How to Choose the Best Window Tinting Products – A Step-by-Step Guide

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Window tinting provides quite a number of excellent benefits to your home that other window treatment options do. It helps to block out the majority of UV rays that can harm your skin and reduce the screen glare that can harm your eyes. Additionally, high-quality window films will obscure vision from the outside of the home, giving you the most privacy and comfort while you enjoy the indoors. What’s more, is that it can increase the energy efficiency level by reducing the heat gain in your home. This will allow your air conditioning unit to take on a lighter load while you continue to enjoy comfortable temperatures indoors.

To ensure that you can have all of these benefits, you need to choose the right window film product for you. With that said, here’s our quick guide to selecting the best window film for your purposes:

 

1 – Identify Your Needs

The first thing you need to do when you’re looking to purchase a window film is to evaluate your needs. For those who live in areas with very little shade and strong sun, it is necessary to look for something that offers the most UV protection and comes with as low a VLT as possible to make sure that their home is safe and comfortable. The downside of this is that you will need very high-quality window films, which can cost a considerable amount of money.

On the other hand, if you are only making the purchase for aesthetic appeal and glare protection, you can opt for decorative window films. These are much cheaper but don’t offer as much UV protection value.

By identifying your needs before buying window films, you can be sure that the choice of film that will be the perfect fit for you.

 

2 – Compare the Performance of Each Sub-Type

After you’ve identified your needs and goals, you should have a clear idea of which type of window film you should go for. However, there’s still a concern when it comes to choosing the specifications of those window films. For example, you could opt to go with Low-E window films that offer the most UV protection and energy efficiency, but you also have to think about VLT percentage as it will affect how bright the room is going to be. Again, you will need to compare the performance of each sub-type of window film so that you can find the most suitable option for your home.

 

3 – Consider the Aesthetics

You should never sacrifice the aesthetic values when it comes to choosing window films, even if the film has all the functionalities you need. Thankfully, there are many decorative options you can choose from when it comes to window films. For instance, you can use frosted window films to give the window film a more complex look.

 

4 – Ask for an Estimate

Before you make a final decision, you need to make sure that you have the most thorough understanding of the pricing as possible. You need to get a quote from your window film installer and have them outline the pricing so that you can see exactly how much each operation costs. Some shops may charge extra for logistics while others may add this cost to the overall labor wage. You should also ask your provider to estimate energy savings so that you can calculate the costs and benefits more effectively.

If you need any additional consultation on your window tinting choice, Cooltone is the best option. Get in touch with us today and see how we can help.

 

Cooltone – 10 Misconceptions About Window Films

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When it comes to window tinting, some people believe that films are the best investment they have ever made, while others think that they’re a waste of money. The biggest reason why people don’t believe window films are an effective solution for their issues is because of the myths surrounding the product. In this article, we’ll discuss 10 myths about window tinting that need to be debunked.

  1. “Window films are expensive.”

While you may have to pay quite a sum when making the initial investment in high-quality window films, the price will be made up in reduced energy costs. Window films will help to reduce your energy consumption rating while maintaining the same level of comfort and performance for your appliances, meaning that your tints will pay for themselves with time.

  1. “Birds will fly into your tinted windows.”

Reflective window films create a mirror-like surface that may cause birds to think that they are flying into open sky. Such films often cause these birds to crash into the window. This is dangerous for the bird and inconvenient for the residents and owners of the building. Fortunately, it’s not unpreventable. You can opt to use products that aren’t as reflective, allowing birds to more clearly see windows that they should be avoiding.

  1. “Window film will make the interior space too dark.”

You can choose how dark you want the room to be by choosing the light transmission rating according to your needs. You can leave your bedroom dark and your living room bright or even vice versa. This allows you to customize your interior space to be the way you want it to be.

  1. “Window films will make your house looks cheap.”

If you choose high-quality window tinting products, you won’t have to worry about the look of your windows. Cheap window films will bubble and turn slightly purple over time, which will reduce both the aesthetic and monetary value of your home. Therefore, you should always choose top-quality products when looking to tint your windows.

  1. “Window film will kill your houseplants.”

WIndow films only block out the harmful UV rays and not the sunlight that your houseplants need for nourishment. Your plants may require some time before they become familiar with the light levels in the room, but after that adjustment period, they will return to their healthy state in no time!

  1. “Window films are easily scratched and damaged.”

On the contrary, window films provide protection against scratches to the surface of the windows, not to mention that they will also increase the structural integrity of the glass. For these reasons, window films act as a layer of protection for your windows, making them more resistant to many types of damage.

  1. “Window films will fade.”

