First off, let’s start by clarifying a common misunderstanding. You see, commercial window tinting doesn’t necessarily mean “darkening” your windows anymore. In modern usage, the term “window tint” is frequently used to describe any type of window film, whether or not it “tints” your windows. This means that, even if you choose a “tinted” film for your hotel, you can still maintain your exhilarating views of the soaring Rocky Mountains or the vast, wild Pacific Ocean.
But crystal-clear views are only one of the many benefits hotels can experience when they explore the possibilities commercial window tinting solutions offer, so let’s get into the details.
How exactly does window tinting film benefit your hotel? Let us count the ways….
1. Effective Temperature Control
If there’s one thing we all know about hotels, it’s that the guests always want their room to be a different temperature than it currently is. These days, even crystal clear window “tinting” film like the 3M Prestige Series can keep sunny guest rooms cool and comfortable in hot climates. Energy-saving Low E films like 3M Thinsulate can adjust with the seasons, keeping rooms cozy in the winter and cool in the summer. Those are only two of the many options available to you.
Cut down on costs (and reduce the number of calls your Front Desk gets about rooms that are “too hot”) with outstanding temperature control from the wide range of solar control and energy-saving window tinting films on the market today.
2. Increased Privacy in All Areas
Of course, your guests expect full privacy in their rooms, even when they have the drapes wide open, and with today’s hotel window tinting advances, you can provide that privacy 24/7. But what about the rest of your hotel? Do guests feel comfortable in your pool and fitness areas, your dining areas, and your event areas?
With privacy window film options that range from mirrored one-way privacy window film to frosted privacy window film and beyond, you can ensure that guests and their visitors feel comfortable and private in every area of your facility.
3. Engaging, Unique Tint Décor
Commercial building window tinting doesn’t always have to cover every inch of your glass. Unlike solar films, energy-efficient films, or even privacy films, decorative film like 3M Fasara can be fashioned from a nearly unlimited selection of designs, patterns, and textures – and then cut and applied in any shape or form you want.
This freedom can add affordable, space-saving visual appeal to any area of your hotel, including your room dividers and in-suite bathrooms, your conference rooms and ballrooms, and even your pool changing rooms and your business areas.
Boost Your Hotel’s Opportunities with the Right Commercial Window Tinting
When traveling, everyone wants a comfortable, relaxing, private place to stay – yet it’s surprising how few modern hotels meet those basic guest needs. By providing your guests with a stable room temperature, private areas throughout your hotel, and a visually appealing environment, your hotel can pull ahead of your competition.
Once you add on the variety of your amenities and the quality service levels from your staff, your hotel can achieve the unbeatable guest-service combination that can keep you booked at capacity night after night.
Discover how you can transform your hotel with just a few simple, fast upgrades from NGS, the #1 Commercial Film Company in the U.S. and one of the national leaders in hotel glass film décor and energy efficiency.
Right now is the season for shopping, and that means your potential customers are on the lookout this very minute for great deals, exciting gift ideas, and a reason to treat themselves to something special. Of course, your retail location is perfectly poised to offer all those benefits to shoppers… but first, you have to get those potential customers in your door.
Here’s an idea to attract those holiday shoppers: use innovative, commercial decorative window film! Not sure what we’re talking about? Well, rest assured ‘cause the film, tinting, and graphics experts at NGS have got you covered.
These are the top 5 retail window tinting innovations that your store can use to boost business this holiday season and beyond.
1. Smart Film
If this is your first time hearing about smart film, you’re in for a treat! Smart film can be applied directly to your glass storefront or internal glass displays to intrigue potential customers. Why is it an eye catcher? Because it uses cutting-edge technology to switch your glass from clear to opaque with the tap of a button, allowing you to provide tantalizingly brief glimpses into your location.
