Category

Smart Window Film

Feb 03
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Hallway looking is to offices with glass windows with smart window film

Comparison of Smart Window Film and Other Privacy Window Film Options

By Safety & Security Films, Smart Window Film, Window Film No Comments

By this point, you already know that smart window film is eye-catching, exciting, high tech, and a cost-effective alternative to mechanical blinds or new glazing… but if you’re using it solely for privacy, it’s worth figuring out how smart window film compares to other privacy film options. 

That’s what we’ll be discussing today. 

Smart Window Film vs. One Way Privacy Window Film

One way privacy film, such as 3M One Way Mirror Film, enhances security and privacy in buildings, creating a private area within the building that looks like a mirror to outside observers, but provides an unobstructed view to people within the mirrored area. 

Because of these highly specific capabilities, one way privacy window film is a great fit for interior rooms in schools, as well as security areas in commercial spaces – but be aware that mirrored privacy films require a light differential, so you’ll want to consult with a window film expert before investing in one way film. 

The bottom line: Smart window film transforms from opaque to clear at the touch of a button, blocking or clearing views on both sides of your glass. One way privacy film maintains privacy on one side while allowing full visibility on the other side. 

Smart Window Film vs. Decorative Privacy Window Film

Decorative privacy window films provide a welcoming façade as well as flexible, attractive privacy on any of your glass doors, windows, or walls. Decorative privacy film is useful in any situation in which you don’t require a clear line of vision. Since it comes in a nearly unlimited variety of textures, colors, and patterns, you can use it to easily personalize and modernize your space. 

When most people think of decorative privacy window films, they think of solid-surface applications, such as covering a glass wall with frosted privacy window film or white opaque window film. However, decorative films can also be cut precisely into shapes, bands, and other designs (including your logo!), which can provide privacy without covering your glass entirely. 

The bottom line: Smart window film can be used on part or all of your glass windows, doors, or walls, but can switch from clear to opaque depending on your current needs. Decorative privacy window film obscures your view at all times, but it can also cover part or all of your glass doors, windows, or walls. 

Smart Window Film vs. Blackout Film

Sometimes you want flexible privacy – and sometimes you wish your location just didn’t have so many darn windows. When you need to block prying eyes from sensitive data at your POS terminals, or you simply want to block the view of your storage room, blackout film, such as 3M Blackout Film is probably the right choice to use. 

Blackout film is an opaque black that completely obscures the view of something you don’t want seen. However, if black isn’t your style, you have color options. 

In fact, that’s exactly, what Dollar Tree did at a few of their stores, hiring the window film manufacturing experts at NGS to create a custom opaque window film in Dollar Tree’s signature shade of green. 

The bottom line: Smart window film changes from clear to opaque, which isn’t necessary for situations in which you want to completely obscure the view, all the time. In those situations, blackout film is the right choice. 

Read the Dollar Tree Case Study

Smart Window Film vs. Glass Graphics

If you’re looking for privacy and eye-catching designs, consider using full-size glass graphics on your windows, doors, and interior glass accents. Glass graphics help increase your signage and is therefore extremely effective for retail applications. It can also help strengthen your brand message, call attention to a new location, and even share the news about limited-time deals and sales. 

Interested in glass graphics but aren’t sure how to get started? The team at NGS can help you with every stage of this process, including selection of the most appropriate glass graphics materials for your needs, high-quality design and manufacturing of your graphics – and even installation! 

From concept to completion, NGS has got you covered, no matter if you’d like glass graphics, blackout film, decorative privacy film, one way privacy film, or smart film. 

The bottom line: The high-tech, switchable nature of smart film does a great job of grabbing attention, especially in retail locations, but if you want to grab attention while building your brand or sharing new information with potential customers, glass graphics may be a better choice. 

Choose the Smart Window Film Experts – NGS! 

Hopefully, this article helped you determine whether or not smart film was the right choice for your windows in your office building, school, hospital, hotel, retail store, or government building. 

