Window Film Fights Skin Cancer

Since 1979, The Skin Cancer Foundation has continually been working toward educating the public and the medical profession about the risks associated with skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world, diagnosing more than 13 million cases each year. To increase awareness of this issue further, May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. During this month we are frequently reminded of what skin cancer is and how it can be prevented.

 

 

General Precautions

 

General PrecautionsThere are several precautions you can take to decrease your chances of getting skin cancer. The number of cases can drop dramatically with some behavior modifications, which is why this cancer is considered a lifestyle disease. You can reduce the risk of skin cancer by avoiding long exposure to intense sunlight. By covering up your body with protective clothing, wearing a hat and sunglasses, as well as using sunscreen, you can minimize the threat of skin damage from high UV exposure.

 

 

Window Exposure

 

Window ExposureWhile most associate skin cancer with being outside and exposed to the sun’s rays, it is important to note that you can be in your car, at work or at home, and still be a victim of the sun’s damaging UV rays. Approximately 53% of skin cancers in the U.S. occur on the left side of your body – that is the drivers’ side of the body. Your car’s side and back windows expose you to more than 60 percent of UVA rays, however this can be prevented.

 

 

Window Film as a Protector

 

Window Film as a ProtectorWindow film, sometimes referred to as window tint, is not only a better, more cost effective way to save on your energy bills, but it also helps reduce the amount of UV exposure passing through your windows. Professionally installed window film will help block damaging UVA and UVB rays that cause skin cancer. When window film is properly installed, up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays are blocked from passing through the window. Window film is a great form of protection because it lessens the risk of premature aging and skin cancer while still letting in visible light.

 

 

Take Action

 

Take ActionSkin Cancer Awareness Month is a good reminder to all of us to take the necessary actions to protect ourselves from the sun’s UV rays year round. Even when the sun is covered by clouds, you are still exposed to the UVA and UVB rays. Don’t overlook the effectiveness of sun protection! Consider having window film professionally installed to your windows to protect yourself and your loved ones.

   

Who Needs Window Film?

It’s likely the average consumer has never considered buying window film. In fact, you may be asking yourself, “Who needs window film?” The answer is fairly simple — anyone who is concerned about personal and property protection.

You should consider window film if you:

Own a Car

Automotive window films are some of our most popular products, available in both tinted and transparent applications. They provide added protection to drivers, passengers and the vehicle itself. Some of the benefits of auto glass film include:

  • Solar protection: Window film is like sunscreen for your car. Automotive films can block up to 99% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Research shows that 53% of skin cancers in the U.S. occur on the left or drivers’ side of the body. While typical windshield glass blocks 90% of UVA radiation, untreated side windows and sunroofs can let in as much as 50% of UVA radiation. Professionally installed solar control films, or tinted window coverings, help block out both UVA and UVB rays that cause skin cancer. By blocking UV rays, these films also reduce glare, lower the vehicle’s temperature, and slow interior fading and cracking.
  • Glass protection: Our ClearPlex® windshield protection system absorbs impacts, making the glass more resistant to rock chips, pitting and bull’s-eyes. This feature keeps cars in top condition, helping them maintain their value.
  • Safety: ClearPlex goes on optically clear and speeds up the run-off for snow and rain, enhancing visibility. Tinted window films also reduce glare for added visibility. During an accident, the protective layer keeps shattered glass in place, safeguarding passengers.

Own a Home

Make your home your own while keeping it protected with our range of stylish and UV-protective window films. They offer benefits to homeowners such as:

  • Solar protection: Just like you might not think to apply sunscreen before getting inside your car, you probably wouldn’t consider putting on SPF 30 just to sit in your living room or bedroom. The harmful UV rays that penetrate unprotected glass can damage your skin, causing premature aging and wrinkles, and as we already mentioned, skin cancer. Our residential window films offer reflective and tinted options that block UV rays and keep you and your family protected. They can also help to prevent eyestrain by reducing glare.
  • Reduced energy costs: Solar control films also reduce your air conditioning usage and energy costs by lowering the amount of heat entering your home. Your AC system will run more efficiently and won’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool.
  • Safety and security: Like on cars, window films keep your glass together if it shatters. If a storm damages your glass, the protective layer keeps it off the floor and out of your home. They can also act as security films and deter intruders because they can’t get in quickly by breaking glass.
  • Style: Perhaps one of the best reasons to give your home window films is because they look beautiful. Choose from colored glass tints ranging from silver to bronze, reflective options and even films that enhance your nighttime views. You can also add elegance and privacy with frosted window finishes. The solar protection features will slow fading for your furniture, artwork, flooring and carpets, enhancing your décor and preserving your interior color scheme.

