Tag Archives: Orlando Window Tinting

Shatter Sun Control Window Film Tampa Gets Christmas Ready


Safety and security experts recommend the application of thicker (8ML+) shatter resistant window film for perimeter protection on retail stores, offices, government and financial buildings and most recently school facilities.

These films provide protection from forced entry, smash and grab crime, vandalism and blast events.

You might be surprised to discover that you can protect your home, business, religious center or non-profit with the exact same films that protect the US Capitol (Armorcoat) US Embassies (Madico) and high profile landmark buildings across the nation (LLumar.)

These films meet the GSA Level 3A and DoD requirements and the following independent testing criteria:

For example the world leading LLumar & Vista dual reflective 28/38 (Eastman Chemical) offers safety films meeting numerous certifications and test standards in the United States, Europe and around the world, including:

  • ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Cat I and II
  • General Services Administration (GSA) and United Facilities Criteria (UFC)
  • ASTM Large Missile Level C and Small Missile requirements
  • Underwriters Laboratory UL972 Forced Entry requirements
  • Factory Mutual FM Approvals 4350 Small Missile
  • EN356, level P2A

Advanced Film Solutions provides more choices that match your specific requirements.

Solutions that provide the protection, privacy and safety along with energy cost savings, glare and UV rejection.

Levels of security protection and light transmissions including a full range of choices from silver, neutral, dual reflective, ceramic and clear.

Call today for a free estimate.

Toll free: 877-575-3456

Advanced Film Solutions
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Multilayer Film Vs. Ceramic Film-Why Prestige Homes Choose Window Film USA

You may fool all the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all the time; but you cant fool all of the people all the time.

The window film industry is a complex world and contradictory positioning of product solutions can quite often leave a prospective client with a pounding headache.

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The following analysis is geared toward our more technically oriented prospective clients.

It assumes that your research and ultimate decision will be based on solid factual information as opposed to a brand belief in unrelated products like filters and sticky notes.

Rather than adding to a confusing scenario here are highlighted the key advantages to the ceramic technology compared to our competitor’s multi-layer optical films (MOF)

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1. The ceramic film color and hue is natural and neutral. The 3M prestige film has a blue shift that alters the light streaming through your windows. Simply tilt their sample cards at a slight angle and you will observe this blue shift. This color shift has a direct influence on the colors of your fabrics and furnishings. This is why a neutral color is preferred by interior designers who are acutely aware of these issues.

Huper Optik

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2. The multilayer films also produce a rainbow effect on the glass at an angle, and the resulting light projected onto the floor and walls, carpets, etc. (in particular white colors or lighter beige walls or furnishings) has an oil slick iridescence appearance. This is readily observed. Our ceramic films do not produce this unintended effect since the light is not being filtered through the prismatic lens of the micro-layers.

3. The color or chemical composition of the ceramic films are stable and there are no dyes, contrary to false statements by some obviously ill trained or simply misinformed competition. The 3M film has dyes which will wear down during its life cycle.

The prestige competitor has modified their 70% VLT films with surface level coatings that do not have the durability of a ceramic film. In other words, the tint surface layer is removed quite easily.  This can have long term implications for clear areas of film directly adjacent to darker areas because of their inherent limited hard coat protection.

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3M Film top left pane. Huper Optik ceramic film on the balance of the panes. This is a typical appearance for 3M window film.

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4. We have previously highlighted the “incredible” in the dictionary sense, of statements promoting a superiority in  “on angle” performance. This purported advantage is not an accepted standard by the NFRC.  This is simply the natural outcome of wave and particle physics and EM (electro-magnetic) performance of glass at angle. The NFRC has certified Vista as well as the Huper Optik ceramic films.  This is the “level playing field”

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5. Infrared rejection is typically quoted as a “be all and end all” of spectrally selective window films.

I’ll admit that while I was hawking their prestige film, I sincerely believed that the film could eliminate 97% of the invisible, infrared spectrum. This seemed to be confirmed when the technical types produced a IR heat lamp and a BTU meter that amazingly reduced the “heat” beyond the capability of a silver reflective 20% film or a very dark 5% limo film.