If you decided that, Yes, You Would Like More Info on Smart Film, you may as well get a detailed consultation that takes your specific needs into account. 

Smart film is extremely flexible and cost-effective, especially when compared with smart glass windows, which may require full glazing replacement if the smart electrical components wear out, but there are certain areas in which smart window film is a better choice – and certain areas where privacy window film is a better choice. 

Instead of wasting your time trying to do all the glass film research yourself, it’s a better idea to simply get the experts to walk through your location and help you determine your best options for longevity, aesthetics, and, of course, effective privacy. 

As the #1 Commercial Window Film Company in the U.S. and the team behind some of the largest smart film and privacy film installations in the nation, NGS has the experience and know-how to get you started off right with your smart window film and privacy film selections. 

Check out these creative applications for smart film, so you can start thinking about how you can transform your space with NGS.

Feb 03
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Office scene with desk and computer with a clean window backdrop with solar window film

Smart Window Film Facts

By Smart Window Film, Window Film No Comments

If you’ve seen smart window film, you already know how totally cool it is – but smart film is even cooler than you think. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the facts on smart window film, including the science behind it and the right way to install it, so you can make sure the privacy window film installer you hire for your smart film project is a trustworthy expert. 

Ready to get started? Let’s dive right in. 

How the Heck Does Smart Window Film Work?

As you already know, smart film switches back and forth from being a white opaque window film to being completely clear, just with the tap of an app button – like so: 

Pure magic, right? 

Well, no. Pure technology. 

As science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,” and smart film definitely fits in that science fiction “magic” category. 

Here’s how it works: 

  • Smart film consists of thin sheets of PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal). 
  • PDLC is made up of many thousands of liquid crystal droplets, which are dispersed across the film in a polymer. 
  • Without an electrical charge, the liquid crystal droplets randomly orient themselves across the polymer. 
  • In a random orientation, the droplets act a lot like the surface of a lake on a windy day. 
  • Think about it: When the wind hits the surface of the lake, the droplets of the lake randomly orient themselves in response to the wind…
  • … and this random orientation ruffles the surface of the water and makes the surface of the lake opaque, so you can’t see through it to the lake floor.
  • Similarly, when the liquid crystal droplets of the PDLC smart film are randomly oriented without an electrical charge, they turn the surface of the film opaque white, so you can’t see through it. 

But… 

  • Each of the liquid crystal droplets can (and do) move around when exposed to electricity. 
  • Specifically, when exposed to electricity, the droplets rearrange themselves into regimented patterns along parallel axes…
  • …and in those regimented patterns, the rearranged droplets allow light to pass through them. 
  • In this pattern, the droplets are rearranged and stilled, much like how the surface of a calm lake becomes crystal clear, so you can see through it to the lake floor. 

Pretty cool, right? 

PDLC Smart Film vs. Electrochromic Smart Glass

Of course, PDLC smart film is only one method of transforming glass back and forth between a clear state and an opaque state. The other popular method of doing this is by using electrochromic smart glass – but electrochromic glass has a lot of drawbacks when used for commercial or decorative purposes. 

First, let’s talk about how electrochromic glass works, and then it’ll be easier to understand why many business leaders choose smart film over smart glass for their commercial window tinting solution. 

  • Electrochromic smart glass consists of a microscopically thin electrochromic material that is sandwiched between two layers of glass. 
  • When electricity is applied to the electrochromic material, the material changes from transparent to opaque (or vice versa). 
  • Electrochromic glass transformation starts on the edges of the material and moves inward, ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes long for full transformation (depending on window size). 
  • In its opaque state, electrochromic smart glass can be blue, black, white, or other colors, but on large panes of glass, the color you choose may go through a few tint changes as it darkens from the edges to the center of the glass. 
  • This tint change is called the “iris effect.” 

