Nowadays, more and more people are beginning to understand and appreciate the value of a quality window tint. Window tint offers a number of benefits to the property owner, contributing to energy savings, more stable home temperatures, and the increased longevity of furniture, carpeting, and wood exposed to sunlight. With so many people taking interest in window tinting, manufacturers and installation experts have been enjoying a steady increase in business, and the industry’s vibrancy has encouraged a number of new faces to open up shop to take part. Aside from the Window Genie tinting experts, there are many window tint installers in business today. Some customers may feel overwhelmed by the variety they have to choose from, or be unfamiliar with how best to distinguish the good from the bad. No matter how good your materials may be, finding a qualified installer is one of the most important steps needed for a high-quality tint job. We at Window Genie are committed to customer satisfaction, and would like to offer some industry-insider advice on the matter. Read on to learn four important considerations that you may want to make when seeking a professional window tinting installation service provider.

1.      How long have they been active in the area? What other locations do they have?

One surefire way to identify a quality tint installation is to locate a business that has been thriving in a certain location for a number of years despite the presence of quality competition. A tint installer of the requisite quality will have been able to sustain their business amongst stiff competition because of their provision of high-quality service at affordable prices. Window Genie experts have had over 20 years of high-level experience in the tint installation industry, and represent an ideal service provider in this scenario. Pricing should be a secondary concern over the quality of service provided, though you certainly shouldn’t settle when you feel you are being overcharged. Still, the message here is that you should not dismiss a window tint installation expert if they are priced slightly higher than newer competitors. Weigh the company’s history against their pricing to learn the true value of the service. Furthermore, companies that have been around longer will probably still be in business in a few years should you ever need to follow up on the warranties.

It is also very important to get an idea of how many other locations exist under the same name. By trusting a larger national or even global brand with multiple locations, you eliminate the risk of having to deal with a fly-by-night operator or other low-quality service provider. Window Genie has locations across America, and an archive of position reviews that you can access online to diminish any doubts.

2.      What kinds of different products do they use? Do they offer a warranty?

Industry-leading tint installers will typically deal with a number of different window tint suppliers, and will therefore be working with a full range of products and films. A quality tint installer will have access to a number of different films in a variety of colors and styles. If the service provider is pushing one or two particular kinds of film, it is likely that they are trying to unload old, cheap, or defective stock onto you, or are a new and inexperienced company.

When inquiring about warranties, be polite but press firmly until you have a complete understanding of all of the terms and conditions. Window Genie offers a lifetime warranty on residential installations and a 10-year warranty on commercial installations, protecting against bubbling, delaminating, peeling, or any instances of cracking. A quality tint installer will offer you a warranty, and those who don’t are indicating that they have low confidence in their work and ability.

3.      Are there samples of their work available to me?

A great salesperson is capable of talking a customer into almost anything. Don’t let the company’s pitch sell you on their service. Instead, inquire about where you can find some samples, reviews, or testimonials from satisfied customers. A company with a number of years in business despite stiff competition, a wide array of products offered, a strong warranty, and a number of thriving locations will undoubtedly have access to some samples, testimonials, or reviews. Good service gets people talking, and no buzz means there’s nothing to buzz about!

Window Genie passes the test.

Window Genie is a nationally-ranked service provider, with decades of experience and an archive of glowing testimonials. If you are concerned about the reputation of your current window tint, pressure washing, or gutter cleaning service provider, visit the Window Genie website today to acquire a quote! 

 

Over the years, window tinting has been perceived in pop culture and by the general public as a purely aesthetic feature that offers little to buyer beyond style points. Window tints are commonly thought of in conjunction only with cars, and have developed an association with Mafioso members, high-security escorts, and prolific emcees. Many would be surprised to learn that window tint film also has a place in residential and commercial buildings, and that it provides a number of important practical benefits to the user. Most modern residential homes features more glass paneling than ever, with home-buyers falling in love with the notion of warm, sun-filled rooms and sparkling seasonal frontage. Window tint offer a number of worthwhile benefits to home-owners. Read on to learn 7 important benefits of home window tinting!

1.      Increase your energy savings. Tinting your windows can be much more about substance than style. One of the most important and talked-about benefits of window tinting is its potential to noticeably lower your energy bill. When treated to a high-quality professional tint, windows will bleed out less heat and AC. This means that heat will be conserved through the winter, and repelled during the summer, giving your HVAC systems a rest and saving you money on fuel and electricity costs. Without ever needing to commit to an expensive and time-consuming window replacement process, you can increase both your energy savings and comfort in windowed rooms.