Own a Business

Window film can be an excellent investment for your commercial property, adding sophistication and saving you money. Some of the benefits for business owners include:

  • Solar protection: Window films can protect commercial spaces from UV rays, creating a more comfortable environment for employees, guests and tenants. Solar control can also improve visibility — especially for computer monitors and TVs. Meanwhile, it will slow the fading of office furniture and décor, helping it last longer and keeping your space looking new and inviting.
  • Reduced energy costs: Solar control films can also significantly reduce energy costs as they do in residential applications. By blocking the sun’s heat, films can help lower air conditioning costs. Better heat control also reduces temperature differences between sunny and shady parts of the building, making it easier to set a comfortable temperature for the whole office.
  • Safety and security: Business owners are concerned about protecting their investment. Whether you own a small business or multi-million dollar company, having window film professionally installed increases security both inside and outside of your commercial building. Safety films can hold shattered glass in place, providing extra protection from threats like burglary attempts, vandalism and natural disasters.
  • Style and privacy: Interior and exterior window films alike can introduce privacy with frosted, black-out or white-out finishes. For businesses, they can also enhance your branding with printed graphics or custom shapes.

Why Choose Madico®, Inc. for Your Window Film?

Heat control and UV protection film for windows offer the highest returns when you choose quality products. Madico has been a trusted manufacturer for more than 100 years, and a trusted name in window films since 1948. We offer our customers:

  • Manufacturer’s warranty: Our customers in North America receive a manufacturer’s warranty on Madico film products.
  • An extensive selection: We’re continually innovating new products and expanding our collection to solve our customers’ most pressing needs and design aesthetics. Our automotive products include ClearPlex, a range of tinted products and paint protection films. Our architectural products come in many colors, reflective and matte finishes and many decorative options.
  • Industry-leading expertise: At Madico, we’re a leader in research and development, which lets us respond to emerging market trends with new, innovative products. We also provide our dealers with extensive training to ensure a long-lasting, attractive installation.

Find a Madico dealer near you and schedule a professional installation today.

   

Window Film vs. Window Shades

Deciding between installing window film or window shades might be a matter of personal preference. After all, some people love the traditional look of shades, while others like minimalist home décor and unobstructed views. When you compare both products’ value in energy efficiency and protection, you can make an informed decision that will benefit you in the long run.

Solar Heat Gain

Solar Heat Gain

Shades can effectively block sunlight and reduce incoming heat when they are light-colored, lowered or closed completely and do not have slats. Specifically designed insulated cellular shades, which fold up accordion-style, can reduce 80% of solar heat coming in through the windows. Because they are insulated, they can also prevent heat loss by 40% during the heating season.However, some styles, primarily darker shades, can absorb and trap solar heat, expelling it into a room.

When completely closed and correctly adjusted, traditional blinds with vertical or horizontal slats can reduce heat gain by reflecting sunlight. If they’re highly reflective and fully closed, they can reduce solar heat gain by about 45%. However, because they have gaps, they do not add any insulation.

Because window film reflects sunlight before it enters the home, it can block up to 80% of the sun’s heat and absorb the remaining heat. Some solar films are “low-emissivity” or “low-E,” which means they do not emit the heat they absorb from the sun into the room.

Low-E solar films considerably improve a window’s insulation. Your air conditioning does not need to run as frequently, so energy bills go down. Also, the insulating properties of window film provide year-round savings by diminishing home heat loss through the glass during colder weather. The General Services Administration estimates that low-E film averages 29% annual HVAC savings around a home’s perimeter. 