With that explanation, you can see why many business leaders choose PDLC smart film over electrochromic smart glass: 

  • PDLC smart window film becomes a uniform, frosted white when opaque, which is more desirable than variable tinting from the edges to the center of your glass. 
  • PDLC smart film switches from clear to opaque in an instant, whereas electrochromic film can take minutes to switch. 
  • PDLC smart film can be applied to existing glass, but electrochromic glass requires full glass replacement.
  • If an electrical component fails in PDLC smart film, all you have to do is replace the film and get back to work. If an electrical component fails in electrochromic glass, you have to replace the entire glass window, door, or accent wall. 

One benefit that electrochromic glass offers over PDLC smart film is that it only requires electricity for its transformation process. Once electrochromic glass is either clear or opaque, it can maintain that state indefinitely, without additional power. 

In contrast, PDLC smart film is only clear while the electricity is on. If the power is turned off, smart film immediately becomes frosted privacy window film.

How to Install Smart Film So It Works Right and Looks Great

Now that you know how smart film changes from frosted privacy window film to crystal-clear visibility, and you understand why PDLC smart film is often a better choice for businesses than electrochromic glass, you need to know how to hire for a professional smart film installation job. 

Here’s how to make sure your commercial window tinting smart film installer is an expert: 

  • They know how to “trim out” the smart film to hide wires.
    Smart window film requires electricity, and electricity requires wiring. No one wants to see ugly wires around their glass windows, doors, or accent walls, so you need to make sure your installer has a plan to hide those wires. Experts will hide wires by customizing the colors of the wiremolds so they precisely match the adjacent window frames, and the installers will also use specific materials to hide the backside of the exposed wires, delivering an attractive, finished look to your smart film windows.
  • They know how to install the wiring.
    Window film experts typically aren’t electricians – yet it takes some electrical skill to properly install strong, long-lasting wiring, on a dedicated electrical circuit, so you can keep your PDLC smart film working for years. Make sure your installer has extensive smart film experience in a variety of settings because you don’t want them guessing on how to complete your installation.
  • They know how to protect your investment
    Edge sealing is a common practice among leading smart film installation experts, because edge sealing prevents water and other contaminants from getting between your film and your glass. Unsealed or exposed smart film edges can stress and wear out your smart film’s electrical components, and those unsealed edges can also cause film to buckle or become baggy. Ensure your installer has sealed the edges of your film, so you can maintain your investment.

Check out the video below to see how an expert smart window film installer keeps your smart film attractive and long lasting.

Get Your Smart Film Installed Properly with NGS

Make sure your smart film project is a success when you work with NGS. 

As nationally recognized smart film experts, as well as the #1 Commercial Window Film Company in the U.S., NGS has the wide-ranging experience to ensure that your smart window film exceeds your expectations for beauty and high performance. 

 

Not sure how to use smart film in your building or business? Check out these creative ideas! 

Jan 17
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Man on phone standing in front of smart film, frosted windows and a staircase

How Smart Film Can Transform Your Space

By Commercial Property Owner, Customers, Smart Window Film, Window Film No Comments

Window film technology is highly advanced these days, using microprisms, chromatic manipulation, and smart films that can be controlled with a switch, an app, or even an Alexa / Siri voice command. 

As you can see, smart film brings a definite “cool factor” to your modern space – and it’s a great cost saver when compared to smart glass windows because the film is a retrofit that covers your existing glazing and is easy to replace. 

If you’re wondering how you can apply smart film technologies to enhance and beautify your retail, medical, education, government, hotel, or commercial space, this article will help. 

Spark your creativity with this list of 5 great benefits and uses for smart film. 

A luxurious, comfortable atmosphere

Modern stadiums and performance venues must provide comfortable seating and an atmosphere of luxury to keep ticket holders satisfied. 

Smart films help you provide the ultimate in comfort and luxury by giving your guests the feeling of privacy in every seat or section – check out how the window film experts at NGS helped the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta leverage smart film to do exactly that! 

Secured sensitive business data

In today’s regulatory environment, it’s important to keep sensitive business data private from prying eyes. A variety of privacy films, including one way privacy window film and smart window film, can help you achieve that goal. 

