Window Tinting Protects Fish Tanks From Algae Growth

If your fish tank sits in direct sunlight for part or all of the day, a clear UV (Ultra Violet) blocking window film can help keep the tank clean by retarding algae growth. Standard UV-blocking window films will stop nearly all of the suns harmful UV radiation - which many algae require for photosynthesis.

A clear UV window film protects your fish tank from algae growth

 Artificial lighting can also be to blame for algae blooms, but if a fish tank receives ANY direct sunlight installing a solar UV blocking window film will help slow the rate of algae growth regardless of other non-solar light sources.

Algae requires UV for photosynthesis. A UV blocking window film denies Algae this crucial element and keeps your tank cleaner longer.

 By virtually eliminating the UV radiation that algae requires to grow, you will keep your tank cleaner for longer and your tank will require less frequent cleanings. A clean tank means a happy fish!

Florida Window Films carries a wide range of clear UV blocking films to protect your fish tank. Contact us today for a free estimate. We also provide DIY films!

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Best Window Tint Percentage For Your Home or Business

A common question we get here at Florida Window Films is "Whats the best tint percentage (darkness) for my home windows?"  A window films light transmission percentage is a representation of the "darkness" of a window film, or how much light the film allows through the coated window. Understanding window tint percentages was covered in depth in our post here.

The most common shade for a home window film installation is anywhere from 25%-45% VLT

The most common darkness, or visual light transmission percentage, for a home is between 25% - 45%. It is not uncommon though to have a much darker shade (5%-15%) on windows with very high heat transmission, or where customers desire a lot of glare reduction. With the introduction of heat rejecting ceramic films we are also seeing an increased installation of higher light transmission window films (50%-70%) installed on homes and businesses for those clients who desire heat rejection and UV protection but don't need/require glare reduction, or would like the maximum light transmission without sacrificing heat rejection.

The factors involved in determining what the proper shade for window tinting in your home should be is as follows:

1. What type of windows are being coated? (i.e., double paned, tempered, annealed, laminated)
2. Is glare reduction a primary reason for window tinting?
3. Does the client want to maintain an exterior to interior view (Retail shops like customers being able to see the merchandise for window shopping!)
4. Are there any HOA or Condo association restrictions on glass coating or window tinting?
5. How much light are you comfortable blocking?
6. Is privacy an issue?

As you can see, there are many factors involved in what darkness, or window tint percentage is right for your home or business. A qualified professional window film installer will better help you understand what will work best for your conditions and requirements and help steer you in the right direction when picking a window film for your home.

Florida Window Films is the leader in window film installations in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. We have also installed safety, security, solar and decorative films nationwide. We would be happy to help plan your window film needs. Visit us at www.FloridaWindowFilms.com

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It's Abundantly Clear - Window Film Saves you Money

Today's window films don;t have to block light or be highly reflective to block heat and save money

For years, window films have had the stigma that in order to block heat, you also have to block all the light, or have extremely reflective windows.


Years ago, window films used to screen damaging light rays either by adding a dark color to the film, which would absorb the heat and harmful rays, or by adding metal to the film to reflect them.

"Today's technology uses absorbing metals and materials that have reflectors we can't see," said Darrell Smith, executive director of the International Window Film Association. "The harmful rays are still absorbed or reflected, but this work is done outside of the visible light spectrum."

Read the full article at the Denver Post 

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Cops Cracking Down On Illegal Window Tint

Drivers in British Columbia (BC) are facing a crackdown on illegal car tinting. Although it is illegal for BC drivers to have their two front windows tinted, local authorities are seeing an increase in this illegal behavior.

Tinted windows, although illegal in B.C., are becoming more popular despite a recent crackdown from authorities. PHOTO BY James Stone, Times Colonist

It’s these drivers the Capital Regional District Integrated Road Safety Unit will target starting on Wednesday, when the unit launches a five-week blitz looking for illegal tinting.
Traffic officers are seeing an increase in such cases and suspect it might be a way for a driver to flout the tougher new distracted-driving laws, said Staff Sgt. James Anderson, the officer in charge of IRSU.
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/tinted-auto-windows-get-close-look-in-police-crackdown-1.1735995#sthash.HE5Dbw85.dpufIt

 It's these drivers that local authorities are cracking down on. Starting January 21 the Integrated Road Safety Unit will start targeting illegal window tint.

Traffic officers are seeing an increase in illegal window tinting and suspect it might be a way for drivers trying to thwart tougher new distracted-driving laws.

Drivers face a fine of $109 and a written order to have the illegal window film removed.

Read the Article from tthe Times Colonist

It’s these drivers the Capital Regional District Integrated Road Safety Unit will target starting on Wednesday, when the unit launches a five-week blitz looking for illegal tinting.
Traffic officers are seeing an increase in such cases and suspect it might be a way for a driver to flout the tougher new distracted-driving laws, said Staff Sgt. James Anderson, the officer in charge of IRSU.
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/tinted-auto-windows-get-close-look-in-police-crackdown-1.1735995#sthash.HE5Dbw85.dpuf

It’s these drivers the Capital Regional District Integrated Road Safety Unit will target starting on Wednesday, when the unit launches a five-week blitz looking for illegal tinting.
Traffic officers are seeing an increase in such cases and suspect it might be a way for a driver to flout the tougher new distracted-driving laws, said Staff Sgt. James Anderson, the officer in charge of IRSU.
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/tinted-auto-windows-get-close-look-in-police-crackdown-1.1735995#sthash.HE5Dbw85.dpuf

It’s these drivers the Capital Regional District Integrated Road Safety Unit will target starting on Wednesday, when the unit launches a five-week blitz looking for illegal tinting.
Traffic officers are seeing an increase in such cases and suspect it might be a way for a driver to flout the tougher new distracted-driving laws, said Staff Sgt. James Anderson, the officer in charge of IRSU.
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/tinted-auto-windows-get-close-look-in-police-crackdown-1.1735995#sthash.HE5Dbw85.dpuf

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What is a Shading Coefficient? And Why Is It Important?

With local electric companies now offering rebates for having high performance window films installed in homes and businesses, consumers are coming across some new specifications that they might not be familiar with. One of the more common terms used by power companies to describe a window films performance value is its shading coefficient.

Shading coefficients describe the ratio of solar heat gain (heat) through a given glazing (glass) system to the solar heat gain under the same conditions for clear, unshaded double strength window glass. Shading coefficient defines the sun control capability or efficiency of the glazing system relative to a standard window.


 It is usually a value ranging from 1.00 to 0.00. The lower the rating, the less solar heat is transmitted through the glass, and the greater its shading ability.

How is this relevant to the consumer? The smaller the number, the greater the heat reduction. Shading coefficient is a standard term in the glass industry used to rate the effectiveness of a glazing system compared to a "standard window". However, the glass industry is moving away from the use since a "standard window" is no longer a single pane, clear window. Until other measures are used by utility companies to express a films performance for rebate purposes, it is important for consumers to understand this term so they can better choose which product is best for them and which window films will qualify them for any available rebates

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