Saturday, December 31, 2011

Besides Armor Glass, You Need This...


We have reports of attempted break-ins on residences that had installed our Armor Glass security film. The burglars didn't get through our film, so they broke the locks instead.

Therefore, we recommend homeowners ALSO install a better lock OR this "Tuff Strike" shown in the photo. Notice that instead of a couple small screws it has two long shafts that are drilled into your door jam. The screws are what gives way first if kicked.

We do NOT sell the locks or Tuff Strike but you can order one from one of of our sales reps - Happy Doors. You can reach them by calling Les at 713-516-4460. Not only do they refinish doors but they also sell the heavy duty "Ultimate Lock."

Happy New Year!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Interview on "Business Newsmakers"

Here is a link to an interview just published on "Business Newsmakers"...Check it out.

To SEE THE VIDEO scroll Down to the bottom of the link>

http://www.thebusinessmakers.com/episodes/shows/2011/december-2011/episode-342/michael-fjetland.html

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

$500 Tax Credit Expires Dec 31, 2011

The energy efficiency tax credit for 2011 is $500 and EXPIRES on December 31, 2011. In 2010 that tax credit that helped homeowners save energy and money on energy efficiency upgrades was $1,500.

In 2012 the tax credit will be ZERO>

Tell you Congressman that you want the Energy Efficiency Tax Credit reinstated in 2012 - it helps homeowners who install radiant barriers, insulation and heat-reducing/hurricane-burglar protecting security window film on their homes!

Monday, December 19, 2011

For the week before Christmas, I've got a LOT to do - doing another install today plus more measurements from Galveston to Houston. SOme of it is for hurricane protections, some for burglary security...Plus it saves money on energy costs by cutting solar heat.

Love this Green+Security business...

Here is a 4 minute video about it.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Freak Past-Season T.S. Washi - Kills over 400 in Philippines

Mother nature is doing some freaky things - like generating hurricane force winds AFTER the season has officially ended.

Hurricane season is supposed to end November 30 (north of the equator). However T.S. Washi just hit the Philippines with just under hurricane force winds (70 mph) and killed over 400 people, most from flooding as they slept!

Here is a link to the video:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/16231450

2011 ranks as one of the Weirdest weather years - over 14 Extreme Weather events in the U.S. costing over $50 billion, and now a freak post-season Tropical Storm Washi in the Pacific.

Makes you wonder, what's next?

Burglaries, Burglaries, Burglaries - Everywhere

Here is a list of recent TV news items. See if you notice a similarity:


3 Arrested In NW Harris County Home Burglaries

video

November 07, 2011

http://www.click2houston.com/news/3-Arrested-In-NW-Harris-County-Home-Burglaries/-/1735978/4723028/-/tkeofp/-/index.html

Police: 16 Burglaries In Less Than A Week

video

October 27, 2011

http://www.click2houston.com/news/Police-16-Burglaries-In-Less-Than-A-Week/-/1735978/4724012/-/1u4trs/-/index.html

Burglars target Clear Lake homes

video

November 15, 2011

http://www.click2houston.com/news/Burglars-target-Clear-Lake-homes/-/1735978/4763056/-/pfw9aez/-/index.html

FM 1960 businesses burglarized

video

December 01, 2011

http://www.click2houston.com/news/FM-1960-businesses-burglarized/-/1735978/4860596/-/o8ck4oz/-/index.html

3 Meyerland homes broken into in 3 hours

video

December 02, 2011

http://www.click2houston.com/news/3-Meyerland-homes-broken-into-in-3-hours/-/1735978/4866986/-/aokwwv/-/index.html

Meyerland residents fed up with break-ins

video

December 15, 2011

http://www.click2houston.com/news/Meyerland-residents-fed-up-with-break-ins/-/1735978/5752096/-/y69l13/-/index.html

Pasadena police issue warning following break-ins

video

December 14, 2011

http://www.click2houston.com/news/Pasadena-police-issue-warning-following-break-ins/-/1735978/5662386/-/1397touz/-/index.html

Teen arrested may have committed other car burglaries

video

December 16, 2011

http://www.click2houston.com/news/Teen-arrested-may-have-committed-other-car-burglaries/-/1735978/5843592/-/sijmdxz/-/index.html

Rash of home burglaries in Pasadena

YEP - ALL over Houston (and every other city) we are having a burglary epidemic.

There is one solution. Last summer we installed our security film on a lady's house. 5 days later someone tried to break in one of those windows - and failed! (Normally it is a 30 day cure time).

Contact us for a FREE quote. Burglary is not seasonal like hurricanes and solar heat (which we also protect people from). It is a 24/7, 365 day a year threat...

Thursday, December 15, 2011

News Reports: Rash of Burglaries Everywhere

Several Houston TV stations are reporting a rash of burglaries all over Houston - from Pasadena to Sugar Land.

We have had several instances reported in which our security film prevented a burglar from breaking through the glass. In some case the burglar then broke the (cheap) lock.

We recommend that you "harden" your house by installing both a quality lock and Armor Glass Security film. Once on, you won't need to "board up" for a hurricane and its solar heat cutting properties will also save enough energy to pay for itself over time - not to mention protecting you from a nasty break-in.

Contact us for a FREE quote.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Hermes Broken Into - Armor Glass Could Have Prevented It


Yet another store has been broken into - this one the Hermes store in Houston. Thieves broke in and stole thousands of dollars of merchandise.

Sadly, this is yet another example of where Armor Glass security film would have prevented the burglars from getting in...GLASS IS A BUILDING'S WEAKEST LINK! It takes little effort to penetrate it.