Check out how NGS protected sensitive data in an operations center with full-glass smart film privacy protection:

And then check out how NGS used a different kind of privacy film, known as Casper Cloaking Film, to block only sensitive data on an LCD TV presentation, while leaving the conference room visible: 

Open office privacy

Open offices are a great use of space and they effectively foster collaboration, but sometimes privacy is required to incubate great, new ideas. 

Unfortunately, some decorative privacy window film can “close off” open office space – whereas the switchable technology of smart window film makes it possible for you to maintain both open space and closed space, depending on your changing needs. 

Provide your staff with both an open office setup as well as flexible privacy, with smart window film, just like this innovative company did: 

Glare-free lighting in skylights, atriums, and glass-filled accents 

Studies show that natural lighting increases workplace productivity – but sometimes too much light can hamper, rather than help, productivity. 

Since the sun moves throughout the year, your natural lighting might be perfect in some seasons, but in other seasons you have two choices: either fight with impractical blinds that are so large they’re prone to breakage… or use smart film that blocks out glare at the tap of a button. 

Here’s one example of a smart film application with a frosted privacy window film trim that blocked sunlight and glare in a luxury condo: 

Eye-catching projection displays

Smart films aren’t only for privacy. Since they become a frosted white opaque window film when activated, they’re also great for displaying eye-catching videos on any glass surface in your space. 

Check out how smart film turns regular glass into an LCD screen in this example: 

Let Your Imagination Run Wild

The previous 5 examples were only a starting point to spark your creativity, but we’re sure you can come up with the perfect idea to enhance and beautify your space. 

Want more suggestions? There are many more applications in which smart window film or privacy film are the best option, including: 

Once you’ve got an idea in mind — of if you’d like help brainstorming — get in contact with the smart film and privacy film installation experts at NGS. We’re always happy to help you develop the right idea for innovations that stick. 

Ensure Your Smart Window Film Project Is a Success – Work with the Experts!

Ready to get smart film in your space? Make sure you work with film installation experts, so you can ensure an attractive, unobtrusive installation. 

Because NGS is the nation’s #1 Commercial Window Film Company with smart film expertise, NGS is the team to trust to ensure your smart film project is a success. 

NGS knows that since smart film is an electrical film, it comes with wires – and no one wants to see ugly wires near their beautiful glass. The NGS team has the tools and expertise to cleverly disguise wires by trimming out your glass with matching framing and color-matched wire moldings that keep your smart film fully invisible when you don’t want it to be seen – and fully opaque when you don’t want to be seen. 

 

Learn more about smart window film options from NGS when you check out the creative privacy and smart window film applications from our online gallery. 

Oct 14
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Smart Film used in Dressed event in Georgia

The Varied Uses of Smart Film

By Smart Window Film, Window Film No Comments

Leading architect firm Hendricks taps NGS to spice up their runway model with Smart Window Film

NGS collaborated with architectural firm Hendrick, to enter Dressed – an event that gives “a unique opportunity to… architectural and design industry manufacturers to create one of a kind, wearable garments out of non-traditional materials for a runway extravaganza.”  NGS used Smart Window Film as part of the model’s shield… Bet you wouldn’t have thought of those uses of Smart Film. The outfit created by Hendrick and NGS won two awards:

  • Second place Overall
  • People’s Choice Award

Reach out to NGS today to discover even more of the wide variety of Smart Window Film uses!

Sep 26
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Skyscrapers with commercial window tinting

The Benefits of Commercial Window Tinting

By Smart Window Film, Solar Window Film, Window Film No Comments

Commercial window film or, as it’s commonly known, “commercial window tinting,” can bring benefits to many types of businesses. Hotels, hospitals, banks, retail stores, schools, government services, and many other organizations can maximize energy-efficiency, cost-savings, employee productivity, and security – all with the help of commercial building window tinting.

From aesthetics to security to sustainability, here’s a quick list of what you can expect from commercial-grade window tint.

Aesthetics

We’ve all seen the buildings with decrepit window tinting that’s cracked, bubbled, mismatched, and a hideously ugly color. There are many ways that old window film can make your building look dreadful, but these bad installation jobs are just that: bad installations from inexperienced window film companies.

