by Daystar | Aug 29, 2018 | Residential Window Film, Residential Window Tint, Window Film, Window Film, Window Tint, Window Tinting
Most window film doesn’t require much maintenance.
When you do have to clean them, the job doesn’t take a lot of work. But it’s not the same as cleaning normal windows. Abrasive cleaners that are ammonia-based can damage and scratch your tinting.
Keep reading to learn these cleaning tips for window tint on your windows.
Window Tint Curing Time
After installing your window film, it might look hazy or blotchy. This is normal. Moisture can get trapped between the window tinting and the window, which makes the film look streaky. But this will go away after a few days. Once the water evaporates, the window film will look as clear as your window.
This is part of the curing process. You shouldn’t wash your window until the film has had enough time to cure. In fact, you should avoid interacting with your windows at all during this period.
Doing so could cause irreversible damage to your new film.
How to Clean Window Tint
Window tinting is less porous than glass, meaning it doesn’t get as dirty as fast. Because of this, window tint doesn’t need as much maintenance as normal windows, and cleaning film is an easy process.
But you can’t wash window tint the same way you can wash other glass. Any abrasive cleaners, blades, or rough sponges can scratch the film. Sticking to warm water and a mild detergent will keep your window tinting in good condition and make it last a long time.
There are several different kinds of window film out there, so we’ve put together a quick cleaning guide for some of the most common.
Cleaning Window Film
Wait to clean your tinted windows for a week after installation. You can wash it with a mixture of dish soap and water or use an ammonia-free detergent. Apply the cleaner of your choice with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Stay away from paper towels or other materials that might leave fuzzies or streaks behind. You can use a rubber squeegee if you have one, but be gentle and careful not to damage the film.
Don’t scrape the film with any kind of blade or scrub the window with abrasive substances. This can leave noticeable scratches in your tinting.
Cleaning Decorative Tinting
Decorative films are more durable than other types of tinting, so they don’t need a lot of consistent cleaning. These patterns or textures are a vinyl material, similar to shower curtains, so dirt and smudges aren’t noticeable.
The same rule applies when washing this type of window film. Stick with lint-free clothes, mild soap, and water. Other cleaning detergents like bleach or Windex could cause the tint to peel off the window.
Though decorative tints are durable and don’t scratch easy, using rough sponges or harsh cleaning agents isn’t worth the risk.
Cleaning Solar Tinting
Solar tinting blocks UV rays and heat from making their way inside your home or office, but they aren’t as durable as decorative films. Solar tinting is made from a polyester material, and they don’t change the look of your windows that much.
These films are also thinner and more transparent than other tints, so you can see the dirt and dust that gather on the surface. In other words, you might have to clean this type of tinting more than other kinds.
Ammonia-based cleaners can discolor or ruin the film’s adhesion. Many solar window tints have a scratch-resistant coating to protect it from damages. Because of this, some people say you can use normal window cleaners on solar films. But water and soap do the job just as well without the risk of damage.
Cleaning Security Film
Security films are so clear they look almost the same as normal glass. They let in 90% of sunlight into your home while providing you with extra protection. Because they are clear, it’s often difficult to recognize windows that have security tinting installed on them.
You can clean security film the same way you clean your normal window glass, but this also means you have to clean security film more often than other tintings. It’s not hard to see smudges, dirt, and dust on this kind of window film.
Of course, you should still stay away from ammonia-based cleaning products. Security films don’t scratch or rip that often, but it’s a good idea to use lint-free clothes and mild detergents anyway.
Important Window Tint Cleaning Tips
Remember, wait at least a week after installation to start cleaning your windows. This gives it plenty of time to cure and ensures the tinting is dry before you interact with it.
Never leave your window tinting wet after washing it. Use a lint-free, dry cloth to remove all the excess water from the windows.
Get a clean bucket of water for each side of the window. Using the dirty water you cleaned the outside of your windows with will get more dirt on the inside of your window. You should also a new cloth for each side of the window.
What If I Damage My Window Tint?
