Adding one of these window films to your commercial facility will give you energy and cost savings that can have a real impact. Let’s talk specifically about how they work and what they can do for you.

How Solar Control Window Films Conserve Energy

You might be imagining that window films reduce heat simply by tinting the window a dark color and blocking light, but that’s not the only way a window film can work. Modern solar control window films actually decrease a building’s heat gain through various technologies embedded in the film that absorb or deflect solar radiation….and they can even do this without noticeably darkening the glass.

When solar radiation hits untreated windows, some is reflected off, but most penetrates through the window and enters the internal spaces. Window films act to reflect or absorb a significant portion of that radiation at the glass surface, keeping it out of your space and maintaining a more temperature-controlled interior. 

This results in a number of significant benefits:

• Better Energy Efficiency – Window tend to be a problem area when looking to save energy. A recent article in the MIT News by Mary Beth Gallagher stated, “In the quest to make buildings more energy efficient, windows present a particularly difficult problem. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat that either escapes or enters windows accounts for roughly 30 percent of the energy used to heat and cool buildings. Researchers are developing a variety of window technologies that could prevent this massive loss of energy.“ Solar control window films retrofitted to existing glass are one of these technologies that can help.
• Easy Upgrade to Existing Windows – If you’ve ever looked at having your windows replaced, you probably got a headache just looking at the cost estimates. In addition, this process can be very disruptive to an office or commercial space. Adding window film to existing windows can give the energy savings new windows without the cost and expense of having them replaced.
• Less Waste – If you replaced all those windows, not only would it be expensive, but you’d also be putting all that wood, metal, and glass into a landfill. A window film can add many years to the life of existing windows, reducing your cost and the total landfill impact of the waste replacement would produce.
• Potential Rebates and Tax Credits – Because many state governments recognize the benefits of window films, you may be eligible for a rebate or tax credit if you install a film on your facility. You’ll want to check the regulations at the state and local level to see if there are any rebates available. Also, we are not accountants, so please check with your tax professional about any potential benefits on that front.

Looking for a partner in energy and cost saving window films? Give us a call!

We hope that this article provided some useful information about how commercial solar control window films. If you have any questions, or would like to arrange a free, no obligation consultation at your commercial space, contact us by calling Overland Park, Kansas (913) 384-2665, Independence, Missouri (816) 353-2665, Lee’s Summit, Missouri (816) 560-2665 or fill out a form HERE. We would be glad to explain these innovative and functional window films available and help you get exactly the right film to fit your needs in the Overland Park area.

Based on information from The Skin Cancer Foundation, with over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. That is why observing May as Skin Cancer Awareness Month is so important. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, the incidence of this disease reaching epidemic levels. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. By raising awareness of the dangers of unprotected exposure and encouraging sun-safe habits, we can change behaviors and save lives.

While fad diets and pop science tout “cancer preventing” super foods with difficult to pronounce names, protecting yourself from the most common type of cancer really comes down to blocking UV rays. Skin cancer affected more than 5.4 million people in the United States in a single year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all the other cancer types combined, and one in five Americans will develop it by the age of 70. Because this risk is so great, we wanted to offer some skin cancer prevention steps you can take to protect yourself while on the go, at home, and on the job.

You may wonder why we are sharing this information with you. What does window film have to do with skin cancer prevention? Actually, professionally installed window films are a given the Seal of Recommendation by The Skin Cancer Foundation as a safe and effective sun protection. They warn that ultraviolet radiation can travel through car and home windows, where it can contribute to the daily accumulation of sun exposure that can lead to skin cancer and photoaging. UV-blocking films can not only protect you against this exposure, but can offer other benefits as well. Harmful ultraviolet rays (UVR) are sneaky. Not only can they cause skin cancer and visible signs of aging, they’re also very good at finding you. They can bounce off water, off sand, and they can penetrate glass. Which means that even if you’re inside your car or house, if you’re sitting next to a window with sunlight streaming in, you’re at risk for UV damage. Window film is an increasingly effective solution, offering substantial indoor protection by blocking up to 99.9 percent of UVA radiation.

Vehicle UV Protection

Researcher Scott Fosko, MD in an American Academy of Dermatology news release said that over 50% of skin cancers manifest on the left side of the body. He continued by saying “Our initial findings confirm that there is a correlation between more time spent driving and a higher incidence of left-sided skin cancers, especially on sun-exposed areas in men,”

Researches attribute this split to our sun exposure while driving in the car. Given that AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the average American spends 17,600 minutes driving each year, that’s a lot time for one half of your body to be receiving more UV radiation than the other.

