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Oct 11 2024
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Energy Bills

🍂 Beat the Chill & Save on Energy Bills

By Residential Window Film

With summer’s farewell and the arrival of cooler temperatures, many homeowners are already dreading the prospect of skyrocketing energy bills. But fear not! This pre-winter period is the perfect time to invest in home improvements that can significantly boost your home’s energy efficiency. And if you can save money in the long run, why not go for it?

One of the most impactful ways to make your home more efficient is by enhancing the performance of your windows. This is especially true for older homes with single-pane or outdated double-pane windows that struggle to keep the heat in during winter and the cool air in during summer.

Have you ever experienced feeling a freezing winter draft coming through the window when you hold your hand up to the glass? Adding plastic to seal that off can help, but it is not aesthetic and is not a permanent solution.

Modern Solutions for Classic Problems

The good news is that you don’t have to replace your entire window system to reap the benefits of energy efficiency. There are innovative and cost-effective solutions available. We recently stumbled upon a fantastic article in the Times Square Chronicles that discusses different ways to increase your windows’ efficiency.

The article titled, How to Make Old Windows More Energy Efficient, delves into various methods, with a particular focus on the advantages of using home window film. Here’s a key excerpt:

“Window film is an energy-efficient layer that can be applied directly to your existing windows, significantly improving your home’s heating and cooling performance. Solar film options go beyond just temperature control – they block ultraviolet rays, protecting your rugs and furnishings from sun damage while also reducing your energy consumption.”

Double Duty Savings: Year-Round Comfort and Cost Reduction

Did you know that window film offers a two-pronged approach to energy savings? In the summer, it acts as a heat rejection shield, deflecting solar rays and keeping your home cooler. This translates to significant savings on your air conditioning costs. Conversely, some films are designed to retain heat in the winter months, minimizing heat loss and lowering your heating bills.

The result? A more comfortable living environment year-round, achieved without breaking the bank with your energy bills.

Unleash the Power of Window Film

To explore the full range of benefits detailed in the Times Square Chronicles article, you can visit their website by clicking HERE. We hope that this information will help you save money and improve your comfort!

Your Partner in Energy-Efficient Homes

We offer a wide variety of high-quality residential window films tailored to your specific needs. From heat rejection to UV protection and privacy enhancement, we have the perfect film solution for your home.

Learn more about our residential window films by clicking HERE

Ready to Upgrade Your Windows? Contact Us Today!

If you’re interested in a free, no-obligation consultation and quote, our friendly experts are here to help! We can answer any questions you may have and guide you towards the best window film solution for your home.

We are conveniently located in Ogden, St. George, Salt Lake City & Orem, UT, and proudly serve the surrounding areas.

Sep 30 2024
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Enhancing Natural Light

Enhancing Natural Light Throughout Your Home

By Residential Window Film

Take a look around your home. Are there any areas where enhancing natural light would be helpful? What about that curtain-induced dark corner by the entryway? Or a ground-level window with broken blinds where you need privacy, but don’t know how to achieve that without bulky window coverings?

In 2024, there are SO many options for creating privacy without blocking valuable, mood-lifting sunlight. What are you waiting for? Let’s learn more about decorative window films so you and your home can benefit!

Let’s start with the front door. There are countless designs and styles for the entry to your home. If you’ve got a solid door without windows, or windows that are covered so no one can see in, open that up! Don’t be afraid to add glass to your front door.

Frosted film can cover windowpanes, which diffuses natural light, but makes it impossible for anyone to see in. Paying to have glass sandblasted or acid-etched is expensive, and permanent. However, window film can be changed according to current trends.

Next, there is the kitchen. Do you have glass-front cabinets that showcase dishes that you’re not necessarily trying to put on display? Decorative window film to the rescue again!

According to this article by This Old House, “Glass-front kitchen cabinets look great but they can expose mismatched dinnerware or cluttered shelves. Frosted or patterned window film provides an elegant solution… Kitchens can get messy, so we recommend looking for durable and easy-to-clean film.”