Do your best to keep your window tinting from getting scratched. Even many small damages are impossible to repair. If your window film gets any scratches or chips, you’ll have to remove that section and replace it with a new one.
Now You Know How to Clean Your Window Tint
Window tint is more fragile than normal window glass, but you don’t have to clean it as often. Instead of using normal window cleaners that contain abrasive substances, all you need is warm water and mild detergent. Be careful not to scratch your window film while you’re cleaning it. Replacing damaged tint can be a hassle.
Want to make sure your window tinting lasts? Take a look at some of these helpful care tips.
by Daystar | Jul 30, 2018 | Residential Window Film, Residential Window Tint, Window Film, Window Tint, Window Tinting
Are you thinking about taking your home’s window film application into your own hands?
Window film offers homeowners an excellent means of insulating their houses. Home window film can maximize a home’s energy efficiency and give urban homes some much-needed privacy.
While window film is a solid investment for homeowners, it’s essential to hire professionals when installing it. DIY home window film can actually be more harmful than productive.
In this post, we’ll discuss the top five reasons why you should turn to the experts for window film application!
What Is Window Film?
Window film is a thin plastic sheeting applied to residential windows. In general, window film is made of the same type of plastic that’s found in commercial water bottles.
Homeowners can choose to install window film for a variety of reasons. Some window film is applied in multiple layers in order to make windows more shatterproof or scratch-resistant.
Other film is designed to protect residents from harmful, direct sun exposure, limiting the number of UV rays that enter a residence. It’s possible to find window film in a variety of tints and patterns, too, if you simply want to add a decorative element to standard window glass.
Lastly, window film can make your home more energy efficient. The film can act as insulation, preventing air leakage and keeping houses warm or cool during seasonal changes.
If implemented wisely, window film can be an important component of making your home more energy efficient.
Every window film is different, depending on the thickness, size of the window, and purpose. However, most film is applied on the inside of windows to limit scratching and damage.
Learn more about the different types of window film and their benefits here.
Reasons To Avoid DIY Home Window Film
You may be tempted to purchase window film from your local home supply store and apply it yourself to your interior windows. However, a DIY window film application is unwise for a variety of reasons.
We always recommend consulting professionals prior to making any window film purchase. At DayStar Window Tinting, we love advising our clients on professional film installation. Learn more here!
Window film is highly specific
A lot of homeowners assume that window film is generic. They believe that any film they pick up at their local home supply store will do for their residential windows.
However, there are multiple different types of window film available to homeowners. These types will depend on the intended purpose of film application as well as your window size, pane thickness, location, and quality.
In fact, whenever potential clients call us to inquire about window film, we always ask about whether or not the windows in question are a single or dual pane. We are also interested in the window frame material and measurements.
Even if you know the answers to these questions, it can be hard to decide what style of window film your specific windows require for maximum effect. For this reason, it’s important to consult window film professionals to ensure that the film you’re investing in is suitable for your windows’ highly specific needs.
Purchasing the wrong kind of window film can lead to film and/or window and frame damage. It can also result in unexpected expense.
Applying film often involves scaffolding
If the windows you wish to tint are relatively high in your home, you will likely need scaffolding or ladders to apply the film itself. This may seem like no big deal to most homeowners, particularly those who are used to taking home improvement projects into their own hands.
However, installing window film involves more than just “sticking it on” the window. Window film is not a band-aid with removable adhesive. It requires care and precision to install.
It can be difficult to carefully install window film while also balancing on a ladder. For this reason, DIY window film application can also be dangerous. It’s far too easy to set up a ladder on an unstable surface, try to apply window film, and cause an accident.
Professional window tinters will use industry-grade scaffolding and ladders to ensure that your window film is effectively and precisely applied, with no risk to you or your home.
Window film requires precision
Did we mention that window film application is an art that requires precision? Every piece of window film applied to windows must be expertly cut to match the measurements of your window panes.
It also must be applied with caution, to prevent air bubbles, wrinkling, and misalignment.