To prevent skin cancer, always keep sunscreen in your car and apply before driving. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and reapplying every two hours. Sunscreen is critical, because at least 50% of UVA rays can pass through glass, and even though they aren’t as intense as UVB rays, UVA rays are 30 to 50 times more common than UVB.

Another option is having a professionally installed window film installed. This is an even better way to filter the UV radiation that causes most types of skin cancer, because it filters all the time without the need for reapplying every two hours. In addition, many professionally installed window films are recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation. You can check out their article on using window film for sun protection by clicking HERE.

At-Home UV Protection

Speaking of windows, our homes are another place where we’re exposed to the sun’s rays. Untreated windows let in rays that wash out your furniture and damage your skin, so take precautions. Apply sunscreen if you’ll be sitting in a sunny area, and never bring a tanning bed or UV-based light into your home. If you have concerns about the UV impact in your house, you might even consider installing UV sensors

An easier solution is to have a window film installed to block out up to 99.9% of those damaging rays. Because films put a barrier between your home and the sun, they reflect heat from the exterior and trap it inside during the winter.

For more information on the benefits of window films for protecting your home, check out the Skin Cancer Foundation’s blog post on the topic.

UV Protection on the Job

While you’re on the job, you’re still being affected by damaging rays. If your business has a storefront, a window film will block those rays and protect your merchandise and furniture from becoming washed out, while also saving you energy costs.

If you’re lucky enough to sit by a window while you work, don’t forget to consider windows film or a broad-spectrum sunscreen reapplied regularly. If neither these options is feasible, try and situate your workspace where you won’t be sitting directly in the sun. If you work outside, sunscreen is especially important! The Skin Cancer Foundation found that 85% of melanomas and 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers come from exposure to UV radiation, so if you’re working full time outdoors, your risk will increase exponentially.

So, as we start in Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we hope you found this article informative and now understand how window films can play a part in your overall skin protection plan.

**Entering for a chance to win a free installation is easy. Just go to our Facebook page and like, share or comment on the Skin Cancer Awareness post that leads back to this article. Everyone that does this will be entered for a chance to win a free automotive window film installation. Winners will be chosen at the end of the month. Standard passenger vehicles only.**

Our company is proud to offer professionally installed window films to help protect your skin. We hope this article helped increase your skin cancer awareness. If you would like more information on the products or services we offer, call us at (816) 353-2665 for the Independence, Missouri Location, (913) 384-2665 for the Overland Park, Kansas Location, (816) 560-2665 for the Lee’s Summit, Missouri Location. You can also fill out the contact form HERE. We have been serving the greater Kansas City area since 1976 and would be happy to discuss your options and provide you with a free, no obligation assessment and quotation on your particular home.

Take a moment with Midwest Tinting to learn how our window films not only protect skin from harmful UV rays, but also protect home / office interiors and investments from sun damage.

First, the The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends window film as an effective form of sun protection. This protection extends whether you are in your car, at the office or in your home. Check out just some of the ways that The Skin Cancer Foundation says that window film can help.

Sun Safety in Vehicles

At Midwest Tinting, we are proud to carry 3M Crystalline automotive window tint. These innovative films can help protect you from the harmful effects of the sun while in your vehicle. Here is what The Skin Cancer Foundation has to say about sun safety in cars and how window film can help.
“Treat your vehicle to window film. The sun’s ultraviolet radiation is associated with most cases of skin cancer, which will affect one in five Americans over a lifetime. UV radiation reaches us in the form of shortwave UVB and long-wave UVA rays, but glass blocks only UVB effectively. Although car windshields are partially treated to filter out UVA, the side windows let in about 63 percent of the sun’s UVA radiation; rear windows are also unprotected, leaving back seat passengers exposed. There is, however, a solution. Transparent window film screens out almost 100 percent of UVB and UVA without reducing visibility, and is available in all 50 states. If you have window film installed, remember that it protects you only when the windows are closed.”
Check out the entire article on their site by clicking HERE.

Sun Safety at Home or in the Office

We are also proud to carry Sunscape and VKool residential and commercial window films. These films can not only help protect your skin while spending time near windows, they can also help protect your furnishings from the fading effects of the sun. In addition, these films can also help eliminate excessive heat from coming through the glass. Here is what The Skin Cancer Foundation has to say about sun safety in your home or office and how window film can help.
“Now, UVA-protective film has moved indoors big-time. Residential and commercial films come in flat sheets, in varied tints, cutting down glare by more than half while allowing 30-80 percent of visible light to get through, depending on the customer’s wants. Like automobile film, they block out up to 99.9 percent of UVR. This helps prevent not only sunburn, but also the brief daily UV exposures that cumulatively accelerate skin aging and multiply the risk of skin cancer. In addition, the film can be lifesavers for people with diseases involving dangerous photosensitivity, such as xeroderma pigmentosum and lupus.”
Midwest Tinting is proud to highlight Skin Cancer Awareness Month and to bring the Kansas City area window films that can help be part of the skin cancer solution. Please share this post with a friend, loved one or someone you know that may have been impacted by Skin Cancer. You can forward this email to help bring awareness to prevention and detection in our homes, offices and while in your vehicle.
If you would like more information or to schedule an appointment, contact one of our three, convenient Kansas City locations below. We offer completely free, no obligation, on-site evaluations and estimates of integrating these innovative films.