Here is the link to the story in today's Houston Chronicle:

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/12-08-11-bye-bye-birkin-hermes-store-robbed/?utm_source=CultureMap+Houston+Alerts&utm_campaign=23f1a028d7-Luxury_store_robberies12_8_2011&utm_medium=email

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

"Loose Cannon" Hits House


Here's another reason to have Armor Glass Security film on your windows - Loose Cannons! Here's the story and article link:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef015437fa9d7a970c-pi

"'MythBusters' misfire sends cannonball through neighborhood
December 7, 2011 | 8:32 am


Mythbusters cannonball
A cannonball fired by the "Mythbusters" TV show plowed through a Northern California house, struck the roof of another house and smashed through a minivan's window in a science experiment gone wrong.

The mishap occurred Tuesday while the Discovery Channel show was testing out whether other materials are just as effective as a cannonball when fired from a cannon.

Instead, the mythbusters learned how effective a cannonball can be when it misses its intended target, according to KGO-TV San Francisco.

PHOTOS: 'Mythbusters' cannonball experiment goes astray

The cannonball was fired from a bomb range in Dublin, about 35 miles east of San Francisco in Alameda County. It was supposed to hit trash cans but instead soared 700 yards into the home of a sleeping couple, leaving a 10-inch hole in the bedroom wall.
The cannonball was traveling as fast as a bullet. It exited the house, bounced across four lanes of traffic, struck the roof of another house and then smashed through the window of a parked minivan.

No one was injured.

Neighbors said "MythBusters" often tries its experiments in the area, and they have grown used to hearing explosions."

Well, now you've heard it all. P.S. Armor Glass Security film HAS passed the "Large Missile" test! (Just in case "Myth Busters" are shooting off any cannons in your neighborhood!)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

California Hit With 140 mph Hurricane-Force WINDS!


In another display of Extreme Weather, winds of up to 140 miles per hour have hit California - equivalent to a CAT 4 hurricane! It knocked over trees and windborne debris broke windows.

One expert said: "I don't recall something like this in recent memory," said Brian Edwards, a meteorologist for AccuWeather.com. "In some places we've seen gusts over hurricane force, which for the Southwest part of the country is not something that usually happens. This is a one-every-10-years kind of thing."

"Normal" freak weather or not, it is yet another reason to "armor your glass" to protect your property's weakest link and your family.

The full story link is:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-winds-science-20111202,0,1624581.story

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Testimonial - from a Client who had a break-in


We just received this testimonial from a client who had a break-in:

"I was extremely pleased with Armor Glass film. It worked just as advertised. We were burglarized through a door with a large glass window and the glass held together with the film. The weak point was the plastic frame holding the glass in place.

It is clear this film offers the protection needed for hurricane force winds. It also offers a great first line of defense to discourage burglars who attempt to enter through the glass windows and doors.

Armor Glass film worked just as advertised.

Gary R"

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Burglars, Rioters & Iranians - Breaking Glass


The photo is a picture of Iranians breaking glass at the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran. Notice that the glass is definitely broken, giving the culprits easy access to the interior of the building.

But whether it is Iranians, rioters or just the ordinary everyday burglar, it is another example how Armor Glass security film protects people and property from intrusion through every building's weakest link - its windows.

It is the same film that was installed on Washington DC federal buildings after 9/11, including the Pentagon. But it doesn't cost a Pentagon price. We put it on a lady's house last summer. Five (5) days later someone tried to break in - and failed.

Armor Glass security film has done the same thing countless times --keeping vandals at bay. At the same time it also reduces solar heat and protects from hurricane force winds, making it unnecessary to "board up."

Who needs it? Anyone with glass windows....Call us today for a free quote.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Wacky News: Strongest Late Season Hurricane - High Rise Hazards

Two Wacky News items of note:

The strongest late season hurricane on record -- Kenneth -- reached CAT 4 status before diminishing to tropical storm strengh. Details at:

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/hurricanes/story/2011-11-25/kenneth-pacific-storm/51391834/1?loc=interstitialskip

And then there is this gem:

Pedestrians in England REALLY needed protection from Armor Glass when a man broke a high rise window with a fire extinguisher and started hurling furniture, computers, etc out the window in a fit of "office rage"! Fortunately, most of the pedestrians below were protected from being hit by a canopy. However the fire extinguisher landed on a car (wonder what his insurance agent will say?). Details at:

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/11/24/man-on-apparent-office-rampage-hurls-office-furniture-from-uk-high-rise/

Had our film been installed, the "office rager" would have been even more frustrated - he never would have been able to break through the glass! LOL.

You just never know when you'll need protection...

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Last Theft Rage :Eye Glass Frames

It appears that thieves have taken to stealing eye glass frames. Here is a link to a recent Washington Post article on this trend:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/thieves-set-their-sights-on-high-end-eyewear/2011/11/22/gIQAL4ummN_story.html?hpid=z10

"Thieves have hit eyewear shops in other parts of the country, too. In August in Miami, they stole eyeglasses, a television, three printers and a laptop computer, with a total value of $254,000, according to the Miami Herald."

One used a rock to break the glass: "in Grandville, Mich., police spotted a 41-year-old man hiding in a ditch outside an ophthalmology office, one he broke into using a rock, according to the Grand Rapids Press. The suspect was accused of stealing $13,000 worth of sunglasses and eyeglass frames."

Had the store been protected with Armor Glass security film, he never would have gotten in...

