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How Window Film Can Protect Windows from Storms
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How Window Film Can Protect Windows from Storms
Coastal Living, Safety & Security

How Window Film Can Protect Windows from Storms

AP Website Access2020-08-17T17:11:32+00:00

Hurricane season is underway and we are having frequent thunderstorms. We thought it was a great time to explain how window film can protect windows from storms. The official 2020 hurricane season began on June 1st, and so far it’s been a tumultuous one. Nine tropical storms formed prior to the beginning of August for the first time on record. Combine the hurricanes with the intense thunderstorms that typically occur on a regular basis during summer, and there seems to always be some kind of storm to worry about this time of the year through the fall. After all, hurricane season isn’t over until November 30th.

Can Window Film Really Protect Windows from Storms?

Not only can window film protect windows from storms, but it can also protect the people inside your home or business as well as your property and belongings. Premium window film in the 3M™ Ultra Series of Safety and Security Window Film, for example, performs much better than standard polyester films in blast and impact events. This premium film features alternating micro-layers of super-thin film and adhesive that are tear-resistant. It makes windows stronger against threats like tree limbs, flying debris, and wind.

Windows protected with premium window film hold broken shards of glass intact upon impact. This helps protect occupants inside from shards of sharp flying glass, one of the most common causes of injuries and fatalities in storms. Premium 3M window film has a strong bond that holds glass fragments together even if a window cracks or breaks. For optimum strength, Impact Protection Attachment Systems anchor the glass and film to the window frame. This helps prevent the glass pane from dislodging and becoming airborne due to changes in pressure and strong winds. 3M™ Ultra Series of Safety and Security Window Films were tested at simulated wind speeds up to 170 mph.

Window Film Helps Protect Your Property & Belongings

It’s heartbreaking to see TV footage of people’s homes and businesses that have been damaged during storms. Sometimes they lose everything. Windows film effectively reduces storm damage by holding windows intact and in the window frame even if an object like a tree limb breaks through the glass. This helps keep water, wind, and debris out of the home or building.

While we’re not saying that window film can prevent all damage from catastrophic events, it certainly adds another layer of protection to your home or business that protects your windows and the people and belongings inside. Unlike plywood window coverings that you must scramble to install before each storm, window film provides a passive means of protection. Additionally, it’s a much more affordable option than installing high-impact glass or storm shutters. Contact Carolina Solar Security for more information about how window film can help protect against storm damage.

Carolina Solar Security is a premium 3M™ Authorized Window Film Dealer in Wilmington, NC. We have been providing North Carolina homeowners and business owners with window tinting solutions since 1985 and never stop working to bring our customers the best products paired with the most skilled window film technicians. Reach out to us for your free quote today!

How Window Film Can Protect Windows from StormsAP Website Access2020-08-17T17:11:32+00:00

Product Spotlight: 3M™ Prestige Series Window Film
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Product Spotlight: 3M™ Prestige Series Window Film
Temperature Control, UV Protection

Product Spotlight: 3M™ Prestige Series Window Film

AP Website Access2020-07-17T22:03:30+00:00

3M™ Prestige Series Window Film is a high-performance film designed to keep building occupants cool, comfortable, and protected. This superior film offers superb protection from the sun’s heat, fading, and glare. At the same time, it allows for clear vision, improves indoor comfort, and preserves building aesthetics. The film is durable, scratch-resistant, and resists peeling. It’s perfect for long-term applications for both residential and commercial buildings.

The multilayer-design of Prestige Series Window Film is based on nanotechnology. The film is very thin — about as thick as a sticky note — yet it’s composed of more than 200 transparent, alternating layers of super-thin acrylic and polyester. These multiple layers make the film highly effective at providing solar protection, while transmitting a high percentage of the sun’s natural light.

Why consider window film for reducing solar heat indoors? Window film is more affordable for improving building and home comfort than alternatives like retrofitting or replacing HVAC units. It also doesn’t have the drawbacks like window treatments that block light, leaving a dark and dreary interior.

Why the Prestige Series Is Better

Prestige Series Window Film is unique because of the precision it uses to control light waves as they pass through or reflect off its many layers. It actually performs at a faster rate as the sun’s angle increases. Therefore, it provides the highest protection from the sun when it’s at its hottest.