2. View Control Films
Want to get your customers talking about your store? Hire an interior commercial décor package contractor to install innovative View Control film on your displays. Then sit back and watch as shoppers circle your displays to see your glass’s transparency change depending on their viewing angle. This high-tech retail glass film option is so cool it’ll make your store the next hottest destination.
3. Color Changing Film
Nothing turns heads quite like 3M DICHROIC film, which constantly changes the color of your store’s glass and windows to create an endlessly mesmerizing, beautiful display. You’ve never seen anything quite like this before – and neither have your potential customers. Your store will be the talk of the town.
4. Graphic Film
You already know that retail signage displays are extremely effective at getting customers to recognize your location and your brand (we can help with that), but you may not know how much you can do with creative interior signage too. Using “stick-anywhere” solutions like 3M Envision or 3M Controltac, you can attract shoppers into key areas of your store with glass film that also sticks on your floors, your walls, your ceilings – and anywhere else you need it.
5. Decorative Interior Film
Suggest a feeling of ultra-modern luxury and space with carefully placed decorative interior film solutions that help divide up your store, without making any areas seem cramped. Using a combination of unique 3M Fasara designs and highly reflective 3M Mirror Film, the nation’s best decorative window film installation companies can help you deliver the satisfying shopping experience your customers crave.
It Takes More Than Outdoor Retail Signage to Get Shoppers in Your Store
Outdoor retail signage is important for when your existing customers are looking for your nearest location, but when you want to attract the attention of new, potential customers, you’ll need to give them a reason to look up from their smartphones.
Catch — and keep — their attention with:
A smart-film-powered peek-a-boo unveiling of your store’s displays
Ashimmering, shifting all-hours color display on your building
Surprising graphics locations, which entice shoppers into every nook and cranny of your store
Luxurious, ultra-modern interior film décor that leaves ample space for your inventory
That’s Only the Beginning…
Think you (or your customers) have seen it all? Think again. When you work with a nationally respected glass film company specializing in retail solutions, you’ll gain insight into the vision of a retail glass film expert who knows what it takes to make your store stand out.
As the #1 Commercial Window Film Company in the U.S. and one of the nation’s top retail signage companies, NGS can help you discover your full range of options for eye-catching, gorgeous storefronts, displays, and interiors that will get the whole city talking.
Disclaimer: There is no such thing as “stormproof windows,” “hurricane-proof windows,” “hurricane-proof buildings,” or “hurricane-proof window film.” If you find yourself in the path of a hurricane, please evacuate the area and stay away from windows.
You may have heard that the Florida Attorney General’s office is calling window film “a scam” when used to protect against hurricanes or windstorms – but is it? Hurricane season is here, so it’s time to get to the bottom of this question.
When it comes to window film, let’s start separating fact from fiction.
Here are a few statements you may have heard:
In the state of Florida, it is illegal to sell or market window film solutions as “hurricane, windstorm, or impact-resistant.”
This is a fact. Florida HB 849 (2011) makes it a violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act to “advertise, sell, offer, provide, distribute or market any product as hurricane, windstorm or impact-resistant” unless it is in compliance with the provisions for product approval in the Florida Building Code.
Since the Florida Building Commission only approves products that are part of a complete window system and assembly, the retrofit solution of window film does NOT meet the criteria for building code compliance. According to the state of Florida, window film is NOT a form of hurricane window protection.
Window films can make your building or windows “hurricane-proof.”
This is fiction. Florida is correct. Though high-quality commercial window film strengthens your building’s glass windows, doors, and architectural features against a range of safety and security events, it does not make your glass unbreakable. Nothing can make glass unbreakable.
In fact, there’s actually no way to make your building truly 100% hurricane-proof because hurricanes are unpredictable, often resulting in roof destruction, uprooted trees, and flood or fire damage. However, many building managers turn to security film solutions such as 3M shatter resistant film to reduce the damage from many of the side effects of hurricanes.
Window films can help protect your property from dangerous weather conditions.