Frankly, burglars seem intent on stealing anything of potential value. If all you have is plain unprotected glass as a barrier, then they will have no trouble at all getting in.

Don't be a victim! Get protection.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Building Codes Outdated in Extreme Weather

Extreme weather is becoming the norm and building codes are not keeping up, according to Homeland Security experts in this article:

http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/building-codes-increasingly-unable-withstand-extreme-weather

"According to Munich Re, one of the world’s largest insurance companies, weather related incidents serious enough to cause property damage have risen sharply since 1980. The company says that extreme floods and windstorms have approximately tripled, while the number of days with heavy rainfall in South America, North America, and parts of Europe has also increased."

"Currently engineers build structures to survive a “hundred-year storm,” the term given to a massive weather event that has a 1 percent chance of happening in a year.

The increasing prevalence of these hundred year storm events has led engineers to debate what types of safety measures they need to build into new designs and whether older structures need to be retrofitted."

And finally this comment by an insurance company:

"Munich Re will now offer lower premiums to homes built to resist higher winds. The company has also refused to cover buildings in areas it deems too risk-prone and mandates wider floodplains."

How to make a house resist higher winds? Install Armor Glass certified security film that protects the building's weakest link - its windows - from blowing out. That leads to interior damage (including mold), dangerous flying glass, and roof loss from the pressure. It will also keep out human burglars, another extreme hazard.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Extreme Weather: The New Normal?

2011 has had 14 Extreme Weather events costing over a billion dollars each so far this year - from Super-tornadoes to triple digit heat waves to Floods to Drought.

A new report out suggests that climate change creates extreme weather conditions and that this may become the "new normal."
Link:
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/globalwarming/story/2011-11-17/report-blames-climate-change-for-more-extreme-weather-events/51276310/1

That means we can expect more of these freak events that are causing so much damage. Extreme weather in 2011 has produced costs of nearly $50 billion.

"Unprecedented extreme weather and climate events" look likely in coming decades as a result of a changing climate, says the draft report.

Bottom line? The need for Armor Glass security film will increase as a means to cut triple digit heat and avoid window blow outs from hurricane-force winds -- not to mention man-made actions like burglaries.

The $500 tax credit for energy efficiency improvements to your home will expire December 31, 2011. There is no expiration date on future extreme weather events...

Thursday, November 17, 2011

white house shooting: ballistics and explosions

The recent incident in which someone took shots at the White House shows why the government installed the same film as ours on all federal buildings after 9/11.

In addition, some buildings --like the white house --received ballistic glass, which is an entirely different animal.

The linked article talks about new federal construction that includes protection from explosions, hurricanes and break-ins. That job is done by our security film. Stopping a bullet requires something else - a very special and very expensive (and thick glass as described in this article:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15762682

Over 500,000 s.f. of our security film was installed on DC federal buildings after 9/11, including the pentagon. Yet the cost is a fraction of ballistic glass or even storm shutters.

You are more likely to face a threat from a break-in or hurricane-force winds than a bullet. Like this incident:

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/7-year-old-shot-in-N-Houston-home-invasion-2274024.php

Are your prepared?

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Police: Burglary Spike hitting Clear lake

Today's print edition of the Houston Chronicle had a report that Houston Police were concentrating their efforts in the Clear Lake area because of a dramatic increase in the number of burglaries.

It's the economy folks. Unless you have a police officer on your property 24/7 the next best thing is to have the protection of Armor Glass security film. In several recent burglary attempts, our film kept the intruders from getting through the glass.

In addition to our film we recommend homeowners invest in heavier duty locks, like the "ultimate lock." Only then will you have 24/7 protection.

Check out the two minute video that shows how it works at www.ArmorGlass.com

Monday, November 14, 2011

Another Break-in of a Business


I was on my way to breakfast this morning when this sight stopped me. Last night someone broke into this business in the Houston area. The manager told me that it was the second break in in the last two weeks.

Our security film would have prevented the illegal entry - and if it had rained it would have prevented interior damage from that as well. We bond the film to the frame, giving it additional support. The frames will failure before the film does.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Record Hurricane Season - 18 Storms Plus Alaska SuperStorm

We have made another record year for hurricanes in 2011.

According to the Star: "2011 is the 7th hurricane season to have 18 or more storms" (we have time for yet another before the season closes Nov. 30). Also it is "the first time we’ve had 18 or more storms in consecutive seasons, with 2010 having 19 storms." Here is their tally:

Year # of Storms:
2011 18*
2010 19
2005 28
1995 19
1969 18
1933 21
1887 19

In the meantime Alaska Faces One Of Its Worst Storms Ever, Forecasters Say. This storm is deeper/stronger than some major hurricanes. CNN has a good overview of the threat: "Alaska is facing a life threatening winter storm with near hurricane force winds, more than a foot of snow and severe coastal flooding, the National Weather Service says. "This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm which will be one of the worst on record over the Bering Sea and the west coast,"

It seems that "Extreme Weather" is becoming the norm.

Are you prepared?

Tornado Hits Near Kingwood School

Yesterday a small tornado touched down near a Kingwood (Houston) school. Students were moved to an interior space. What if the tornado had hit before they were moved?

This is another case where our security film on their glass would have provided protection schools don't have today. We bond the film to the frames so that windborne debris being hurled by the tornado would have It would have kept glass shrapnel from causing injury or death.

Not to mention that the tint version of our security film would have cut the schools energy bill and operating costs, enough to pay for itself over time.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Hail - Extreme Weather the "New Normal"?