When you choose an experienced, national leader for commercial window film installation, you have many options for beautifying your building. Modern window film technology can provide:

Security

It can take as little as 60 seconds for a thief to smash and grab your assets, but if this happens to you, it can take hours, days, or even weeks to sort through the resulting chaos.

Modern commercial window films offer a wide range of security-enhancing benefits, including:

Sustainability

All businesses are striving for sustainability in today’s world. Energy-efficient window film is an easy-to-maintain, low-cost solution that can lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

Although not all of the available sustainable options are technically “window tinting,” they are all advanced, modern solutions that any organization can use to boost their bottom line. These include:

  • Thermal window films or known as LOW E films that regulate your indoor temperatures to reduce overall heating and cooling costs (many businesses buy 3M Thinsulate window film to achieve this aim)
  • Cutting-edge solar films that offer clear, tint-free views, day or night, while maximizing employee productivity and reducing lighting costs
  • Attractive eco-wraps, also known as architectural film, which refresh building interiors and exteriors without resulting in the waste of a remodeling project

Get the Most from Your Commercial Window Tinting

Aesthetics, security, and sustainability are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of commercial window tinting – and since the window film industry is always changing, there’s always more to learn about your options for commercial-grade window film.

Get the facts and tap into all the benefits your organization deserves when you work with the #1 Commercial Window Film Company in the US: NGS.

Specializing in nationwide service, available at a moment’s notice and around the clock, NGS helps you take care of every aspect of your commercial window tinting installation, no matter how big the job.

Check out the gallery to learn more about your options for commercial window tinting and get ideas for your project.

Feb 06
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Window film project

The Anatomy of a Window Film Project – What to Expect from Start to Finish

By Commercial Property Owner, Installation Services & Programs, Retail, Safety & Security Films, Smart Window Film, Solar Window Film, Storm Mitigation Window Film, Window Film No Comments

Ah, the New Year! Filled with new business plans and strategies, everything in this season revolves around improvement. It’s the time when you look back at the previous year and figure out how things can be even better.

One great way to improve is to save money on energy costs. Being the savvy business owner you are, you undoubtedly already know that window film can provide cost savings for your building, but you aren’t exactly sure how a window film project works.

To give you a better idea of what to expect in your company’s window film project, NGS Films and Graphics is here with a breakdown of every stage in the process. Let’s get to it.

  1. Consultation

The process starts with a conversation about what you want your project to achieve. This conversation will usually include a walkthrough of your space, and we’ll ask questions like:

  • What’s the desired effect of this project?
  • Do you want to lower your building’s heating and cooling costs?
  • Do you need better security?
  • Are you looking to improve the aesthetic appeal of your building or workspace?

If you’re not sure what you want, NGS’s window film professionals can help you find the proper solution for your building’s unique needs by giving you an accurate, real-life view of the beneficial effects of different films on different parts of your building. We do this using building modeling and energy modeling.

  • Building modeling creates a 3D image of your entire structure so you can view a “before” and “after” image.
  • Energy modeling calculates your cost savings over time for various energy-efficient upgrades, such as Low E film, daylight redirecting film, and solar film.

Since we want to ensure that your project turns out perfectly, this consultation will probably be the longest part of your window film project.

  1. Selection and Production

After the consultation, you’ll have all the information you need about the different types of film that make sense for your project, and how you’ll benefit when they’re applied to your building’s interiors or exteriors.

Since NGS Films and Graphics has access to industry-leading manufacturers and offers the best-in-class film solutions on the market, this means you’ll have a lot of options to choose from. You’ll need to narrow down your options to get your perfect solution.

If no off-the-shelf solution works for your specific needs, you can always have NGS design unique, customized film that meets your criteria, such as displaying your brand and graphics or matching the design of your building and workspaces. If you’d like, you can also choose different films for different floors or sides of your building, so you can maximize your efficiency and impact.

