What Are You Putting On Your Windows?

Last week, we explored why tint shops carry so many different products and covered a few topics such as warranties and heat rejection properties (click here for last week's article). This week's article will explore what materials are used when creating window film and why there is even a difference. It was mentioned last week that one type of window film can not be applied to every window because of safety and/or efficiency. It is for this reason that different materials are used to create different films, and with technology advancing certain materials are taking the forefront.

Typically, most window film is a polyester film generally made of PET, Polyethylene Teraphthalate, the same polymer used to manufacture water bottles. Most films are applied to the interior surface of a glass window in a home, commercial building, or car, however some films are applied to the exterior surface of the glass window. A scratch resistant coating is adhered to the outer surface of the film for protection. Some are clear and feature multiple layers of PET to offer protection from shattering glass; others are tinted with metals, dyes or pigments to reduce the visible light transmitted through the glass, and block heat coming through from the sun (http://www.madico.com). Within the last decade, advancements have been made with a 'newer' type of film made out of ceramic. Huper Optik developed a ceramic film that is 100% metal and dye free. This type of film was created to provide a high performance heat, glare and UV light barrier. It will not break down and turn purple over time, like a dyed film, because there is no dye in the film that would cause fading.

At All American Window Tinting (A.A.W.T.) we carry products that we believe in and would put on our own cars, homes or office windows, AND we have! If you have any questions about our products, contact us today to find the RIGHT film for your car, residence or commercial business!

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

Finding the right product for your home, office or automobile can be confusing and overwhelming. Tint shops can carry different brands of window film as well as different shades of tint within each brand. The intention of carrying different brands of film and different products is to ensure that multiple options are available for the customer to choose from. This article will explore the different types of film that we, at All American Window Tinting, use for automobiles, homes, and offices.

All of the films that we carry are for automobile window tinting comes with a lifetime warranty and they reject 99% to 99.9% of UV rays. The warranty covers any blistering, peeling, bubbling, or turning purple of film. If we offer a lifetime warranty on all our automotive films and they reject the same percentage of harmful UV rays, why do we carry different brands? Well, let's get a little bit more specific. Each film we carry can differ from each other based on one factor to multiple factors. It is usual to find that the darker the tint shade, the more heat is rejected. This is true for many films but with advancements in technology, manufacturers are discovering new ways to reject the same amount or more heat than a dark film while maintaining a lighter shade. However, since these films are high performing, the price for does increase.

When talking about films for residences and commercial properties, the products we carry vary due to many reasons. Not only concerned about variety, there are certain types of film that can not be applied to certain windows due to safety or effectivity. Since our professionals are aware of such concerns and know that not every job will want the same use for window film, we provide film to need almost every need. All of our residential films are lifetime warrantied and our commercial films vary on warranties by 10-15 years. Another great option for window film would be decorative film. We offer an array of classic and elegant patterns with a variety of textures and designs. Decorative window film adds privacy, enhances design, increases safety, cuts glare and is scratch resistant.

At All American Window Tinting (A.A.W.T.) we are very transparent about everything we do and will work with potential customers to ensure that they receive the best products for them. We carry products that we believe in and would put on our own cars, homes or office windows, AND we have! Contact us today to find the RIGHT film for your car, residence or commercial business!

Great Partnerships

Our company has partnered with 3M for over 15 years because they are a company of integrity. Seventeen years ago, a customer entered All American Window Tinting and chose a 3M film for her car. She decided to go with a 3M Panther 35 film, that offered a lifetime warranty. When customers are looking for the right film for them, they tend to ask questions, and these questions are important (if you need to know what to ask, click here for last week’s article). When searching for the right film, one expects to find a film that will not turn purple, bubble, blister or peel. The customer came back to our location 17 years later and said she still had her lifetime warranty and wanted the film removed and redone. We were put into a predicament because we no longer carried the Panther film and 3M no longer sold the film, as well. We called our local 3M distribution company for help to resolve the problem. 3M stood behind their product and honored the warranty by offering another film they manufactured. We were able to call the customer and inform her that the film she had on her vehicle was no longer in production but 3M would honor the warranty and offer her a 3M Color Stable 35 film.When we find a product that we think will be great for a customer, we put our full faith in the manufacturer’s promise of lifetime warranties. We take pride in every product that we offer at All American Window Tinting, and are amazed at the great partnerships we have created with our manufacturers.    Call us today at 303-936-1362 for a free estimate or to schedule an appointment. Ask us about our warranties!!

