When it comes to window tinting, it’s easy to conclude its benefits are confined to cars. And usually, there’s a big difference between the way we style our cars and the way we style our homes.
But actually, there are good reasons why residential window tinting should be on every homeowner’s to-do list. That includes lots of subtle but powerful benefits that you may never have considered.
Intrigued? Read on for our guide to why you should consider residential window tint.
1. Protect Your Furniture and Fabrics
You take so much time and care to get your home exactly as you want it. You pick out tasteful upholstered furniture and drapes. Then you watch on devastated as the sun gradually causes them to bleach and fade.
Dyed fabrics are particularly sensitive to bleaching and fading. This is due to their chemical makeup. Some fabrics are marketed as UV resistant, but most can be damaged by the sun.
It’s not just fabric that needs protecting. Leather also fares badly with too much exposure to sunlight. The light and heat strip it of its natural moisture. In just a few months, you can notice it getting brittle and cracking. Hardwood floors can also be damaged by the sun’s rays.
A home window tint can greatly reduce damage to fabrics and leather. It will help to protect your investment and keep it looking good for much longer.
2. Extra UV Protection
With more and more of us working at least part of the week from home, we’re spending more time in our homes than ever before. Kids also often spend hours sitting by windows studying and need protection.
Window glass naturally filters out most UVB rays. But UVA rays can still penetrate. And those are the rays responsible for damaging your skin. Potentially, this can lead to skin cancer.
The answer? Getting a residential window tint for your home windows can reduce the harmful UVA rays that make it through.
A quick search for residential window tinting near me can help you find a local contractor. But make sure you check out their reviews and research the quality of the tinting system they use.
3. Home Window Tinting For Privacy and Security
We all want to feel relaxed in our own home, knowing that others can’t easily see inside. Depending on the situation of our house, that might not always be the case. Many of us live close to the street or have close neighbors, who can easily invade that precious privacy.
Getting a residential window tint applied to your windows can make a huge difference. They can keep the inside of your home fully private from prying eyes.
As well as beefing up your privacy, this is also important for security. They keep your valuables out of sight. They also provide a protective layer so that if a window shatters, the pieces are kept in place and don’t do further damage.
What residential window tint percentage is best to keep a home private? To understand tints, you need to get to know the VLT (visible light transmission) scale. The higher the percentage, the less light can come through. For example, a 5% tint would let almost no light through at all.
For privacy, the lower the percentage, the greater the privacy. But you’ll also need to reach a compromise between privacy and light. Around 20% should get you the level of privacy you need, while still allowing enough sunlight through, in areas where privacy is important.
4. Reduced Glare
Glare from your windows can be a hassle in two ways. First, the glare from your windows can reflect back and into your neighbors’ houses. Secondly, glare from the sun can cause issues when watching TV, working on computers from home, and when sitting relaxing inside.
There is a balance to be struck. If the tint is too high, it could increase glare into your neighbor’s home. If you have a homeowner’s association (HOA) they may have rules on what percentage of tint can be installed.
A tint of around 49% should get you the balance you need. At that level, the glare on screens inside will reduce a lot. The glare bouncing off onto neighbors’ windows will be minimal.
5. Residential Window Tint Lowers Energy Bills
You may like the idea of replacing your windows with more energy-efficient ones. However, the cost can be prohibitive. If your windows are in bad condition, then replacing them may be the only option. But if they are still sound, residential window tinting is an affordable solution. The tinting cost is much lower than new windows.
How does it help to bring energy bills down? It works by limiting the amount of UV radiation coming into your home during the summer. This reduces the solar gain and thereby reduces the amount of air conditioning needed to keep your home cool.
Even in the winter, it can help to keep your home better insulated. The heat that would have been lost through the windows is reflected inside. This means that you can run the heating at a lower level while still keeping your house warm and toasty.
Ready to Get Your Windows Tinted?
So now you’re convinced – window tinting is not just for cars! Whether you want more privacy, lower energy bills, or just a more stylish home, a residential window tint is the way to go.
To get a slick, polished appearance you’ll need some serious skills. If you’re not sure you’ve got them, it’s time to call in a professional. A great window tint job will add value – but a DIY disaster definitely will not!
If you enjoyed reading this article, we’ve got plenty more for you. Check out the rest of our blog for articles on interior design, furniture, home reno, and lots more!
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