Protection from Ultra Violet (UV) rays from tinted windows will last as long as the window’s tinted film remains in good condition. Top-quality products are supposed to last from ten years to a lifetime maintaining their efficacy for UV protection. Tinted windows are both protective and energy efficient.
Most window tint products for homes are designed to protect people from up to 98% percent of the sun’s harmful rays. This protection helps with the following:
- Protects skin from continual exposure to cancer-causing rays
- Protects eyes from harmful glare
- Holds in cool air during warm weather
- Keeps in heat during colder months
- Prevents furniture and flooring from fading
Tints on the south and west-facing windows will protect the house against UV rays throughout most of the day. The sun is often strongest in the afternoon when the Bay Area’s morning fog and haze have burned off.
Healthy skin
Exposure to intense UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer in some people. This is based on skin pigment and other hereditary factors. UV rays are rated on an index scale of 1 to 12. Any rating over 11 is extreme.
An index rating of 0 to 2 is mild although sunglasses and a sunscreen of SPF 30 are recommended for outdoor activities. An index of 8 to 10, common during the long summer days in the San Francisco Bay area, means avoiding prolonged exposure to the midday sun.
A room with many windows, including large picture windows, will expose you to the same type of UV rays that you would find outside. Tinted window film will protect you from up to 98% of these harmful rays.
Glare reduction
The same type of tint used for windows on newer commercial buildings can be applied to your home windows. The windows on these buildings allow people to look out without needing sunglasses and they can work under ambient lighting without glare. This is extremely important for people using computers.
The tinted film will make watching television and working on a computer easier since it can reduce or eliminate glare.
One of the causes of eye cataracts is sun exposure. This is often a problem with seniors. Tinted windows can reduce this risk in people susceptible to this condition.
Types of film
There are several types of window film and color tints. Producing the right colors is an exact science as chemicals are applied to the acrylic adhesive that will cover layers of plastic film. Good quality tinted film using the sputterized process will last for decades with proper care. Modern technology has eliminated the problem of peeling window film.
The color and hue of the tint applied to your windows will depend on the window locations and the intensity of the sun. Green and blue tints are most common with west-facing windows.
Contact us at Daystar Window Tinting Inc., serving the Bay Area for more than 30 years. We will give you an analysis and free estimate on the cost of professionally installed tinted films using the best products to improve your windows.