The Hassle of Searching for your Window Tinting Company

    The lengthy research of finding the right tint for your car, home or office can be frustrating and exhausting, is all that research really worth your time?  In the office, we receive many calls inquiring about our prices, products, duration of tint, warranties, and the legality of tint in our state as well as within other states.  Is it necessary to ask all these questions, over and over just to hear similar answers spewed back? Our answer is YES!

Why is it important to shop around and do your research? 
The items you possess, such as your car or the valuables in your home or office should be of high importance to you.  You should want the best product out there that will protect your skin, offer privacy and/or reduce the effects of fading on your furniture. 
We can guarantee that every film created is not the same even though they might be the same percentage, manufacturers create them to be unique to their company.  There are questions that need to be asked when shopping around that will give you a better idea of the best product for you. Here are just a few:

1. What is the legal limit of tint in my state or a state that I may move to in the near future?  An important question to ask because you do not want to get fined for illegal tint and you do not want to have to remove the tint if you move to another state with harsher tint laws. 

2. What is the warranty for the films?
Some films are relatively inexpensive and that could be due to their warranty.  If they do not offer a warranty or it's less than a few years, the product may not be a long term film.

3.  Are your brands of film trusted and in the industry for a long time?
It is always best to choose a film that is known within the window tinting business.  If you are not familiar with a brand and are skeptical about it, ask for information.  Companies should be able to provide you reviews, downsides and upsides of each product. 

These are only a few questions to get you started on your window tinting journey.  The more questions you ask, the better of an idea we have on what would suit your needs. 
Around here, we always say "You get what you pay for."  This isn't a jab at other window tinting companies and we are not trying to price gouge you, rather we believe that if the price is too good to be true, it probably isn't true in some area. 

At All American Window Tinting (A.A.W.T.) we are very transparent about everything we do and will work with potential customers to ensure that they receive the best products for them.  We carry products that we believe in and would put on our own cars, homes or office windows, AND we have!   Contact us today for any questions or a free quote!

The Perils of Sunlight

Sunlight, for many centuries, has proven to be a great constant in everyday living.  The sun has provided more than light to our existence and we continue to discover new information surrounding it's uses as well as it's dangers.  As a culture, we are very aware of the sun's ultraviolet rays and therefore the prevalence of skin cancer, but the sun can also cause damage our most prized possessions at a costly price.

In today's society, there's a high demand for large, open interior spaces that are overflowing with natural light.  This new trend has brought more light in buildings, which does conserve energy but at the same time, interior fabrics, paintings and finishes have become more susceptible to damage.  Currently, due to ozone depletion, higher levels of solar UV now reach the surface of the earth, harming items at a faster rate.  Ultraviolet radiation is invisible to the human eye but is the single largest contributing factor in fading of fabrics, carpets and other furnishings.  Although other factors such as visible light, electric lighting, heating, humidity, age of fabrics, and fabric dyes all play a part in the process, UV radiation is attributed to 40% of the damage.  Even in cold, cloudy climates, UV radiation can damage furnishings (Advanced Solar Guide Control, 2003). 

What is fading?
Fading is a change in color with time.  Fading is measured by evaluating the color of a material at two or more points in time. 

Fading has two main causes.  The first is chemical; where chemical changes in the coloring agents of the material can cause a change in color.  The second cause can be wear or abrasion, or the physical removal of coloring agents from a material's surface.   Fading of upholstery, linens, furniture and wood is not apparent at first but over time, the difference can be astonishing. 

What can be done to prevent fading?
According to the International Window Film Association (IWFA), Scientist have found that blocking all of the ultraviolet radiation portion of the solar spectrum would not eliminate fade damage for most fabrics and wood, but it would slow down the rate of fading by a factor of about three. 

Start taking precautions and protect your paint, furnishings, wood work, art, and loved ones against the harmful ultraviolet damage that the sun can cause.  We carry only the best window tints and window film products in Colorado, such as 3M™ High Performance window film, Huper Optik Select and Ceramic Series window films and Llumar Color Stable window films to ensure you get the best performance.

At All American Window Tinting, our staff is equipped with years of knowledge and expert training to ensure that all your window needs and concerns are met.   All American Window Tinting, Inc., we stand behind our work and promise to deliver only the highest of quality products with a professional installation that is sure to stand the test of time.  Contact us today for questions, to get a free quote or learn more about your window tinting options.

