Window tinting can be a great way to make the interior of your home cool and comfortable while also offering some privacy, even when the curtains or blinds are open. When you are ready to have your home's windows tinted, you don't want to simply buy cheap car tinting film and place it over the windows yourself, as this will usually result in bubbling and peeling of the film; this film also may not offer you the protection from sun and heat you expect. Instead, note a few options for window tinting and talk to a professional installer about these choices.

UV blocking film

If you want full protection from the sun's rays, you need tint that actually blocks UV rays and not just light itself. Note that the colour of the film itself isn't always an indicator, as even dark film may actually trap those rays and make your space seem warmer, not cooler, and may also allow the rays to settle on your skin, possibly causing skin damage. Look for actual UV blocking film, and note that you can often find it in a clear shade that doesn't block your view but bounces or reflects sunlight off the windows. Museums and other such businesses will use this type of film to protect artwork from damaging sunlight while not blocking the view.

Frosted versus whiteout

Whiteout film provides total privacy inside a home whereas frosted offers privacy but may still allow shadows and movement to be seen. However, frosted tint may be more attractive than whiteout tint, which can create an industrial look to your windows. Frosted tint usually offers enough privacy to be used in bathrooms and other spaces where you want to block the view of outsiders without actually covering your windows.

Glare protection

Certain window tint can help to cut down on the glare of sunlight without blocking your view; look for film in a copper shade that absorbs glare rather than allowing it to pass through the windows.

Light transmittance

If you want actual blackout film, such as for bedrooms, look for the light transmittance factor of film. This refers to how much light can actually get through; the lower the transmittance, the less light in the room. Note that the colour itself doesn't always affect this light transmittance; as with UV blocking film, very dark film can still allow brighter lights to get through, whereas a lighter film may have special metallic coatings that reflect headlights, streetlights, and other such lights outside the window.

Share