The History of the Window

November 11th, 2011

Glass has been around for a long time, but it’s only been a short time that glass has been affordable enough to install windows in every American home. Here’s the story on glass:

Glass is actually a natural occurrence! In rare cases, such as a meteorite crash or lightning strike, extreme heat has melted stone, forming a glass substance known as tektite. Most estimates date human glass-use back to 3,000 B.C., during the bronze age.

The first glassblowers lived in Syria in 100 B.C. Surprisingly, all glass was colored up until the 15th century A.D. in Venice. In 1675, an inventor named George Ravenscroft created the first clear, crystal glass by adding lead oxide.

During all of this time, however, glass was delicate, expensive, and difficult to make, meaning that it was impractical to have glass windows installed in the homes of the common man. That all changed in 1902, when sheet glass came along. Irving W. Colburn invented the glass drawing machine, making it easier to mass-produce glass for use in windows. Glass was still dangerous, however, because it shattered into large, sharp chunks under impact. Safety glass then changed everything.

Safety glass came along by accident! A French Scientist named Edouard Benedictus knocked a glass bottle off a shelf, but it didn’t break, prompting Benedictus to investigate further. It turned out that the bottle had earlier held cellulose nitrate, a kind of liquid plastic, which had coated the walls and reinforced the bottle so it didn’t break. Because of this discovery, we now have glass for our homes and cars that doesn’t shatter under impact.

In 1966, 3M came out with the first patented window film, making it possible to add an extra level of sophistication and practicality to the appearance of window glass through Utah window tinting.

How to Clean Your Tinted Windows

October 28th, 2011

Tinting your windows improves the aesthetic of your home, lowers your energy bills, and preserves your carpets and furniture for much longer. But when cleaning your newly tinted windows, certain special precautions need to be taken.

At Glamour Glaze, we tint your windows using a special material called Mylar. Our materials have extremely low-reflectivity and are totally metal-free, but can fade over a long period of time if cleaned improperly. First of all, be sure to avoid ammonia-based cleaners, including Windex and most other popular brands. There are a couple of alternatives to ammonia-based cleaners:

  1. Purchase a tint-safe glass cleaner. Some examples include Stoner Invisible Glass, Detailer’s Pro Series Krystal Vision Glass Cleaner, and Meguiar’s NXT Generation Glass Cleaner. This tends to be the most expensive option. You’ll find tint-safe glass cleaners at your local auto shop if nowhere else.
  2. Make a cleaning solution yourself. Mix one cup of vinegar with two cups of water and a teaspoon of car wash detergent for a tint-safe cleaning solution. Apply the solution with a spray bottle. This is the least expensive solution, though it will fill your home, naturally, with the smell of vinegar.
  3. No matter what cleaning solution you use, be sure to apply it safely. Regular cloths can scratch and break the tint, so try using a soft sponge, a microfiber cloth, or some other, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth to get the job done.

When you’re having your windows tinted, leave the job to the Utah window tinting experts at Glamour Glaze.

What’s So Bad About UV Rays?

September 2nd, 2011

We often hear that UV rays are bad for us, but rarely is it mentioned just why UV is so bad. It’s true that UV rays cause premature aging of the skin and contribute to skin cancer. Here’s how it works:

Ultraviolet light is just like regular light, except that it is much more intense – its wavelength is much shorter are than visible, white light. If we could see it, ultraviolet light would be blindingly bright, but its wavelengths are short enough that ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye. Because they are so intense, UV rays are primarily responsible for sunburns. You don’t have to get a sunburn, however, for UV rays to damage your skin.

Collagen is an important part of our bodies. It is the connective tissue that holds together all of the other tissues in our body. That’s why collagen is so often noted as helping people to look younger and more beautiful. Collagen in our body naturally breaks down over time. However, UV exposure speeds up the breakdown of collagen. When collagen begins breaking down, your body emits little construction workers called metalloproteinases to manufacture and reform collagen. This process isn’t perfect, though, and so disorganized collagen fibers begin to develop, which causes wrinkles.

Fortunately, there’s one way to significantly reduce the amount of UV exposure in your home: have your windows professionally tinted! Window tinting blocks 99% of UV rays from entering your home, keeping your skin healthier and happier. To learn more, contact the Utah window tinting experts.