Glare Reduction

Glare Reduction

When direct sunlight causes glare on screens or business displays, shades allow you to block or redirect light. They make rooms darker, which requires more interior lighting to account for the loss of natural light. Ultimately, energy usage and costs increase.

Window tinting films control excessive brightness and prevent glare without forsaking natural light. They come in many tints, letting you darken your windows to your preferred degree. Many window tint films are so light that they do not appear to have any tint, while still reducing glare significantly.Meanwhile, you can look out the windows and enjoy your views and scenery, which can improve your mood and mental well-being.

UV Protection

UV Protection

Though sunlight can bathe your home in a natural glow, the sun’s UV rays can damage people and furnishings. Harmful UV radiation that filters in through windows can cause skin damage and cancer, while increasing premature fading on fabrics, furniture and flooring.

Depending on their material, window shades may not block UV rays effectively and can even fade or crack from sun exposure. Thin, light-colored shades that allow light to pass through also let UV light filter indoors. So even when you close the shades, you and your furniture could be susceptible to UV damage. Likewise, while slatted blinds reflect some light, they allow plenty to pass through, including invisible UV rays.

In contrast, window film blocks up to 99% of UV rays to provide safe, natural light. Almost all Madico®, Inc. solar control films, alongside most of our security and decorative films, reject more than 99% of UV radiation. Optically clear window films, such as UV Guard by Madico, contain special additives that give them UV-blocking properties, even when totally transparent. Reflective additives, which bounce visible light back outside, can also reflect UV rays.

Privacy

Privacy

Some businesses need to provide a level of privacy for their patrons, and many homeowners do not want exposed windows that display their valuables. Window shades will close off onlookers while obstructing natural light and views. 

Many window films feature a reflective additive that turns your window into a one-way mirror. The reflective properties allow you to see outside during the day while providing privacy from the outside.Some people also choose to install window privacy films such as White Out by Madico in rooms requiring extra privacy, such as the bathroom. While this material will create privacy similar to blinds and shades, it also diffuses the natural light coming in. Many prefer it for its minimalist design.

Safety

Safety

Another point of comparison for shades and window films is how they fare against window breakage. Intense winds can kick up sticks, stones and tree branches that can shatter glass. Meanwhile, homes and businesses are susceptible to breaking-and-entering crimes through their first-story windows. Without a layer of protection, either scenario may leave glass shards strewn about. 

If drawn shut, shades may block some shattering glass from projecting into a room. However, they aren’t perfect, and they do not guard against intrusions. 

Meanwhile, window film makes the glass more durable. If the glass breaks, the film helps keep the window intact by holding the broken pieces in place with its adhesive. The fragments will not enter the building, where they can cause personal injury. If someone attempts to break the window, the retained broken glass still provides a barrier, alongside the film itself, which impedes them from entering. Because they cannot enter and exit quickly, criminals may abandon their mission after encountering window film.

Maintenance

Blinds, accordion-style shades and even Roman shades collect dust and can be a hassle to clean. Blinds, in particular, require homeowners to clean between each slat. When fabric shades collect dust or become visibly soiled, they are challenging to clean because they’re not easy to take down and toss in the washing machine, as you might with curtains or drapes.

Window film sits perfectly flush against the window and doesn’t collect any dust at all. You only need to clean it as often as you already clean your windows, which adds no extra tasks to your cleaning routines. Many find they can use off-the-shelf glass cleaner, while others use soapy water and a soft cloth.

Gain the Many Benefits of Window Film With Madico

You can shed some light on the benefits of using window film versus window shades when you compare how each addresses saving energy and protecting your family and home. Depending on your goals, you may find window film can give you more bang for your buck. Besides light and glare reduction, they offer additional safety, security and UV protection and can even enhance your gorgeous views.

If you decide window film is the right choice for you, find a local Madico dealer to get the job done right. We offer a wide selection of solar control window films in many tint shades, reflective and optically clear options. Our products also come with a manufacturer’s warranty to give you peace of mind.

Gain the Many Benefits of Window Film With Madico

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