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Nudists Beware: modern window films are invisible! It could be the best home improvement you never see – or one that tricks your clothing-averse neighbours into putting on a show you wish you hadn’t seen. Window film has been around forever, but it’s only quite recently that its popularity has skyrocketed. A thin, transparent polyester coating, window film can keep the sun’s UV rays from bleaching flooring and furnishings as well as provide dramatic insulating effects in both summer and winter. “Many of us associate window film with either a really dark, sleazy limousine tint or a super-reflective mirror finish,” says Dave Barlow, who’s been installing window film in the Comox Valley for more than 17 years. “Today’s window films represent a huge advancement in terms of keeping natural light in a home, but also in terms of eliminating the reflective appearance of exterior glass,” he explains. “There’s literally no way of knowing it’s there – until you see the effect it has on your energy bill.” Actually, he corrects himself, there is one way of telling whether the people around you have film on their windows – they no longer use their venetian blinds or drapes during daylight hours. Even on the brightest and hottest days, says Barlow, window film eliminates
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heat, glare and UV rays so dramatically that blinds simply aren’t necessary. Many films also offer varying degrees of one-way visibility and privacy protection during daylight hours. It’s where the absence of blinds meets the misconception that window film still offers reflective privacy at night, however, that things can go horribly wrong. “We always remind folks that they’ll still require the use of blinds and venetians at night for privacy,” recounts Barlow. “ One elderly gentleman unfortunately must have had that advice slip his mind.” Barlow recalls one elderly gentleman, who was obviously proud of much more than his new window film, who would perform a stretch routine every evening – stark naked in the living room window. The neighbours eventually drew straws, with the loser earning the unenviable task of informing the gentleman that (impressed as they were) his window film did not provide privacy at night. Window film costs a fraction of what a conventional window covering would and has a 20-year life expectancy. Other applications, such as frosted, shatterproof security and earthquake films, are also available. Article supplied by Safe and Sound Window Film.
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