America's Best Window Cleaning

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Monthly Archives: April 2012

The Many Benefits of Window Film

Now that we are well in to spring cleaning, we thought it would be a good time to write about window film. The spring months are a perfect time to install window film in preparation for the hot summer just around the corner.

Before doing research for this blog, the only things I knew about window film were that it blocks extra sunlight and heat from entering your home or office, and prevents unwanted eyes from seeing in. I discovered that these are only a few of the many purposes for window film.

Beauty: First impressions are important. Besides adding color enhancement, window tint provides uniformity and can hide unsightly clutter from passersby. Those with an artistic flair can install decorative films in a wide range of colors and designs including frosted glass, and faux stained glass. Many architects incorporate window film in to their designs both for its protective quality and beauty.

 

Economic: In our difficult economic climate, many people are searching for ways to cut costs. Tinted window film blocks up to 80% of the sun’s heat from entering your home or business and its insulating properties reduce heat loss through the glass.  Reduced air conditioning and heating costs allow you to keep more money in your bank account. Commercial customers have experienced greater productivity in their employees as they experience greater climate control while maintaining natural sunlight without the glare. The more windows you tint, the greater potential savings. Window Film Magazine reports in their May-June 2011 edition that they “have seen paybacks often range in the 2-5 year period, with some reported to be even less than 6 months.” In many areas where government regulations require the use of tempered glass, SafetyShield® films can bring these buildings up to regulation standards at a fraction of the cost of replacing existing windows. Many rebates are available to consumers who install window tint. Click here for a list of those available within the United States.

Green Living: In February of 2012, the International Window Film Association (IWFA), a non-profit group, issued a press release confirming that window film is one of the most cost-effective solutions for energy savings for Californians.  The study found that in comparison to other energy savings techniques (HVAC systems, air sealing and caulking, and adding R-38 ceiling insulation) when installing window film to existing structures, window film came out ahead. Click here to download the study.

 

Health Benefits: Most window film is built with ultraviolet inhibitors to protect the polyester base from destruction by UV light. While that is good for the durability of the film, the benefits to consumers are far greater. The window film we use at America’s Best, Inc. blocks up to 99% of these dangerous rays. Prolonged exposure to unfiltered sunlight may cause cataracts, eye inflammation, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Skincancer.org reports that UVA protected films “can be lifesavers for people with diseases involving dangerous photosensitivity, such as xeroderma pigmentosum and lupus.” Consumers with heightened photosensitivity due to medications will greatly benefit from installing window film as well.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protect Furnishings from Premature Aging and Fading: As damaging as ultraviolet light can be to the human body, it also causes damage to our homes and belongings. Consistent exposure to UV radiation, visible light, and heat are contributing factors to premature aging and fading of artwork, carpets, fabrics, furnishings, and flooring. The Louvre, Smithsonian, and Guggenheim have protected their valuable museum pieces by installing the same window film offered to you by America’s Best, Inc.

 

Anti-vandalism: Taggers today are in competition with each other as they etch and spray paint surfaces in their neighborhoods. All it takes is one instance of graffiti to begin an escalating competition amongst fellow vandals resulting in wide spread defacement of property. For this reason, it is very important that each instance of graffiti be removed quickly. Graffiti-Free® film is a multi-ply film designed to protect glass and polycarbonates by acting as a barrier between the vandal and the glass eliminating the need to replace costly glass. As demonstrated in the above photo, simply peel the film away and install a fresh layer of film to protect the glass from future vandalism. Graffiti-Free® film is currently being used worldwide by many transit authorities as well as the Smithsonian, the Louvre, New Scotland Yard, and many other landmark structures.

 

 

Safety: Security and safety films may be used to protect against break-ins, accidents, and natural disasters. Even the most basic window film will help prevent accidents from broken glass by holding the glass together.

In addition to preventing unwanted eyes from seeing in, installing window film helps to prevent intruders from breaking in to your property. Many intruders choose windows as a means of quick and easy entry. When security film is installed, intruders find that windows are not the easy entry way they imagined allowing law enforcement more time to avert the crime. Click here for a demonstration of how Madico safety film can help protect you from accidents and break-ins.

In the event of a natural or man-made disaster, it is crucial to reduce the amount of falling, flying, or broken glass. OSHA reports that “most earthquake-related injuries result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects…” Hurricane force winds turn shards of glass in to deadly missiles. Madico carries “the most tested safety and security window films” by meeting and exceeding “more test standards than any other, including meeting categories B & C large missile impact criteria for ASTM E 1886/E 1996 as required by the strict Florida Building code for hurricane mitigation.” Click here for a demonstration of how Madico safety film can help reduce loss caused by natural or man-made disasters and accidents.