Moving on to the bathroom- there are many uses for decorative window film in here! Not only can you add character to your exterior window with decorative films (think creatively here!), but you can also frost your shower door to create privacy while still letting in light. Your bathroom house plant will appreciate the extra light too!

In the article, This Old House brings up helpful hints. “When selecting a frosted film for your shower door, consider factors such as water resistance, opacity level, and how easy it is to clean. The right film can help prevent water spots and make cleaning easier by hiding water droplets and streaks.”

Let’s keep going. How about decorative window film in the home office? Not only will diffusing the natural light from exterior windows cut down on glare on your screens, but it also provides a relaxing, bright atmosphere, without using harsh overhead lighting.

 

How about solutions for glass-front cabinets again? If your office has a cluttered feel because your paperwork or books are exposed and are hard to straighten up daily, create a more organized feel by hiding it behind some decorative film. Your office will start to feel more cohesive pretty quickly!

And finally, of course decorative window film can benefit your bedroom. According to the article:

“Consider these factors when choosing privacy film for your home’s exterior windows:

 

  • Design compatibility: Choose patterns or textures that complement your home’s architectural style.
  • Durability: Look for films designed to withstand exposure to sunlight and weather conditions.
  • Light transmission: Select a film that lets in adequate natural light while obscuring the view from the outside.”

Decorative window films come in numerous textures, colors, designs, and opacities. From ornate designs to classic frosts, you can count on decorative window films to update your space, add light, and protect your privacy.

If you would like to see the options available, we’re here to help! If you have any questions, or would like to arrange a free, no obligation consultation at your home or commercial space, contact us by calling (801) 810-8468 or fill out a form HERE.

We would be glad to go over these innovative and decorative window films available and help you get exactly the right film to fit your needs. Our locations are in Orem, Salt Lake City, St. George and Ogden, Utah and service the surrounding areas. Our team looks forward to serving any window film needs you may have!

Sep 30 2024
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Fall Home

Window Film: A Great Fall Home Improvement Project

By Residential Window Film

Fall is still flirting with summer weather. Though some areas around the country may still be experiencing August-like temperatures, others are cooling off and preparing for fall. And with winter not too far away, some people will start to spend more and more time indoors. That’s why now is a perfect time to take on a fall home improvement project!

In a Huffington Post article by Sam Cohen titled, “Build Superior Homes By Installing Window Films — Valid Reasons To Add Them To Your Windows“, we learn about what window film can do for you and your home in the coming seasons. It mentions some ways window film is a great choice for a home improvement project as the weather cools down. Some of the reasons are from the author, and some are our own thoughts.

6 Reasons Why Window Film is a Great Fall Home Improvement Project

  • Create a Comfortable Environment: After window film is installed on your home, it can create a more comfortable environment by reducing both hot and cold areas of your home that are often associated with proximity to windows.
  • Save Energy: Window film can not only improve the appearance of your home, it can also play a huge role in saving on energy costs. Depending on what type of window you have and the film you choose, significant savings on your energy costs are possible.
  • Protect Interior Furnishings from UV Damage: Window films can block 99% of the ultraviolet rays of the sun that enter your home. This is important because UV rays are the primary contributor to fading. As the window film blocks the UV rays, it also protects upholstery, furnishings, tapestries, flooring and art from discoloration and fading.
  • Enhance Security and Safety: Window films can also help hold glass together when a window is broken. Whether due to an attempted break-in, storm, or an accident, the window film can act as a barrier to entry and protect your family and pets from sharp glass shards.
  • Reduce Glare: At this time of the year, the sun is lower in the sky and this often creates irritating glare and reflectivity issues that aren’t as prevalent in the summer. Window film can help cut the glare reducing eye strain and allowing you to see things like television and computer screens more easily.
  • Improve Your Existing Windows: Rather than deal with the disruption of replacing your windows, window film retrofits to your existing glass to upgrade their performance. Also, professional installation can be done quickly with minimal disruption to the daily activities in your home.