This spectrally-selective film blocks up to 97% of the sun’s infrared light and up to 60% of the heat coming through windows. In addition, it blocks up to 99.9% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that cause glare and fading of interior furnishings. And it does all this with little impact on the amount of visible light you see.

Prestige Series Film Is Metal-Free

Unlike conventional metalized films, Prestige Series Window Film is metal-free. Therefore, it won’t cause interference with mobile phones and other wireless signals indoors. The lack of metal in the film also prevents it from corroding. It also results in a less reflective surface that helps preserve the natural look of windows.

In fact, this film is less reflective than plain window glass, which enhances your views. Because the film has less reflectivity than untinted windows, it can even improve the aesthetics of your home or commercial building’s exterior by eliminating an unwanted mirror effect. This can actually increase property values.

Immediate Energy Savings

Keeping interiors cool in the summer with window film means less energy consumption. This translates to immediate savings on your first energy bill after installation, plus ongoing savings month after month when it’s hot. And because the film is designed to reflect proportionally more of the sun’s energy at high solar altitudes, there’s hardly any noticeable heat reduction during the colder months.

Prestige Series Window Film For Residential Use

Glass windows help make your home beautiful and inviting. However, sunlight can create excessive heat and expose your family and possessions to damaging UV rays. Let in the light but keep out the heat and damaging UV rays without impacting your home’s look or your view with Prestige Series Window Film. The film can be combined with the benefits of safety and security film in our Ultra Prestige Series to help protect your family. The film is ideal for glass windows and doors, skylights, sunrooms, and more.

Prestige Series Window Film For Commercial Use

Excessive heat from sunlight can increase energy costs and negatively affect the comfort of your tenants or employees. This impacts everything from worker retention and tenant turnover to your bottom line. Isn’t it time to explore the many benefits that Prestige Series Window Film has to offer? When professionally installed for commercial applications, 3M™ backs this film with a 15-year warranty.

Product Spotlight: 3M™ Prestige Series Window FilmAP Website Access2020-07-17T22:03:30+00:00

Cool Ideas for Your Next Bathroom Makeover
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Cool Ideas for Your Next Bathroom Makeover
Privacy

Cool Ideas for Your Next Bathroom Makeover

AP Website Access2020-06-15T13:15:30+00:00

Need inspiration for your next bathroom makeover? Browse some of our favorite ideas that can transform your bathroom into a one-of-a-kind space. From creative DIYs to jobs for the pros, you’re sure to find an idea that will add value and beauty to one of the most used rooms in your house.

The biggest factors to increase the value include updating worn-out items, modernizing fixtures, and creating a more functional space. Read on for more fresh ideas, and wake up a tired bathroom with these quick and easy bathroom updates that won’t break the bank.

Upgrade Your Bathroom Cabinets with New Knobs and Pulls

Give bathroom cabinets a facelift and spruce up your space with notable knobs and pulls. There are so many beautiful options out there, it might be hard to choose. Glam up your space in no time and infuse a polished and luxurious aura with jewel-shaped glass knobs that catch the light. Or you could go with elegant ceramic pulls for a clean, modern look. Then there are the nature-inspired knobs and pulls to lend a soothing sense of calm to your space. Think of this hardware as jewelry for your bathroom when you are looking for a simple and fast way to make over your space.

Top-Rung Towel Bars

For a quick and inexpensive DIY bathroom makeover, look to a vintage ladder for stylish small-space storage. Refresh your flea market find with chalk-style paint that matches the room’s accessories, then use it to layer plush towels in the same color. Hang metal planters on the bottom rung to corral brushes, makeup, and hair styling aids for easy access.

Add Decorative and Practical 3M™ Film to Windows and Shower Doors

Frosted film not only enhances the look of windows and shower doors, but it also enhances privacy. And there are so many options to choose from! From bold geometric motifs to the elegance of silk, find the look that suits your style in our portfolio of decorative glass finishes and privacy films. Available in a variety of textures and patterns including matte and frosted designs, 3M™ Fasara™ Series films are an excellent option for the bathroom. They’re even fingerprint-resistant so they’re easier to clean.