Made in the U.S.A.: While there are many window films available for sale, America’s Best, Inc. uses high quality, globally recognized, Madico films which are made in St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.A.

There is so much to offer in window films and new products are constantly being developed. Window film is inexpensive, easy to install, easy to clean, does not require any chemicals, is durable and stands up to extreme weather conditions. We have come a long way from the days of purpling window tint and vapor deposition aluminum or silver films. Window films are about a lot more than shielding from the sun or styling your vehicle. Give us a call to discuss how America’s Best, Inc. can help you with your window film needs.

(866) 946-2532


History of Spring Cleaning


It’s spring time and after all the rains and cold weather, nature is calling to all of us to come outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. I imagine that every year, for thousands of years, it has been the same. Spring comes and all we want to do is take time off to go outside and enjoy. If this is the case, then why has mankind, rather than answering this call to make the great escape, chosen to engage in furiously cleaning everything they own from top to bottom every time spring rolls around? What is “spring cleaning” and who came up with it?

I have to admit that this year, as much as I want to get outside and enjoy the birds singing and the sunshine, I also have an urge to empty everything out of my closets and paint my master bath! I began to do some research as to where this “spring cleaning” comes from and found that there does seem to be some logic to it. After all, who wants to paint their house when it is snowing? Spring seems to be the perfect time to get all of that work done. The weather is neither freezing nor roasting. In the sunny Southern California mountains where I live, the weather ranges from over 110 degrees Fahrenheit to 12 degrees. Spring and fall seem to be the only times of the year where it is comfortable to do any sort of house work without the aid of air conditioning and heating.

So why spring and not fall? Some have suggested that the reason we clean in the spring is biological. Because of the reduced sunlight we are exposed to during winter, we have more melatonin that is produced by our pineal glands resulting in sleepiness. When spring rolls around, the extra sunlight causes a reduced melatonin level allowing us to “wake up” and desire to do the things we’ve been putting off all winter. That certainly rings true for me. This spring I suddenly have an urge to get out and run in the field across the street from my house, break out the jet ski, and sand blast the peeling texture coating from my house.

The wisdom of cleaning in the spring rather than the fall is partially because you have just come out of the cold of winter. Historically, during the cold months, the yuck and muck would have been building up in mattresses, rugs, drapes, blankets…you name it. Imagine yourself, in the dead of winter, washing these items without the convenience of electric dryers and vacuum cleaners? Mattresses once upon a time were made with straw tick or other natural materials. In order to clean these, they would typically wait for spring to replace the old fillings with fresh dry hay, etc. Rugs would be taken out in the sunshine and beaten to loosen the debris and expose them to fresh air. Laundry would be washed and hung out to dry. I imagine it was much more comfortable to clean any number of things in the temperate weather of spring. In 2012, it’s difficult to comprehend cleaning without Windex, Pledge, Easy Off, vacuum cleaners, or electric washers and dryers. I have a great respect for our ancestors who did this work day in and day out, year after year, without the aid of modern conveniences. I certainly respect their wisdom to save the bulk of it for the right time of the year.

There appear to be some religious and cultural ties to spring cleaning. From ancient times in Israel, just prior to Passover (Pesach), the people would rid their homes of any leavened food products as a remembrance of their hasty flight from captivity in Egypt. Observant Jews continue today to thoroughly “spring clean” their homes followed by a removal of even small crumbs of leavened food on the evening before Passover begins. The ancient Catholic tradition of thoroughly cleaning your home the first three days after Palm Sunday seems to have been converted from the Jewish tradition. In Greece and other Orthodox nations, many observe Clean Week, a week of spring cleaning occurring before the first week of Great Lent. In China and Iran, spring cleaning was observed in connection with their new year. The Iranian practice, literally translated, means “shaking the house.” I do not know whether or not our “spring cleaning” comes directly from these cultural and religious practices, but it is fascinating that so many different places and peoples value cleaning at this time of year enough that it has become part of their tradition, both modern and ancient.

So here we are, during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter according to the Gregorian calendar. What better time to break out the cleaning tools, dump out those closets, fill up those bags for the Salvation Army, paint that master bath, and sandblast that house! While you are at it, why not give us a call at America’s Best and have us come out to make those windows sparkle and freshen that house or pool deck with a pressure wash in preparation for all the fun you are going to have during the hot months ahead. Let us come repair or replace your missing screens so you can fling wide those windows and doors and enjoy this beautiful world God has made for us.

- Happy Easter and have a blessed Passover from America’s Best, Inc.

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