This is a fact. According to a statement made by the International Window Film Association, which is an educational organization, “Safety/security window films applied to glass are tested to the same break-safe standards required of tempered glass, heat-strengthened glass, and laminated glass. Window film manufacturers have copies of the actual laboratory test reports validating that their products do, in fact, meet specific impact testing.”
In practice, this means that, although window films are NOT part of a complete window system, like tempered glass, heat-strengthened glass, and laminated glass – and are, therefore, NOT approved for hurricane protection per the Florida Building Code — window films have been tested and shown to provide added protection against many storm-related events.
Considering the high average cost of hurricane-proof windows and window systems, building managers who supplement their safety plans with the added support of films often find that they can increase their building and tenants’ safety, cost-effectively, with products such as 3M window film. Hurricane protection isn’t complete with window films, of course, but it is stronger – and in a destructive natural weather event, every extra bit of safety matters.
Florida building managers must rely on steel storm shutters for adequate hurricane protection.
This is fiction. Since the Florida Attorney General’s office has deemed window films inadequate for truly hurricane proof windows, you may think that your only option for storm safety is those ugly, cumbersome storm shutters that require pre-storm installation by you or your building management staff. Thank goodness, storm shutters are only one of your many options for adequate hurricane protection.
Instead of troublesome storm shutters, many building managers choose to use thick polycarbonate panels to ensure that they have shatterproof windows for approved hurricane protection. Plus, in addition to storm safety, polycarbonate windows such as Riot Glass offer enhanced protection from thieves, smash-and-grab opportunists, and explosions – and they can provide additional security in an active shooter scenario.
How to Investigate Further
Though it may be difficult right now for you to determine what your best option is for protecting your building and windows against a hurricane, windstorm, explosion, or other destructive impact event, it’s important to understand thatyou have a wide range of safety solutions.
Explore all your options for storm, blast, and impact safety when you get in touch with NGS, the #1 Commercial Window Film Company in the U.S.
NGS’s team of nationally recognized experts can help you understand all your options for window film, polycarbonate storm protection, and other methods of strengthening your building’s envelope. And, once you’ve decided on the right safety solution for your buildings and tenants, NGS can also help you achieve the fastest, easiest installation you’ve ever experienced.
Installing safety and security window film on school campuses just got easier for school officials.
National Glazing Solutions LLC dba NGS Films and Graphics, 3M’s largest window film dealer in the United States, received a GSA Schedule 84 contract that will allow school districts to streamline the requisition process to install 3M™ Safety and Security Window Film without the lengthy bidding processes.
Schools districts across the nation are increasing security measures on their campuses due to the increased number of active shooter incidents. In 2018, there were 191 incidents – which is more incidents in one year than in the last four decades, according to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. In response, the Federal Commission on School Safety released a report in December 2018 with recommendations on how schools can enhance their security – including hardening windows with security film.
Purchasing Vehicles: Enhance School Safety
GSA Schedule 84 is designed to serve as the government’s premier purchasing vehicle for law enforcement and security solutions for state, local and federal officials. To obtain a GSA Schedule 84 contract, NGS Films and Graphics went through a rigorous prequalification and vetting process.
“GSA Schedule 84 will allow school districts to procure 3M safety films at pre-negotiated, ‘best customer pricing’ without having to go through a hard bid process where the end result may be having to accept a vendor or material that is not in the district’s best interest,” said James Beale, managing partner. “The way GSA Contracts work is that the federal government has already gone through the vetting process with vendors. Now that we have the contract, we are able to work with local, state and federal governments while saving their purchasing departments time and resources.”
Offering More Than Film: School Safety Plans
NGS Films and Graphics has worked with thousands of school districts nationwide on installing 3M™ Safety and Security Window Film Ultra Series and attachment systems. However, the company does more than just install film. NGS Films and Graphics works one-on-one with school district officials to create a school safety assessment. The assessment mirrors the Federal School Safety Commission’s recommendations on layered zones. It can be used for grant applications as well as meeting state reporting requirements.
