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.

What Does The Skin Cancer Foundation Say?

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 home or at work, 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.

We are happy to offer window film products that can help be part of the solution. We wanted to share this article and this information to do our part during Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Please share this article to help raise skin cancer awareness and educate friends and family one how a product like window film can help protect you in ways you never imagined.

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.

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 work through 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. Our company is proud to offer professionally installed window films to help protect your skin. If you would like more information on the products or services we offer, contact us today by calling 801-810-8468 or email us at info@shadedglass.com. We are located in Orem, Utah and service the entire surrounding area.

We have all felt the sting of higher prices lately. Whether at the grocery store, gas pump or in your monthly utility bills, costs are rising. We wanted to offer some information that may help you buck that trend and possibly see your energy bills go down this year. Several recent articles in major publications have experts agreeing that window films can help cut home energy bills. It’s one thing for us to say it, so we thought we would let the experts tell you what home window films can do.

What The Experts Say

From Reader’s Digest, in an article entitled “13 Clever Ways to Slash Your Home Energy Bills“, PJ Feinstein stated “If you have the money, replacing old windows with energy efficient ones is a worthwhile investment, as they also add value to your home. A lower-cost option is to install window film that blocks out the summer sun’s heat, reducing demand on your cooling system, and helps keep warm indoor air from escaping during the winter.”

In addition, the Orange County Register in California had an article entitled “4 Ways to Help Older Homes Meet New Energy Goals” in which green-building guru C.R. Herro stated “Install energy-efficient window film: These clear films filter out ultraviolet light, keeping homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. That will greatly improve your air conditioning costs,”

Herro also said. “It has additional benefits, since UVs bleach-out floors and break down fabrics. So it will improve the durability of things that get direct sunshine.”

Finally, the Fox News recently had an article entitled “7 Ways to Cool Your Home Without an Air Conditioner” their resident handyman said “Window films offer a ton of benefits, from cutting energy costs to providing you privacy while still enjoying the view and light of the great outdoors. They can provide up to 98 percent infrared heat reduction compared to unprotected windows, and reduce temperature imbalances in your home.”

With these experts taking about how window film can cut home energy bills, isn’t it worth you looking into it this Summer as the temperature rises? If you would like to learn more, click HERE and then contact us by calling 801-810-8468 or email us at info@shadedglass.com.

We would be happy to discuss the options with you and provide you with a free, no obligation quote of implementing a residential window tinting product into your Orem, Utah area home.

We’re passionate about window films and all of the problems they can solve! That is why we devoted our business to helping people solve these problems with window film solutions! Unfortunately, there are some common misconceptions about window film we hear somewhat regularly. As a result, we decided to write an article to address five common misconceptions about architectural window films and explain the facts behind these innovative products.

Myth 1: Window Films Are Not Durable

While it is true that some of the earliest produced window films had short shelf lives, modern window film is incredibly durable. Manufacturers of professionally applied window film offer warranties that cover any problems that arise with the product. In many cases, the warranty is 10 or more years in a commercial setting and often lifetime for a residential warranty. There are documented cases of window films lasting 25 years while still looking great and performing. Contact us for a full explanation of the warranties on the products that we offer.

Myth 2: Window Film Will Discolor Over Time

If you have an impression that window films will fade or change color over time, you’re likely remembering an older type of window film. Modern films utilize color stable technologies that keep your film looking great without discoloration for many years to come. Plus, your warranty will typically cover any discoloration issue, but it is unlikely you will have any problems in this area.

Myth 3: Window Films Are A Band-Aid Solution

This point piggybacks off our first myth, however window films aren’t a short-term, quick fix solutions that don’t last. As we mentioned, architectural window film lasts for many years and make existing windows perform better much more cost effectively than replacement. Also, window film can often be installed with much less disruption to your home or commercial space than window replacement.

Myth 4: Window Films Will Darken Windows

While it is true that you can choose tinted films that darken your windows in order to reduce unwanted light or glare, all films don’t have to include a noticeable tint to perform. Modern window films can do a great job of reducing excessive heat while barely being noticeable on the glass. Also, lighter UV-filtering films can be used to protect your skin and furnishings from harmful UV rays without necessarily altering a noticeable amount of the light. Modern architectural window film is great for both commercial and residential spaces that want to retain the existing look of the glass while keeping their occupants cool and typically stopping 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays right at the glass.

Myth 5: Window Films Make Your Windows Shatter Proof

One thing we care a lot about is transparency (no pun intended), so we want to clear up the idea that a window film can 100% make your windows shatter proof. Window film can be great for holding damaged windows together after a shatter, which can reduce the risk of injury and maintain the envelope of the home or commercial space. However, please remember that a window film will not prevent your windows from breaking.

We hope that this article provided some useful information and cleared up any misconceptions you might have about architectural window films. 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 email 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. We are located in Orem, Utah and service the entire surrounding area. We look forward to serving any window film needs you may have.

April is often referred to as Earth Month with Earth Day officially occurring on April 22nd each year. To help celebrate this month, we want to share some information on how to modernize commercial spaces to save energy with innovative window films. We will summarize some things in a recent article entitled “Modernize Your Office Building with Innovative Window Film” in Construction Review Online.

The article states the following about all the ways window films can be used. “When it comes to modernizing the windows in an office building, does the advantages of window film outweigh the material and installation costs? Absolutely! Commercial window tint can be used on almost any glass surface and it offers a variety of different benefits. Not only does window film block the sun’s heat and offer protection from harmful UV rays, it also minimizes the glare on your devices, reduces energy costs, and protects furnishings.”