What was not communicated was the fact that the “test” was rigged

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The film does perform effectively between 850-900 NM but the IR lamp coincidentally produced IR at that exact same narrow wavelength; thus producing this “magical” effect.

The IR wavelengths are much broader than this extremely narrow window. The actual IR rejection across the broader spectrum is quantifiable much less than the 97% figure they so frequently tout (the accurate IR rejection across the entire wavelength has not been published to date.)  (Note that anecdotal data indicates an 84% IR Rejection)

IR represents about 50% of what we experience as heat.

The ceramic films, like Huper Optik eliminate over 90% of the entire IR wavelength.

The visible portion of the sun’s energy requires a tint, or some chemistry (metals, dyes, pigments,nano dots)  to reduce the light. Thus a 30% ceramic film will reduce nearly 70% of the visible light while also factoring out the previously mentioned 90% plus of the IR.

So- -aside from the surface color on our competitor’s film, why wouldn’t they simply produce a 30% prestige like nano technology, multi-layered film to meet the rebate standard requirement of our local power companies?

Solar Absorption!! 
 
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The solar absorption of a multi-layered optical film is quite dramatic. Those 200 nano-layers may be quite small but they produce the unintended consequence of a dramatic increase in heat on the glass surface. This means the glass with their film on it gets extremely hot.

This heat absorption can produce “thermal stress” on the glass unit.  The solar absorption rate of even their 40% film is borderline for IG units (restricted?)

6. Huper Optik ceramic films meet TECO rebate requirements where the 3M prestige film DOES NOT. The Huper Optik film earns $2.00 per square foot where the repackaged 3M ceramic films can not.

Let’s be blunt for the non window film educated consumer home depot shopping novice.

Electromagnetic energy from the sun can either be reflected, absorbed or transmitted. Obviously a low reflective ceramic film will reflect a small percentage of the EM as will the glass itself. Some energy will be transmitted (Total solar energy rejected) and some will be absorbed (glass/film surface gets hot) The key number to look for is the SHGC

Our Huper Optik Ceramic Films meet the SHGC threshold of the utilities for total heat rejected. That’s the bottom line!

Optical clarity-distortion.


This is problematic and we will choose our words carefully. The multi-layered light has to pass through an adhesive layer. This is also the case with our Vista and Huper Optik Film. Obviously a clear distortion free adhesive is recommended. 

The various sample cards shown by our competitors does not include their adhesive layer.  The Huper Optik sample card does. You will also note that the Huper Optik sample includes the clear liner.

Bridge of Light Orlando Science Museum Huper Optik

The prestige sample card does not.

Aside from the black border framing their sample card that tends to trick the eye to see their film as lighter (candidly many film companies use this same effect!)

We will simply note that a comparison made between sample cards pressed against a window may be seriously flawed. A much better comparison would be for a mock up done, side by side comparison, on a window (your window?) Before you make a hazy choice- –

Call Advanced Film Solutions!

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IWFA – IR Ratings of Window Film

We’ll take that challenge any day of the week!

Advanced Film Solutions believes we offer the superior value as well as the superior performance and price/solution equation.

Advanced Film Solutions

Toll Free: 877-575-4356
 

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Decorative Designer Film Tampa Advanced Film Solutions

Retailers across  Tampa Bay and Orlando have discovered the inherent benefits of designer architectural window film.

No other Florida window film installation company offers as many choices as Advanced Film Solutions.

3M Fasara

LLumar Illusions

Madico Decolite

3M ScotchCal

More..

Drab exteriors take away from your curb appeal and branding strategies.

Film applications provide a dynamic appearance that affords a welcome environment, glare free clients and ideal comfort.

Take a look at the following slide show for designer film installations completed by Advanced Film Solutions.

Note the streamlined appearance and in some cases bold color designs.

You can replicate the premium look of sandblasted glass, create unique patterns, add color, or intricate layered designs – all without sacrificing natural light or aesthetics.

It’s the perfect balance between function and style, making it ideal for almost any application

Our design experts can provide software design assistance while our installation team provides flawless application.

Frosts – Ensure privacy and diffuse for a fraction of the cost of etched glass.

Patterns – Match décor and aesthetic with patterns from playful to classic.