“We care deeply about our schools and children and we work hard to ensure schools are secure,” James said. “This GSA Schedule 84 is a contracting vehicle that makes it much easier for schools to work with us. We want every school to have safety and security film because we believe that 3M’s Ultra Series and attachment system, ultimately, can save lives.”
NGS Films and Graphics also works with local, state and federal governments on a variety of other large-scale public projects, including international airports and other government-owned facilities.
Learn more about NGS Films and Graphics’ contracting vehicles and the GSA advantage.
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!
Disclaimer: There is no such thing as “stormproof windows,” “hurricane-proof windows,” “hurricane-proof buildings,” or “hurricane-proof window film.” If you find yourself in the path of a hurricane, please evacuate the area and stay away from windows. Learn more about what window film can and can’t do for hurricanes in our: “Hurricane Proof Buildings and Windows – Fact vs. Fiction.”
You’ve been watching the forecasts, reading the news, and checking all the updates. You know what the path of the next hurricane is… and you know that it’s coming your way. It’s time to take action immediately, so you can protect your business.
But then panic sets in: What do you protect first? What’s the most important thing to take care of? What’s the best way to prepare for the worst?
Typically, experts suggest that when you’re preparing for storms, floods, hurricanes, and other dangerous weather events, that you focus on the safety of the three most critical parts of your business: your people, your assets, and your location.
Protect the most important parts of your company using this hurricane preparedness list, and please continue your research into hurricane and storm safety by tapping into other free resources, such as FEMA.
Protect Your People
If your employees are caught inside your location during a storm, hurricane, or other weather emergency, it’s up to you to keep them safe. Flying debris is one of the biggest direct causes of injury and death during a wind-related weather event, so your first safety priority should be to limit the risk that flying debris will impact your location.
To help protect your people:
Use hurricane shutters or impact-resistant polycarbonate, such as Riot Glass, to shatterproof windows and prevent flying debris from breaking your glass storefronts. Add more protection with 3M shatter-resistant film for windows, which uses powerful adhesive to prevent glass from shattering, even if it does get hit by debris.
(As an added bonus, shatter-resistant security window film such as 3M Ultra and solutions such as Riot Glass can also stop thieves, burglars, and post-storm looters in their tracks.)
Get on the phone with your contact lists. Explicitly inform employees, vendors, scheduled maintenance professionals, and clients expecting meetings that no one should come to your location until the storm danger is cleared. If you have online customers, let them know that their shipments may be delayed.
Stock your store with an emergency supply kit that contains food and water, first aid equipment, and other survival essentials, so that you and your employees can wait out the storm if need be.
Safeguard Your Assets
Every weather event, from hurricanes to flooding and from fires to blizzards, is likely to severely damage your business assets. In a hurricane, inventory is subject to water and mud damage, fixtures can wash away in a sea of sewage sludge, and electrical hazards can cause smoke or fire damage.
Protect your assets by preparing in advance:
Look carefully through your insurance records, as well as through the paperwork for your assets. Check to see how your assets are insured, get the facts on what you’re leasing versus what you own, and figure out what your responsibilities are regarding assets that you’re leasing.
Document all your inventory and assets with photos and videos and make sure you have a secure duplicate backup of your inventory records, including asset valuations.
Ensure you have a backup generator (and that you know how to use it), and keep it topped off with fuel, so you can rely on it when you need it.
Secure Your Location
Of course, natural disasters are extremely unpredictable, so nothing is ever 100% hurricane proof – but when you use the right window security solutions, you can trust that you’ll have done your best to mitigate the worst of the storm.
Here are other ways you can secure your location:
Turn off and unplug all electrical devices at your store. Severe storms have a tendency to break gas lines, and it just takes one small spark from an electric device turning on to ignite a location filled with natural gas.