Most DIYers don’t have the tools necessary to ensure a precise cut of window film sheeting. Others don’t have the steady hands and means to adhere window film without bubbling or wrinkling.
Investing in the professional application means that your window film will be free of bubbles and overlaps.
DIY window film application can be costly
If you do take your home window film into your own hands, you may be spending more than you realize. This is especially the case if you misapply the film, resulting in the need for replacement or repair.
Professional window tinters will offer quotes that include the cost of the window film and its application. In many cases, window film will come with a warranty and the promise of future support and maintenance.
If your window film is damaged during DIY application–or your windows for that matter–you may not get your money back. When you purchase professional window film, you are investing in a cost-effective solution.
Professionals will get it right the first time
DIY home projects are often anxious ones, particularly if you are tackling something for the first time. You may worry about getting it right on the first try or having to go back to your home supply store for extra materials.
Professional window film installers will apply your film correctly the first time. You don’t need to worry about a second round, further supplies, or a re-do.
DIY Home Window Film vs Professional Installation
Window film can be a cost-effective means of improving your home’s energy efficiency. It can keep out harmful UV rays, add some decorative flair to your windows, and make panes more damage-resistant.
If you’re thinking about installing window film, be sure to have professionals do so. DIY application can be dangerous, costly, and highly specific. Tackling window film on your own can also mean choosing the wrong type of film for your window needs.
At DayStar Window Tinting, we’ve got all of your window film needs, including application. Learn more about the services we offer here!
by Daystar | Jun 26, 2018 | Home Windows, Window Coverings, Window Film, Window Film Technology, Window Tint, Window Tinting, Window Treatments, Windows
Lack of sleep has been labeled a national epidemic in North America. While the average recommended sleep each night is 9 hours, Americans are getting 7 on average. It may not seem like much of a difference, but it’s impacting our general health.
From our cognitive function to diabetes and obesity, we are losing and gaining all the wrong things.
There is a lot of speculation as to why this is happening. Some blame technology and social media. Others say its restlessness caused by a lack of exercise.
But what about people who can’t help it, such as those who work the night shift or have irregular schedules? It’s hard to get good sleep when the sun is up.
Thankfully, there’s a solution for that problem: blackout windows.
How Can Blackout Windows Help You Sleep?
The human body has a natural inclination to sleep when its environment grows dark. As the sun goes down and we turn out the lights, our brain is triggered to produce melatonin.
However, it’s a delicate process. The brain isn’t easily fooled. Even with your eyes closed, it can sense light, and when it does its melatonin production suddenly shuts off.
We try to snooze through it, but our body doesn’t respond as well. Melatonin is key to our rest cycle, and without it, our sleep becomes light or restless. That’s why doctors encourage us to turn off electronics and sleep in total darkness when possible.
Blackout windows help us to achieve that blissful, melatonin-inducing sleep haven by giving you the ability to control the amount of light that streams into a room.
Finally, you can sleep when you want to no matter where the sun may be.
Other Benefits Of Blackout Window Solutions
The great thing about blackout window solutions is that they do more than create the perfect snoozing spot. They also have additional benefits.
By using the right blackout window methods, you can prevent your furniture from fading, save on your energy bill, and even optimize your home privacy without disrupting the perfect window view.
But how? It’s actually pretty simple. You apply window tinting films to your glass.
The level of tint you select in a window film will determine what percentage of UV rays are blocked from passing through your window pane. Depending on which one you choose, you can block up to 99% of these harmful rays!
How UV Rays Harm Your Furniture And Belongings
Just like basking in the sun can lead to tanner skin, it also has an effect on the color of your furniture and other belongings.
When exposed to UV rays, many inanimate objects suffer damages. You lose years of beauty in the things that make your house feel like home due to the harsh nature of UV light. Furniture, photographs, curtains, and paintings fade while wood dries and cracks.
How UV Rays Increase Your Energy Bill
Likewise, UV rays also impact your energy bill. Spikes caused by the warmth brought in by the sun’s light heat up your home, forcing your air conditioning or HVAC system to work harder than it should.