You can read the remainder of Cohen’s article by clicking HERE

We hope that you found this brief list informative, and that you might consider window film as your perfect home improvement project this season. If you would like to learn more about residential window films, click HERE. If you have any questions, contact us today by calling (319) 423-9663 or emailing us at info@shadedglass.com. We service Orem, UT, and service the surrounding areas.

Aug 07 2024
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Energy Efficient

Can Commercial Buildings Benefit from Window Film?

By Commercial Window Film

You may have heard of window film, but do you know how much it can help at your commercial building? These innovative films retrofit to existing windows, which avoids the cost and disruption of replacing inefficient windows.

Adding window film 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. 

Solar Control Window Films Save Money And Conserve Energy - Commercial Window Tinting and FilmThis results in a number of significant benefits:

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 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 (801) 810-8468 or emailing us at info@shadedglass.com. 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 areas surrounding Orem, Ogden, St. George & Salt Lake City.

Dec 15 2023
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Retail Window Film Improves Comfort at Apple Store - Window Tint and Window Film Services in Farmington, Ogden, Orem and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Retail Window Film Improves Comfort at Apple Store

By Commercial Window Film

Our team was recently called to an Apple Store in Farmington, Utah to help them with a window film issue they were having. It turns out the window film that had been applied in the past was failing and needed to be replaced. After consultation, we helped them decide on a retail window film that would allow clear visibility in while still blocking a nice amount of heat to increase comfort and reduce the store’s energy usage.

We removed the 500 square feet of old film completely and did a re-install and the store looks great. The best part is that the store will enjoy the benefits of the new film without most people even realizing there is something on the original glass.

Shaded Glass excels at helping everyone from store owners and building managers to homeowners choose the right window tint or window film to meet their particular needs and then expertly install it backed by a solid warranty.

If you have any questions about these innovative retail window film or would like to schedule a free, no obligation assessment and quotation at your retail or office facility, contact Shaded Glass today by calling 801-810-8468 or email us at info@shadedglass.com. We are located in Orem, Utah and cover Farmington, Salt Lake City, Ogden and the surrounding area.

Dec 14 2023
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Five Primary Benefits of Using Decorative Film Versus Custom Glass - Decorative Window Film in Orem, UT

Decorative Film vs Custom Glass – 5 Great Window Film Benefits

By Decorative Film

Decorative film and decorative glass are popular in both commercial and home settings. The main reason is how versatile they can make a space. You can add elements of privacy, decor or branding without making a space feel enclosed. It is easy to see why these products are being used more frequently as commercial and home spaces are being reimagined. With that said, is there a benefit to using either decorative film or a custom glass panel? In our opinion, decorative window film is a superior option and this article gives 5 reasons we feel that to be the case.

5 Primary Benefits of Decorative Film vs Custom Glass
Decorative Film vs Custom Glass – 5 Primary Benefits of Window Film - 2
  1. Retrofittable to Existing Glass – You can avoid the excessive cost of removing your existing glass and replacing it with a custom glass panel as decorative film can be applied to the existing glass panel in most cases.
  2. Cost – Even basic custom glass panels can get costly. However, decorative glass films allow you to implement much more intricate and involved designs at a fraction of what having a custom piece of glass would cost.
  3. Reversible – If the needs of a space change and you would like to remove the decorative element, the decorative film can simply be removed. With a custom glass panel, you would need to order a new piece of glass and have it installed.
  4. Nearly Unlimited Options – Unlike actual custom glass, designs using decorative glass film are limited nearly by only your imagination. Through the use of potter cut film or custom printing, your dreams can truly become reality.
  5. Easier to Clean – When the actual glass panel is customized to give a frosted or sand blasted look, it creates a rough surface in the glass. This surface attracts dust, oil from people’s hand, etc and begins to look dirty over time. As the dirt becomes embedded in the surface, it becomes harder to remove it completely and keep the decorative panel looking clean. On the other hand, designs utilizing decorative glass films are easily cleaned so that they continue to look as good as the day they were installed.