After this stage, NGS handles all the details for you so you can get back to focusing on your business. All you’ll need to do is look forward to your soon-to-be-finished film, graphics, or signage project.

  1. Coordination

For this part of the project, hiring the best in the business will demonstrate the critical difference between a success and a disaster. That’s because this phase relies heavily on effective project management; only a small handful of window film consultants are also effective project managers.

To enjoy a hassle-free project, you’ll need a window film company that plans and manages all aspects of your project so you don’t have to juggle multiple schedules for work crews. A well-coordinated project finishes on time and on budget – which is what you can expect from NGS.

  1. Installation

This is when the workers actually show up and begin working on your building. It’s okay if you thought this was the only stage to a window film project; many people don’t realize all the work that happens behind the scenes before film ever touches their windows.

During installation, window film is typically applied one floor at a time, starting from the bottom and working toward the top, or vice versa. The length of time needed for a given installation will vary according to many factors such as the type of film, the conditions for installation, the weather, coordination of schedules with other work crews on-site, and, of course, your personal preferences.

  1. Satisfaction

This is the best stage. It’s when you get to relax and fully enjoy the advantages of your upgrades and improvements. All that’s needed now is for you to sit back and watch your benefits take effect.

On most window film projects, your staff will be able to tell the difference almost immediately and your wallet will feel the difference within a few short months. Plus, since this stage lasts for years and years, you know you’ll have time to enjoy it.

Plan for Your Project’s Success

The most important part of the whole window film process is that you choose the right company to execute each stage without disrupting your business’s daily functions.

Sadly, not all window film consultants have the capability or interest in working around your schedule and your needs. NGS Films and Graphics does, which is just one of the many reasons we’ve been named the #1 Commercial Window Film Company in the nation.

We look forward to serving you.

 

Contact NGS at (866) 925-2083 to discover all the options available to help your business realize maximum cost savings and energy efficiency in the New Year.

Aug 03
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The Big Picture: Corporate Sustainability and Window Film

By Commercial Property Owner, Safety & Security Films, Smart Window Film, Solar Window Film, Window Film No Comments

The Big Picture: Corporate Sustainability and Window Film

It’s hot outside – and it’s getting hotter every day. Whether you’re an environmentalist or you think climate change is nonsense, today’s post is worth a read – because sustainability is about a lot more than the planet. It’s also about your profits.

It’s time we all acknowledged the elephant in the room. Let’s talk about corporate sustainability.

What Exactly Is Corporate Sustainability?

Though the term “sustainable” has become a stand-in for “environmentally friendly,” corporate sustainability rests on a trio of intertwined practices, often referred to as “people, planet, and profits.” Companies considered “sustainable,” must take action to support:

  1. Global Societies

The rise of globalization has increased competition worldwide, and has consequently provided economic advantages for formerly isolated countries with a low cost of living and low wages.

Today’s booming businesses have unprecedented freedom to keep their margins consistent by sourcing from an ever-widening network of providers – but the pre-modern labor policies in many developing nations can mean that inexpensive supplies and materials come at a devastating human cost.

Companies intent on sustainability perform due diligence on their suppliers and goods to ensure that what they’re buying was produced in a safe, healthy manner that didn’t take part in:

  • Child labor
  • Forced labor
  • Discrimination

Take Action: Start sustainability practices by choosing products, suppliers, and vendors committed to their workers. Although it may be impossible for you to personally investigate every link in your lengthy supply chain, responsible vendors will be able to report on their own supply chains and sustainability practices in depth.

  1. Planet Earth

You already know that sustainability ties into environmental responsibility, so we won’t belabor the point. In essence, protecting the planet’s scarce resources means you must:

  • Reduce waste
  • Limit your energy usage (your “carbon footprint”)
  • Take an environmentally precautionary approach when considering business changes or expansions

Take Action: Reducing your carbon footprint is usually the easiest place to begin your journey toward sustainability. These days, you have options for a wide range of attractive and affordable energy-saving enhancements for your company, including newer, all-season solar and Low E films or Daylight Redirecting Films that reduce the amount of energy you need to heat, cool, and even light your building, retail location, or office space.

