Learn all about LLumar window film…the home product you never knew you needed!
LLumar® window film. Heard of it? Are you waving your hand wildly ala Will Farrell in Elf screaming “I know them!” Or, maybe you haven’t heard of LLumar window tint or window film. But I know something you HAVE heard of. Sunscreen.
*This post is sponsored by LLumar®. All opinions are my own. Please read our full disclosure policy here.*
Sunscreen. You know it’s important to slather all over your kids and yourself as you walk outside into the sun. But what if I told you that your home needs sunscreen, too?
Yup! Our homes need sun protection, too. And that’s exactly what LLumar window film provides. Sunscreen for your home.
Today I’ll be breaking down the topic of window film into the 5 W’s, starting with “WHY” you may want and need window film installed at home.
The Who, What, Where, When, Why & How of
LLumar Window Film
Why Do You Need Window Film?
Here’s a breakdown of the problems homeowners may have that window film can help solve:
1.) Your current windows are in decent condition but aren’t energy-efficient, and you don’t have the huge budget required for replacement.
2.) You aren’t comfortable in your home during certain seasons (summer) or even during parts of the day when the sunlight into the home is at its’ peak. Your home has hot spots and you have to close the curtains or blinds in order to shield yourself from the hot sun, creating more of a cave than a comfy home.
3.) Your furniture and floor show or are starting to show signs of fading and sun damage. You don’t want to have to ditch your furniture or refinish your floors every few years because of solar wear and tear.
4.) You’re concerned about UV rays not just for your belongings, but for your own and your family’s health. We put sunscreen on to avoid sun damage outside, but we are still susceptible to UV rays inside, without adequate UV protection.
Who is LLumar®?
LLumar is a brand of window film that is manufactured and created by Eastman Performance Films.
The LLumar brand includes window films for homes, cars and commercial building applications. For homes, they carry the premium brand of window film known as Vista™ Window Film by LLumar®.
The window film is made by Eastman Performance Films which is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance window films and tints.
What is window film? What can it do for you and your home?
LLumar window film is a protective coating that is adhered to the inside of your windows. There are three basic types of window tint or window film:
Solar-Control Window Film
Decorative Window Film
Security Window Film
Both solar-control and security window films are typically made from a thin polyester film with either metal coatings, infrared heat absorbers or dyed layers.
So just what is it that a professional application of a window film can do for you and your home? Here are some specifics:
What Can Window Film Do For Your Home?
1. Heat Control
2. UV Protection
3. Glare Reduction
4. Alternative to Window Replacement
5. Specialty Glass – including Decorative, Safety, Privacy
Let’s break each of these functions down…
1. Heat Control – darker film = ↑ heat rejection.
LLumar makes window films that can help block up to 84% of the heat from the sun ☀️!
In our own home, we had LLumar window film installed in two spaces, the family room and dining room. In our family room, the heat rejection factor was the biggest draw. That space is wonderful because of all of the windows and doors it has, allowing natural light to flood in. But that is also the biggest challenge of that space as far as comfort goes!
The film we chose (Spectra Select VS70 CDF) helps reject 53% of solar energy on 1/8″ single pane clear glass.
2. UV Protection: window film helps protect your belongings & your family.
Most LLumar window films help block 99% or more UV rays, which helps slow down fading of your furniture and flooring and helps protect your family as well. Vista Window Film by LLumar has the SCF (Skin Cancer Foundation) Seal of Recommendation.
UV protection is also one of the biggest selling points of LLumar window film as far as we are concerned.
Once you’ve spent time and energy creating a space you love and decorating it with often costly artwork, furniture, rugs, etc. the last thing you want to do is see it get ruined in a few short years because of sun damage.
We try to control for as many things that can damage our belongings as we can…no shoes in the house, no food on the sofa…but the sun can be a wild card that many of us forget to account for. And it can wreak havoc on our furniture, flooring as well as our faces and skin!
3.) Glare Reduction: darker film = higher glare control.
The SpectraSelect VS70 SR CDF (the film we used) provides 22% reduction, but there are darker films you can choose that provide much more if glare reduction is a big priority for you in your home.