While it’s true that every window film will fade with time, the high-quality ones will do so at a much slower rate than lower-quality ones. Top notch window tinting products can last for up to 20 years. They may even come with a lifetime warranty. You won’t ever have to be worried about replacing them for years to come if you choose the right product.

  1. “Window films will bubble up.”
When window film is installed to the glass, it is impossible to remove all of the solution that is used to apply the film to the glass, in some cases this can take several months to dry. All reputable brands have warranties for bubbling, if the problem persists we will sort this for you”.
  1. “Window films will damage the window seals.”

This is a misconception, as window films do not actually have any impact or influence of the window seals. Any damage to the seals is often associated with the adhesive used on the seal, wear and tear or installation issues of the seal itself.

  1. “Window films will ruin the view from inside of the home.”

High-quality window films help to block out the vision from the outside while allowing natural light to come through without any issues. Many people also think that window films will also prevent the vision from the inside of the window to the outside world as well. This is not something that you have to worry about, as window films are designed to be seen through from one side while obscuring the vision from the other. If anything, it will help you to enjoy more of the view, as the glare and the excessive light are minimised, giving you the most eye comfort.

 

If you’re looking for a reputable window film service provider in Brisbane, Cooltone is your best option. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.

The Benefits of UV Window Film Over a Window Replacement

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Window replacement can be one of the costliest home improvement projects there are. It is widely regarded to be one of the most time-consuming as well. If you’re not ready to invest so much money and time into replacing your windows, UV window films can offer many of the same benefits with only a fraction of the cost.

What is a UV window film?

Untinted glass allows all the light and heat from the sun to come through without any blockage or interruption. This will result in the temperature in the room to rise rapidly. Moreover, it allows harmful UV rays to penetrate the windows, damaging your skin and your furniture in the process. UV films are designed to keep the heat, the UV rays, and the infrared lights outside, which will help to protect your skin and reduce the likelihood of cancer development. Aside from that, high-quality UV films are incredibly durable, as they can last for years without any type of care beyond regular window cleaning.

Listed below are all of the benefits provided by UV window films:

// They will protect your furniture

When exposed to UV rays for an extended period of time, materials such as leather, plastic, and wood can become cracked and discolored. UV window films can block out up to 99% of harmful UV rays, helping to increase the longevity of your furniture quite significantly.

// They will reduce screen glare

Screen glare can be one of the most frustrating things to endure, especially when you’re at home trying to relax. The disruptive glare can prevent you from seeing your TV or computer screen with ease. Moreover, it can harm your eyesight when you stare at it for too long. UV films can help to reduce screen glare, allowing you to enjoy every second of your time during the mid-afternoon.

// They will prevent heat exchange in winter and summer

UV window films will prevent heat exchange from occurring in both the winter and summer, making it an all-season solution to your temperature issue. You won’t have to worry about your heater or AC working too hard to keep the temperature in the room regulated, as high-quality UV window films will help to guarantee a maximum energy efficiency rating.

// They will reduce the hotspots in your home

By preventing heat from coming through, you will be able to reduce the hotspots in the room, allowing you to enjoy the same temperature no matter where you are in your home.

// They will allow you to keep using your window

When you’re replacing a perfectly functional window, you’re throwing away a large amount of valuable glass away. What’s more is that for some houses, window replacement may not be plausible without having to remove the entire window frame, which is a massive operation that will cost a considerable amount of money and time. Window films allow you to preserve the glass and increase its longevity, making it a long-term, sustainable solution, especially for new windows.

Window replacement may be necessary in some cases

There are some cases where window replacement is the only viable choice, and that is when the windows have some structural issues that you have to address. For example, a slight bend in the window frame increases the risk of the window breaking. If this is the case, you need to have your windows replaced by a professional as soon as possible to ensure your safety.

Make sure you understand the warranty terms

Keep in mind that the window warranty may not cover you if you choose an incompatible window film or a sub-par one. You have to make sure that you talk to your window service provider about the warranty to ensure that your windows are covered. In cases like this, if there’s any damage done to the window during the installation, you may have to be responsible for it, and that can amount to quite a large sum of money.

Before you agree to a window film installation, make sure that you discuss your decision with the window service to ensure that you can enjoy the benefits of both warranties.

If you’re looking for a professional window film service in Brisbane, Cooltone is your best option. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.

A Buyer’s Guide to Window Films for Nighttime Privacy

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Nightfall is the time when everything winds down and the day comes to an end. At this time, you’ll be preparing to go to sleep, which is why you need to make sure that you have as much privacy as possible. You’ll be glad to hear that we have a solution to this problem — window films! If you’re considering purchasing window films to keep the inside of your home private during nighttime, here’s what you’ll need to know:

Understanding window films

There are several types of window film. Not all of them work the same way, especially at night. Films such as reflective window films help to block out sunlight and UV rays, but they won’t do much for you at night. During the day, reflective window films look like a mirror, as the sunlight bounces off of the glass surface. This effect occurs when the outside of the mirror is brighter than the inside, which means that you won’t get the same effect at night.