By filtering out UV rays, you can save quite a few bucks a month. In fact, studies have shown that using a tinted window film can reduce your energy bill by up to ten percent!
It’s a benefit that makes the cost of materials and installation worthwhile. Tinted window films help preserve your belongings and reduce your energy bill for an average of 10 to 15 years before they need replacement.
Plus, you don’t have to lose a scenic view to achieve these kinds of results. Window tinting varies in its opaqueness, allowing you to still see through your windows as you please while still serving its UV defense and tinting function.
How To Blackout Windows
So how do you achieve the ultimate sleeping den? By using a combination of window tinting film and blackout blinds or curtains, you can take control over the amount of light that comes through your windows.
The great part about this combination is you don’t have to choose “all or nothing.” By combining window tinting film with blackout curtains, you can adjust the level of light that comes into the room.
Want to turn day into night? Shut your window and close the blinds or curtains. You’ll find the combination achieves an impenetrable darkness that will make sleeping for hours on end easy.
Prefer a little natural lighting? Drawback your curtains or blinds and let a little bit of sunlight in. The amount of light that comes through your window will be determined by the opacity of your window tint.
However, if you’re really looking for some fresh air and bright sunlight, you can always open the window itself.
With these three options, you have full control over your room’s illumination.
Types Of Window Tinting Film
Note that tinting isn’t the only type of window film on the market today. There are multiple types designed for residential and commercial use, including:
These options offer a host of different benefits, from protecting your residence from a break-in to transforming your window’s glass into an advertising billboard or decorative canvas.
The pricing on these window films varies depending upon the quantity, design, and material. The best way to estimate the price of a project is to ask pros like ourselves for a quote!
Asking is always free, so don’t hesitate to inquire. However, you may need to do a bit of research first in order to achieve an accurate service quote. A professional can guide you through this.
Get Window Tinting Services
If you’re a resident or commercial business looking for window tinting services, our team at Daystar Window Tinting are here to help. Whether you’re in the market for blackout windows, privacy tinting, or other window films, we can help you achieve the look, style, and function you desire.
Contact us for a quote today!
by Daystar | May 18, 2018 | Residential Window Film, Residential Window Tint, Window Film, Window Film Technology, Window Tint, Window Tinting
Did you know that properly caring for your window film can extend its lifespan and save you money?
To keep your tinted windows functioning and looking good, you need to know the proper techniques to care for them. After installation is over, there’s a lot you can do to keep your window film looking good as new.
In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about caring for your window film. Keep reading to learn how to DIY tinted window care!
What Is Window Film?
This thin, laminate film can be attached to the exterior or interior of your windows at home or in your office. These films are usually made of a polyester-based material that has the right amount of tensile strength and clarity.
There are a number of different types of window films you can install for different purposes. You can choose the color, thickness, grade, and shade that suits you best. These films can reduce glare and heat, add a layer of thermal insulation, and filter out harmful UV rays.
They’re also useful for adding privacy and security to your home, by making it harder for people to see in. If you live in an area that’s prone to graffiti, window films can even deter vandals from targeting your home.
How Window Film Works
This polyester film is usually self-adhesive, so it’s easy to adhere to glass windows, doors, or any other surfaces that need it. Windows aren’t premade with film – this is a retrofitted option that can be added to upgrade your home.
When the sun hits your window, there are actually three different things happening. First, the visible light enters the room, which can add unwanted brightness. At the same time, infrared light manifests itself as heat, which can make a room uncomfortably warm in the summer. One of the most popular reasons to install and care for window film is to reduce energy costs since you won’t need to run the air conditioning as often to keep your home cool.
Finally, invisible ultraviolet rays penetrate the room. We can’t see this solar radiation, but it can contribute to serious problems like skin cancer, as well as speed up the visible signs of aging.
However, when you have window film installed, the film becomes a sort of “sunscreen” for your home that keeps those harmful rays out. Depending on the kind of film you choose, you can also get more intense heat- and light-blocking capabilities.