3 Reasons to Have a Professional Tint Your Car Windows

July 12th, 2011

There are dangers associated with tinting your car windows yourself. In Utah, window tinting is both stylish and sensible. Not only will your vehicle look great with a first-rate tint job, your upholstery will last longer and you’ll be able to drive with a reduced glare, improving the safety of your vehicle. But it’s best to have a professional take care of your tinting. Here’s why:

  1. Legal codes. A complicated set of laws determine the appropriate darkness of your window tint. Use the wrong shade and you might find yourself on the wrong side of the law! There’s a good reason for this – too dark and you not only can’t be seen behind the glass, but you can’t see through the glass well enough to drive.
  2. Bubbling and warping. Missing even the smallest spot can cause a bubble in your tint that will never go away until the window screen is removed. Each small mistake can be expensive. What’s more, if your window isn’t properly washed by a professional, debris may be caught beneath the window tint which will interrupt your field of vision while driving.
  3. The personal touch. At the auto store you’ll only be able to find one generic brand of window tint. At Glamour Glaze, we’re able to customize your look by providing a wide range of both shades and unique colors, depending on what you’re looking for.

Our Three-Step Window Tinting Process

June 15th, 2011

At Glamour Glaze, we take care to consider the specific dimensions and needs of every window that we tint. The time of day and exposure to the sun are all taken carefully into consideration when selecting the right tint for your window. There is a general procedure, however, for installing window screens. In simplified terms, here’s how it works:

  1. We carefully wash and scrape the window. Even clean-looking windows have more debris on them than you might think! If insufficiently cleaned, any dirt or dust left on the glass will be trapped there and become extremely conspicuous when the film is applied. The word “scrape” is nothing to fear – it’s simply a scratch-free procedure to make sure that every last bit of debris is removed.
  2. We apply the tint. It sticks to the window using a fairly straightforward adhesive. All adhesives come with a liner. We use a careful dampening procedure to remove this liner, which otherwise will immediately attract – and retain – dust.
  3. We carefully smooth the film to ensure that it doesn’t bubble or warp.

It takes a day to learn, but a lifetime to master. That’s why it’s important to have an expert select and install your tint for you. Small mistakes can mean staring at an unsightly bubbled or dirty window for the life of your home. For more information or to set up an appointment, call your Utah window tinting experts.

5 Good Reasons to Keep Your Old Windows

May 18th, 2011

The windows in your house are getting old. Your carpets are fading and you worry that your energy bills might start rising. So should you replace your windows? Probably not. Keeping those ancient windows and protecting them with a window tint can actually preserve your home better and save you a great deal of money in the long run. Here’s how:

  1. Quality: Windows 60 years old and older are framed with old-growth wood, a type that is now hard to find. This makes them more durable and longer lasting than almost any modern window.
  2. Longevity: If you replace your windows now, plan on replacing them again soon – 30% of replacement windows will be replaced once again within just ten years.
  3. Energy Efficiency: An old window, weather-stripped and maintained, can be just as energy efficient as a new one.
  4. Keep it green: Americans produce lots of construction waste. Between the 200,000 buildings that we demolish each year, we could build a wall of debris thirty feet high and thirty feet thick that encircled the entire U.S. coastline. Each window thrown away adds to this waste problem.
  5. Expense: At $250 per window replaced, merely having your windows tinted is a far more economical choice. A window tint will go much farther than a replacement, protecting your home from harmful UV rays, drastically reducing your cooling bills, and keeping intruders out. Check in with your Utah window tinting experts to find out exactly how much money you could save.

Secure Your Home with Window Tint

May 1st, 2011

A clear window is an open invitation for every peeping Tom and remembering to close blinds and curtains everyday and night is not an easy task. Tinted windows can eliminate these stresses, by keeping wandering eyes from invading your privacy all day and night.  Home window tint can bring peace of mind.

Home window tint can protect from premature aging

Besides protection from unwanted attention, window tint can also protect from skin damage by blocking out the sun’s harmful UV rays.  Since the sun accounts for nearly 75% of premature aging, window tint is worth the investment.

EUtah window tinting companies are the specialists on window tint applications. Look for one near your and be sure to try out their services. A cool look for your car or house is already an extra to the security and privacy your tint could give you.