They will transform your space while letting in plenty of natural light. They’re ideal for giving small spaces like bathrooms an open feel. They’re also an excellent way to add a high-end finish to plain glass at an affordable price. How about etched glass or a sand-blasted look? This part of your bathroom makeover is best left to the professionals. Professional installation ensures precise measurement, the most appropriate materials, smooth application, and the best warranty.

Set the Mood with Paint

Paint is one of the fastest, cheapest, and most effective ways to change up the mood and feel of your bathroom.

Create a spa-like retreat with the coastal aesthetic of soft green seafoam paint. Buttery whites boast a lush depth that warms too-cool spaces. Incorporate the cool colors of granite and concrete into your paint for a contemporary twist on classic gray for a sleek look. When it comes to bold bathroom paint colors, navy blue is clean, classic, and noteworthy. When paired with white, it creates a stylish contrast. And don’t dismiss a bright-white bathroom as boring just yet. The classic neutral bathroom paint color can be easily dressed up with layers of texture. Look to salvaged wood and straw baskets to warm it up.

Flooring That’s Not Boring

Replacing the flooring will go far in giving your bathroom a new overall appearance. Inexpensive porcelain or ceramic tile, or even vinyl, can be engineered to look like classic wood or stone but is still completely waterproof and durable to any level of moisture. For next-level makeover magic, consider radiant heating. For less than $150 per 6 feet of mat, you can also install radiant-heat mats underneath your bathroom flooring of choice for a luxurious effect.

Vanity Options

Don’t replace your vanity—paint it! Whether you opt for a color to blend in and match the walls or an alternative bright shade to set it off from the rest, a paint job is guaranteed to give the whole room a facelift. To paint a wood vanity, you’ll need to prep and prime the original surface to ensure the new paint adheres well. With a number of thin coats, the new finish will be more durable and look better.

More Bathroom Makeover Advice

Consumer Reports recommends simple improvements like re-caulking the tub, installing new bathroom fixtures, and changing out toilets rather than a full-blown remodel, which probably won’t return your full investment at resale.

Often you can simply refresh and clean existing bits to give a whole new feel to your space. For instance, if you have broken or missing tiles, replace them. Check your exhaust fan; it may be clogged and dingy. A good cleaning will make it more efficient and look better too. If you have plastic faucet handles that have gotten cloudy and discolored, you can pop them off with a screwdriver and soak in vinegar to restore their sparkle. Check your grout lines. Scrub them with any of the commercial or DIY cleaners available to get them back to white, then make sure to seal the lines to prevent grimy buildup afterward. There are so many ways to approach a bathroom makeover, and many of them start at little to no cost to achieve.

Cool Ideas for Your Next Bathroom MakeoverAP Website Access2020-06-15T13:15:30+00:00

How to Improve Home Security: 6 Simple Steps
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How to Improve Home Security: 6 Simple Steps
Safety & Security

How to Improve Home Security: 6 Simple Steps

AP Website Access2020-05-27T19:41:29+00:00

Improving home security may not be the most glamorous part of homeownership, but it is important. Why? Because studies show that burglaries occur every 26 seconds. So how do you make your home less appealing to a burglar? And can it be done affordably? Fortunately, the answer is yes, and we’re going to tell you how.

6 Things to Do to Improve Home Security

Here’s a helpful checklist of six budget-friendly security measures to help you improve home security. You don’t have to do everything at once. Identify which strategies are most important to you and tackle them one at a time.

1 – Secure Doors

This is at the top of the list because it’s so important and so easy to do. In a third of all burglaries, the intruder just walked in through an unlocked door. A locked door itself is a great deterrent to most burglars, so lock your doors!

We also recommend that you reinforce your doors with any or all of these low-cost improvements:

install a deadbolt
add a strike plate
upgrade to smart locks
install a video doorbell

Furthermore, if your doors have glass inlays, reinforce the glass portions of the door with safety & security window film. This makes it more difficult for the intruder to smash the glass and reach through to unlock the door from the inside. Making your home’s entry points difficult to access will deter the majority of burglars.

2 – Secure Windows

Beyond ensuring that your window locks and latches are strong, there are other measures you can take to ensure that your windows are not an easy entry point for intruders.

Install glass break sensors, plant prickly bushes under first-floor windows, and install window security film. Once the window film is applied to your windows, it adds an extra layer of protection that makes windows much harder to penetrate. Even if a window does break, the broken glass will hold together and is a major deterrent to an intruder’s entry.

