Adding Window Film upgrades your existing windows by improving energy efficiency, cutting glare, and reducing damage to furniture due to fading. It also helps make occupants feel more comfortable within a home or commercial building.

Most windows can be filmed in 15 minutes with minimal or no disruption to building occupants.

Window Film is around $5-10 per square foot installed, which is only 5-10% of the cost of window replacement depending on the application.

The energy savings depend on many factors, such as the existing type of glass, existence of overhangs, your location (climate), and energy rates in your area. However, for most buildings, high-performance window films can reduce energy costs from 5 to 15%. Use our Energy Savings Calculator to estimate your savings.

Though they provide similar energy savings, window films are much cheaper to install than replacement window – about 5-10% of the cost. Therefore, the capital investment is much lower for window film. Many projects produce a simple payback in less than three years (when including utility company rebates) – equivalent to a 33% return on investment! Use our Energy Savings Calculator to estimate how much you could save.

The installation of window films is very safe. We provide our installers with a list of recommended applications and are confident that the applications are safe when the recommendations are followed. Plus, we provide warranties against glass breakage and seal failure.

In many cases, there is so much solar heat gain before window films are installed that shades or blinds must be kept closed. By applying energy-saving window film, blinds and shades can remain open, allowing more light into the building than before film installation. Plus, window films come in a variety of light transmissions, from very dark (0% light transmission) to very light (80% light transmission).

Films with high Luminous Efficacies, also known as Spectrally-Selective Films, can be the best film in many applications. However, the solar heat rejection of these products is typically less than the highest performance films, so they offer less savings on air-conditioning costs. In addition, films higher in light transmission offer less in the way of glare reduction.

In addition to complying with all applicable air and water safety standards for our manufacturing operations, over the past ten years Solutia’s Performance Films division has implemented a number of energy-saving measures. These have enabled Solutia to reduce the energy required per unit of production by nearly 40% during this period.

Many utilities offer specific rebates for window film installation for both residential and commercial applications. Often window film is specifically listed as one of the rebate-eligible products. Other times window film qualifies under the “Custom Measures” option (commercial applications only).

According to U.S. Department of Energy statistics, solar heat gain through windows is responsible for about one third of a building’s cooling costs. Energy-saving window film that can reduce solar heat gain by 75% or more can significantly reduce the run time of air-conditioning systems or allow them to operate at lower load conditions. This can reduce cooling costs in commercial buildings by as much as 30%, lengthen HVAC equipment life, lower maintenance costs for air-conditioning systems, and allow for replacement of cooling equipment with smaller, less expensive equipment.

Most films carry a 10 or 15-year warranty for non-residential installations. Warranties include total film replacement, including labor and materials. Many of our films are on the job, still providing energy savings and improved comfort, 20 years after installation.

In fact, window films can assist with as many as 9 LEED Certification points (out of the 32 required for Silver LEED Certification). For more information about Vista Window Films and LEED Certification, see www.usgbc.org/leed. The energy savings provided by Vista films can also assist buildings with their Energy Star Labeling requirements.

A tax credit directly reduces your income tax, unlike a deduction, which reduces the amount of income subject to tax. The credit then directly increases the tax refund you receive or decreases the amount you have to pay.

Window Film helps combat the problems of fading, glare and damage to furniture. Most importantly, it helps make occupants feel more comfortable in the room.

The sun will often damage window treatments such as draperies, curtains, blinds and shades. Window film helps protect furnishings, including window treatments.

No. Window Film will maintain the natural colors of your interior spaces. With less need for draperies, curtains, blinds, and shades, rooms may actually brighten significantly.

Yes. Up to 75% of the heat is rejected by Window Film. You need not be afraid of installing beautiful windows for fear of too much heat.

Absolutely. Window film reduces glare and helps eliminate eye fatigue.

If the window breaks, the window film should hold the glass in place, thus reducing an incidence of injury or damage to furnishings.

Yes. Window Film is professionally installed and can fit virtually any size and shape of flat-glass window.

Professionally installed Window Film comes with a lifetime warranty against cracking, peeling, adhesive failure or demetallizing.

It’s true that custom window coverings cost more than ready-made or made-to-measure products. But they add greater value to your home than any other type of product. They are specially designed for each particular window. Similar to the way that fine clothing reflects your unique personality, custom window coverings are the ultimate expression of your taste and style. And they don’t have to be as expensive as you think. Many decorating products stores offer shop-at-home decorators who will come to your home, measure your window and suggest window coverings that enhance your existing color scheme and the architectural elements of the room. The results can be simply stunning. And since your home is your most important investment, the value of custom window coverings is in keeping with the cost.

