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 come with a few disadvantages as well. Here are the primary pros and cons of getting your home’s windows or sliding glass doors tinted.
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Call 410-795-3110Benefits 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. They reflect quite a bit of light, and in doing so, the sun’s rays are kept from increasing your home’s temperature.
This can make your home much more comfortable during the summer and can work wonders for reducing your air conditioning 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 and, in doing 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 amount of time it takes to shatter the glass. Shards of glass are typically kept together, making break-ins much more time-consuming.
Drawbacks of Tinting Your Home’s Windows
Ineffective at Night
Despite many misconceptions to the contrary, tinted windows are pretty ineffective during the hours of darkness.
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 keep the sun’s rays out of your home during winter too. 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. Regardless of where you live, however, 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 either unaware or unconvinced.
It’s therefore 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, call the trusted professionals at Potomac View Energy at 410-795-3110.
