7 Factors to Consider Before Having Your House's Windows Tinted

Are you wondering if tinting your home's windows is the right move? Click here for seven factors to consider before having your house's windows tinted.

According to the Department of Energy, around 25-30% of the energy we use on heating and cooling is lost through our windows and doors. There are lots of practical things you can do to reduce this loss, such as stopping up gaps and adding exterior shading. Another option to reduce solar gain and improve the look of your home is getting your windows tinted.

But before getting your windows tinted, there are several points to consider. Will window tinting affect the value of your home if you decide to sell it? Are the benefits really worth the expense?



Join us as we explore 7 factors to think about before getting your home windows tinted.

1. Calculate Your Energy Savings

We all want large windows that flood our homes with light. The problem is solar gain. All structures absorb heat and windows can amplify the effect.

This means that you have to run your air conditioner for longer and at higher settings, which results in more expensive energy bills. It's also not great for the planet to offset the heat gain from the sun in this way.

LLumar Vista energy-saving film is designed to greatly reduce the amount of heat that enters your home when the sun shines. It also helps to reduce glare and UV rays. This means your HVAC system doesn't have to work so hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

The best window tint companies use an energy calculator to help you get an accurate estimate of the levels of savings you can expect. 

It takes into account:

• Where you live
• Glass type
• Film type
• Size of your home

It crunches the numbers and gives you an estimate. So don't settle for a ballpark guess from a salesman. Get a more accurate estimate based on real data.

2. Which Window Tint Options Are Right For You?

There are different window tint options for residential windows depending on what you're trying to achieve. If you're mainly focused on keeping your energy bills down, solar window films are very effective. They can block up to 95% of solar heat and 99% of UV rays.

If security is more important to you, consider safety films. They hold glass in place if a burglar tries to gain access. They're super tough and very difficult to breach.

There are also a range of colors and levels of tint to choose from.

3. Think About Aesthetics

Are you worried your home will wind up looking like a skyscraper? Don't worry - not all window tints give the mirrored effect.

There is also a wide range of levels of tint to choose from. This depends on the level of privacy and the overall look you're going for. For maximum privacy, 20% of less is best.

This level of tint will let plenty of light in. But it will stop people from looking into your home at night when the lights are on.

4. Will Tinting Affect Window Warranties?

If your windows are still under warranty, it's important to check first whether tinting your windows will void your warranty. That's because your home windows are only covered in their unmodified state.

Starting making modifications to them and the window supplier may refuse to take responsibility for them any longer. That's because of the potential for damage to occur during the installation process and beyond.

It's your call whether you would still like to go ahead if this is the case. But make sure you choose a company that is fully insured in case anything goes wrong during the installation process.

5. Do Your Windows Already Have an Energy-Efficient Coating?

If you've had new home windows installed in the past few years, they may have a low-e (low-emissivity) coating already on them. This super-thin coating reduces heat gain while allowing light to stream through. 

You can go ahead and get these windows tinted. But the film may not give you the same amount of benefit as it would on a regular window. 

6. Check Compatibility With Your Window Glass

It's possible to tint most types of glass successfully. When the window tint company comes to assess your home, they'll check the glass and ensure that it's suitable. 

But there are certain types of glass that run the risk of cracking if you get your windows tinted. This is due to thermal stress. The solar film absorbs a lot of heat and in rare cases, this can put so much stress on the glass that it cracks.

This can happen with older, insulated glass and certain types of annealed glass. For most people, this is not an issue at all and the vast majority of windows will not crack. But get your windows checked out before you sign the contract.

7. Protection For People and Furniture

The sun - specifically ultra-violet radiation - can do huge damage to you and to your home.

It's possible to get exposed to UV rays indoors if you're standing or working by a window. In the short term, UV radiation can cause painful sunburns. Prolonged UV exposure can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. 

UV rays also do a number on your floors and furniture. Fabrics can quickly fade when they're exposed to the sun's rays day after day. It can also cause wood furniture and flooring to get bleached and dry out.

Tinting windows is a great way to handle this issue. You still get light pouring in but you save on the expense of replacing damaged furniture.

Is It Time to Get Your Windows Tinted?

Now you've explored all the great benefits of getting your windows tinted, are you ready to take the plunge?

If you're in Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester Counties, you can trust Carolina Tint & Wrap with your project. Our residential window tint options can help you reduce your energy bills and increase your security. Our expert installers leave a flawless finish that you'll enjoy for years to come.

Call Carolina Tint & Wrap at (843) 899-2233 or set up an appointment online today!