HouseWindows

House Tinted Windows

House tinted windows have a variety of uses. Some are used to increase energy efficiency by reducing solar heat, blocking UV rays and retaining interior heat in the winter. Others enhance privacy and security, and still others are purely decorative. Some window tints can be applied by the homeowner, but the best results usually come from professional application.

Energy Efficiency

New house windows are quite expensive, especially those with energy efficient glazing. Windows are essentially thermal holes in the house that allow the comfortable interior temperature of a room to escape. This causes the central heating and air units to have to work much harder and more frequently, significantly increasing utility bills. The extra work load can also cause undue wear and tear on the units, necessitating costly repairs and replacement.

Installing energy efficient windows can reduce those costs over time, but they require a substantial initial investment. If that large expense is not in the immediate budget, tinted coatings can be an excellent alternative. In warm climates where keeping the house air-conditioned is a primary concern, heat rejection films are solutions to the problem of solar heat warming a room. Some are dyed, which alters the appearance of the home, but others have microscopic, invisible metallic coatings that select solar heat wavelengths to reject while allowing light wavelengths to enter.

In cold climates where warm air can escape through windows in several ways, heat retaining coatings are the preferred type of house tinted windows. Heat retaining films have reflective coatings that reflect heat back into a room. Rather than escaping the glass through convection, the heat bounces off the house tinted windows that form a barrier to heat loss.

Energy-efficient house tinted windows can lower your utility bills over time so that they eventually pay for themselves. An added benefit of energy efficiency is the reduction of each homeowner's carbon footprint. Adding house tinted windows to the home is a contribution to protecting the environment.

Privacy and Security

House tinted windows work in several ways to enhance a home's privacy and security. In even the safest neighborhoods, home invasion is a concern. Homeowners lock their doors and install alarms, and tinted window films are another inexpensive addition to the home's security that can protect your belongings and, most importantly, your family.

Privacy coatings are often patterned to look like etched glass or glass block. They are translucent so light can enter any room, but figures cannot be made out through the view-obstructing coating. These are particularly popular in bathrooms and bedrooms, but they can be used on any windows in the house.

Other options are dyed and highly reflective, almost like a mirror. They change the appearance of the house and obscure the view from the inside, but they offer the utmost privacy during the day and where there are ample outside lights. At night in a dark area, even these coatings can be see-through to some degree, especially when inside light are on. Test these before committing to be sure they protect your privacy in any light.

Tinted privacy coatings can also reduce the risk of break-ins. When burglars can see valuables inside the house, they are much more likely to break in. By having house tinted windows in the living room and other places where electronics, jewelry and other valuables are kept, you can dissuade burglars from entering your home.

A useful window coating for any home is a shatter-resistant film. These tinted films have a sticky inner layer than prevents glass from shattering if it is kicked in or hit with a projectile. Much like car windshields, the shards of glass stick to the coating instead of fragmenting all over the room where family members can be injured. These coatings also make it more difficult for burglars to remove the glass to enter, substantially improving home security.

Installing Tinted Window Films

House tinted windows can be an easy DIY project. The process requires few tools and no experience. Through trial and error, you can have all of your windows tinted in a day.

Start by laying towels underneath the window, since application requires water. Clean the glass inside and out to remove dirt and smudges, and then allow the glass to dry. Cut the film with a razor about 1/4 in. smaller than the dimensions of the glass pane. Wet the window thoroughly with a squeegee. Lay the film over the glass, making sure the correct side is facing into the room.

Spray the surface with a good dose of water. Using the flattening tool included with the film, start in the center and work your way toward the edges to smooth the coating. Allow the finished house tinted windows to dry. Any remaining bubbles will disappear over time.