One of the questions homeowners often ask is whether or not they can tint their home windows. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of home window tinting and the costs associated, as well as what you need to consider before making this decision.
Can you tint house windows?
Yes, tinting on your home windows is an excellent option if you are looking to reduce the amount of indoor heat in your house during those hot summer months.
RC Window Films offers a wide range of tinting options for you. Options for home window film go further than just tint. We also provide opaque window films to eliminate visibility and still allow light and blackout window films to abolish visibility and to light altogether, as well as security window films to keep out those, would-be thieves. Whether you are looking to reduce the amount of heat, light, or both, we’ve got you covered.
Tinted house windows pros and cons
Window film is the best way to reduce the heat coming in without sacrificing the view through your windows. Not only does window film keep the heat out in the summer, but it also keeps the heat in during the winter, which will reduce AC and heating costs.
Have you ever stood by a window when the sun is shining directly on it? It gets hot, pretty fast, right? That’s because windows are the primary way heat is let into a home. If you are thinking about ways you could make your house cooler, we offer window tints that are specifically effective against heat. As an added benefit, you’ll have protection against UV damage, glare, and even cold weather.
Advantages of window home tinting
- Reduce heat
- Reduce the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays
- Block annoying glare
- Improve home privacy
- Improve home security
- Protect your artificial turf or grass from melting
Reduce heat
Window tinting your home is a great way to reduce heat. The way window tinting works is in 2 primary approaches, light absorption, and reflection. Light from the sun has several forms of energy within the Electromagnetic spectrum.
The most impactful forms of energy generated by the sun, in terms of heat impact, are visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet. For this reason, Window films are made to meet customer demands specifically. Depending on what you are looking to accomplish, window tints can be more reflective or transparent. In many cases, customers want to maintain inside visibility while reducing heat; this allows you to obtain more privacy while improving heat resistance.
Transparent window films that provide heat rejection are those that reflect IR (Infrared light). These films are often transparent, but many absorb a lot of heat. Customers and installers have to be careful when deciding to use these films as they have the potential of damaging glass, seals, and even have adverse effects on the performance windows. These types of window films are often referred to as Ceramics window tint.
Reduce the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays
Exposure to UV rays can cause discoloration and can cause irreparable damage to your property, furniture, precious paintings, and even skin.
There are two types of ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB radiation are especially harmful to your skin;
- UVA is associated with skin wrinkles and aging.
- UVB is the leading cause of sunburn
Want to reduce fading? See our section on Fade Proof Window Film.
Block annoying glare
Window tinting films are specially designed to block the sun’s glare but still allow some natural light to pass through. Blocking glare is a matter of reducing visible light. In the window tinting industry, visible light is referred to as VLT. The lower the VLT number, the less light the film allows to transfer through, meaning the more glare you block.
We typically recommend that our customers stick to 15% VLT for homes and 10% VLT for commercial and office setting when choosing a film for glare.
Improve home privacy
Privacy window tint for homes often requires a multi-layered film that’s known as a dual-reflective window film. This type of film and similar films are great if you’re looking for day time privacy while maintaining your view looking out.
If you require complete privacy, your options widen, especially when night time privacy is needed. The options range from decorative films of which there are thousands of options to choose from and frosted films, which also have equal options of variations to choose from. The downside of many decorative window film options is they eliminate your view through them as they obscure your view both at night and day.
Improve home security
If you have cameras or a security system, you can deter some criminals from attacking your home. These types of systems help prosecute those who illegally enter or steal from your home, but this is the reactive approach and is a headache in itself.
Security films, on the other hand, provide tangible protection against criminal activity involving unauthorized access to your home. Security window films strengthen the existing glass by reinforcing it and securing it to the frame of the window. In this video example, you can see how effective it can be when working to prevent entry.
Stop window reflection from burning your turf
Energy-efficient windows are great, but there’s a little hidden secret becoming more of an issue in today’s water conservation efforts.
To conserve water, homeowners in California and other states are opting for artificial turf as an alternative to natural grass. However, for logical reasons, many people don’t consider windows in this equation, but it’s essential to keep your windows in mind when considering turf.
Energy-efficient windows can reflect a lot of energy that, when intense enough, can melt or even burn turf, patio furniture, and also siding if you want more information about Turf Shield Window films, <Click here>.
Disadvantages of window home tinting
- Home tint is expensive
- Poor quality films can fail
- A bad installation can damage windows
Home tint is expensive
The average cost of tinting a home is from $7 to 12 per square foot; most homeowners spend between $300 and $1200 for professional installation. Window tinting installation companies will also charge more for odd windows or windows on the second floor; their price may include a minimal travel fee. This is mainly based on the size and number of windows you need tinted.
For a more accurate estimate of your home, we look at a combination of factors.
- The total square footage of coverage.
- Type of glass it’s installed on.
- The accessibility of the windows, such as the height and obstacles. (Exterior Window films are Great in these cases)
If you have more questions about pricing feel free to Call Us. (951) 595-2338
If your a do-it-yourselfer window film, kits are available, however, their life expectancy is low, and warranties are non-existent. Not to mention, if you install the wrong film, you can potentially damage the window, which can mean significant costs associated with the repair caused by poor installation or improper film installed.
Poor quality films can fail
Mediocre quality films utilize lower quality adhesives and polyesters. Quality adhesive and polyesters are the bases of films; it’s essential that the quality of these base materials is second to none. These two materials, however, do have subpar options, and in many cases, new window film companies use them to lower the cost of goods. This savings isn’t passed to the consumer, however.
While at first look these films look the same they do-not last as long, or work as well. Mediocre quality films, bubble peel, and delaminate, increasing the cost of removal and replacement.
RC Window films using only top-quality window films that carry a lifetime warranty for your peace of mind.
A bad installation can damage windows
Tinting house windows is an easy process. However, like anything in life, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when installing window film.
- The type of glass your installing window film on – installing window film on the wrong type of glass can damage seals and even crack the glass.
- It’s important to know if there is a coating and if that type of coating present is compatible with the film you may be installing.
Using a Glass check meter is one of the best ways to identify these coating as well as the compatibility of the film to the glass. When a professional installation company comes to your home take note of this type of tool and tools like it. If they do not know the parameters they are working with the likely hood for error is greater.
Choosing the Best home window tint
Choosing the right film is depends on several different factors. The best window film, in our opinion, is the one that solves the issues that are specific to your needs as a customer. There are hundreds of films in our arsenal to address a wide range of light, heat, glare, UV rays, security, and privacy.
The right film is one that matches your needs and one that compatible with the glass you have; having the right tools and meters to identify the glass is half the battle. The remaining decision lies in your needs and wants as a customer.
At RC Window films, we do all of the above to ensure the best solution for you and your particular situation. We always use the latest technologies to provide the best solution technology can provide.
How long does it take to tint home windows?
Home window tint can be installed in as little as a few hours. Big projects can take a day or more depending on square footage.
After a consultation and a presentation of products and solutions, a dealer will set a date for the installation, which usually occurs within a week. On the day of the installation, they’ll clean the windows and install the pre-cut film.
At RC Window Films, we work quickly and carefully to give you the best results and keep you cool!