Yes, you can, but it’s not recommended. Most stores will not be held liable if your custom window coverings do not fit due to your imprecise measurements. Because the products are custom-made to your home’s specifications, they cannot be returned. However, if you feel that you would rather measure yourself, be sure and use a sturdy, metal tape measure. Cloth tapes can stretch, and yard sticks are not long enough. Also, be sure to measure your windows at least twice and confirm your measurements with your spouse or a friend. Many independent retailers who offer shop-at-home services will measure your windows and give you an estimate for free. Still others will charge a fee, but will apply it to a subsequent purchase. Check with the individual store policy for measuring before doing it yourself.

That’s a good question! Newspaper ads can be very confusing, and remember that the greatest percentage off doesn’t always guarantee the lowest price. When comparison shopping, be sure and look at the actual dollar amount you will be spending on the blind. Also, compare features and benefits of each product you consider. You want a product that will last long-not one that will lose its shape after a few tugs on the slats. You want a product that has tight closure to ensure good light and privacy control. You want a product that you can raise and lower easily. Also, be sure to take a close look at product guarantees-one of the most important attributes of a home decorating product. The finer window coverings have lifetime guarantees, whereas the lower-priced products may be guaranteed for only a year. once you consider all of these factors, you will be able to make an informed decision.

It all comes down to the function, the look and the budget that you desire. Horizontal blinds provide excellent privacy and light control and work best on standard windows, such as those in a kitchen or laundry room. They are available in a multitude of colors. Vertical blinds likewise provide good privacy and light control, but are more suitable for large-scale windows or patio doors. They come in a virtually limitless array of fabrics as well as in easy-to-care-for vinyl. Pleated shades also offer excellent privacy and light control. They provide a soft touch at the window and come in a variety of colors and patterns. Cellular shades are a variation of pleated shades, with a honeycomb shape that provides added insulation. Draperies, of course, are a popular choice for living rooms and dining rooms. You can layer treatments-using a blind or shade for light control and a drapery for aesthetics-thus creating a truly customized look.

Window covering cords have been identified as one of the products most frequently associated with strangulation of children under 5. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Window Covering Safety Council have joined with major manufacturers, importers and retailers across the United States to warn parents and caregivers about this danger. Entanglement in these cords and strangulation can occur when a child is left alone in a room for only a short period of time. Parents are advised to keep all window covering cords out of the reach of children. Never put a crib or young child’s bed near a window with a dangling cord. And because young children climb, never put a chair, sofa, bench or even a bookcase near such a window. Do not knot or tie the cords together, since this creates a new loop in which a child could become entangled.

There are methods for eliminating the loop in two-corded horizontal blinds, pleated shades and cellular shades. When you purchase new window covering products, you’ll find a warning tag that describes these methods. Or see your local retailer for advice on replacing the existing cords with safety tassels.

Fortunately, many manufacturers offer window coverings that work well in these specialty shapes. Pleated shades and cellular shades look dramatic in an arched window or circular window. They also work well in a skylight, with a motorized control for easy raising and lowering. Horizontal and vertical blinds are good choices for angled windows, since they can be operated so easily in this unusual shape. Work with your independent retailer to determine which window covering is best suited to your unique window needs.

Try a touch of fabric at the window! Use a valance to soften a horizontal or vertical blind. Drape some fabric over a wood pole to create an informal swag. Have stationary side panels to set off your blinds or shades. Use a swagholder to create your own rosettes. With a bit of imagination, you can make a little bit of fabric go a long way. Your local independent retailer will have a variety of suggestions for using fabric to its best advantage.

The beauty of drapery hardware can allow you to be truly creative. Today’s drapery hardware comes in a variety of finishes and styles. You can mix and match rods, rings and finials to create a one-of-a-kind look. Finial designs today run the gamut, from birds and scrolls to leafs and pineapples. Not only can you decorate your window, but you can show a little personality, too. Many independent retailers have an excellent selection.

You can go in any direction-from beautiful interior wood shutters to wood blinds in a variety of slat sizes. Many view shutters as a lifetime investment that enhances the value of their home. For a more economical choice, consider wood blinds. In wider slat sizes, they emulate the look of shutters for a fraction of the cost. There are also vinyl products that emulate the look of wood-both in shutters and blinds.