2.      Safeguard your precious furniture. Finding the right piece of furniture that complements the size and style of your home can be a difficult process. Excessive sun exposure can fade and damage your precious furniture findings, but window tinting can help! You can save your favorite furniture without needing to be the only house on the block that insists on keeping the curtains tightly closed. Window film offers UV protection that will minimize the fading damage doled out by the sun's rays. This means that your carpets, rugs, artwork, wood flooring, and furniture pieces will all be granted a life extension. Tinting allows you to keep your interior decor in shape while still being able to enjoy the sun's rays. 

3.      Guard against the sun's damaging UV rays. It is quite rare to see a family applying sun lotion for a day spent in their home's sun room. Most families are lucky enough to remember to apply sun protection when spending a day at the beach! As laughable as the notion of requiring indoor sun protection may seem, it is actually a reality. The sun's harmful UV rays can still affect people inside their homes. Fortunately, most window film products reduce harmful UV rays by over 90%, enabling families across the world to enjoy the warmth and vitamin D of the sun's rays without any of the worry. 

4.      Minimize damages during window breaks. Whether in a residential or commercial building, window panes are always seemingly at risk of breaking under the force of an errant softball. Window tinting adds an extra layer of protection so that your building windows break in a fashion similar to that seen with car windows. This film eliminates the risk of shattering, preventing cutting glass shards from spraying into the home and potentially injuring family members. Window film also strengthens glass panes in general, minimizing the risks of breaks even in the event of violent storms or attempted vandalism.

5.      Eliminate bothersome glare. Most people enjoy the feel and aesthetic of sunlight pooling in their living spaces, but too much sun can cause disruptive glare, hampering recreational television watching and lowering office productivity. Window film eliminates this troublesome glare, giving the resident the best of both worlds with a warm, bright interior that is free of distracting reflections. 

6.      Increase your privacy. Window film really does provide the home owner the best of both worlds. Window tint will still let beautiful light into your home, while obscuring your home's interior to sidewalk audiences. This makes window tinting an excellent choice for rooms requiring extra privacy, such as bathrooms, bedrooms, and offices that happen to face the street. 

7.      Give your home a decorative edge. As mentioned earlier, window tinting is commonly thought of as a stylistic feature. Though window tint is more a matter of substance than style, they do still offer a way of adding a nice aesthetic touch to a building. Decorative window films are usually offered, featuring mural designed or picturesque stock views, while more subtle darkened tints can be used to imitate the look of high-end window panes. The ease of application and removal means that changing the look or upping the curb appeal of your home is as simple as possible.

Upon reviewing these seven points, it is clear that window tinting services offer a number of benefits to the customer beyond appearance alone. Window Genie experts are standing by to give your family access to these great window tint perks, so visit our website today to learn more!

Using Windows and Doors to Make Your Home More Secure

Guest Blogger Theo Schmidt is back to offer some simple tips and tricks to making your home more safe and secure. Window Genie offers an extensive selection of privacy and security films to increase safety in any home or office. When selecting a lock, film, alarm or any other variety of security measure... always do your research and find what works best for your home or office's needs. The more you know, the safer you are!

What many homeowners do not realize is that many home intruders are able to just walk right into your home through your front door. There is almost no struggle at all to break into a home through an insecure window or unlocked door. Luckily there are a few things that homeowners can do to secure their homes through improving their windows and doors.

 

Selecting a Lock

If you’ve ever tried shopping for a lock, you know how many options there are out there. There are different brands and grades that all offer different levels of security. It can be difficult to know exactly what you’ll need. An expensive lock may offer more security but the cost could be double or triple that of a less expensive brand.

One thing is for certain; a cheap lock will definitely compromise your security. Cheaper locks are easier for burglars to manipulate because these locks often have a less unique key-locking system. This makes your home more vulnerable to break-ins.

There are a few specifications that your front door lock should meet:

·         For deadbolts, the bolt should go one inch into the door frame.

·         The lock should be a grade one.

·         Make sure your door jamb is reinforced to match the security of your lock.

Don’t be afraid that a bulky lock will take away from the look of your custom doors. There are a number of companies that offer great selections of stylish locks that will actually add a great accent to your front door.

 

Security Film

One simple solution for making your windows more secure is purchasing security film to cover them. This film is often used in vehicles and business’s windows to keep them from shattering in the event of a crash or natural disaster. However, these films also work great in your home to protect you against break-ins.

When a security film is properly applied it can prevent burglars from breaking into your home by shattering a window or other glass pane. The film keeps the glass shards together instead of letting the window break and scatter. When these films are correctly or professionally installed, they do not show at all. Additionally, these films can come in different colors and tints so they will give your windows an extra accent look if you’re interested.