Richard Marti Receives Master Accreditation!!

Richard Marti, Founder/President of All American Window Tinting, achieved Master Accreditation through the International Window Film Association (IWFA). The IWFA is an international association of window film manufacturers, distributors and installers dedicated to the improvement of products and services for the consumer.  As part of this dedication, the IWFA has developed a test designed to evaluate the knowledge and skill of the professional installer.

Richard Marti is the only individual to attain Master Accreditation in the state of Colorado.  He is also 1 of 16 worldwide with the title, out of the 348 members of the IWFA.  Even though there are 16 professionals to hold Master Accreditation, Richard is 1 of 5 dealers worldwide.

We care about our customers and take pride in the services we provide. All American Window Tinting is two steps ahead of the competition! Only the industries best dealers and installers are those that are well informed and well versed in both theory and application of window film products. Always look for the "know how" symbol before choosing an installer who will be working on, probably, your most significant investment- your automobile, residence or commercial building.
    <--------the "know how" symbol!

CONTACT US today & let our knowledgeable staff provide a consultation for your automobile, home or office! BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT!!! 303-936-TINT (8468)

Glass Shattering News!!

This information will not only explore the progression of glass but what options are available to protect your safety.   The creation and evolution of glass has propelled other industries to flourish for reasons beyond superficiality.   Glass is a complex material that has been used for various purposes extending from storage, to protection, to art.  The evolution of glass has improved through methodical practicality and through accidents that exhibited the weaknesses of glass.  The question is not if  glass will break, but rather when will the glass break. 

Glass was first stumbled upon during the Stone Age; created by a natural occurrence called Obsidian or volcanic glass.  Around 3,000 B.C.E., the people of Mesopotamia, Babylonia and Syria made glass by creating containers and would later perfect the art.  The art of glass creation was lost for a period of time, resurfacing at a later time, across the Roman Empire.  The Romans were the first to use glass for windows in order for natural light to illuminate a house, around 100 C.E.  They would, however, not become common in ordinary houses in England until about 1500 years later. 

Glass is probably as attractive and clearly transparent as it is ever going to be, however the new frontier will be the resilience of glass.  If glass is involved in accidents or disasters, most injuries that occur are due to broken glass.  When glass breaks, the cracks move at speeds of up to 3,000 mph.  There are five broad categories as to why glass breakage occurs.

1.Tensile stress from the weight of the glass.
2. Thermal stress from absorption of solar radiation.
3. Mechanical flexing stress, i.e. wind pressure.
4. Impact stress from flying objects.
5. Twisting stress from building movements. 

Safety Film was first developed in the 1970's by the British government as a way to diminish the deadly effects of flying and falling glass in terrorist bombing that were widespread throughout England, Northern Ireland and Europe.  In the United States, Safety Film's sales saw an increase in the late 1980's and early 1990's due to natural disasters, vandalism and terrorism.  Security Film is an almost invisible protective coating on the interior side of the glass surface.  When stress causes the glass to break, the film has the ability to stretch and absorb some or all of the energy generated by the stress.  The result is that the broken glass may remain intact within the framing system, preventing shards of glass from becoming lethal.  If however; the stress on the glass is too great, the film is stretched to its maximum at which point it may tear and burst, though the distance and the velocity at which the debris flies is significantly reduced.

The Oklahoma City Bombing of 1995 prompted sitting President Bill Clinton, to issue a Presidential Directive (PDD39), due to more than three-quarters of those injured were injured by flying glass.  The main investigation was to assess the vulnerability of federal office buildings in the United States, particularly to acts of terrorism and other forms of violence.  It was determined that windows were the weakest part of a building and more measures should be taken in order to ensure safety.  Security Film provides an added level of protection and safety from broken glass shards caused by bomb blasts, other explosives, vandalism or natural disasters.  Security Film is the best and most advantageous protection for your home and/or business.

At All American Window Tinting, our staff is equipped with years of knowledge and expert training to ensure that all your window needs and concerns are met.  Just as quickly as glass evolved and transformed; our application, materials and training continue to stay current and cutting-edge.  At All American Window Tinting, Inc., we stand behind our work and promise to deliver only the highest of quality products with a professional installation that is sure to stand the test of time.