Visions Window Films News Events

Sept. 2007 - Window Film: An Indoor Lifesaver for Your Skin - In addition to sunscreen, lotion, hats and sunglasses, consumers should add window film to their checklist for protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays. Bekaert Panorama window film provides an important layer of protection for people concerned about the harmful affects of the sun - including pre-mature aging and the onset of skin cancer. Many people do not realize they are exposed to the sun while at work or at home. Professionally installed window films can be effective in all environments.

"With skin cancer rising at epidemic rates, UV Protective window film adds an important extra level of protection," said Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation. "Many people don't realize that damaging UVA rays penetrate glass."

Derived from ground-breaking sputter-coating technology, using titanium, stainless steel, copper, gold, silver and various alloys, Bekaert's professionally installed Panorama window film: • blocks 99% of UV light that damages skin and causes furnishings to fade • rejects 95% of infrared heat that causes uncomfortable hot spots in homes and offices

Despite such high levels of protection, Panorama window film is transparent and does not noticeably affect window views or the overall appearance of a home.

"People everywhere need to be knowledgeable about protecting themselves from the sun, and guarding against pre-mature aging and skin cancer. Consider non-traditional approaches to blocking UV light, including the proactive measure of installing unobtrusive Panorama window film," said Christopher Fremont, President, Bekaert Specialised Films. "Once installed on a home or office, Panorama window film provides a year-round layer of protection from UV light entering one's home and doesn't require maintenance of special cleaning techniques."

Panorama window film carries The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation. Visions Window Tinting is an authorized Panorama window film installer.

July, 2007 - Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Business Profile - By Kevin Keleher, Fidelity Investments - Visions Window Tinting has been in business since 1981 providing sales, service and installation of solar control window films, security films and decorative films for commercial and residential buildings in the New England area. In the solar control line, they provide products that help to protect building interiors by blocking out 99.9% of UV A and UV B rays, greatly reducing heat and lowering energy costs. Films come in a variety of shades from virtually invisible to varying degrees of tint. The films have an Energy Star seal of approval and are recommended by the National Skin Cancer Association.

Visions Window Tinting also carries a full line of security films including Armorcoat, the safety and security window film that has been applied to the US Capitol to protect against bomb blasts. These films reduce smash and grab attacks by making break-ins more difficult and also protects buildings from natural disasters; some of the security films also have solar control properties. Graffiti Guard has been used extensively to protect storefronts from vandals who use acid to etch the glass from the outside and it has also been used on mirrors.

Each window project is professionally managed to meet each customer's unique business requirements and goals. Judy and Scott are committed to providing their customers with the best quality products and an excellent experience throughout the project. Visions Window Tinting services all of New England including New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday and Saturday's when necessary. A 10% member discount is offered.

Business Quote: We are committed to making our customers experience excellent throughout their proects in addition to providing the best quality products in the marketplace today. We improve your quality of life by enhancing glass performance everyday.

April, 2007 - For Insulator, Tax Break is a Window of Opportunity - By Kathy M. Kristof, Los Angeles Times - Pity the poor window-film industry. Its products can dramatically reduce heating and cooling bills, keep furniture from fading, and stop glass from shattering in an earthquake. But almost inevitably, consumers think of the stuff as bubbly, tacky, and cheap.

"If you see a beautiful window, you assume it's the glass. You don't think anything about the film," said Darrell Smith, president of the International Window Film Association, based in Martinsville, VA. "But if you see a window that looks bad, you assume it's got 'some of that film' on it."

Now window-film companies think they might finally get an image makeover, thanks to a new tax credit. But they must act fast.

The credit was included in the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005, said Mark Luscombe, principal tax analyst with CCH Inc., a publisher of tax information based in Riverwoods, IL. The act provides reductions in tax owed for people who buy energy-saving water heaters and cooling systems and retrofit their homes for solar energy.

The credits went into effect last year, but it wasn't until a few months ago that the window-film industry realized it hadn't been passed over.

While the act discusses replacing windows, it makes no specific mention of credits for window film.

It took the trade group's lawyers and accountants the better part of a year to realize that many of the industry's products could fall under the broad category of "other" products that insulate a home. They also needed to get manufacturers to provide the energy ratings necessary to qualify for the credits.

Certainly, Smith said, not being mentioned in the law is a slight. On the bright side, the incentive is a generous one. The tax break for replacing windows is 10 percent of the cost, up to $200. Replacing a home's windows with the qualifying energy-saving variety can cost tens of thousands of dollars. But put window film on existing panes - a move that can be done at a fraction of the cost - and you qualify for a credit of up to 10 percent of the cost to a maximum of $500. The catch: The film has to be applied by the end of this year because the tax break will expire.

"This is a tremendous public relations opportunity for our industry," Smith said. "It adds credibility to the fact that window films are an extremely valuable energy-saving device."