A few common kinds of window films include dyed, non-reflective films that mainly absorb the solar rays, and metalized or reflective films that both absorb and reflect the energy of the sun. Finally, ceramic/nano window films offer a high level of performance thanks to a higher-tech material.
What Window Film Does To Glass
Glass windows exist to provide a barrier between your home and the elements, such as weather, debris, and more, while allowing natural light in.
When sunlight or solar energy hits an untinted glass window, as much as 90 percent of its energy gets through the glass. That includes the light, heat, and UV rays.
However, once your windows have film added, almost 80 percent of that energy can be blocked out. The metals, dyes, or nanotech in the film can absorb or reflect the solar energy to keep it out of your home.
If you aren’t properly caring for your window film, it can become less effective over time. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to maintain your treated windows. Let’s take a look at the steps you need to take to keep your windows doing their jobs.
Caring For Your Window Film
After installation is complete, the process of taking care of your newly treated windows begins. Here are the things you’ll need to do at every step.
Allow Film To Dry Out
Once it’s installed, your window film needs time to dry out completely. During this time, you should avoid interfering with it as much as possible.
During installation, the installer will take off as much of the mounting solution they used as possible, but a little bit will always be left behind. This moisture left over from installation gets trapped and can create little moisture bubbles or give the window a cloudy appearance.
Both of these things are normal, and there’s nothing you need to do but wait. Don’t try to poke one of the water bubbles to get the moisture to drain out – this is unnecessary and will damage the film. If you damage the film when trying to get rid of moisture, the film’s warranty won’t cover any repairs.
Over time, the cloudy appearance and bubbles will go away on their own.
Consider Climate Conditions
Certain climate conditions can make the film’s dry-out time take longer. For example, if it’s cold and the sun’s not out, your film won’t dry as fast. However, direct sunlight and warm temperatures will make the film dry faster.
If it’s drying slowly, don’t worry. Eventually, the moisture will go away on its own. Thick films also dry more slowly than thin ones. Your film might dry in just a few days, or it can take as much as six months. Usually, you can expect a dry time of about a month on average.
Clean Your Window Film
After the film is completely dry or “cured,” you can safely clean it.
Cleaning is an important part of caring for your window film. To clean the treated windows, use water mixed with a little bit of soap. Clean the surface, then use a squeegee to dry it with strokes that overlap, just like you’d clean your car windows.
The film can also be cleaned using any ordinary glass cleaner. Avoid abrasive or harsh cleaners that might damage the film.
Why Window Film Matters
There are countless good reasons to invest in window film. It keeps out unwanted heat and light, protects your home from theft, and protects you from damaging UV rays. Tinted windows can last for a long time if you are cautious about caring for your window film.
Trying to decide what kind of window film is best for you? Check out our guide to the types of window tinting.
by Daystar | Apr 19, 2018 | Residential Window Film, Residential Window Tint, Window Film, Window Film Technology, Window Tint, Window Tinting
Window tint film for your home may seem like an aesthetic option only, though it’s much more beneficial than that. You will start seeing a return on your investment immediately.
Home window tinting can cut up to 85% of the heat from the sun, and filter 99% ultraviolet (UV) light and reduce 95% of glare as well.
How Window Tint Film Pays For Itself
Heating and air conditioning efficiency
One of the strongest reasons people choose to invest in home window tinting is the long-term return on your heating and air bill. Heat from the sun raises the temperature in the home.
Tinted windows deflect that heat. As a result, your air conditioning bill decreases up to 30%. The heating bill also decreases. The return on your investment is clear right away.
Climate control
Once you reduce the heat from the sun, the temperature stabilizes from room to room. In a home without tinted windows, the temperature varies.
Rooms that are currently absorbing the sun’s heat stay warm, while rooms on the other side of the house remain cool.
Window tint film blocks excess heat from penetrating the window. Thus, the rooms remain a consistent, moderate temperature throughout the day.
Glare reduction
Window tint film reflects more than just heat. It also cuts the glare from the sun. Glare-cutting through un-tinted windows impacts your productivity and comfort level when working around the house.