We hope that this brief article gave you some compelling reasons why a decorative film might be a better option that custom glass panels. If you would like more information on these innovative and versatile films, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation of your project, contact us today at 801-810-8468. We are located in Orem, Utah and service the surrounding area.

Nov 30 2023
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The Perfect Home Gift Might Be A Window Film Retrofit To Existing Glass - Home Window Tinting in the Orem, UT area.

Perfect Home Gift? – 3 Reasons to Consider Window Film

By Residential Window Film
How is Window Film The Perfect Home Gift?

It’s officially that time of year again! People are often scrambling around to come up with gift ideas. Why not give a gift that continues to provide value well into the future? Considering that many people are spending more time in their home at this time of the year, we wanted to share what we thought might be the perfect home gift. Who couldn’t use a gift that will improve comfort, save money and help preserve furniture, floors and furnishings in your home? That is exactly what retrofitting a window film to the existing glass in your home can do. Sound interesting? Let’s learn more!

3 Ways That Window Film Makes The Perfect Home Gift
  1. Help Save Money On Utility Costs – As a result of spending more time at home, many have noticed their heating and cooling system working harder to maintain the desired comfort level throughout the day. When these systems are working harder, they consume more energy. Window films retrofitted to your existing glass can help reduce the demand on your system by making your windows more energy efficient. With the projected significant rise in utility costs this upcoming year, this reduction in demand on the system can result in some nice utility savings.
  2. Improve The Comfort Of A Home – Nothing impacts the comfort of a home more than being too hot or too cold. That is exactly what often happens in areas of the home near windows. You can experience hot and cold spots throughout the home that the heating and cooling system cannot address. A properly chosen home window film can help eliminate these hot spots in the summer and cold spots in the winter, making a home more comfortable all year round.
  3. Preserves Floors, Furniture & Furnishings – A home window film retrofitted to existing glass will block virtually all of the sun’s UV rays as well as a portion of solar heat and visible light. These are the 3 main factors related to sun damage and fading. By reducing this combination of 3 factors through the use of window film, you can extend the life of floors, furniture and furnishings.

We hope that this article explained why we feel might be the perfect home gift idea this holiday season and beyond. If you would like more information about the residential window films we offer, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free, no obligation assessment and estimate, call us at (801) 810-8468 or email us at info@shadedglass.com. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of retrofitting a house window film solution onto your home’s existing windows in the Orem, Ogden, Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah areas.

Nov 08 2023
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Reduce Home Energy Usage With These 4 Easy Tips - Home Window Tinting in Orem, UT

Reduce Home Energy Usage With These 4 Easy Tips

By Residential Window Film

The news is often filled with reports that home energy prices are expected to rise significantly this coming year and how to reduce home energy usage. With these costs going up, it’s in everyone’s best interest to reduce the amount of energy we use. Not only do you reduce your carbon footprint and energy waste, you are also setting yourself up to save money on your utility bills. With that in mind, here are some of the most useful and practical ways you can save money and reduce energy usage.