Anchor large furniture and fixtures to wall studs. This helps prevent additional damage caused by flooding and can help reassure you that your location is more secure when you’re able to return to it.
Keep Your Business Hurricane Savvy
These tips will get you started securing your people, assets, and location from storm-related disaster, but there’s a lot more you can do to protect your retail location. There are many resources online that can help you create a hurricane storm preparedness list for businesses and stay storm-ready in other ways, but one of the best ways to protect your location is to prepare in advance.
Become a “hurricane savvy” leader, starting today, by taking a few minutes every day to focus on storm and emergency safety procedures. Look around your location to identify large fixtures you need to secure or electric devices you’ll want to turn off. Pick up an emergency supply kit next time you’re driving back from a meeting. Ensure your contact lists are up to date.
And, of course, start investigating window and glass safety options by looking into your options for 3M shatter-resistant film and shatterproof windows. While none of these options are stormproof or hurricane-proof, they will help you mitigate the damage that severe weather events can cause.
For that last one, NGS has got you covered.
As the nation’s #1 Commercial Window Film Company and the team behind some of today’s top window security innovations including TRI-SHIELDand Invisicade, NGS has the expertise to help you determine the best window and storm security solutions for your store.
Disclaimer: There is no such thing as “stormproof windows,” “hurricane proof windows,” “hurricane proof buildings,” or “hurricane proof window film.” If you find yourself in the path of a hurricane, please evacuate the area and stay away from windows. Learn more about what window film can and can’t do for hurricanes in our blog: “Hurricane Proof Buildings and Windows – Fact vs. Fiction.”
Hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30, and leading weather forecasting service, AccuWeather, has predicted a near- to slightly-above-normal hurricane seasonfor 2019. Hurricane Dorian was only one of the 12-14 storms weather experts are calling for; according to AccuWeather’s estimation, we could be in for another 3 major hurricanes before the season is through.
It’s a stormy year ahead of us and that means it’s up to you to protect your commercial buildings from hurricanes and natural disasters – starting now.
Not sure where to begin? With this brief checklist, you’ll be well on your way to mitigating storm impacts on your building. However, this storm preparedness checklist for offices should be only the first step in your preparation process. Once you’ve read this article, check out more in-depth emergency planning recommendations from trusted online sources like FEMA.
Start Your Checklist with These 5 Storm and Hurricane Preparedness Activities
As a commercial building owner or manager, your top focus will be to ensure your tenants’ safety and continued business operations. Stay on top of your responsibilities when you start with these 5 top tasks:
Secure your building’s windows
Flying debris is one of the biggest dangers during a hurricane, which is why you have a supply of hurricane shutters in the basement. But hurricane shutters are a hassle because they have to be installed just barely before the storm hits. Shatterproof windows such as Riot Glass are a better solution for hurricane window protection because they keep your tenants and building emergency-ready at all times. They also have the added benefit of keeping out thieves, burglars, and post-storm looters.
3M shatter-resistant filmis another option for storm protection that you may want to consider. Though it’s important to understand that no window film can be classified as “hurricane proof,” shatter-resistant films use a powerful adhesive, strengthened plastic films, and window anchoring systems to keep your windows from shattering in dangerous situations.
Plan for pre-storm emergency service
Windows aren’t the only things that break during a hurricane. To prepare for dangerous high winds, make sure you shut off pipes for gas and flammable liquids to protect your building and tenants’ assets if the pipes break. In addition, it’s a good idea to check for weak areas on the roof and ensure your fire safety equipment is up to date and properly functioning. While you’re at it, check your sump pump too.
Call in the professionals
Hurricanes and natural disasters are destructive, so it’s unlikely your commercial building will escape a major storm scot-free. You may need to take care of flooding damage or fire damage, and you’ll usually have to handle some wind damage too, so it’s a smart idea to create your preferred list of maintenance and repair people in advance. That way you can be ready to mobilize your repairs instantly, so your tenants can get back on their feet fast.