Poor Oklahoma. After experiencing an earthquake larger than anything like it in 50 years, today its being hit by tornadoes and hail.

The biggest threat to a building is loss of its windows from stress caused by a shaking earth to windborne debris from tornado winds or falling ice balls.

Reports are that "extreme weather" may be the "new normal." Article link:
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/24/nation/la-na-extreme-weather-20110824

In each season this year, Oklahoma has had an extreme weather event. The U.S. has had over 13 extreme weather events in 2011. For example:

"The winter brought ice storms and snow from Mexico to Canada. The "Groundhog Day blizzard," which began in late January, brought Chicago to a standstill, dumped 21 inches of snow at O'Hare International Airport and killed 36 people.

But the spring and summer have packed a wallop of willful and dangerous weather. April spawned 875 tornado reports -- the 30-year average for the month is 135. The "super outbreak," as climatologists dubbed it, killed 327 people.

Floodwaters sprang from the Red River to the Ohio River. A string of enormous storms saturated the Ohio Valley, where precipitation was more than 200% above normal.

The Mississippi River crested from Illinois to Louisiana. As the Mississippi continued to rise, threatening major cities along its banks, a district judge ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to open the Morganza Spillway, inundating 4,600 square miles of Louisiana bottom land along with rural farmsteads and fields.

At times one weather crisis begot another. The storm cells parked above the Ohio Valley blocked the much-needed moisture from the Gulf of Mexico from reaching the southern Plains, exacerbating the region's drought.

Heat and aridity smothered Texas, where 2 million acres were consumed by wildfires in late spring. Another record."

Are you protected --from the heat and storms?

Friday, November 4, 2011

Burglar Meets Armor Glass Security Film


A client sent me several photos of his back door where a burglar tried to break through the glass door which had our film and frame bonding attached.

You can see they tried to beat out the glass. Normally one hit and the glass would have been a pile of fragments on the floor - and the burglar would just step through and "help themselves."

In this case, they didn't make it through our film. However, they were able to break a lock.

Moral: Invest in Armor Glass AND a heavy duty lock!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Another use for AG Security Film: In a Recording Studio!

I received a call today from a recording studio with an unusual request. They wanted our thickest film - 14 mil. Why? To put on the internal windows in their recording studio!

Why? Because the glass vibrates as a result of the instruments. The film would cut the high frequency vibrations being caused by the musicians.

We heard the same thing when we installed our normal 8 mil film on windows in Galveston that are old and thin. After it was put on the homeowners noticed that street noise was muffled considerably -- and they have protection from windborne debris strikes during a hurricane and from burglars trying to break-in.

It's always amazing to me the new uses for our unique product.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Yet Another Burglary Where Armor Glass Worked...

I just got this email today from a client:

"Michael- we had a break in at our house. ...THe good news is the window film worked great. I can show you some pictures that are pretty impressive.

I have replaced the glass in the door, but now it has no film. I would
like to get the film installed. - Gary"

Another example of Armor Glass security film at work! When the glass is broken by a burglar it prevents a breach - then the owner replaces the glass and we put new film on the replacement and they are "good to go again."

Note: When they can't get through the glass with Armor Glass film the next thing they do is break the lock on the door - so make sure you also get a heavy duty lock like the "ultimate lock" for your security.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Hurricane Season Recap

2011 has been a busy hurricane season. Here is the link to the Weather Channel breakdown of hurricanes to date. We've had 17 named storms and 6 hurricanes, of which 3 were major.

This count is less than 2010 at this point, which had 10 hurricanes of which 5 were major at this time of the season.

The season doesn't officially end until November 30, when it takes a six month break before commencing again next June 1.

In the meantime, we keep getting reports of break-ins at both homes and businesses. Those happen 24/7, 365 days a year. Our security film has prevented entry after burglars have struck on more than one occasion. With a down economy, that trend will continue.

It's never too late to get prepared..www.ArmorGlass.com

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Menu for Break-ins

I got a call from a client who had a couple windows replaced and wanted security film installed on the new glass. When I got there she told me that when they were watching the last Shuttle launch someone had broken in - but not through the windows that had our film. They had broken their lock! So they went out and had "Ultimate Locks" installed. She then told me about a friend of hers in Pearland who was home recently when someone broke through the bathroom window, where she had been drying her hair a few minutes before the incident. She ran outside and called police. Needless to say, she was very shaken. You just never know which window they will pick to break. Once more, it makes the point that windows are your weakest link for unauthorized entry. After that, make sure you upgrade your locks. I've heard good things about Ultimate Lock as well as "Pop A Lock" but do your own investigation. During depressed economic times, break-ins are a source of income for people who are looking to take some of your stuff to sell. Don't make it easy for them. Install Armor Glass security film and upgrade your locks!

RINA is Now a CAT 2 Hurricane - May Become a CAT 3

RINA is growing fast - it is now a CAT 2 hurricane and is predictable to become a CAT 3. It's track is still Northwest as it heads towards the Gulf of Mexico. It does pose a threat to the south coast of the U.S. but it is still too early to tell where it will go. Stay tuned and click "Follow" to get updates on our blog...

Monday, October 24, 2011

RINA is now a Hurricane - Where is it Going?

Boy, that was fast. This morning RINA was just a tropical storm south of us. This afternoon it had become a CAT 1 Hurricane! The water temps are so hot in that area that there is plenty of fuel to feed this beast. The hot water goes down deep so even as it churns up the deeper water it is still HOT enough to add fuel to the fire. The big question is: WHERE is it going? The computer models are unclear. It will be a few days before it becomes clear how much strength it will have and where it will hit. It is already nipping at Cancun, a popular tourist destination. In fact the President of my condo association is on a cruise ship that is probably getting hit by winds from RINA right now. Stay tuned...Stay prepared.