4 Easy Ways To Reduce Home Energy Usage
  • Switch to LEDs – LED bulbs require an initial investment that puts some people off, but they’re a far more efficient and inexpensive solution long term. Not only do they last longer (some LEDs work for more than twenty years!), but they reduce the amount of energy you consume by up to 90% compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. Plus, rather than burning out in a sudden flash, LEDs experience a more gradual decline that makes them easier to live with when they need replacement. Just by swapping out one bulb for an LED model, you’ll reduce your energy bill for that light source by 30-80 dollars over the course of the bulb’s life.z
  • Have Home Window Film Installed – This is where we come in, Did you know that modern window films are retrofitted to your existing windows and come in a variety of energy-conserving styles that reduce your energy usage by putting barriers between your home and the outside world? Professionally installed window films block nearly 80% of the sun’s heat, which can really help lower the interior temperature and the amount of air conditioning you need. In addition, during the winter, some low-e window film options help create an insulating layer on your windows to trap your home’s heat inside the house and reduce your heating bill.As a side benefit, most home window films block 99% or more of the sun’s UV rays which can help reduce the impact of cancer causing rays that damage skin as well as fade furnishings and flooring. Go with a pro who can make sure that the films are installed correctly and get you the best possible return on investment by choosing the right film for your application.
  • Switch to Time-Based Electricity Rates – To cut down on peaking power usage, some utility companies encourage customers to use electricity during off-peak hours. The energy company saves money during high-use hours and the customer receives those savings through rebates or lowered electricity rates. By using energy when others aren’t, you reduce consumption needs during busy times and help keep energy usage balanced for everyone.These programs are especially useful for people with electric or hybrid cars that recharge overnight, but it’s just as easy for people who can easily do things like run dishwashers overnight rather than during the day, for example. Also, technology like home window film mentioned above helps reduce energy usage from the sun’s heat during the peak hours you are trying to limit your consumption.
  • Kill “Energy Vampires” – Did you know that appliances leech energy even when they’re powered down? Large appliances like fridges, desktop computers, and especially televisions can be draining power even when they’re off, to the extent that as much as 20% of your electric bill can come down to this “vampire power” usage. Turns out that every appliance that stays plugged in is pulling electricity, and most appliances continuously use energy even when “off” to perform updates, connect to servers, and record data. To reduce your energy leaks, be sure to unplug all your devices that you can when you’re not using them. This is easier if you’re using a power strip that allows you to quickly flick off appliances without reaching down and physically unplugging them.

We hope this article helped you with some ways you can reduce home energy usage beginning tomorrow. Our company specializes in helping homeowners improve the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes utilizing modern window film technology. If you have any questions or would like more information, please click HERE. If you have any questions, call us at (801) 810-TINT(8468) or email us at info@shadedglass.com. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing a window film solution in your Orem, Ogden or Salt Lake City, Utah home.

Oct 25 2023
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Sun Faded Floor Protection Using a Home Window Film Retrofit - Home Window Tinting in Orem, UT

Sun Faded Floor Protection Using a Home Window Film Retrofit

By Residential Window Film

Furnishing a home can be expensive. Flooring, furniture and furnishings costs can add up quick. With so much invested,

Looking For a Solution to Sun Faded Floor Protection?

Furnishing a home can be expensive. Flooring, furniture and furnishings costs can add up quick. With so much invested, doesn’t it make sense to take steps to protect that investment from sun fading? While most of us love open and airy homes with lots of windows, the biggest threat to your floors and furnishings can be right outside those same windows, the sun. Sunlight is responsible for the primary causes of sun faded floor protection.

Sun Faded Floor Protection Using a Home Window Film RetrofitMost people do not want to sacrifice their views and the open feeling of their home to protect their furnishings from the sun, so what can be done? One of the best ways to attack the 3 primary causes of sun damage and fading is with a window film retrofitted to your existing windows. This article will examine exactly what causes the fading and damage to occur and how window film is a great solution to consider.

What Causes Fading and Sun Damage?

A common misconception is that UV rays are what cause sun faded floors and damage to furnishings. While UV is certainly the largest component, as the chart below illustrates, these rays only account for 40% of the causes of fading. Solar heat and visible lights are also major contributors, accounting for 25% of the problem. The last factor is comprised of a variety of this we simply put under the heading “Other”. These are things like interior lighting, humidity, etc. This article from Build Direct explains this from the angle of a flooring supplier.

The first thing this chart demonstrates is that you cannot “stop” fading completely unless the item you want to protect in a dark, climate controlled room. In real life, the most you can do is attack the primary contributors of fading in a significant enough way to slow down the fading process in a substantive way. By slowing the process, you extend the life of your floors, furniture and furnishings.

Protection from Sun Caused Fading Floors and Furnishings 5

Why Is A Window Film Retrofit To Your Existing Windows a Good Solution?

