Product Spotlight: 3M™ Prestige Series Window Film

2020-07-17T22:03:30+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.

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!

 

Product Spotlight: 3M™ Prestige Series Window Film2020-07-17T22:03:30+00:00

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

2020-04-20T16:01:36+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!

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!

Sun Control Window Film Addresses Many Problems When It’s Hot Outside2020-04-20T16:01:36+00:00

Saving Money with Window Film: Is It Really Possible?

2020-03-23T19:05:14+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?2020-03-23T19:05:14+00:00

Invest in Temperature Control Window Film for Year-Round Comfort & Efficiency

2019-08-29T20:49:38+00:00

As summer comes to an end, we find that we may still experience some hotter days well into September. You may think that temperature control window film is only a concern during the heat of summer, helping to keep your house cool and refreshing from harsh sun rays. However, if you’re considering installing temperature control window film in your home, it will benefit you year-round. Not only will it help keep you cool in the summer, it will also help you stay warm in winter months. With summer coming to a close and the crisp fall air approaching, it’s still a perfect time to consider temperature control window film!

How Does Temperature Control Window Film Work?

The same film that helps keep the sun’s heat out in the summer also helps to retain the heat in your home during the winter. How does this work? 76% of the sunlight that hits double pane windows in the summer is converted to heat. So, in the summer, the window film reflects the heat back out into the atmosphere in order to maintain a cooler interior. While doing so, it still allows natural light to enter the home. In contrast, 30% of a home’s heating energy slips through windows in the winter. To stop this, in the winter the window film acts like insulation to trap heat within the home.

Benefits of Temperature Control Window Film

Save Money & Energy

Temperature control window film is an investment that will benefit you at any point in the year. Your HVAC unit will receive less wear and tear with assistance from window film, which in turn reduces your energy bills year-round. By insulating your home in the winter and cooling the interior in the summer, utility costs are better maintained. Not only does this save you money, but also reduces how hard your HVAC works to keep your home the perfect temperature year-round!

Protect Your Home from UV Damage

Harsh sunlight entering your home through windows is inevitable. Plus, we all love a little natural light! Over time, however, sunlight can cause damage to furnishings and flooring. Investing in window film will help to block out harmful UV rays that damage your interior furnishing. By reducing glare and harmful rays, it can help to decrease the damage that UV rays can cause.

Improved Home Comfort

Avoid feeling sweaty in the comfort of your own home on a hot, August day. Additionally, avoid teeth-chattering in the kitchen on a snowy January morning! All of the discomfort can be put to an end with the installation of temperature control window film. Maintain that cooler interior when necessary, and keep the warmth inside when needed — all with the same product. When homeowners invest in window film, they invest in home comfort.

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!

Invest in Temperature Control Window Film for Year-Round Comfort & Efficiency2019-08-29T20:49:38+00:00

How to Save on Energy Bills During the Warmer Months

2019-04-25T14:59:42+00:00

Want some tips on how to save on energy bills when it’s hot outside? Your timing is perfect since temperatures are already heating up and summer will be here before you know it. Here are five tips on how to save on energy bills while keeping your home cool and comfortable during the warmer months.

1) Use Window Film

The sun produces infrared light that heats up your home as it filters through your windows. This causes your AC to work overtime and your energy bills to shoot up. Window film designed to block out the sun’s rays can help your home to stay cool and comfortable while controlling energy costs. This film reduces the amount of sun rays that enter your home through the windows, so your home doesn’t get as hot. Since it’s made of multiple fine layers that insulate your windows, it also holds in more of the cool air generated by your home’s cooling system.

3M™ Sun Control Window Film is a great example of window film that cuts energy costs while enhancing the appearance of your windows and still allowing in 40-70% of natural light. This multi-layer film uses nano-technology to block out 97% of infrared light and reject up to 60% of the heat that comes through windows. It also blocks out a significant percentage of the harmful UV rays that can fade your furnishings and belongings.

2) Check Vents and Air Filters

Check your air filters and replace old dirty, dusty filters with energy-efficient filters designed to help your home’s cooling system work more efficiently and lower energy costs. Also, check all the vents throughout your home to make sure they are fully open and not covered by rugs, furniture, or other objects.

3) Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

Consider upgrading to a smart thermostat that you can adjust from anywhere using an app on your smartphone. This kind of thermostat allows you to turn up the temperature when you’ll be away, even if you forget to do it before you leave home. And you can adjust to a cooler temperature when you’re on your way back home. It’s a good idea to get an AC tune-up before it gets super hot anyway, so ask your HVAC technician about installing a smart thermostat when they visit your home.

4) Switch to LED Bulbs

Regular incandescent bulbs release heat. They also use a lot more energy than LEDs and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs and CFLs throughout your home can make a significant difference in your utility bills. These bulbs cost more up front, but they last a lot longer and will pay for themselves in the long run. If you don’t want to replace all your bulbs at once, just replace a few at a time as old bulbs burn out. In the meantime, keep an eye out for sales so you have them on hand when you need them.

5) Change How You Cook

Cooking in the oven in the summer can push up the temperature in your home and put a strain on your home’s cooling system. If you enjoy cooking, try preparing more foods on the stovetop or in small appliances like multi-cookers and microwave ovens, which don’t require as much energy or release as much heat. Summer is also the perfect time to cook out on the grill and eat more chilled foods like salads and cold sandwiches that don’t require cooking at all.

When used in combination with window film, these tips can help lower your energy costs and maintain a more comfortable interior temperature as the summer months approach!

Want to Learn More on How to Save on Energy Bills with Window Film?

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 to Save on Energy Bills During the Warmer Months2019-04-25T14:59:42+00:00

Want Natural Light Without Excessive Heat Gain, Glare, and Damaging UV Rays?

2019-02-28T16:32:11+00:00

Natural light not only brightens our living and work spaces, but research has shown that it actually makes us perform better and even provides health benefits by boosting our bodies’ Vitamin D levels. If you are considering adding window film to your home or office, you may worry that the film will prevent natural light from coming in and make these environments dark and unpleasant.

The good news is that if you use the right window film, you can keep a great deal of that beneficial natural light, while reducing some of the less desirable effects of the sun such as:

1) Excessive Heat

When it’s hot outside, window film can drastically reduce the heat of the sun coming through your windows. And when you choose the right film, you can still have lots of that glorious natural light. 3M™ Sun Control Window Film is a great example. It reduces the heat that comes in through windows by 50% or more so you can stay more comfortable inside.

2) UV Ray Damage

Sun cannot only damage our skin, but it can wreak havoc on our home and office furnishings all year-round. The sun’s UV rays can cause furniture, window treatments, carpet, and other interior décor to fade. Research estimates that it accounts for as much as 40% of fading damage of these objects. 3M window film blocks up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, protecting your valuable items so that they hold their colors longer.

3) Glare

While natural light is very beneficial to us, there are times when the glare from the sun affects our productivity. This is especially true when the sun is shining in our faces or creating glare on the surfaces we use day in and out, like computer, mobile device, and TV screens. Quality window film greatly reduces glare by redirecting the sun’s rays toward the ceiling, while still allowing a great deal of natural light to filter in.

What About Privacy?

You might assume that letting in more light will reduce your privacy, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are window films designed specifically to allow natural light in, while allowing you to see out, and at the same time, reducing the visibility of those who might want to see inside. 3M™ Sun Control Window Films, Night Vision™ Series offers enhanced views from the inside looking out, especially at night, while enhancing privacy with higher reflectivity for those on the outside wanting a view inside. This film still allows 15-35% of natural light into your rooms by day, while blocking up to 71% of the sun’s heat, significantly blocking harmful UV rays and reducing glare and eye discomfort. It is made of scratch-resistant coating to ensure clear visibility as well.

Some Window Film Is Designed to Increase Natural Light

While many 3M window films allow us to have lots of beneficial natural light, there are some newer window films that actually increase natural light in commercial and residential spaces. 3M™ Daylight Redirecting film for commercial use, for example, redirects as much as 80% of light coming into buildings, bringing natural light deeper inside. It helps to light rooms as deep as 40 feet from windows. This can reduce your dependence on electrical lighting for energy efficiency.

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!

Want Natural Light Without Excessive Heat Gain, Glare, and Damaging UV Rays?2019-02-28T16:32:11+00:00
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