Educate your tenants
You may assume everyone in your building understands what to do to mitigate storm damage, but you know what they say about assumptions…
It’s a good idea to remind tenants to turn off electric devices, backup their data, and stay home. While you’re at it, make sure your tenants understand your building’s emergency escape routes. (A good way to reinforce this information is to use reflective, waterproof wayfinding signagethroughout your building, which tells tenants and their customers where building safe zones are located.)
Check over your records
Not 100% sure what your responsibilities are before, during, and after a natural disaster? Double-check all your paperwork to make sure you’re meeting your obligations. Look over insurance policies and contracts – and while you’re at it, take care of some common-sense emergency precautions, such as cutting down trees that are too close to your building; setting up sandbags; and moving portable outdoor features, like planters and benches, inside.
Start Here for Better Natural Disaster and Hurricane Protection
While there’s no such thing as “hurricane proof buildings” or “stormproof buildings,” you can certainly make your commercial building as hurricane resistant as possible. As you saw in the checklist above, most items focused on getting your building and tenants back to work as fast as possible after a storm hits.
Only one item on the list helped you actually prevent damage from occurring in the first place: securing your building’s windows.
Few commercial building managers realize the wide range of benefits that effective glass film installation can provide, including everything from storm mitigation with anti-theft capabilities to increased energy efficiency to happier tenants with more lucrative contracts for you.
But to get all these benefits, you’ll need to work with an experienced, nationally recognized window film installer with a focus on security window filmand storm-mitigation solutions.
NGS has got you covered.
As a national leader in security window film and shatterproof windows, NGS, the #1 Commercial Window Film Company in the U.S., can help you choose the best storm safety solutions for your needs and budget. We can also take care of all the details and install your solutions in record time, with no interruption to your tenants.
Access the guide, so you can learn more about protecting your commercial building and your tenants.
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:
Gorgeous, interior smart film that can change from clear to opaque at the touch of a button
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:
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.
Before we begin, let’s get one thing clear. Crystal clear, in fact, because window “tint” can be crystal clear. “Tint” is an old term for an ancient concept.
You see, when commercial office window tinting first became popular, businesses only had the option of choosing from a range of different tints, somewhat like sunglasses for a building. But times have changed, technology has evolved significantly, and modern commercial office window tinting can pretty much look any way you want it to.
Perhaps you want it crystal clear, as we said earlier. Perhaps you want it colorful. Maybe you want something in between? Read on to learn why modern business leaders and building managers are choosing office building window tinting – which doesn’t have to be tinted.
Why Window Tinting Office Buildings Might Be a Good Idea for You
Here are some of the most popular reasons why business leaders like you are choosing window tinting for their buildings. If you get inspired by any of the ideas below and want to see how they would look on your building, contact NGS to set up an in-depth 3D Building Modeling session, so you can check out your options in action.
Here are the 5 reasons why window “tinting” may be right for you:
1. Security
There are many different ways that you can improve security for your building but, quite frankly, not all building security solutions make sense. For example, putting bars on your windows turns your building into a prison, and replacing 100% of your glass with polycarbonate panels is simply not cost-effective (though polycarbonate in key areas is extremely effective).
However, there are affordable and effective measures you can take that will increase your building security. 3M Mirror Film can provide a one-way privacy window film that helps your security team maintain full visibility of your interior, without giving away their presence.
Even better, the 3M Ultra window film series is designed to slow thieves and shooters down long enough for law enforcement to arrive on the scene and protect your people and assets.
2. Enhancing the View
If your building has impressive and spectacular views, you want to make sure that you can see them clearly. You’re certainly paying for the views… so why would you hide them behind distracting glass glare and ugly blinds?
Sun reflective window film is an easily installed, low-cost solution that highlights that view you’ve invested in, so you can show it off to your clients. NGS offers 3M sun control window film options, such as the 3M Prestige series, a spectrally select film that’s not only crystal clear, it also has the highest ratio of light transmission to heat rejection when applied to the exterior of dual-pane glass. Clearly put, window film allows for more glare-free, natural light along with unimpeded views.