Professionally installed high-quality 3M security window film and attachment systems can slow an intruder down for as long as two minutes. Remember, the bad guys want to get in quickly and quietly. Fighting to get through tear-resistant window film may be enough to deter them or alert you to their presence in time to call for help or flee the situation.

3 – Light Up the Outdoors

Criminals prefer to stay out of the spotlight. A low-cost but effective way to deter would-be intruders is by installing outdoor lighting with motion sensors near each point of entry. Make sure to replace any burned-out lightbulbs and put your porch lights on timers. These simple yet effective measures are great ways to improve home security and the safety of your loved ones.

4 – Guard Your Garage

Always keep garage doors closed — even while at home — so thieves are not able to spot items they may want to steal later. You’d be surprised how often thieves decide their targets by cruising through a neighborhood and checking out open garage doors. Lock valuable items, such as expensive bicycles and grills, with a chain and padlock. If your garage is attached to your house, reinforce those entry points as well using the tips listed above.

5 – Set Up Security Cameras

Whether you do it yourself or have them put in professionally, security cameras are an excellent deterrent to crime. They also can alert you of anything out of the ordinary that takes place or any people lurking outside of your home. Cameras with a mobile app feature allow you to see footage in real-time and store it if you need to share it with the police.

Ironically, since a criminal probably won’t know the difference, even a faux camera can be a very powerful deterrent. The same holds true of a dummy alarm or a yard sign that warns that your home is protected by a security system.

6 – Home Automation

A major way to improve home security is through home automation. This can start with an individual programmable device and gradually expand to hooking your whole home up to a smart system. That means you can control lights, appliances, heating and cooling, and security cameras remotely. You can make it look like you’re home when you’re away by opening and closing curtains, controlling lights, and turning on sprinklers from anywhere, all from your mobile phone.

Want to Learn More About How to Improve Home Security with Window Film?

A window film technician at Carolina Solar Security will consult with you and evaluate your security needs. Then they’ll help you choose the right window film as part of your home security plan while working within your budget.

How to Improve Home Security: 6 Simple StepsAP Website Access2020-05-27T19:41:29+00:00

Sun Control Window Film Addresses Many Problems When It’s Hot Outside
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Sun Control Window Film Addresses Many Problems When It’s Hot Outside
Glare Reduction, Temperature Control, UV Protection

Sun Control Window Film Addresses Many Problems When It’s Hot Outside

AP Website Access2020-04-20T16:01:36+00:00

As summer draws nearer and with everyone spending more time at home, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how we’ll stay comfortable as temperatures heat up. Sun control window film can help.

Heat isn’t the only culprit that interferes with indoor comfort. There are actually several issues that cause issues during the hotter months. These issues include glare, hot spots, UV rays that cause fading and skin damage, and increased energy costs as we try to cool our homes and businesses.

Quality, professionally installed sun control window film is an affordable solution. The film addresses each of these sun-related challenges in homes and commercial spaces. 3M™ Sun Control Window Film Prestige Series is an excellent example. It’s one of the most popular films that we install for home and business owners. Let’s take a look at how this popular, high-end window film works.

How 3M Sun Control Window Film Prestige Series Works

This non-metalized, multi-layer specialty film uses nanotechnology to address several issues caused by the sun. Additionally, it works while still letting plenty of natural light filter in through your windows. As a result, you don’t have to worry about the darkening of your home or office interior. The film can be carbon negative in just a few short months after installation and is corrosion-resistant. Furthermore, it won’t interfere with signals or the appearance of your windows. Here’s how this film works to address common issues that interfere with indoor comfort in the summer.

Heat

Solar heat comes from two primary sources, the visible light you can see and the infrared light you can feel. Sun control window film addresses both sources of heat. The film rejects up to 97% of the sun’s infrared light and up to 60% of the heat coming through your windows. In addition, the film also serves as an insulator to hold more cool air generated by your HVAC inside.

Energy Costs

With window film working two ways — reducing heat coming through windows and holding more cool air inside — your cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard or as often. This translates to lower utility bills and reduced energy costs when it’s hot outside.