Tropical Storm RINA forms south of Gulf of Mexico

We have a potential hurricane forming just south of the Yucatan and Gulf of Mexico. It is currently Tropical Storm RINA. It is too early to tell WHERE it will go or how BIG it will get. Right now it is drifting to the Northwest towards the Gulf of Mexico. It may turn at some point but again it is too early to tell. WATCH IT during the next week as it develops. This poses a direct threat to the southern coast of the U.S. as well as Central America..

Friday, October 21, 2011

Customer Was Cool - Until Break-in Next Door

One of our reps talked to the owner of a retail business in Houston, who was cool to the idea of installing security film. They ordered enough for one bathroom window because it also blocked the view from outside.

All of that changed yesterday. Why? The night before someone threw a brick through the glass of a business next door.

Suddenly my rep got a call from the owner who was very shaken and said he "felt so vulnerable." His shop has a lot of expensive equipment which could have been stolen or damaged. The unlucky store next door suffered a loss over and above the cost of replacing the glass.

Now he wants our security film on ALL of his glass. With it in place, no one is going to break in using a brick or a crowbar.

Moral: Don't wait until its too late!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

WInds Blow Out High Rise Windows in Chicago

I just heard a report by Jim Cantore of the Weather Channel on NBC news in which he said: "Winds blew out windows on high rises today" in Chicago. And the winds were 60 mph! That's not even hurricane strength. Here is a copy of the written report by the Weather Channel...

Too bad that they didn't have Armor Glass security film because they would still have their windows intact - instead of dealing with flying glass and rain pouring in a broken window....

San Antonio Court break-in Suspicious

Authorities in San Antonio discovered five (5) men who had broken into the Bexar County courthouse.

They were from French Morocco and had maps of infrastructure in their possession. Apparently they had been traveling the country and collecting these maps as they went.As a former TV terrorism analyst, it raises the prospect in my mind that they were doing intelligence for a future terror attack on U.S. infrastructure - looking for ways to do the most damage, perhaps blowing up a pipeline or other significant target. It's hard to figure out what else they were doing there. Morocco is known for "free lance terrorism." That is defined as "lone wolf" types who are not part of Al Qaida but who want to do similar acts.How did they break in?

I have been inside the Bexar County courthouse. Check out the photo. All it would take is breaking a window on the first floor. Needless to say, the courthouse does not have Armor Glass security film protecting it...Stay tuned.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Houston: 60 Burglaries/day - One Every 30 minutes

In a recent article in the Houston Chronicle, it was reported that Houston experiences 60 burglaries a day! That's one every 30 minutes, 24/7. One major way of entering is by smashing windows. According to the news account: "Chances are, before you finish reading this newspaper, a neighbor's laptop, jewelry or flat-screen TV has been carted away by thugs. Burglaries went up at least 22 percent over the last four years, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of police data, and nearly 22,000 of us were the victims." Burglars are seldom caught. One resident told me that in his Sugar Land area, over 6 houses in a division with 40 houses have been hit recently. Another resident in Friendswood told me the same thing - the bad guys get off the freeway, enter the neighborhood, and hit a house where it appears no one is home. Recently in Sugar Land, burglars scaled a steel gate and throw a propane tank through a bedroom window. Before the homeowners had a chance to call 911 or defend themselves the burglars were on top of them - and terrorized them for some time before leaving with an undisclosed sum. Armor Glass security film would have prevented that breach. It would have given the resident time to call police and/or a weapon to defend themselves. It takes very little effort to break your glass (try it sometime - you'll be shocked how easy it is). Last summer we put our security film on a lady's house. 5 days later someone tried to break-in, and failed. Armor Glass security film kept her from being a victim. Don't wait to become the next statistic...Ask for a Free Quote.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

New Low Near Tropical speed in Southern Gulf - Stay Tuned...

A new low is forming in the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico near Cancun. It may be nothing or it might be a "pop up" tropical storm that may or may not become a hurricane. The season is not over until November 30 so keep your eye on the weather news the next few days if you are located on the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico (or in Mexico)... Click "Follow" or "subscribe" to get updates from the Armor Glass blog...

Got Riot? Protection from break-ins

The Occupy Wall Street protests have gone global - from Europe to Asia. In Rome, the protests turned violent, breaking windows and burning cars. Several banks had fire damage after protestors broke their windows and tossed burning debris inside. Armor Glass security film would have prevented that damage - by "armoring their glass." Break-ins are a 24/7 threat to homeowners and businesses even when there is not a riot going on. It happens even more in a down economy. Got protection?

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

A Window breaking Woman....

YIKES! This guy REALLY could have used Armor Glass Security film protecting his windows from his ex - who broke several of them! There's a better way of getting protection! http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Woman-accused-of-calling-ex-1-001-times-in-3-2215226.php

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Possible FL Tropical Storm

The Weather Channel reports that a tropical storm may form off Florida in the next few days. The entire east coast could be impacted.

Several hurricanes are spinning in the Pacific Ocean as well. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, reports of break-ins continue to grow. Armor Glass security film prevents break-ins and protects homeowners. It takes nothing to break through regular glass.

