Solar Insulation Blog

Window Film Roll Cores

SolarInsulation — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:34:04 +0000

Window film comes in large rolls (typically 100 linear feet long by three to six feet wide) wrapped around a center core. This core is usually made of a plastic or sometimes a very hard cardboard. At Solar Insulation, we try to recycle as much as possible, and film roll cores are no exception. We’ve taken them to recycling facilities, cut them up and reused them to roll & store excess material or as patterns for cutting circles, and even saved them for a gardener who re-purposed them to plant a vertical strawberry garden!

Here's a group of roll cores waiting for their next "role" in life!

One of our new favorite programs is ZeroLandfill: “an award winning upcycling program held seasonally that supports the supply needs of local artists and arts educators while reducing pressure on local landfill capacity.”

We just received word that the big drop off & public pick-up events for ZeroLandfill Nashville are this weekend and next! Click here for event details!

Fading happens on north exposures too

SolarInsulation — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:00:31 +0000

Many times, customers concerned with only heat gain and/or glare problems will leave off the north exposure windows. However, if you are a customer concerned with fading, remember that indirect UV is still making it through north-facing windows even if direct sunlight isn’t. Check out this leather chair that was left by an un-filmed north-facing window for several years: All materials & dyes have different sensitivities to fading, but a good rule of thumb is that 40% of fading is caused by UV, 25% is caused by heat, & another 25% is caused by visible light (the remaining 10% is caused by other factors – stuff window film can’t help you out with – like how much you walk on the carpet, how you clean your furnishings, etc…). With that in mind, filming the windows in your home can significantly reduce the fade rate of your furnishings by reducing the UV, visible light, and solar heat entering your home. Most films block 99% of UV (the residential film we offer blocks 99.9%) and varying degrees of visible light & solar heat depending on the product you choose. Our most popular residential films are estimated to reduce the fade rate of furnishings by 60-65%.

Don’t Give Up Your Daylighting

SolarInsulation — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:48:43 +0000

Have a window with a view that’s distracting and/or ugly? Have a first floor office with big windows & feel like you’re on display to the passing pedestrians? Getting beamed through your transom lights or upper arches by direct sunlight shining like an uncovered bulb in your eyes?

Decorative frost films may be a solution for you! More modern looking than sheer drapes and less annoying than blinds you’ll never open or dust, frost films allow you to keep your daylighting while diffusing uncomfortable direct beams and providing privacy. Check out these customer’s spaces:

This IS the interior side of the pane…

SolarInsulation — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:04:41 +0000

Our expert installers maneuvered around this indoor tree last week in Maury County to install solar control film. This is the before picture, you can see why they wanted to reduce that glare!

Before Film

This is a good opportunity to remind you that installing solar control film does not affect most indoor house plants. On the contrary, we have filmed sun-rooms, green houses, and conservatories for the purpose of helping create a more comfortable environment for both the plants & the people.

Hotel Protects Carpet, Saves Energy and Keeps View

SolarInsulation — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:00:49 +0000

Solar Insulation’s crew recently installed a high performing window film at Nashville’s Opryland Hotel. This film reduces 85% glare, over 99%l UV and 74% solar energy. This will drastically prolong the life of their carpet and save energy at the same time. This area is just outside meeting and banquet rooms which typically have no windows. How nice to come out of a meeting to enjoy the view out of these windows! No need for heavy drapes now.

Window Film Cleaning Instructions

SolarInsulation — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:59:32 +0000

A customer recently requested that we re-post our cleaning instructions for filmed glass… So for all of you already gearing up for spring cleaning, here is a reminder on how to care for your beautifully filmed windows:

1) WINDOW FILMS TAKE UP TO 30 DAYS TO FULLY DRY AND CURE. DURING THIS TIME YOU MAY SEE WHAT APPEARS TO BE HAZE, WHICH CREATES SOME VISUAL DISTORTION. THESE CONDITIONS ARE NORMAL AND WILL DISAPPEAR AS THE FILM DRIES. PLEASE DO NOT CLEAN WINDOWS DURING THIS PERIOD.

2) AFTER 30 DAYS, WINDOW FILM CAN BE CLEANED USING A LIGHT SOLUTION OF ORDINARY LIQUID DISH DETERGENT OR BABY SHAMPOO AND A SYNTHETIC SPONGE OR SOFT CLOTH. A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY – FOR AN AVERAGE SIZE SPRAY BOTTLE, ONLY A DROP OR TWO OF SOAP IS NECESSARY. AFTER WASHING, REMOVE LIQUID WITH A SQEEGEE AND WIPE ANY REMAINING EXCESS WITH A PAPER TOWEL OR SOFT CLOTH. WHEN USING A SQUEEGEE, PLEASE MAKE SURE THE RUBBER BLADE IS SOFT AND PLIABLE, AND WIPE THE BLADE CLEAN AFTER EACH PASS.

3) WASH AS OFTEN AS YOU FEEL NECESSARY. FILMS APPLIED TO GLASS COLLECT NO MORE DUST AND GRIME THAN UNCOATED GLASS SURFACES. TOP QUALITY WINDOW FILMS COME WITH AN ABRASION RESISTANT INTERIOR SURFACE COATING.

4) AMMONIA, AMMONIA-SUBSTITUTE CHEMICALS AND TRI SODIUM PHOSPHATE (OR ANY PHOSPHATE) ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR REPEATED LONG-TERM USE ON WINDOW FILMS. READ THE INGREDIENTS ON YOUR GLASS CLEANER BEFORE USING IT ON YOUR FILMED WINDOWS. LIQUID DISH DETERGENT OR BABY SHAMPOO ARE THE SAFEST CHOICES WHEN CLEANING GLASS WITH WINDOW FILM.

Security window film for homes can deter break-ins.

SolarInsulation — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:09:55 +0000

Installations of security/safety films are virtually undetectable. Most are clear with 99% Ultraviolet protection. These products greatly strengthen existing glass to deter break-ins. These safety & security films are also available in tinted or reflective versions for solar control purposes.

Center Hill Lake House

SolarInsulation — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:40:08 +0000

Look at the view from this Center Hill Lake House! The owners wanted to enjoy their view with less squinting, so they called Solar Insulation.

This is a job in progress, so it’s a great “with & without shot.” Upper panes have a window film with 80% glare reduction, 74% heat reduction and 99.9% ultraviolet protection. You can see the glare reduction in contrast with some of the lower window which have not yet been filmed.

New Sign is Up!

SolarInsulation — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:36:31 +0000

We are really happy with it

Joslin & Son Signs installed it. It’s made of a flexible cloth material for superior wind-damage resistance.

As you can see, the bold orange and blue remain the same, but we are transitioning the logo to read “Window Films” below the Solar Insulation name, in lieu of “window tinting,” because we feel it is a better description of our products.

Check it out next time you’re on I-40 in West Nashville!

Solar Insulation’s booth at Nashville’s Home and Remodeling Show

SolarInsulation — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:07:34 +0000

Interested in window film but not quite ready to set up an appointment? You can always come by our store in West Nashville or visit one of the Home Shows. Solar Insulation does 2 shows a year. The Nashville Home and Remodeling show in the Fall and the Home Builder’s of Middle TN’s Home Show in February. The guys smile for the camera.