Back in 2004, the owner of a New York City apartment needed a solution to fend off the sun. Perched high above Manhattan with a 360-degree view, the space was exposed to solar energy from every angle. Its expansive windows left valuable artwork and furnishings vulnerable to fading and caused the space to heat up to uncomfortable levels.
“They approached me for the best window tint I could give them,” shares James Lafollette, Owner of James Window Tinting in Pine Island, New York. “I gave them Hüper Optik’s Select Sech. The apartment looks out over every part of the city, with a perfect view straight into Central Park.”
2004 Project Overview
Building / Location: Bristol Plaza, New York, Floor 49
Product Installed: Hüper Optik Select Sech (1,500 square feet)
Installer: James Lafollette
“One of their couches was worth $75,000 on its own, so protecting the furniture from fading was critical,” James adds. “I brought a large sample of Hüper Optik Select Sech to the consultation and applied it directly to one of their windows, right next to an uncovered window. Once they saw the difference in solar energy rejection, they were sold. They wanted the best, and this was it. I had installed Sech in several art galleries across the city to protect artwork, so I knew it would deliver.”
In 2025, when the apartment underwent a full renovation, including brand-new windows, the apartment owner had window film on his wishlist yet again. And when James got the call, it was clear that even after two decades, the choice remained the same: Hüper Optik.
2025 Project Overview
Building / Location: Bristol Plaza, New York (Floor 49)
Product Installed: Hüper Optik Ceramic 70 (1,500 square feet)
Installer: James Lafollette, returning two decades later
“When a customer asks what kind of film to get, I tell them I need to visit their location and read their situation,” shares James, who has been installing Hüper Optik’s lineup of products for 22 years. “I ask, ‘What’s your problem with the sun?’”
When James returned to Bristol Plaza 21 years later, he was greeted by familiar faces.
“The elevator attendants, the front desk staff, they all asked how I’d been,” James shares. “They remembered me from 21 years ago. That meant a lot.”
As the project progressed, word started to spread.
“The word’s gotten out about Hüper Optik,” James says. “People are stopping me to ask for estimates. On the 42nd floor, 46th floor; anywhere windows have recently been replaced. They want the same solution that their neighbors are using. The clarity of Ceramic 70 is phenomenal.”
An Overhead View of the Journey
After completing the Hüper Optik Ceramic 70 installation for his long-time client, James paused to take in the apartment’s sweeping 360-degree view. As he looked out at the city, he spotted high rises where he had installed Hüper Optik film over the years. Each structure stands tall as a marker of his journey.
“It’s the best feeling you could ever have,” James says. “There’s nothing better than the feeling of accomplishment.”
A Four-Decade Career Built on Putting Customers First
On July 14, 2025, James, now 63, started his 47th year in the window tinting industry. One constant defines his journey: a deep, unwavering commitment to his customers.
“I’m a professional,” James says. “When I say I will be somewhere at a certain time, I’m there. When I promise to do something, I get it done. I don’t play games. I make sure my customers come first. They always have, and they always will.”