Unwanted glare can especially interfere with your computer and television screen. Tinted windows reflect the glare. You can move about your day without having to pause to shut the blinds as the sun moves through.
Protection from the sun
Along with heat and light, ultraviolet (UV) rays come through your windows as well. We are conscious about applying sunscreen when we leave the house. We don’t think about the fact that we are exposed to UV rays through our windows.
UV radiation is the lead cause of non-melanoma skin cancers and melanoma. Window tint film cuts 99% of UV rays. This gives you and your family an extra layer of defense while inside your home. Window tinting aids in preventing skin cancer. It also reduces UV exposure enough to slow down the aging process in your skin.
Protection for furniture and collectibles
Exposure to sunlight can fade furniture, rugs, and artwork in your home. How many of us spend the day shooing away the sun by closing drapes as the sun moves through the rooms of the house?
UV window tint film cuts the amount of sunlight and UV rays that can enter the home. This reduces the fading of your furniture and treasured belongings. Even hardwood floors can fade after prolonged UV exposure.
Increased security
Security window tint film can slow down an intruder. It serves as an additional layer of protection for your home.
A specialist can install security film on the interior and exterior of your windows. The specialist anchors those down. This holds the glass in place longer in the event someone tries to break in through a window.
Security film is one of many variations in tinting film. You’ll want to discuss this prior to installation if it’s something higher on your priority list than just the decorative look of the tint.
Home invasions
Alarmingly, 95% of all home invasions involve forceful entry of some time. The intruder breaks a window, picks a lock, or kicks in the door.
Security film could stop an intruder in his tracks if it’s too difficult to bust through the window. Even a delay of 20 seconds or a couple of minutes could give a someone in the home time to dial 911.
Protection against damage
Security film also helps out during severe storms or accidents involving projectiles. If a branch falls and breaks a window, the security film will keep the window from shattering and exposing the inside of the home to water damage.
The same applies to accidents, like a golf ball that accidentally hits the front window. Security glass keeps the glass from shattering into the room.
No more shattered windows
Window tint film holds glass together so that it doesn’t shatter and then scatter across the room. This holds true whether it’s a broken window caused by an intruder or a baseball.
This little bit of added safety goes a long way to making clean up easier. More importantly, it keeps glass shards off your floor and away from small feet and paws.
Window tint film is easy to maintain
Tint film is water and scratch resistant. You can opt for a stronger scratch-resistant coating as well. This makes cleaning your windows easier than regular glass.
You will need specific cleaning agents for the different types of window tint film. You will receive cleaning instructions along with the installation.
Also, the type of film determines the frequency of cleaning. Some types require more frequent cleaning than others.
Additional privacy
With window tinting, you can see out, but others cannot see in. This is a favorite perk for many. You have privacy from the outside world, which is a larger issue for those who live on a busy street or in a house with many windows.
Aesthetic appeal
Whether it’s during a renovation or a new-build, you should consider window tinting along with other features and improvements. Tints increase a property’s “curb appeal.”
For inside the home, decorative films are options that can make your plain old window into a mural. This can make your budget windows look much more expensive and sophisticated.
Safety, solar, and decorative films sharpen the look of your home.
Window Tinting Isn’t Just For Cars
Now you know about the major benefits of window tinting your home. Aside from their function, they also enhance the look of your house from the outside, and the feel of it from the inside.
If you have any questions about window tinting, please contact us.
by Daystar | Mar 21, 2018 | Home Windows, Residential Window Film, Residential Window Tint, Window Film, Window Film Technology, Window Tint, Window Tinting
You may have heard of window tinting for cars – but did you know you can also get window tinting for your home or office?
There are many different types of window tinting, and they all have different benefits. In this handy guide, we’ll go over how window tinting can help you, as well as cover the types of window tinting that you can choose from.
Keep reading to learn how window tinting and film can upgrade your life at work and home!
Why Use Window Tinting?
Window tinting is popular for cars. It can help protect your valuables by making them harder to see and gives you more privacy while you drive.