Glare

Glare can be annoying, cause discomfort, and also make it hard to see screens on televisions, computer monitors, laptops, smartphones, and cameras. In certain instances, glare can even cause physical problems like eye strain and headaches. The 3M™ Prestige Series Films reduces glare by precisely controlling which of the sun’s wavelengths it reflects and which it allows to pass through. The film actually increases its performance at a faster rate as the sun’s angle increases, offering more glare protection when the sun is high and at its brightest.

Damage from UV Rays

As sunlight streams through glass windows, glass doors, and skylights, it can cause hot spots, skin damage, and fading of furnishings. In fact, UV radiation from sunlight is one of the greatest sources of damage to home interiors. When any type of home or office furnishing is exposed to sunlight for an extended period of time, UV rays lead to fading, discoloration, and in some cases, deterioration. 3M Sun Control Window Film Prestige Series rejects up to 99.9% of the sun’s damaging UV rays to prevent hot spots around windows and skylights and to significantly reduce fading of your furnishings. Because it can extend the life of floors, furniture, and other décor, you don’t have to replace these items as often so you can save money. Window film with UV protection also protects our skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Sun Control Window Film Prestige Series’s Durability

3M Prestige Series films are durable with a hydrophobic hard coat that helps the exterior of the glass look cleaner. They resist peeling, bubbling, scratches, and abrasions. When professionally installed by an authorized 3M Prestige Dealer like Carolina Solar Security, these films are backed by a comprehensive multi-year warranty. Reach out to us today about a free consultation for your sun control window film installation!

Sun Control Window Film Addresses Many Problems When It’s Hot OutsideAP Website Access2020-04-20T16:01:36+00:00

Saving Money with Window Film: Is It Really Possible?
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Saving Money with Window Film: Is It Really Possible?
Safety & Security, Temperature Control, UV Protection

Saving Money with Window Film: Is It Really Possible?

AP Website Access2020-03-23T19:05:14+00:00

If you’ve heard a lot of good things about window film and are wondering if saving money with window film is possible, we have some great news for you! Yes, window film is both affordable and provides numerous benefits, many of which can add up to real savings in your wallet. In this article, we’ll cover three of the biggest cost-saving benefits of window film:

1 – Energy Savings:

This is one of the main reasons why a lot of homeowners and businesses decide to install window film. Quality window film that’s professionally installed reflects the sun’s rays in the summer to keep buildings cooler. 3M™ window films, for example, reject up to 60% of solar heat. Window film also helps with insulating windows to hold warm air inside during the winter. These features of window film can result in a significant drop in energy bills as wear and tear on your HVAC systems is reduced. According to the Department of Energy, building owners can expect to save as much as $19 kWh per square foot of glass that’s been treated with window film.

2 – Reduce Costly Damage & Theft:

It can be really expensive to protect your home or business with security systems. Window film offers an affordable alternative that makes it harder for burglars and other intruders to get in to take your belongings. 3M™ Safety & Security Window Films are designed to hold glass intact when windows are shattered. This leaves criminals faced with layers of film and broken glass that are bonded together with 3M™’s proprietary adhesive, making the window difficult to penetrate. It takes more time, effort, and noise to gain entry through windows treated with film. This serves as a deterrent for the intruder and also gives you and your family or employees more time to escape or call for help. Residential and commercial security window films also protect occupants from flying glass shards in the event of storms, natural disasters, or explosions, and holds the glass in place to reduce damage. All these things can save you money through minimized property damage and replacement costs.

3 – Save on Furnishings:

Many types of window films provide UV protection. They block a significant portion of the sun’s harmful UV rays, which reduces fading and damage to furnishings. For instance, 3M™ window films block up to 99 percent of the sun’s harmful rays. The enhanced UV protection extends the life of wood flooring, carpets, furniture, so you don’t have to replace them as frequently. This saves you money in the long run.

Want to Learn More About Saving Money with Window Film?

Carolina Solar Security serves as a premium 3M™ Authorized Window Film Dealer in Wilmington, NC. We have been providing North Carolina homeowners and business owners with window tinting solutions since 1985. Our team never stops working to bring our customers the best products paired with the most skilled window film technicians. Reach out to us for your free quote today!

Saving Money with Window Film: Is It Really Possible?AP Website Access2020-03-23T19:05:14+00:00

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