Don’t forget your stunning nighttime views! The cityscape at night is also a breathtaking vision, and you shouldn’t have to block it with the reflection of your interior office lights. Make the most of your nighttime views with 3M Night Vision film.
3. Lowered HVAC Costs
Our planet just experienced the hottest summer ever recorded, and most business leaders are at least a little worried about what the coming winter might bring. Nobody wants to keep paying ever-increasing heating and cooling costs.
One commonly overlooked advantage of window film is its ability to reduce your heating and cooling costs throughout the year – it’s like insulation for your windows!Low Emissivity (“Low E”) Film, such as 3M Thinsulate, can transform a single-pane window into the thermal performance capabilities of a double-pane, or transform a double-pane window into the performance of a triple-pane.
Even better, achieving these benefits by installing window film gets you all the performance at a fraction of the cost of what it would take to replace all your windows, which means you’ll get double savings.
4. Lowered Lighting Costs
The second-most expensive cost in your commercial building comes from your lighting needs. At this point, it’s a workspace truism that natural light is better for employee productivity than artificial light, but natural light can increase problems like productivity-killing glare. Distractingglare is one of the reasons why window-filled offices are still paying too much for artificial lighting.
Flexible solutions such as 3M Daylight Redirecting Film rely on microscopic structures within the film to give you the ability to lower your lighting costs by comfortably redirecting up to 80% of natural light onto the ceiling. In addition, Daylight Redirecting Film can extend natural light as deep as 40 feet into the office, glare-free.
This provides you with an advantage on both ends: lower expenses and higher employee productivity. How can you lose?
5. Interior Aesthetics
One of the problems with motivating employees in an office building is that office buildings look too much like… office buildings. A University of Texas study showed that drab, colorless, featureless workspaces induced feelings of sadness and depression in workers. To us, that sounds like a recipe for disengagement and high turnover.
Patterned and frosted privacy window film is one of many window film options that can bring variation into an office environment; printed graphics are another motivation-boosting film solution. One example, 3M Fasara decorative window films, are textured, patterned, colored, and frosted, so they can be used in a variety of ways.
Will your company choose to make colorful, die-cut logos for branding, or use 3M Mirror Film as a beautiful one-way privacy window film that sets apart open office areas and conference rooms? Perhaps you’ll use solar window film to reduce glare like Delta did in the Atlanta Airport, or you’ll turn to smart film that changes glass from clear to opaque using your smartphone. The sky’s the limit with flexible window films.
You Can “Tint” More Than Just Your Windows
At this point, it’s clear (crystal clear!) that the idea that commercial office window tinting has to be tinted is a misconception. However, many business leaders also have a misunderstanding about where they can use office building window tinting.
Take note: You can tint more than just your windows and glass.
Today’s high-tech film solutions can be applied anywhere: from your floors to your ceilings, indoors and out. Some film solutions, like 3M DI-NOC, can be applied to the outside of your building to update your façade at a fraction of the cost of a remodel; other film solutions, like Casper Cloaking Film, can be used to filter out light from a TV screen in a conference room, so your strategic discussions stay private from outside eyes. Modern films can even cover the entire exterior of your building with a massive graphic!
There’s a lot more to “window” films than most people expect and investigating your options can get a bit overwhelming. That’s why it’s a smart choice to explore your options with an expert who can guide you toward appropriate solutions that will work for your officebuildings.
NGS is the expert you’re looking for.
As the #1 Commercial Window Film Company in the U.S., NGSoffers the guidance and expertise you need to select the right film for your offices – and we also have a nationwide team of installers who can get your film on your building in record time. Need a custom solution? We can handle that too with end-to-end services, including printing and design, that covers your whole project from concept to completion.