Intrusion Prevention

Windows are, and always have been, the quickest way for people to gain access to someplace they’re not supposed to be. And if they’re going in through a smashed window, it’s usually because time is something they don’t have much of. The glass will break, but not shatter, helping to prevent the intruder from entering quickly, and leaving him wondering what to do next. In most cases, the answer is simple: move on.

Natural Disaster Mitigation

During storms, when high-powered winds are allowed to enter a structure, they can collapse it from the inside. By preventing the glass from shattering, Madico’s SafetyShield film not only prevents potential physical harm, but also keeps winds from rushing inside and doing serious structural damage. And during an earthquake, SafetyShield holds glass together under the most extreme conditions, minimizing injury to those nearby, both inside and out.
It’s convenient, permanent, and most importantly, a more effective alternative to boarding or taping your windows.

Grafitti Mitigation

Vandalism is more than just a nuisance and eyesore; it’s also a huge financial drain to public and private budgets. The cost of repeatedly replacing windows and glass that has been scratched up or marked with spray-paint can end up being prohibitive, not to mention time consuming and disruptive.
Graffiti-Free is Madico’s window coating for the commercial and retail marketplace. When vandals do strike, it won’t be permanent. The window stays put, and just the film is replaced, at a fraction of the cost. Graffiti-Free can also be used on many non-porous surfaces other than glass.
The team at Midwest Tinting will help you determine which safety, graffiti or security window films are right for your home or building. If you would like discuss this with us, call our team at (913) 384-2665 to find out more information. We would be happy to schedule a completely free, no obligation consultation.

1. Energy Conservation: Up to 30% of any building’s cooling and heating load is through windows. Installing window film reduces the stress on a facility’s HVAC system. Many films block up to 80 percent of the sun’s heat, helping to cut cooling costs.
2. Safety and Security: Windows and doors are the most vulnerable parts of any building. They are easy points of entry for people who may mean harm to the occupants, the building itself, or its contents. When professionally installed safety film is added, the glass doesn’t shatter, delaying the intruder’s entrance, and allowing local authorities to get to the scene in a timely matter.
3. Health and Comfort: The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends solar control window film to protect healthy skin and prevent premature aging. Window film lets natural daylight in, but blocks up to 99% of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays, and up to 80% of the sun’s heat protecting the building’s occupants and preventing interior furnishings from fading. Employees are also more productive and comfortable thanks to window film reducing solar glare, not only on their computer screens but throughout the entire building.
4. Green Benefits: Nearly 75% of windows are not energy efficient, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Window film installation costs a fraction of new window replacement, and accomplishes many of the same goals, as well as going a long way in reducing a building’s carbon footprint.
5. Aesthetics: Window film can improve the aesthetics of any commercial building. By improving the look of dated windows with film, the whole building will appear as though it had a modern facelift. Many manufacturers also offer decorative films that can add style, privacy and create a unique interior design. With certain styles of decorative films, facility executives can even achieve the look of etched glass at a fraction of the cost.

You can check out the entire article by clicking HERE
We hope you find this article interesting and that it informs you on the ways that window films can be used to improve your facility. We would be happy to discuss the options with you. Give Midwest Tinting a call today at (913) 384-2665 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with someone on our team.

Window Films Make Customers More Comfortable

For many restaurants, having walls of windows provide sunshine and a beautiful view that’s alluring to customers. However, the heat and the glare that come with untreated windows can turn into a turn off.

Window Films Offers UV Protection

Your customers probably wouldn’t think to wear sunscreen indoors, so it’s fairly safe to assume they wouldn’t apply SPF 30 before dining inside your restaurant. But the sunlight streaming in that increases the ambiance also allows ultraviolet radiation in through the windows, which contributes to a person’s daily accumulation of sun exposure.

We hope you find this article interesting and that it informs you on a couple of the ways that window tinting can make a restaurant, or nearly any space, a more comfortable place to be. We would be happy to discuss the options with you. Give Midwest Tinting a call today at (913) 384-2665 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with someone on our team.