The reasons to tint home and office windows are much the same. Today, many homes and offices have large windows – it’s a popular design trend.
However, this can have negative effects: you might find that there is more light and heat coming in than you really want. UV rays coming through your windows can even cause sunburn and eventually lead to cancer.
Of course, working and living with big windows can also result in less privacy, and make your valuables more visible to thieves.
Window tinting can save on your energy bills, by letting less heat into your house, reducing the need for air conditioning. It can also reduce glare on the windows at all hours of the day.
If you’ve noticed the sun fading your carpets and furniture, window tinting helps with that too. You may not want to have the shades drawn or the blinds down all the time to combat all the above issues. Window tinting is a great compromise.
Types of Window Tinting
There are a number of different types of window tinting, although they all use polyester film.
The film is about 2 to 7 millimeters deep, and some types have multiple layers on top of each other.
Inside, the film has a coating that’s pressure-sensitive or water-activated. On the outside, a scratch-resistant coating is added to help it last. Chemicals are used to block UV rays in most types of window tinting. These are the basics for any high-quality window tinting.
However, once these standards have been met, there is quite a bit of variety between the types of window tinting. Let’s take a look at the methods used to turn a basic window film into the finished product.
Dyed Film
In dyed film, a heat-absorbing dye is added to the window tinting film. The film absorbs heat while keeping the heat out of the room itself.
Any heat that isn’t contained in the film will get transferred to the window glass and dissipate to the outside. If there isn’t much airflow outside, a bit of heat will still come through the window, but it won’t be nearly as much as what you’d normally get on a hot, still day.
This is the least expensive type of window film and doesn’t have as many functions as the other types. It’s used not just to absorb heat (other types of heat can use the same thing), but for aesthetic effect.
From outside, dyed film looks matte and opaque, which helps add privacy. Inside, though, you can still see through to the outside.
Dyed film fades with time, so it may eventually need to be replaced. It also doesn’t offer the highest level of heat reduction.
Metallized Film
This type of film also reduces heat inside by reflecting it off the windows. With metalized film, tiny metallic particles are used to accomplish this, instead of dye.
The metal in the film also makes the window stronger. If you want windows that are less likely to shatter, metalized film is a great choice.
Outside, metalized film appears metallic and shiny. It doesn’t scratch as easily as dyed film, so you won’t need to replace it as often.
If you’re too close to the window, the metallic content can affect your ability to use your cell phone and GPS. However, most of the time, you won’t be near enough to the windows to have this problem – this is a more important consideration for putting metalized windows in cars.
Carbon Fiber Film
This film doesn’t contain metal, so you won’t have to worry about cellphone, radio, and GPS issues. It’s dark and has a matte look from the outside, so it’s often more popular than metalized film for aesthetics.
The carbon fiber helps block a lot of the infrared light that makes rooms get warm. It blocks heat at least as well as metalized film, keeping the inside cool and your furniture fade-free.
This is a great choice if you want to save money on your energy bills while still keeping the inside of your home or office cool. It doesn’t fade over time, so it lasts longer than dyed film.
Ceramic Film
This is a top-tier window film: the best-quality of all these types of window tinting. Instead of using carbon, metal, or dye, it uses ceramic particles. These particles aren’t metallic or conductive.
This is a newer choice, but it’s already become very popular. It can reduce heat by as much as 50 percent – more than any other film on this list. It also gives you the most visibility to the outside.
Ceramic film won’t affect your cell phone usage, and it’s the most resistant to fading and glare. If UV rays are your concern, this is also the most effective way to block them from entering a room. Ceramic film can block as much as 99 percent of UV rays from getting inside.
Homeowners Associations and Tinting
If you live in a residential neighborhood, be sure to check with your homeowners’ association before investing in one of these types of window tinting. These associations often have rules regarding what you can do to the outside of your home.
Ready for Window Tinting?
Does one of these types of window tinting appeal to you?
Window tinting protects you and your belongings, saves you money, and keeps your home more comfortable. If you’re ready to experience these benefits for yourself, contact us today.
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