As mentioned above, most people do not want to darken their home with sun blocking curtains, blinds or drapes in an effort to stop fade damage from occurring. So, assuming the windows will not be covered the majority of the time, you need to attack the fade factors before they enter the home. The reason a window film retrofit is a great option is because it attacks all 3 primary contributors of fading. Most professionally installed window films will block 99%+ of the UV rays.

Sun Faded Floor Protection Using a Home Window Film Retrofit 3So, that removes almost 40% of the contributing factors of fading. In addition, many window films can significantly reduce the solar heat and visible light coming through the window. When you combine these factors, you can take a large slice out of the fade pie chart shown above. This protection can be accomplished while retaining the open feel of your home.

So, let’s do a quick calculation of a common home window film to show how much it can reduce fading versus a clear window. The window film being used in this scenario will block 99% of the UV rays, 68% of the visible light and 41% of solar heat. So, the fading math calculation would go as follows, (40% x 99%) + (25% x 68%) + (25% x 41%) = 66.85% Fade Reduction. As you can see, although window film will not 100% stop fading as we discussed above, by reducing the fade factors by 66.85%, you can substantially extend the life of your furniture, floors and furnishings.

We hope this brief article shed some light on what the factors of sun faded floors, rugs and furniture are and how retrofitting window film to your existing windows is one of your best options to address this issue. If you are interested in learning more, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free, no obligation assessment and estimate, call us at 801-810-8468 or email us at info@shadedglass.com. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing a window film solution in your Orem, Utah home.

Oct 12 2023
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Home Improvement Project This Fall? 6 Reasons To Make It Window Film - Home Window Tint and Film in Orem, UT

Fall Home Improvement Project? 6 Ways Window Film Is Great!

By Residential Window Film

There’s no doubt that Summer is now a distant memory. Kids are fully engaged back in school and the cooler temperatures have started to arrive. As many people prepare to spend more time indoors, they often consider doing some projects around the house. Fall is a great time to take on a home improvement project.

We recently read an article in the Huffington Post by Sam Cohen titled “Build Superior Homes By Installing Window Films — Valid Reasons To Add Them To Your Windows“, and we thought it would be great to summarize the article here. It mentions some reasons window film is a great choice for a Fall home improvement project. Some of the reasons are from Sam, and we added with some of our own.

6 Reasons Why Window Film Should Be Your Next Home Improvement Project?

    • Create a Comfortable Environment: After window film is installed on your home, it can create a more comfortable environment by reducing both hot and cold areas of your home that are often associated with proximity to windows.
    • Save Energy: Window film can not only improve the appearance of your home, it can also play a huge role in saving on energy costs. Depending on what type of window you have and the film you choose, significant savings on your energy costs are possible.
    • Protect Interior Furnishings from UV Damage: Window films can block 99% of the ultraviolet rays of the sun that enters your home. This is important because UV is the primary contributor to fading. As the window film blocks the UV rays, it also protects upholstery, furnishings, tapestries, paintings from discoloration and fading.
    • Enhance Security and Safety: Window films can also help hold glass together in the event of breaking a window. Whether due to an attempted break-in, storm or an accident, the window film can act as a barrier to entry and protection from injury from glass shards.
    • Reduce Glare: At this time of the year, the sun is lower in the sky and this often creates irritating glare and reflectivity issues that aren’t as prevalent in the Summer. Window film can help cut the glare reducing eye strain and allowing you to see things like television and computer screens more easily.
    • Improve Your Existing Windows: Rather than deal with the disruption of replacing your windows, window film retrofits to your existing glass to upgrade their performance. Also, professional installation can be done quickly with minimal disruption to the daily activities in your home.

You can read the remainder of Sam’s article by clicking HERE

We hope that you found this brief list informative and that you might consider window film as your next home improvement project. If you would like to learn more about home window films, click HERE. If you have any questions, contact Shaded Glass today by calling 801-810-8468 or emailing us at info@shadedglass.com. We are located in Orem, Utah and service the surrounding suburbs.