So "Armor your glass" with Armor Glass security films...protect your property and family.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Golf Ball Incident - Another AG Save

Rosemary, a customer who lives on a golf course just called. She said that a golf ball smashed one of the windows we had installed our security film on last year.

She said it "worked as advertised" and that "it kept glass from flying all over the house - there was no breach of the window.

Once she replaces the window (without having to put up a piece of plywood or worry about rain blowing in - if we ever get any more rain), then we put on a new piece of film on the new window and she's good to go again. All she has to pay for is the one piece of film, which is a very small cost.

And if it is covered by insurance then the insurance should also cover the cost of the replacement film since it was a fixture on the glass when it was hit.

I love this product! As she said "this is such a great product!"

Thursday, September 29, 2011

1 in 4 Hurricanes Occur in October/November

Hurricane season does not end until November 30. How much of a threat do they pose this late in the season.

According to these weather experts, one in four hurricanes occur in October and November. So we are not out of the woods yet.

And burglars operate 24/7, 365 days a year - so Armor Glass security film is still providing protection from break-ins from humans once the threat from Mother Nature has diminished (until it flares up again, as it will).

What other product also cuts your energy bill, enough to pay for itself over time?

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A Home Invasion Armor Glass Could Have Prevented

Here is another incident where Armor Glass could have protected people. At a $2 million mansion in Ft. Bend County, armed men jumped over a fence then broke a bedroom window to get in to rob the residents!

Our security film would have prevented entry - giving the residents time to call police.

Isn't it time you had Armor Glass security film installed on your house? It's not just for hurricanes and solar heat...

Monday, September 26, 2011

Breaking Glass to Steal Glasses - Another use for Armor Glass security

Every day I discover another valuable use for our security films that "armor your glass." Friday I got an email from an eye doctor's office.

It turns out that people are breaking the window glass to steal the eyeglass frames! Since I just got a new pair of glasses recently and they cost over $700 I can "see" why thieves would be targeting these valuable specimens made with high cost metals.

Same for pharmacies, storefronts and anyone with something valuable to steal. Breaking glass to enter a premises is EASY - just a hit or two and they are "in"!

The doc wanted the CLEAR film so people could still see the merchandise displayed inches from the glass wall, but not get to it even with a crowbar beating on it. We bond the film to the frames with a special structural sealant which holds the film to the frame. Without it, the tempered glass would detach from the frame and fall in!

Stay tuned for another chapter in the continuing saga of Armor Glass - protecting people and property like nothing else.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Armor Glass Goes Into Space! (Well...Almost)

Photo: Michael Fjetland, ready to launch

Well....let's put it this way. The CEO got to sit in a Russian space capsule at NASA (see photo). It's a two-seater without a lot of room. I didn't see a DVD player or TV in there either!

At the NASA event last night, I had the privilege of meeting the highly intelligent and interesting George Abbey Jr., the son of the icon who managed JSC for many years. By the time I left after a couple of glasses of wine, space didn't seem too far away! LOL.

Actually our technology is a product of the space industry - a high tech polycarbonate that saves energy and provides security. If they put a window in space, it will need Armor Glass security film!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

New Depressions forming in Atlantic

The Weather Service says that new depressions are forming in the eastern Atlantic. At leastLink one appears likely to develop.

Another tropical wave is expected to emerge off Africa as well.

Hurricane season isn't over until November 30. Stay tuned and Stay prepared...

Friday, September 9, 2011

Hurricane Update - "Nate" and "Maria"

There are two systems that pose a Hurricane risk at this time.

"Nate" in the Gulf of Mexico is now predicted by the computer models to move west into Mexico, possibly as a CAT 2 storm.

Meanwhile, Hurricane "Maria" is moving in the Atlantic. It may hit the U.S. east coast or turn out to the Atlantic - it is too early to tell.

Hurricane season does not end until November 30, so stay tuned!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Gunshots in the Night

This email was in our "inbox" this morning.

"
Guys,
Thought you might like this: woke up to gunfire last night at 2:30am. Threw wife on floor and got kiddo out of crib. Turns out that guy who shot the cop on FM 1960 decided run for it with his 3 friends and had a gun battle through my apartment complex. Two of these scumbags are still at large. Wish I owned the place so I could put armor glass up. I know I’ll do that when I get a house.

Mark"

Holy smokes! Actually no film will stop a bullet, but it would keep glass from spraying shrapnel into your family...

Friday, September 2, 2011

IRENE: Hundreds of Thousands Still Without Power

Hundreds of thousands of people are STILL without power after IRENE. And they are "mad as hell." We understand.

We went through that after Hurricane IKE hit Houston in 2008 - two days after Lehman Brothers went bankrupt and the financial collapse started.  We missed all of it.

It was weird. The rest of the world knew what was going on but none of us without power had a clue. I spent a week without it and that was long enough. Some people had to wait two weeks or more. It gets OLD fast - no TV news, no power for your cell phone, no A/C to cool off.

It was like being marooned on another planet. All we could do was sit around and wait for grocery stores to reopen and gas stations to get power so the pumps would work to get gas. Until then, we had to eat canned food since the freezer food had melted or spoiled.

And just like then, when electric workers came from all kinds of states to help us get powered up, the same is happening in the Northeast.

We are still doing things the "old" way - stringing power lines on poles, next to trees, which fall on the poles in a storm and knock out the juice. Or, in the north, ice gets on the lines, and they break.

In Texas this summer we are going through the worst drought on record. In the process, we discovered that the lack of rain leads to salt build up on the power lines, which causes them to short out! To prevent it, they were spraying water on the lines, sometimes with helicopters, to keep them working.