  1. The Bottom Line

Many companies become so focused on their obligation to protect the earth and its people that they feel as if it’s not noble to focus on their own profits. That viewpoint couldn’t be further from the truth. Your profits matter for your own long-term sustainability as a company – as well as the long-term sustainability of your employees and their families.

It’s important to protect your bottom line.

Take Action: Sustainability in one area doesn’t overcome a lack of sustainability in other areas. It’s wrong to overlook human rights abuses in pursuit of a quick buck – and it’s also wrong to overlook your business profits in pursuit of the most expensive eco-friendly product on the market. Find affordable solutions.

Commit to Corporate Sustainability in Your Company

It doesn’t matter if you have 2 employees or 2,000, corporate sustainability is always a smart thing to focus on when you want to ensure long-term growth. Start small to succeed big over time.

Follow this framework as you plan your sustainability initiatives:

  • Determine your sustainability objectives and preferred outcomes
  • Set goals (short and long term)
  • Implement changes
  • Reflect on your results
  • Adjust your goals and strategies as needed

Repeat this process until you have achieved your objectives.

Start Today

Take your first (or next!) step on the path to sustainability when you support worldwide communities, Earth preservation, and your overall profits – all at once!

NGS Films and Graphics can help you increase your sustainability through a wide-range of responsibly sourced, environmentally friendly window films that can be installed at a fraction of the price of new windows. Some of today’s high-tech solutions include:

  • “Low E” films (low emissivity) that reduce up to 42% of the heat loss associated with windows
  • Daylight Redirecting Films that redirect direct sunlight toward your ceilings to reduce your light energy costs by up to 52% while increasing employee productivity
  • Solar control films that reduce heat-causing infrared by up to 97%, cut down on harmful UV rays by 99%, and significantly cut your cooling costs

Modern window films are nearly invisible and can result in positive ROI in as little as six months. Some sustainable window-film consultants even offer free energy modeling for your workplace so can predict your savings in advance.

 

Learn more about your wide range of energy-efficient options and run your free energy-modeling analysis. Contact NGS Films and Graphics at (866) 925-2083.

Nov 04
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smart tint with projection

NGS transforms clear glass into high-def LCD screens

By Architect or Engineer, Commercial Property Owner, Customers, ESCO, Government, HealthCare, Hospitality, News, Smart Window Film No Comments

It only looks like magic: NGS transforms clear glass into high-def LCD screens.

With the click of a button — or a tap on your iPhone  — you can change a clear pane of glass into a frosted, privacy barrier. Even more impressive? Turning that clear pane of glass into an LCD screen to show a high definition video. Your audience will be amazed. And why wouldn’t they be? It’s the stuff of the future yet it’s available today thanks to National Glazing Solutions, a true innovation leader in the film and glazing industry.

This next-generation electrochromic film, can be retrofitted on existing glass and is 100% compatible with smart home automation systems. Additionally, it blocks up to 87% of Infrared and up to 98% of  UV rays. Of course you know what that means: heating and cooling bills are reduced. According to the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a building could save up to a whopping 8% of its energy if electrochromic film is used on its windows. Aiding in the cost-savings is the tiny amounts of electricity used to switch windows on and off. For example, 100 windows use approximately the same amount as one incandescent bulb. That’s a very big savings.

So just how does our electrochromic film work? A quick talk with one of our engineers will tell you electrochromic film is like building a sandwich of sorts. It’s constructed like this: On the inside surface — which points into the building — is a glaze of five super thin layers of chemicals. In the middle is a separator, which has two electrodes on each side. On top of those are electrical contacts. When a tiny charge is applied, ions travel from the separator to outer electrodes and reflect light to create the frosted appearance.

Now, if you want to know how we transform clear glass into a video display, well, that will take a lot longer than we have here. But still, it’s really cool, right?

To stay up to date on all NGS projects, emerging trends and leading-edge applications, follow us on social media.