According to Housing Wire, Americans spent an average of $9,081 on home improvements in 2018. Homeowners cited that fixing damage, defects, or decay were the top reasons for spending money on home improvements.
One way to improve your home is to add tinted windows. Window film or tints help to encourage more privacy and can help to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Read on to discover how you can find the best home window tint.
Why Should You Get Window Tinting?
Window tints are a great option when it comes to improving your home because they have many benefits. Window tints can help to give you and your family more privacy when it comes to passersby, which is great if you live on a lively street.
Window tints can also help to protect you, your family, and your possessions from harmful UV rays. UV rays can come through windows and harm your skin and damage your furnishings and floors. However, tinted windows can help to block more than 99% of UV rays.
Other people choose to get tinted window film installed to help reduce the heat in their homes and boost their energy-efficiency. Window films can help to lower your heating and cooling expenses in summer and winter by reducing the solar heat and reducing the hot and cold spots inside your home.
Another advantage of getting tinted windows is that they can help to make your home more secure and safer. The material the window film uses is a heavy-duty polyester that can withstand hard blows and helps to protect the glass. This means that your home is better protected against storm damage, natural disasters, or thieves.
What Type of Window Tints Are Available?
When it comes to finding the best window tint for your home, you first need to familiarize yourself with the different types of tints available.
Local window tinting companies will be able to discuss which windows will work best for your home and show you comparisons of the different options. The comparison chart will help you see the difference between the window film’s thickness, visible light transmission, and the total solar energy rejection. Typically you’ll be presented with the following options:
Solar Control Window Tints
Solar control window tints are designed to block harmful UV rays from entering your home and are great at keeping your home cooler. Many people enjoy solar control tints because they help to save money on energy bills when it comes to cooling costs. Solar control window tints are ideal for letting natural light in.
If privacy is the main concern of yours, these windows are also great for ensuring daytime privacy. However, at night these window tints might not be the best for privacy because if the lights are on, people outside might be able to see in.
Decorative Window Tints
Decorative window tints are great for making your windows look more attractive. They come in a variety of colors and designs, which means you can choose the right one for your home. Decorative window tints can also be customized, so if you want bespoke windows then this might be the right option for you.
Not only do they look great, but decorative windows also help to block out up to 90% of harmful UV rays. Decorative window tints might also be right for you if you want to still enjoy natural light and improve your home’s privacy.
Decorative window tints are often more expensive, especially the customized ones, however, they are removable and can be re-used.
Mirror Window Tints
Similar to the solar control tints, mirror window tints are affected by light. This means that those wanting privacy at night might be better opting for other types of window tints. Installing outside lights might also help to ensure greater privacy at night.
However, mirror window tints are great for blocking UV light from coming in and for ensuring maximum privacy during the daytime.
Blackout, Whiteout, and Translucent Window Tints
These three window tint options are perfect for ensuring maximum privacy whether it’s daytime or night time. Blackout window tints are ideal for those wanting maximum privacy, as they don’t allow any light to come in. However, this means that there’ll be no natural light in your home and these windows also absorb heat.
Whiteout window tints are perfect for blocking the view into a window. Similar to a blackout window tint, the whiteout window tint is great for exterior windows that need privacy.
Meanwhile, most people opt for the translucent window tint option because it means you get all the privacy that the above two options provide, but you also get natural light. The translucent window tint has a frosted look (similar to that of a bathroom window) and ensures that people can’t see into it.
How to Install Window Tints
It’s always advisable to have your window tint installed by a professional who is fully qualified and certified. The experts will be able to discuss the tinting process with you and answer any questions you might have about the job.
Not sure how to find window tinting experts in your area? Do a quick search online using the phrase ‘window tinting near me’ or look in your local directory to see who can help you. Alternatively, if you’re based in Chicago or the Southwest Suburbs then Tint To U is one of the best home window tint professionals around.
Once you’ve found a local window tint company, make sure you check out their reviews and ask them about their experience, get a quote from them, and ask about their warranty. Remember to choose the experts who are the most passionate and knowledgeable, as opposed to the cheapest.
Enjoy More Privacy and Better Protection With Tinted Windows
Whether you want to improve the privacy in your home, protect your family from UV rays, or improve your home’s energy efficiency, installing window tints is a great solution. Use our above guide to find out how to find window tints that are right for your home and your needs.
For more home improvements and DIY tips make sure you check out our other articles.