 

 Extra Tips and Tricks

If your front door has glass panes in it, the panes should be at least forty inches away from the door knob. This will prevent burglars from breaking the glass and then reaching in to open the door.

Another trick to keeping your windows safer is putting a six inch dowel in your window so that it cannot be opened up more than six inches. Window locks are more difficult to secure than door locks, so they are easier to break into. However, by keeping the window from opening up enough you can prevent burglars from getting in that way.

There are additional tricks to securing your windows and more secure:

·         Install window break alarms that will notify you if a window is broken.

·         Move valuables so they cannot be seen through windows.

·         Purchase newer windows since older ones tend to pop out of their tracks easier.

·         Secure air conditioning units in windows.

 Your home may not be as secure as you’d like, but there are small and simple things you can do to improve the security. Start with your windows and doors to prevent those easy break-ins. With some easy steps you’ll be sleeping sounder knowing that you’ve decreased the risk of a burglary.

 Author Byline:

Theo Schmidt is a freelance blogger who enjoys spending time in the outdoors, and is passionate about protecting the environment.

What is window film, and is it for me?

Window Film is your friend. Window film, or Window Tint is one of those incredible products that pay for itself over time. Window Film is universally beneficial to any home or office because it significantly lowers energy use and utility bills. There are countless reasons to have window film installed in your home beyond saving money. We're here to discuss some of the benefits you can enjoy by installing window film.

Utility Bills, Energy Use: GO GREEN & SAVE MONEY

Having window film applied in your home or office is a great investment because it pays for itself over time. During every season, window film helps eliminate unnecessary energy use to keep your home a comfortable temperature. Think of window film as your HVAC system’s partner in crime. Together they battle your home’s energy waste and save you money on utility bills without compromising comfort.

During hot summer days, window film deflects up to 79% of solar energy that penetrates your windows, heating your home. This gives your AC a break from having to work double-time to keep you cool. You no longer have to draw the blinds and curtains and live like a vampire to keep the sun’s heat off of you. You can still enjoy the benefits of a naturally bright sun-drenched room, but now without the heat, as these films will not darken your windows tremendously. Think of it as big sunglasses for your house!

In the winter, window film acts as an insulator, holding the heat in your home. High utility bills in the winter are a homeowner’s biggest nightmare. Everyone’s been there… the internal struggle on whether to put a scarf and mittens on while watching TV… or turn the heat up and pay for it later. Neither of those sounds like a good time!

FADE: stop the fading of your fine furnishings with window film

 

 All of our traditional and designer window films offer 99% UV protection to help eliminate the fading of your fine furnishings, carpet, hardwood floors, paintings and window treatments. The suns harsh rays are working nonstop to negatively affect the beauty and integrity of your interior. Left unprotected, windows provide easy entry into your home for the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Properly selected window tint can significantly reduce fading and helps you relax knowing that your possessions are safe. While no window tint can completely stop fading, our residential window films will significantly reduce the three major components that cause fading; UV, heat and visible light.

GLARE: can’t see a dang thing on the screen?

That irritating "white" light glare is a common problem in windows facing South, West and East. You have to move your seat to see your TV and end up just closing the curtains to read your email. This glare or white-light can cause a room to become uncomfortable and annoying to be in. When it comes to your home, you want to take full advantage of the style and ambiance that you created. Glare often times requires that blinds or drapes be drawn to make the room feel livable. Doing so eliminates the view and requires the constant adjusting of the window treatments. The addition of window film can cut down on the glare while still allowing for a clear view of the outside. Enjoy a bright sunny room without feeling like you need to wear your sunglasses inside. Properly selected window film can blend with the style of your home, adding to it a look and feel that actually complements the overall decor.

PRIVACY & SECURITY

 That window in your bathroom really could use a set of blinds. It’s time to quit giving your neighbors a peep show. Don’t want to darken the “office” with curtains or blinds? Window film comes in a variety of choices from frosted to decorative to reflective privacy film that looks mirror-like from outside.

 Window film strengthens glass for increased security; intruders or extreme weather are less likely to be able to break the window. If they do, window film secures dangerous shards acting similarly to a broken windshield.

 

 WHY CHOOSE WINDOW GENIE?

Have you ever tried to apply window film yourself? NOT EASY. Home improvement stores do carry DIY versions of window film, but none of them compare to the quality of window films that Window Genie provides. Window film application takes precision, a steady hand and a ton of supplies. Hiring help means the job will be done right and you don’t have to spend the day struggling only to end up frustrated because you left bubbles in the windows and have to start over. Ask your local Genie for a complete list of inventory and to discuss options to fit your needs. You can even get a free phone estimate!

We hope you understand a bit more about window film than you did before. Don't take our word for it, do your homework and call your local Genie to discuss your needs further.