Protect What's Most Valuable To You With Window Film

This is 2011 National Hurricane Preparedness Week. 

According to forecasters, the United States will experience an “above normal” hurricane season with 12 – 18 named storms in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. In a recent poll of coastal residents taken by Mason-Dixon Poll and Research, almost half of those who responded had no hurricane survival kit and 74 percent had taken no steps to make their homes structurally stronger since the last hurricane season.

Locally, many homeowners, however, are stocking up on batteries, water, and nonperishable food. 

But what about protecting what’s inside your home as well?  Will your windows stand up to the harsh elements should a storm arise?  Maybe it’s time to consider window film. 

Security film, commonly known as hurricane film, can protect you and your family during destructive weather conditions. Windows treated with security film are safer than untreated windows because they reduce the hazard of flying glass. In the event of severe weather, an accident, or even a criminal break-in attempt, the film acts as an added barrier, increasing safety and security.  Security film can also help reduce damage and injury from indoor incidents like children running into or throwing things at glass doors or windows. 

Not only can window film add a level of security to your home, properly installed window film can protect rising utilities bills. Window film works by rejecting and absorbing a portion of the sun’s energy before it enters the home, including 99 per cent of UV rays, which damage fabrics and are linked to skin cancer. By blocking the sun’s rays, window film prevents heat gain. Fewer fluctuations in room temperature results in fewer times the air conditioning is called upon to cool the room throughout the day, which results in lower energy costs.   

In addition to energy savings, window film is a great way to keep fabric treatments, carpeting, wood flooring and furnishings looking their best. It’s an extra layer of protection against sun-bleaching. 

Reasons to Invest in Window Film:

• Protects furnishings from premature fading by blocking up to 99 percent of harmful UV rays
• Prevents solar heat gain keeping rooms cooler and cutting energy costs up to 30 percent
• Certain films keep glass fragments together if broken or penetrated, minimizing damage from flying chards of glass.
• Improves view by cutting glare
• Adds privacy
• Certain security films can deter crime

Floridians were fortunate last year. However, we can’t count on luck to get us through each season. Let’s all take steps to make our homes safe havens and protect those we love the most.