Glare reduction was a goal of ours in both spaces, but for me especially in our dining room. Truth is, our “dining room” really serves as my office. It’s wonderful because as I work I have windows and doors all around me.
But in the late afternoon, the sun comes BLAZING through the windows creating not only a hot, uncomfortable space but also one with a horrible glare.
The glare in the dining room is so bad that I tend to schedule projects away from my desk during those hours because I just cannot see the computer screen between the hours of 3pm-5pm.
As soon as the LLumar window film was installed, I noticed an immediate reduction in the glare. I’m now able to work in my dining room/office throughout the full day without having to plan my schedule around the sun.
4. Alternative to Window Replacement
As a real estate agent, I see a lot of windows. So I’ve become somewhat of a window connoisseur. There are definitely old, single pane, wood windows that are rotting and in bad disrepair. Those windows need replacement.
But in many new construction homes, the builders install the cheapest type of window they can buy. That means lower energy efficiency for the homeowner and higher bills. While the windows may be in overall good condition, their energy efficiency could be improved by the addition of film.
5. Specialty Functions
There are decorative window films. Films with pattern and frosted films for privacy.
There are also thicker safety films. These films have strong adhesives to help hold broken glass together if shattered. These films can even be used to upgrade certain windows to be compliant with certain codes regarding safety glass, which is common in regard to windows near bathtubs, or windows close to the floor.
How Does the Process of Window Installation Go?
And How Much Will This Cost?
Purchasing and having your window film installed is an easy process. Let me break it down step by step:
1. Reach out to your local dealer for more information. The local dealer will either consult with you via phone or in person, depending on your needs and preferences.
2. Once you’ve decided on your film, the product is ordered. We only waited about (1) week before the install was then scheduled.
3. The professional installers (we had a team of 2) came to our home with the film. It took them approximately 25-30 minutes to complete each window/door.
4. They thoroughly clean the window prior to applying the film.
5. The film is applied to the INSIDE surface of your window with water and a squeegee…like you use in your shower or for your windshield.
6. Once it’s installed it’s nearly impossible to tell that it’s not part of the glass, they do such a professional job.
7.) There is no maintenance or special upkeep required for your window film. Clean your windows just as you would have without the film, using common glass cleaners like Windex, just avoid using anything abrasive when cleaning the film.
8. There is a manufacturer’s limited warranty for any LLumar window film you purchase. Your local dealer can give you more detailed information about that. Just be sure that if your current windows are under warranty that the addition of window film will not alter your window warranty.
Check your paperwork or consult with your window dealer/manufacturer with questions. Vista by LLumar does offer a low-cost, Gold Warranty option to match your existing residential window warranty if the window manufacturer has issues with adding window film to their windows.
9.) As far as cost goes, it will vary to some extent depending on the type of film that you choose. My local installer told me that the basic range is between $8-13 per square foot (which is much less than the cost of a replacement window, new furniture, and refinishing your floors, etc.).
Where can I find more information about window film?
Start at the LLumar window film website. There is a lot of helpful information on their site, as well as a dealer locator.
When is the right time to consider window film installation?
Ultimately, that’s for you to decide, but the sooner you decide to jump on the window film bandwagon, the sooner you can start reaping the rewards. Rewards like:
- protecting your family and furnishings from UV rays
- lowering your cooling costs
- enjoying natural light in your home again without closing blinds and curtains, and
- being able to work from your home office without the headache and eye strain that come hand in hand with the daily battle against the glare of the sun
We couldn’t be happier with our new LLumar window film. It has really improved our home and allowed us to use it in ways we hadn’t been able to before. No longer am I having to leave my desk in the middle of the day because of the blinding sun. We have a consistent level of cooling on the main level of our home without the hot spots in our family room.
And we worry a lot less about the fading of our furniture or sun damage to ourselves or the kids from just sitting and relaxing in our own home. Solar-control window film is one of those upgrades that you may not even realize you need, but once you have it, you can’t imagine going back to the way things were before. So I say…
Let the sunshine in, and face it with a grin, not a squint 😉
I sure hope that you found this information useful. If solar window film is something that you’re considering now, or at some point down the road in your home, then Pin this post for later ⤵️!
Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a FREE copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here to enter your email or on the image below. Your copy will be sent right away!
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