Residential Window Film

V-Kool applied window film is protecting heat-sensitive fabrics from ultra violet (UV) fading damage at eight Calico Corners' fabric stores nation wide, V-Kool, Inc. announced today.

Even in winter UV through existing glass was fading fabrics and furniture in Calico Corners' display windows. "Had we not taken quick action, we might have sustained as much as $3,000 in fading damage in one store alone," says Lisa Finn, property manager coordinator at Everfast, Inc., parent company of Calico Corners.

Calico Corners' solution to UV is V-Kool, a clear applied window film that blocks UV and solar heat without significantly reducing visible light. Approximately 600 square feet of V-Kool has been installed in each participating Calico Corners' store.

"We could have cut down on UV and heat by using a dark reflective film, but that would have prevented people from clearly seeing fabrics on display in our store windows," says Ms. Finn. "Using our windows to display our fabrics helps increase customer interest."

Because Calico Corners puts fabrics on display in store windows the chain always leases space in buildings with expansive amounts of glass.

"In the past after launching a new store we would wait to evaluate whether window film was necessary," explains Ms. Finn. "Now we install V-Kool on an as-needed basis before opening the doors for business."

Blocking ultraviolet radiation

Although ultraviolet energy makes up only 3% of the sun's energy, it accounts for an estimated one half of fading damage to carpets, draperies, and furnishings.

Traditional "solutions" to UV have involved the use of lined draperies and curtains, shutters, and tinted applied films. All of these approaches compromise windows by blocking light, yet few of these provide the same level of UV protection as V-Kool applied film.

"V-Kool applied film successfully blocks 99% of damaging UV radiation, while still appearing clear and almost colorless," says Marty Watts, president and CEO of V-Kool, Inc. "Conventional single pane glass lets in about 150 times more UV radiation."

V-Kool is a trademark of V-Kool, Inc., the worldwide exclusive distributor of V-Kool heat reflective applied films for architectural, automotive and specialized vehicular applications.

V-Kool, proudly participates in Energy Star® a voluntary partnership among the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, product manufacturers, local utilities and retailers. Energy Star partners promote energy efficient products using the Energy Star logo and by educating consumers about the benefits of energy efficiency.

V-Kool's solar control films are manufactured by Southwall Technologies, Palo Alto, CA, whose window film technology was recognized by Popular Science as one of the 100 greatest inventions of the past millennium.