The typical home costs about $1700 to insulate with window film, said Chris Sugai, president of Solar Art in Los Angeles. Before the tax credits, that investment would pay for itself in about five or six years, he said. Window film reduces heating and cooling costs by 10 to 20 percent. In addition, window film can triple the life of upholstery by reducing fading, and though it won't stop glass from breaking in an earthquake, it will stop it from shattering, he said.

Still, Sugai acknowledged that window film is a tough sell. "The biggest problem that we face is that people see a car driving down the street with big bubbly windows and they think, 'I would never do that to my house'," Sugai said. The film that goes on homes is nothing like that, he said. It's far more expensive, professionally installed, guaranteed for life, and - somewhat tragically for Sugai - completely invisible. When it's good film, he said, it's impossible to show how good it looks. "It's as thin as a piece of paper, completely transparent, and can lay in the sun for 15 years and won't change in color, fabric, or structure," Sugai said. "I could put the film on two windows in your house and bet you $100 that you'd never be able to figure out which two they were."

Sugai is thankful for the tax break and said he and every window-film manufacturer would be spending the next few months pitching this window of opportunity.

Still, he's cynical about how much it might do for the industry.

"Every year, I think that this is going to be the breakout year when everybody figures out how great this product is," he said. "But I've been in this business for 23 years and I'm still waiting."

Dec. 2004 - Company Has New Visions for Window Tinting - By Nancy Shuffleton, Rockingham News, Seacoast Online - After more than 20 years, AutoVisions is changing its name to Visions Window Tinting to "reflect" that the company offers professional tinting of all kinds of windows, not just automobiles.

Owners Scott and Judy Harlow run the business out of their East Hampstead home. Judy, the company spokesperson, handles the business side of things, including sales, marketing and estimates, as well as assisting on some installations. Scott, the company's founder, does all the installations throughout the region, occasionally hiring temporary help when jobs require an extra set of hands.

According to the company website, "window film is a microthin film composed of polyester and metallized coatings bonded by adhesives that is installed onto glass surfaces to provide significant solar protection. It screens out heat, blocks out 99 percent of the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays and deflects glare while allowing natural sunlight to pass through."

Harlow says their business mission is "to provide good-quality service and educate people about what film can do for them."

One of her challenges in marketing the business is educating people about the many advantages and uses of window tinting. In addition to overall solar protection, tinting can reduce or eliminate problems with glare, privacy, security, energy costs, and decorative issues.

Harlow said that tinting "saves on energy costs because it evens out heating and cooling needs in buildings between the sunny sides and shady sides." Residential and commercial locations can see winter and summer benefits, as the sun is reflected in the summer and heat is retained in the winter.

Visions Window Tinting's commercial work includes retail storefronts, office buildings, warehouses and individual offices, such as doctor's offices.

Through dealerships and manufacturers, the company tints windows on automobiles, limousines, as well as shuttle and handicapped vans. They also tint recreational vehicle windows so that the shades don’t have to be down as much and air conditioning is needed less. The company also works with boat owners, providing such things as blackout film in bedrooms and reflective film that preserves the view while reducing glare.

There is also a strong market in residential window tinting.

"These new, expensive homes have really expensive window treatments and hardwood floors, which could be protected by tinting, but people mistakenly assume it will be too dark," said Harlow, adding that her home has bronze tinting. She explained that the film is more of a change of hue than a matter of being darker.

The installation process involves careful application of the film directly to the interior - occasionally exterior - surface of the glass. Harlow stressed the importance of starting with a very clean window and frame. The film is applied with soap and water, which activates the adhesive. There aren’t any odors or chemicals. It takes about a month for the adhesive to "cure," and then the windows can be cleaned with window cleaner and a soft cloth.

Visions also provides security film. The security film can turn regular glass into safety glass by holding shards of glass together if the window is broken, a technique that is especially helpful in high-rise buildings; during natural disasters or explosions; and with sliding glass doors, where a potential burglar would be slowed down because the glass pieces stay together.

Harlow said the company also offers decorative films in a variety of styles, such as stained glass, mirrorlike or frosted. These are popular for medical offices, glass cupboards and glass doors.

Harlow says she is reluctant to discuss pricing because so many factors are considered. The couple’s business is fully bonded and insured and it is certified through the International Window Film Association.

"We do just tinting. That’s why we’re so good at what we do," she said firmly.

Harlow said that most of their business is word of mouth, but she now advertises through direct mail, business and home shows, and direct calls to architects. She described their target market primarily as home builders, home buyers and homeowners, but she plans to start marketing to security companies. She hopes to develop strong name recognition and, hopefully, "expand the staff," she said, chuckling.

Although Harlow says the work is "very full time" for the couple, the flexible schedule allows them to work around their two children’s needs.

Judy said they measure success mostly by the bottom line, but also by return customers and referrals and "the occasional thank- you note."