It's time we got into the 21st Century with our electrical grid. It needs to be put underground where trees and droughts will not knock out electricity.  The "cheap" way of doing things is not always the best, or the smartest.

If you don't think so, try going a week or two without power after a storm....

TD 13 - Good News Bad News

The depression in the Gulf of Mexico, which should become Tropical Storm LEE by Saturday offers Good News and BAD News.

The GOOD News: It may not reach hurricane strength before reaching land, but is expected to hit about 60 mph winds at its peak.

The BAD News: It is predicted to dump 15-20 " of rain in Louisiana and then curve to the NorthEAST, meaning Texas will get NOTHING from this system - no wind or much needed Rain!

Things could change in the next 24 hours. Check back and stay tuned...

Thursday, September 1, 2011

70% Chance Gulf disturbance will turn into Hurricane

There is a 70% chance that the disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico will turn into a hurricane in the next 48 hours, according to weather sources.

If you are a Gulf resident, keep your eye on this during the Labor Day weekend. This is one of those "pop up" storms we get with little advance warning. For those you love to put up plywood, this is your moment of decision.

Armor Glass security film clients won't have to board up, so they are prepared, except for buying food and water.

Stay tuned to this blog for daily updates...


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Watch Out for Labor Day Storm on Gulf Coast

Forget Katia - there is a tropical wave near Cancun that computer models show hitting somewhere on the Gulf Coast around the Labor Day weekend. It could provide just rain, or become a roaring hurricane.

It is not yet fully organized but the Gulf of Mexico waters are extraordinarily hot- nearly 90 degrees - which could ignite the afterburners and rev up a big storm with little advance notice.

Warm waters act like throwing gasoline on a fire when it comes to tropical storms. Hot water can turn a small tropical storm into a killer Hurricane in less than 24 hours. People used to having days notice to "board up" (the outdated way of preparing for a storm) may have less than 24 hours notice before it hits.

Whether or not it will rev up to hurricane strength is unknown. Keep your eyes on this one. It could provide a nasty surprise, or much needed rain, or both.

Fortunately, Armor Glass security film customers are already prepared and won't have to "board up" to be ready. While waiting on the next storm they are also getting solar heat relief and break-in protection.

Stay tuned. It will be a wild few days ahead. Anything is possible...

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

LEED Building Comparison with/without Armor Glass




Notice the difference in photos.

The first is a photo of how a LEED building looks after a hurricane -- with Armor Glass security film and attachment installed.

The second is a photo of how a LEED building looks after Hurricane IKE without Armor Glass security film and frame attachment (note the plywood replacing windows which were sucked out during IKE, not even a CAT 2 or above storm).

Notice the difference? The difference is millions of dollars in losses to the building owners and occupants, water damage and months of reconstruction --all could have been avoided using an Energy Star security film from Armor Glass.

Single pane glass, double pane glass and Low E glass: none are breach resistant. Armor Glass security film makes each of them hurricane/tornado/burglar resistant. They also save enough energy to pay for installation.

Armor Glass films are a way to make windows "low E" at a fraction of the cost, while "armoring your glass." Our films are "carbon negative" - it costs less to make them than what they save in energy.

A building loses 40% of its energy through its windows, which are often left unprotected and untouched in most LEED certifications for buildings located in a hurricane or tornado zone.

Armor Glass solar security film generates 1-4 LEED credits. Think of Armor Glass films as LEED Plus!

Which is better - to have a LEED building fighting hurricane force winds with Armor Glass security film, or without?

Ask your insurance company and tenants who lost windows during IKE...

Katia Forms in Atlantic - Target?


A new tropical storm KATIA has formed in the Atlantic.

It is too early to tell WHERE it will end up as it moves west. Some models say it will curve north and miss the U.S.

Others are suggesting that Texas will get hit by tropical moisture by Thursday/Friday of this week.

Keep in mind that we are approaching our peak time for hurricanes - mid-September. The season won't end until Nov. 30 so we have a long way to go.

Stay tuned! Get prepared! Stay prepared...

Monday, August 29, 2011

ANOTHER HURRICANE could be hitting the U.S. in 10 DAYS!!

ANOTHER HURRICANE could be hitting the U.S. in 10 DAYS!! Checking details...
It is just getting into our PEAK THREAT window....stay tuned on our Blog at

www.ArmorGlass.com

Don't look now, but Tropical Depresson #12 has formed

Don't look now, but Tropical Depresson #12 has formed in the Atlantic, right behind T.S. Jose, which is heading north into the Atlantic.

Fortunately, IRENE didn't form an eye wall and caused less damage than IKE (which cost about $25 billion in damages to the Houston area).

It ain't over right folks! September is the PEAK, and it won't end until Nov. 30...

Stay tuned! (And get prepared NOW).

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Advice for Those Facing Hurricane IRENE (from an IKE survivor)

If you are in the path of IRENE, do this NOW:

1) Get away from water. Some people in Bolivar Island near Galveston, TX refused to leave their houses when Hurricane IKE hit Houston in 2008. Their bodies were found in another county, along with huge piles of debris that floated across Trinity Bay. One man was found --alive--hanging in a barbed wire fence in an empty field, miles from his former house.

You are safer if you are not trying to avoid being drowned in high winds. The water will have a lot of floating debris like splintered wood, so it is to be avoided.