Textures – Cover specialty windows and authentically simulate textured glass.

Gradients – Hide unattractive areas tastefully, or add a modern design element.

Specialties – Mask light, add privacy or enliven with a bold pop of color.

Call Advanced Film Solutions; toll free 877-575-3456

Find Glass Protection Security Window Film, Tampa Region

While we enjoy the upcoming holidays with friends and family there are bad folks out there who target homes for burglary.



Alarm systems alert monitoring stations and law enforcement but frequently the response time enables thieves to grab valuables and exit long before they arrive.

The weakest link in your home security is your windows and sliders.  Glass; particularly tempered glass sliders shatters easily.

Slow Down The Bad Guys
 
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Advanced Film Solutions is the regions largest volume residential and commercial security film installation company.
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We have the widest assortment of shatter glass retention systems manufactured by Eastman Chemical, Saint-Gobain, Madico, SunTek and Avery-Dennison’s Hanita Coatings.

Choices in light without compromising security.
 

 

Compared to our limited competition at 3M; we offer the following combination NFRC rated security solar films:

  • Silver 20 Security: Provides maximum daytime privacy.
  • Neutral 20 Security: Daytime privacy in a pleasant dark carbon appearance.
  • Neutral 35, 40, 50: Lighter neutral light transmissions for energy savings.
  • Ceramic 50

Collageii

  • Ceramic 70
  • Clear security in 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14+ ml thickness.
  • Dual reflective 28, 38 VLT for lower interior reflectivity and maximum energy cost savings.
  • Dual reflective Sunscape 35, 45
  • Exterior security film by LLumar, Madico and Hanita.

Advanced Film Solutions personnel are fully trained by the manufacturers in proper installation techniques.

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We are also proficient in anchoring and attachment systems which enhance the security of your sliders by creating a complete system between the glass, film and frames.

Get a free estimate and delay, deter and deny burglary this Thanksgiving and all year long!

Advanced Film Solutions

Toll Free: 877-575-3456

 

3M Window Film Comparisons Tampa Bay, Orlando, Sarasota

Yes. .
 

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When we left 3M Window Film nearly 18 years ago our goal was to compete head to head with our 3M window film competition.

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Certainly we were motivated after spending a few years with that company (33 years!)

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The critical advantage we have is knowing the 3M Window Film limitations and recognizing which window film solutions offered superior value for our clients.

That of course isn’t enough.


You’ve heard of 3M.

You have to acknowledge their brand power and the halo effect of good will based on the thousands of products they make and their “image” of innovation.

Heck I was once a 3M guy and to paraphrase Tommy Lasorda; “I had 3M Red flowing through my veins.”

Of course that has absolutely nothing to do with whether their window film solutions can match competition.

Particularly Advanced Film Solutions!

It’s their perception of performance that was the chief sales obstacle to overcome.

Winning on the glass is actually the easiest mission to accomplish.
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We win when our clients can see the clarity of our films.
 

Yes-it is that OBVIOUS!

So the challenge has been to slap consumers on the side of their heads (figuratively speaking, of course) with FACTS.

Facts like the NFRC Ratings that quantify window film performance on various window systems

Facts like solar heat gain rejection for their prestige films that dispel any baloney claims about 97% heat rejection.

 Facts like independent and objective testing for fragment retention,

Facts that dispel the notion that their film has any advantage in hard coat.

Facts like they don’t actually make “their” ceramic film so they can hardly brag with a straight face about how clear “their film” looks implying it’s a result of their innovation.

Facts like all films and glass itself will perform better when the heat source (Sun) is at an angle to the glass.

 

Will facts win the day?

Does a side by side comparisons of superior Vista and Huper Optik optical clarity win the day?

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3M film top left panel-Huper Optik on the rest.
 
Yes. you can see the difference and no,we didn’t Photoshop this!

Only if, and when, we have the opportunity to educate our potential client.
So. .

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Call 3M.

Go to the Home Depot store.

Watch their gimmick demo using a heat lamp and btu meter and get their astonishing quote.

Then. .
 

And this is extremely important. . .

Call Advanced Film Solutions, toll free at
 
877-575-3456
 
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You’ll be happy that you did!