The Pros & Cons of Tinting Your Home’s Windows
Though practically unheard of a few years ago, home window tinting is becoming increasingly popular. Promising to keep your home cooler and more private, it’s not hard to understand why this type of window upgrade is attractive at face value.
If you’re considering making the purchase, however, it’s important to know that tinted windows also come with a few disadvantages. Here are the primary pros and cons of tinting your home’s windows or sliding glass doors.
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Call 410-795-3110What Is Window Film & How Does It Work?
Window film is a coating applied to windows to provide a tinting effect. It filters out light, heat, UV rays, and more. Window film is made of polyester film derived from PET plastic. Here’s how our team applies window tint:
- Cut and trim the window tint lining.
- Clean the area where the tint will be applied.
- Remove the tint liner to expose the adhesive.
- Press and apply the liner to the window.
- Remove air bubbles with a squeegee.
- Trim excess edges of the window tint.
Window film can reinforce the basic structure of your window. It also protects against scratches or shattering due to vandalism or severe weather. Additionally, tinting windows can alter the aesthetics of your home by changing the color, darkness, or reflectivity of your windows. If you’re interested in tinted windows but don’t want to replace your current ones, opting for window tinting services is a great solution.
Benefits of Home Window Tinting
Increased Privacy
For many homeowners, the primary benefit of tinted windows is the increased privacy they provide. During daylight hours, tinted windows and sliding glass doors make it almost impossible for anybody to see into your home.
If your home faces a busy street, they can allow you to enjoy natural light without constantly feeling like you’re on a stage.
Lower Summer Temperatures
Another main benefit of house window tinting is that it can help keep your home cool during the summer. Tinting reflects quite a bit of light, keeping the sun’s rays from increasing your home’s temperature.
This can make your home much more comfortable during the summer, reducing air conditioning usage and energy bills.
Fewer UV Rays
If you’ve ever wondered why fabrics tend to lose some of their color over time, the cause is generally UV rays. Most tinted windows or glass doors block out 99% of the UV rays that damage furniture, so they can keep your furniture looking new for longer.
Increased Security
The film applied when tinting your house’s windows is known to significantly increase the time it takes to shatter the glass. Shards of glass are typically kept together, making break-ins much more time-consuming.
Reduce Glare
Tinting your home’s windows can reduce the amount of glare that hits your computer, tv, and other screens around your home by blocking out more of the sunlight. Work or relax in peace during overly sunny days with tinted windows.
Drawbacks of Tinting Your Home’s Windows
Ineffective at Night
Despite many misconceptions, tinted windows are pretty ineffective at night.
If the lights are on in your home, tinted windows won’t prevent passersby from being able to see inside. This means that if you think tinted windows will mean you won’t need curtains anymore, think again.
Inconvenient During Winter
Tinted windows are ideal for keeping your home cool during hot summers, but they also keep the sun’s rays out of your home during winter. The result is a colder-than-usual home and increased heating bills.
Significant Financial Investment
If you live in an area where you generally spend more money on air conditioning than heating, you can expect your house’s tinted windows to save you quite a bit of money in the long run. However, regardless of where you live, getting your windows tinted isn’t cheap.
While prices will vary, on average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $8 per square foot for a professional contractor to tint your home’s windows.
Unlikely To Increase Home Value
Most home improvements can increase the value of your home, though window tinting is unlikely to do so. The reason for this is simple: though more and more consumers are discovering the benefits of home window tinting, many remain unaware or unconvinced.
Therefore, it’s unlikely that a potential buyer will be prepared to pay more for your home just because you’ve had the windows tinted.
While home window tinting may not be the best upgrade for everyone, installing energy-efficient windows is an excellent way to increase your home’s value and minimize your monthly energy costs.
If you’re interested in installing energy-efficient windows in Maryland, contact the trusted professionals at Potomac View Energy.