2) The weakest link of every building is the glass. The higher you are in a building the higher the winds. A CAT 1 on the ground will be a CAT 2 when you get over 25 floors high (and a CAT 2 becomes a CAT 3). The glass in a Houston Penthouse blew in during IKE. The residents tried to open the door to flee into the hallway -- but the wind pressure was so high they couldn't open the door! Imagine that scenario.

Flying glass from broken windows (or windows that are sucked out as happened to commercial buildings in Houston) will be the biggest threat after rising water. Glass is like shrapnel. A break causes internal air pressure that blows off the roof of houses and opens the building to water damage, mold and MONTHS of rehab. If you don't have armored safety glass or a chance to 'board up' try to cover the windows from the inside until this passes. It's all you can do at this point. After the storm passes, armor your glass!

IKE blew out windows over 50 miles inland. (IKE raised hell and blew out power all the way to OHIO, after hitting Houston in 2008). IKE was just a CAT 1, like IRENE might be when it gets to New York. IRENE is actually much wider than IKE.

If the hurricane "eye" passes over you - it's not over! Several TV crews in NC had that happen to them. They forgot that the winds would hit them again from the OPPOSITE direction. When that happened it knocked down their satellite dishes! Don't get out in it - a flying metal street sign could impale you.

3) Fill your bathtub with water - you'll need it to flush your toilet. Don't plan on drinking it.

4) Get a lot of bottled water. You'll need it for drinking and cooking.

5) Get a camp stove if you don't have a gas stove.

Your freezer will thaw so you'll end up cooking it ASAP (in Houston we had neighbors over for camp stove meals - a lot of people did the same). Then have canned food available because that's all you will get after the freezer meat is eaten or spoils - until restaurants and food stores can reopen. It took about three or four days for many of our grocery stores to reopen. A BBQ grill also comes in handy. Don't expect to have pheasant under glass (no pun intended).

6) If you have a car, get a full tank of gas. Power outages will prevent the pumps from working and you'll soon be out of gas. Even if the stations have gas in their tanks, without a generator they won't be able to run their pumps.

7) Get a solar charger for your cell phone. You probably won't be able to make calls if cell towers are down but texting usually works - the cell systems aren't designed for 100% use which tends to happen in a storm or 9/11 type event.

8) If you have a car charger for your phone you can recharge your cell just by plugging it in (leave the engine off - the big car battery should not run down for the tiny phone battery). If the battery does take low it will recharge when you start the car for an errand).

9) Get ready for a lack of electricity for days or a couple of weeks! Fortunately natural gas lines still worked after IKE so people with gas water heaters could take a HOT shower in the morning, even if the house was DARK and HOT. Just getting a hot shower every morning helps you feel better!

10) It will take a while for power to be restored - trees fell on our lines during IKE so some people never lost power and some were out of power for almost two weeks. It will happen whenever it happens. Nothing you can really do except get a generator - but few will run an entire house. And the noise of gasoline generators will drive your neighbors crazy. After a few days, I wanted to blow up the neighbors noisy generators after a few hot nights trying to sleep. Usually a generator is not big enough to run your air conditioner.

11) Watch out for people offering to "cut your trees off your house" after the storm, especially if they want a deposit. We had a lot of "cowboys" after IKE who showed up with a borrowed chain saw. Our neighbor hired one of them since a giant tree was leaning against his house. The guy cut a piece too big and it created a big hole when it fell through his roof!

12) Watch out for downed power lines. Stay away.

13) Houston's streets looked like "Sherwood Forest" after IKE - totally GREEN from leaves, branches, etc. Amazingly, people came out of their powerless houses, and starting sweeping! In a couple days it was all in neat piles on the side of the road.

Our rebuilding after IKE took over a year. It took a couple months just to get homes cleared of debris, trees off roofs, etc. It cost almost $30 billion in damages. Small businesses like mine (and a lot of people) lost three month's of income before things started to roll again.

Anyone hit by IRENE will face the same problems. Our hearts go out to you.

FORGET PLYWOOD FOR HURRICANE PROTECTION!

27 August 2011

For Immediate Release

FORGET PLYWOOD FOR HURRICANE PROTECTION!

Upgrade to 21st Century Technology

Do you still ride a horse to work? Then WHY would use plywood for Hurricane Protection? That’s last century’s technology.

Have you ever tried to lug a heavy plywood board up a ladder to a 2nd or 3rd story? It’s a suicide mission. Can you install plywood on a stucco house? No. Does it make sense on a glass building? No. Does plywood offer any solar heat reduction benefits or burglar protection? No.

It’s the 21st Century. Throw out yesterday’s technology – plywood-- and install hurricane-rated security window film on your glass. It goes on the inside of the glass, so you can put it on your 2nd floor or on the 20th floor of a high rise or on 50-story office buildings.

“Project Safe Windows” study of the 2004 Florida hurricanes found that it is windborne debris breaking a window that leads to roofs blown off due to the internal pressure. Window breaks also cause internal damages from water and flying glass, including mold. The study found that security window film made the difference between a house surviving a hurricane or being destroyed by high winds.

Armor Glass® Hurricane-rated security window film can prevent a breach even if the window is broken. It would have prevented the Chase Tower windows from being sucked out by the vacuum caused by Hurricane IKE.

It works 24/7. It saves energy costs enough to pay for itself. And it prevents break-ins by burglars. It can even protect people from an explosion. It costs a fraction of shutters and impact glass. Same film was installed on the federal buildings of DC after 9/11. Generates 1-4 LEED credits. Cuts UV 99%.

See how it works by viewing the 2 minute video on our website at www.ArmorGlass.com

For more info contact us via the website or call 713-213-5080.

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