the best value and one that will provide superior benefits for a lifetime?
 


We are Advanced Film Solutions, Tampa Bay & Orlando’s most respected and trusted window film installation company. 

Here is our case that supports why consumers choose our team!

  • Experience: We have over 49 years of business experience (33 years with 3M) and our staff and installation team are experts at providing superior service and results.

  • Selections: We have the most extensive portfolio of solar and solar security window films in the state. This affords you the opportunity of making an objective choice based on NFRC rated performance.

  • We are BBB Rated A Plus throughout our 17+years since retiring from 3M.

  • We have earned the Super Service Award from Angie’s List for 10 straight years and the “Best of Home Advisor Award.”

  • Our pricing is highly competitive and our warranty is transferable for many of our selections.
  • We have the most extensive selections of deed approved HOA approved non reflective coatings that factor our heat without altering the aesthetic beauty of your windows.

  • Third party recommendations: We have completed more than 32,000 projects since 2007 and our work speaks for itself but it’s always great to hear the positive feedback from our delighted clients.

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Advanced Film Solutions provides free in-home estimates by calling toll free at 877-575-3456

Advanced Film Solutions

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Compare Tampa Window Tinting Eastman Vs. 3M Window Film

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Advanced Film Solutions is Tampa Bay’s leading installation company for high performance solar and solar security window film in the Tampa Bay, Bradenton-Sarasota and Orlando area.

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Our flawless installations have earned our team the Super Service Award from Angie’s List for 10 consecutive years and an A Plus rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Our experience having been with 3M for 33 years and followed by 17 years as an independent, family owned business is unmatched by any local competition.

Our experience supports the fact that we represent the Eastman Chemical window film portfolio.

We compete directly with our former company (3M) and it’s the direct film to film comparison that wins the day for Advanced Film Solutions and Eastman.

Vista & LLumar versus 3M reflective and dual reflective films.

The Eastman portfolio begins with the LLumar brand of films.

These are the best selling solutions in the USA. All LLumar films are NFRC rated and the dual reflective series is available in wider ranges than the limited 3M Night Vision or the 3M re-boxed Affinity films.

LLumar offers bronze films (3M does not)

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LLumar has coatings that block 95% of the visible light while 3M does not.

LLumar has 8M security films in clear, and solar versions while 3M is very limited in light transmission of the film they actually make or the films they repackage and sell under their name.

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The Vista line exceeds any 3M solution in the security or solar spectrum.

These films have a transferable warranty and are available in nearly ten times as many light transmissions and performance characteristics.  

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The Eastman Huper Optik series is ideal for deed restricted neighborhoods and condo’s where exterior reflectivity is prohibited.

These Huper Optik films qualified for TECO rebates where the 3M prestige films sold by their agents and home depot did not.

The Huper Optik films are dye free while 3M requires dyes to darken their film. Unfortunately the darkest 3M prestige film filters out 60% of the light. Huper Optik blocks more heat and glare in 4 additional darker light transmissions all less reflective than glass.

It’s not really a fair contest.

3M has a name and a perhaps a recognizable logo.

Call Advanced Film Solutions for a free estimate toll free 877-575-3456

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Clear Winner-Ceramic Window Tinting Film Versus Multi-Layered Optical Film

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Our business plan at Advanced Film Solutions wasn’t created accidentally.

We developed a strategy that would allow us to compete and win in every residential or commercial consumer competition.

Deed Restricted or gated communities, golf communities, condo’s and town houses. Gulf, bay or lake view properties. High end retail stores (jewelry, curious, furniture, rugs, clothing retail stores and financial institutions.

Homeowners are comparing our Huper Optik Ceramic Films versus the 3M Prestige Film that they have seen at home depot kiosks throughout the region.

 

Advanced Film Solutions is unique in having a thorough and extensive familiarity with both solutions. After all we were with 3M for 33 years and was once the National Sales Manager of 3M window film.

Here is our “Reader’s Digest” comparison:

  • Huper Ceramic Films are available in a 20%, 30% and 35% Visible Light Transmission that all out perform the 3M  Prestige 40 in heat rejection (we qualified for the TECO energy rebates, they did not!)
    Huper Optik has a natural hue as opposed to the 3M blue-ish appearance.
  • Huper Optik films do not present iridescence “rainbow effect” on the transmitted light. The prestige films do produce this multi-colored effect on light color walls or tile.
  • Huper Optik Ceramic Films have a durable color fast scratch coat.  The prestige color is a virtue of a dyed layer on the top surface of their film.  These colors can be scratched from the surface on all of their “tinted” versions.
  • Optical clarity.  Our films have no distortion or haze effect. We will match any Prestige film side by side for visual clarity!1377550_649384238428384_1092466071_n
  • Take the Huper Challenge and compare them side-by-side. You will observe why Huper Optik is the clear winner!