Deter street crime and protect yourself from break-ins

When criminals try to smash glass covered with 3M™ Safety and Security Window Film they are often frustrated because the film holds the glass together. If burglars can’t get through the glass they may choose to move on to an easier target.  We are your Utah window tinting experts!

Give us a call to learn how Glamour Glaze can help you protect, beautify and add value to your windows: (801) 528-3865

Home Window Tint is Worth Every Penny

March 30th, 2011

We’ve said it so many times before because it’s true: window tinting can greatly increase the value of your home!  Here is a simple, but straight to the point list of all the many wonderful things window tinting can bring to your life:

  • With 3M™ Window Films you can blog up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays.
  • Protect the interior of your home and furniture from fading.
  • Lower your energy bills!
  • Keep your home cool with spectrally-selective films. They reject as much as 97% of infrared light from the sun.
  • Increase the value of your home (of course).
  • Glamorize the appearance of your home.
  • Choose from a variety of tints and colors.
  • Unlike traditional window films that tend to act like mirrors, our premium window films have incredibly low interior reflectivity. One style has reflectivity just 1% more than glass and the other is actually less reflective than glass.

Our comprehensive warranty is backed by a respected company

Because we are Utah’s premier Utah window tinting company, we can offer a limited-lifetime residential warranty and 15 year commercial warranty you’ll have peace of mind when you select 3M Window Films. It’s one of the most comprehensive warranties available and it’s backed by a company that will be around to make good on their promises. Give us a call to learn how Glamour Glaze can help you protect, beautify and add value to your windows: (801) 528-3865

How to Decipher Car Window Tint Laws

February 25th, 2011

These days, many people are tinting the windows of their cars because it adds to a car’s value and appearance. However, there is a lot to know about car window tint.  First of all, there are laws about how dark your tint can be and they vary in each state and possibly even each county.

Once you check out these laws the explanations may be unclear. and the only way to make sense of them is too learn about car window tinting lingo.  Here’s a quick look at some key tinting words:

Car Window Tinting Lingo

When you look up the tinting laws in your area you will probably see something like this:
4 inches / 35 % Film / 15 % Net / 5 % Net / 1994.

Here’s a simpler way to look at this:
Windshield / Front Side Windows / Rear Side Windows / Rear-Back Window / Year Passed

  • 4 inches/Windshield–this means the windshield cannot go any lower than 4 inches.
  • 35% film/front side windows—this indicates the percentage that may be applied to the front side windows.
  • 5% net/rear side windows—this signifies that 15% light must be able to go through both the window film and rear side windows combined.
  • 5% net/rear back window—this means that 5% light transmission is required on the rear back window and film combined.
  • 1994/year passed—this date is referring to the year the law became effective.

If you see the term ‘UnDef’ it means nothing has been defined by law. Almost all states and note that almost all states prohibit mirrored tint. You can find the laws in your area at www.tintcenter.com.

If you want your car to stand out at the car shows, consider colored window film. It enhances your cars appearance and sets you apart from all the others. Call us for color and prices. Black, yellow, red, blue, magenta, and green are some of the colors available. Give us a call to learn how Glamour Glaze, your reputable Utah window tinting company, can help you protect, beautify and add value to your windows: (801) 528-3865.

Top #5 Benefits of Window Tint for Homes and Businesses

January 31st, 2011

We know the economy is tough right now and it’s hard to justify spending money on beautifying your home or business, but keep in mind window tinting has become one of the most popular ways to beautify your home and business. Why is this? Because window tinting is not only inexpensive, it’s also cost efficient, and much more!

Here’s a list of the top 5 Benefits of commercial and residential window tint:

    1. Protects you and your family or your clients and co-workers from harmful UV rays
    2. Protects from being impaled by broken and shattered glass caused by a vicious storm or earthquake.
    3. Protects your carpets, floors and furniture from unnecessary fading caused by the sun’s rays.
    4. Lowers your energy bills by blocking in heat in the winter and keeping the temperature cooler in the winter.
    5. Increased productivity and satisfaction among occupants working in day lighted spaces, resulting in less turnover and the ability to charge higher lease prices.

      We offer the best window tint in the business

      With our window films you can allow natural light to complement or replace artificial light in your work space. Call us today, your prestige Utah window tinting company, for more details!