It then specifically discusses how window films can help improve how “green” a building is by saving energy usage. “Whether you’re modifying a commercial space or a residential building, window film is an excellent way of cutting down on energy costs. How would you do that? Window film is made specifically to help prevent heat penetration, which enables your indoor spaces to be much cooler. In addition, window tinting also lowers HVAC consumption because it reduces the amount of heat that enters your space. That helps keep the temperature much regulated than other areas with non-tinted windows. In the end, less air conditioning use also suggests cutting back a generous amount of energy use, letting you save a huge amount of money on your monthly energy bills.”

If you would like to read the entire article, click HERE.

We hope that this article was enlightening on how retrofitting a window film to existing windows into your space can help you be a part of Earth Month by reducing your energy consumption moving forward.

If you would like more information about the commercial window films we use to modernize commercial spaces, click HERE. If you have questions or would like to arrange a free, no obligation consultation and estimate, please contact us by calling 801-810-8468 or emailing us at info@shadedglass.com. We are located in Orem, Utah and service the surrounding area.

In a recent issue of The Washington Post in their Home & Garden area they tackled the topic of how to prevent sun faded furnishings and floors. The main product they discussed in the article was window film. As a retrofit to your existing windows, window film can help control the three primary factors that cause fading; UV Rays, heat and visible light.

FADED OF THESE FLOORS AND FURNISHINGS WOULD WOULD BE A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. PROTECT THEM WITH WINDOW FILM.

In the article, they state:

“Having window film installed on the inside of your windows could be the solution. These films come with a wide variety of characteristics, enabling them to let certain wavelengths of light through while reflecting or absorbing other wavelengths.

Window film cannot totally prevent fading because other factors, such as humidity, account for about 5 percent of the problem. But depending on the window film you select, it can go a long way toward reducing the problem. All films block virtually all ultraviolet rays from the sun, which are responsible for about 45 percent of fading. Films also can block the rays that together cause about half of fading: visible light and infrared light, which causes heat.”

You can check out the entire article by clicking HERE.

It is important to fully understand what is causing the sun bleaching to occur to choose a product that will genuinely help prevent sun faded furnishings and floors in your home. You can learn more about how film combats this problem by checking out an article we wrote located HERE.

If you would like more information on the benefits of using an applied window film to combat fading, contact us by calling 801-810-8468 or emailing us at info@shadedglass.com. We would be happy to discuss the options with you and provide you with a free, no obligation quote of implementing a window film into your Orem, Utah area home.

With COVID fading into the rearview mirror and many people beginning to come back to the office, many commercial spaces designed before the pandemic are now being re-imagined for a post-COVID work environment. Spaces that worked great 2 years ago are now needing some tweaking. This is where decorative glass window film can help you cost effectively transform spaces for these new requirements / needs.

3 Ways Decorative Glass Window Film Can Transform a Commercial Space

• Create Defined Spaces Without Walls – Former large open office spaces now may need some definition without the need or want to begin building walls. Use of decorative films on existing glass panels can help retain an open feel while creating visual breaks and defining spaces.
• Integrate Company Branding or Decorative Elements – Custom decorative films can be utilized on both interior and exterior glass panels to integrate company branding or just add a decorative element to existing glass panels. This can help give the space a completely new feel cost effectively.
• Add Privacy Where Needed – It may be necessary to add some privacy to certain spaces or rooms or to conceal areas of the space from visitors. These films can easily be added to existing glass panels for complete privacy. There are even some films available that can block what is displayed on computer monitors or only become frosted on demand when the privacy is needed and remain clear at other times. If you have a privacy need, retrofitting a window film to the existing glass might just be the answer you are looking for.

If you are interested and would like more information about decorative glass window film and how it can be integrated into your commercial space, please contact us today by calling 801-810-8468 or emailing us at info@shadedglass.com. We are located in Orem, Utah and service the surrounding area.

Even though the cooler outside temperatures are doing their best to hang on, the warmer days of Summer are on the way. Prices are up everywhere from the grocery store to your local gas pump, not to mention on your utility bills! An article in Forbes Magazine entitled “Six Tips To Save Energy, Reduce Bills And Keep Cool During Summer” discusses strategies that could be implemented to reduce utility bills and help save you some money this Summer.

We’ll summarize a few of the points below along with our commentary.

1. Reduce Electrical Consumption in Peak Load Hours – As the sun is highest and often hottest, electrical consumption to keep a home comfortable is at a peak. The point here is to reduce energy usage during these peak hours. Many utility companies charge a higher rate for consumption during peak hours, so anything you can do to reduce usage here can really pay off.
2. Install Internal and External Window Filming – The article states; “External window film prevents the heat of the sun from penetrating the window, while internal window film prevents heat from transferring to the space. Studies have shown that filming your windows results in a 60% heat reduction.” In addition, window film is at its most effective during peak times of the day as that is when it’s rejecting the sun’s heat the most. This merges nicely with the point above of reducing electrical consumption in peak load hours.
3. Use the Thermostat Properly – This point was that it is often more energy efficient to leave the thermostat on “Auto” vs using the “Fan On” setting. Proper use of the thermostat can save 40% in energy usage according to the article.

It is great to see a global publication recognizing window films as a cost effective, energy saving retrofit. With modern window film technology, you can achieve great heat rejection without even noticeably changing the appearance of existing windows. By reducing the heat entering your space, you save energy and reduce utility bills because your HVAC system does not need to work as hard to keep up with demand. Depending on the type of windows installed at your facility, it is possible to see the energy savings realized pay for the window film installation over time.

You can check out the complete Six Tips To Save Energy, Reduce Bills And Keep Cool During Summer article in Forbes by clicking HERE.

If you would like to learn more how modern window films retrofitted to existing windows can help reduce utility bills, save energy and keep you cool this Summer, contact us by calling 801-810-8468 or emailing us at info@shadedglass.com. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing an energy saving window film solution in your home or commercial space. We are located in Orem, Utah and service the surrounding area.