  • Huper Ceramic Films won’t  interfere with cell phones, wireless, or fiber optic EM transmissions.
  • Huper Optik is less reflective than glass so your day and night views are preserved.
  • Huper Optik ceramics do not corrode in humid environments. Prestige will not corrode. Any implication from their side that our ceramic films corrode is pure fabrication.

  • All ceramic films, and metal films for that matter work better when the sun is at an acute or obtuse angle. Prestige is similar in that respect, as is clear glass. Implications that their film meets some type of extraordinary testing standard is 100% disingenuous.
  • Huper Optik Ceramic Films are NFRC Certified for performance characteristics.

Miscellaneous:

  • They “invented” window film and make thousands of products.
    -Response: They are a terrific company and they did not invent window film, they patented a metal application to polyester films. That was 40 years ago and lots of things have changed.
  • They can use Windex, we can’t?
    -Response: utterly ridiculous particularly with prestige film. Take a Scotch Brite abrasive sponge to their film and watch the color come right off. Do the same with Vista or Huper! Go on. .you’ll see who has a hard coat!
  • Better Warranty?
    -Response: Our films have a lifetime warranty as do theirs! Our is transferable to the next homeowner; theirs ends when you sell your home!
  • “We are 100 plus years old; and ‘they’ may not be around in the future!”
    -Response: Eastman is a multi-billion dollar company borne from Eastman Kodak.

Compare for yourself and get the clearest comparison in Florida Huper Optik Films against 3M Prestige films.

Advanced Film Solutions, 877-575-3456.

Patented Huper Optik Ceramic Films Vs. Generic Ceramic

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There may be no better example of the “murkiness” of the window film industry than the  ceramic window film landscape.

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Let me clarify this for consumers doing their research.

The technology that we describe as ceramic was developed by Southwall Technology.

This innovative company has recently been acquired by Eastman Performance Films, the world leader in window film sales and technology.

Southwall developed this film to provide unique durability with extremely effective total solar heat rejection. The benefits for the consumer in selecting this technology is the film’s ability to factor out significant levels of heat without a metallic reflective appearance.

This is ideal for deed restricted communities that prohibit the use of shiny window film or historic buildings and retail stores where aesthetic appearance and curb appeal are vital considerations.

The unique, patented ceramic solution is marketed under the brand name Huper Optik. 

For clarification purposes the patent covers the multi-layered composition of the film.

All competitive generic ceramic films are single layered and fall short of Huper Optik in several critical factors:

  • Huper Optik has less interior and exterior reflectivity than the generic films.
  • Huper Optik is available in more light transmissions than the generic films.
  • Huper Optik factors out more total solar energy than the generic films.
  • Huper Optik is available in wider widths than the generic single-layered films.
  • Huper Optik is available in more light transmissions including a 20,30,40,50,60 and 70% light transmission. More choices equates to customized solutions.

These generic ceramic films are available from various companies.

Many represent themselves as manufacturers (they may manufacture their own films using different technology but not this ceramic single layer film) or private label distributors marketing this film under their own brand name.

The salient fact is that they all re-box a single layered ceramic film made by one company that uses the older equipment that had been previously contracted by Huper Optik

When Huper Optik elected to upgrade their own processes and move to Germany they produced wider width films.  The single layered producer could not infringe on the Huper Optik patent.

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From a material value perspective ceramic films sold by Johnson Window Film, Geoshield, 3M Ceramic Film and Madico MAC Series (there are others sold under lesser known private labels) that are the exact same single layered film.

Now you wouldn’t know that if you peruse the marketing literature produced by these re-boxers.

Our 3M competition goes a giant one step further than the rest in promoting “their” ceramic film product which a consumer might find interesting.

They misdirect (in my opinion) consumers by highlighting that they make their own polyester and adhesives.

That’s wonderful.

Unfortunately since they did not make this ceramic film that ability is irrelevant when marketing this particular single layered ceramic film.

Take a gander at these statements:

“the only ceramic film worthy of the 3M name”

Yet they don’t make a stitch of this film!

“Using nanotechnology we’ve created ceramics so fine they are not only invisible to the naked eye they are imperceptible with an ordinary microscope. These ceramics allow us to create a film that is tough, won’t corrode and is so clear your view will remain beautiful”

This may be true in principle but that statement is not applicable to this film, since they did not make it!

“3M not only invented window film, it single-handedly developed many of the major window film innovations over the past four decades.”

Its debatable that 3M  invented window film (they did not!) but the implication is clearly suggesting that 3M “innovated” this film. Since they did not, their misleading statement is unfortunate.

Let’s suppose an ordinary consumer (YOU?) were shopping for a ceramic window film.  They did their research and received several quotations.

Would any of these points clarified above make a material difference in weighing a decision?

You decide!

Advanced Film Solutions proudly installs patented Huper Optik Ceramic Films manufactured by Eastman Performance Films. NFRC certified!

Fact Over Illusion

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Toll Free 877-575-3456

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