Here’s a list of solutions for your nighttime privacy issue:

// New windows

If you’re looking for a reflective window film that works to give you privacy during both the day and the night, you may need to use a different type of glass for your window. Solutions such as tinted glass can be incredibly helpful, keeping the sunshine at bay all the while giving your home a unique aesthetic from the outside. However, do consider the price and the complications that you may have to deal with during the window installation. New windows can get quite pricey, and this may not be a viable option for most people.

// Decorative window film

If you don’t care much about the functionality of the film and are only looking for privacy and a sleek look, decorative window film is your best option. These window films give your windows a dark blue tint, and they will obscure the vision from the outside looking in. Decorative films also come in all tints, thickness, opaqueness, and colors, so you can be sure that there’s one that will fit with the aesthetic of the home you’re going for. The issue with decorative window films, as the name may suggest, is that they are only good for privacy and aesthetic value. These thin sheets of film offer very little in terms of blocking UV and visible light. If you live in an area where the sun shines brightly for the most part of the year, then this may not be the best option for you.

// Blackout Window Film

Blackout window films are the type of film that ensures nobody can see through the window, regardless of the time of day. The window will be completely dark from the outside looking in, and it will be even more so during the night. This may not give your home the most curb appeal, but if you need maximum privacy or if you have some valuable items that you don’t want people to see, this is the best option for you.

// Perforated window film

Perforated window film is the types of film that you may see on a delivery truck or van. They are made of a mesh-like material with dense opaqueness on one side. You can still peak through the inside out, but when you look from the outside at from some distance away, all you will be able to see is the opaque film. This type of film offers very little in terms of SPF and won’t reflect the light in any way. Therefore, it’s important that you choose the right color to give it a better look. These films usually come in white, but you can also find them in other colors as well. They’re effective at blocking out vision from the outside during both day and night, but obviously, they typically don’t offer the best aesthetic value.

If you’re looking for the best window tinting company that can help you with your privacy issue, Cooltone is your best option. Contact us today and see what we can do for you.

The Many Benefits of Anti-Graffiti Films

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No matter what type of property you have, it’s fair to say that you would want to keep it in the best condition for as long as possible. Regardless of whether it’s a home or a store, you can’t afford to have dirty windows, which is why graffiti is such a massive issue. Sure, it looks good when it’s on someone else’s building, but when it’s on yours, it can be the most frustrating thing to see.

This is especially true when there’s graffiti art on your window, as it’s incredibly hard to clean. In the worst case scenario, you may have to replace the entire window, and the whole process can cost you a ton of money. When graffiti artists breach the boundaries, their work stops being a form of artistic expression and turns into an act of pure vandalism.

If you’re looking for a way to protect your windows from these vandals, you need anti-graffiti window films. They are layers of films that you can install on top of your window. The film is designed to be peeled off when it gets too dirty, so when the film is ruined by graffiti, simply peel the top layer off, and it will look just like new! If you’re interested in learning more about the installation and removal process of such, here’s what you need to know:

Installation

As mentioned, the installation process for anti-graffiti window films is very easy, as you can simply stick it on top of the windows and you’re set. The additional benefit is that you can put it on top of any window, whether it’s tinted or not, making it the perfect addition to any property. The installation process is also very quick, as it will only take a couple of hours to complete the process on a standard-sized property. Fun fact – a professional installation service can install 1,000 square feet worth of window in one day!

Removal & Replacement

Once the installation is complete, you can keep peeling off the top layer as it gets dirty. This makes it possible for you to enjoy a fresh window every time you peel the top one off. All you have to do is scrape the corner of the film so that the corners start to come off, or just grab that the flap at the edge, peeling it until the entire thing comes off.

You need to make sure that you use a high-quality product to ensure that it’s easy to peel off. Aside from ease of use, a high-quality product won’t become discolored, and it’s a lot more durable than you’d think. Top brands such as 3M will also provide an extensive and inclusive warranty so you can be sure that no matter what happens, your investment will always be safe.

As you can see, anti-graffiti films have a lot of benefits that they can offer for your property. They are convenient, safe, and easy to install.

When you factor in the fact that they can help to protect your property from permanent damage, it becomes clear that they are the best option out there for those of you in graffiti-prone areas. If you’re looking for anti-graffiti window film, contact Cooltone today for a consultation!