Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Alex Koch
Home Window Tinting
What is house window tinting?
Home window tinting is a useful way to protect your home from excessive heat. This medium-thickness window tint blocks out harmful UV rays from the sun and comes in various tint shades and colors so you can select the one that best suits your style and taste or adds to the curb appeal.
Be sure to select a film that is the right VLT or window tint percentage.
House window tinting helps protect the flow of heat energy and excessive light through your home.
This article will delve into some important topics about home and residential window tinting so you can make an easy decision about how to have your home windows tinted correctly.
Window tinting for your home & residential window tinting
There are a few different categories of window tint for residential or home window tinting.
The three main types of home window tint include:
- Decorative window tint
- Privacy window tint
- Solar window tint
Each type of window tint may provide all of the above benefits to some degree, but has one main specific feature.
Decorative home window tint is primarily for aesthetic needs. It is the thinnest of all home window tint films. It is best suited for moderate climates since it does not minimize heat protrusion or keep interiors particularly cool. This tint will make your house light and bright. In some cases decorative window tint is not shaded, rather frosted in appearance, or even colored or patterned. The overall goal is to help achieve a certain look or beautify a space and may simultaneously provide some privacy.
Privacy home window tint is the thicker of the three types of home window tint films. It is good for two levels of security, protecting the windows from cracks, leaks, bugs, or other natural problems, and providing security through privacy. If you are seeking to prevent burglaries or break-ins through your windows, or clear visibility into your home, security window tint is a good choice.
Solar window tint is the most common type of window tint installed on residential properties. It provides shade, which helps to minimize heat intrusion into the home and keep your interior spaces cool. This is important for lowering your electricity bills and keeping your energy usage low. Solar window tint film absorbs and reflects light and heat while still allowing natural sunlight to illuminate your home. Select solar window tint to regulate the temperature of your interior space, and keep energy bills low.
Home window tinting for privacy
If you are opting to tint your home windows to provide privacy, you will need to select the right window tint film.
There are a few options that can provide security to keep your family safe while inside your home.
Some things to consider:
- Decorative window tints like frosted tint, or colorful patterns can make it difficult to see inside the home.
- Solar tint films in dark shaded tones with reflective finish prevent onlookers from peering into your house.
- Choose a tint that prohibits visibility into the inside of the house, but allows visibility from inside to the outside.
Where to buy home window tinting kits
You can buy home window tinting kits to install window tints at your residence, but the best option may be to hire a professional. An experienced home window tint installer will ensure that the tint is installed correctly and will last a long time.
Having window tint installed by an experienced film installer will also minimize the presence of bubbles or misaligned tints.
Try ordering your home window tint from some of these reputable brands:
Some individuals or tint installation professionals opt to use heat guns for window tinting, and others do the process by hand. Check each kit to determine if it includes a tint heat gun.
What to know BEFORE tinting your home windows
Whether you plan to DIY when it comes to installing window tint film at your home, or hire a professional it’s important to keep a few things in mind before you tint your home windows.
Different windows have different glass, and different tints are only compatible with certain window glass. Do your research before you purchase tint to install or hire a tint installer. Check which type of glass you have on each window you plan to tint and which film is compatible with it.
Different types of window glass include:
- Annealed glass: basic, flat glass
- Heat-treated glass: annealed glass that’s been exposed to high temperatures to protect it
- Insulating glass: two layers of glass with air or gas between them
The insulated glass windows are double layered. This requires a specific approach to tinting. Check each window and determine if it is double paneled, before tinting.
It’s also a good idea to learn how to properly install window tint on your home windows, especially if you plan to install it yourself. For example, you will want to know how to remove bubbles from window tint, and how to clean the windows properly.
Does tinting home windows save energy?
Yes, home window tint can save you on costly energy bills.
Some estimates claim that window tint on the home can cut your energy bills by up to 30%!
This will depend on what type of film you choose. Be sure to select heat-control window film if cutting energy costs is your intention.
Some window tint films are specifically designed to block out heat and powerful UV sun rays that typically drive up utility costs in the home.
The right window tint will minimize heat protrusion, especially if the windows that receive the most light are tinted. This will help keep your home interior cool, and cut down costs for air conditioners, fans, or other indoor cooling methods.
Not only can you save money on utilities, electric, and A/C bills, you also reduce your consumption of energy. For this reason, window tint is a sustainable and green-friendly way to keep your home energy usage low.
How much does home window tinting cost?
Tint companies can charge anywhere between $40.00 – $100.00 per square foot of window tint installed. It’s a good idea to shop around for quotes before hiring a tint company.
The price of window tint installation for your home or residential property will vary based on a few factors.
Consider the following variables when pricing out home window tint and acquiring quotes:
- How many windows will be tinted
- What size windows will be tinted
- Type of tint film
- Intaller’s experience level
If you choose to have tint installed on your home windows, you’ll probably want to select the best tint company with the most experience, but this could be pricey.
Most tint installation companies will charge based on the square footage of windows to be tinted. This price typically includes the cost of the materials and the labor.
On the other hand, you may want to consider how much it will cost to DIY install window tint on your home windows. If you choose to install the tint yourself, you can calculate the cost of the materials (like tint film, squeegees, wipers, etc.) or you can consider ordering a home window tint kit that will include all of the materials.
Do it yourself home window tinting (DIY residential window tint)
If you do opt to install your own window tint at home with a DIY kit, or just purchase the materials on your own, it’s a good idea to review some videos and be prepared for each step of the process.
Take a look at the below review of the main steps involved in tinting your home windows.
How to install home window tinting
Follow these steps for easy home window tint installation.
- Clean the windows
- Measure and cut the window tint film
- Remove the plastic or wax backing from the film to reveal adhesive
- Apply tint film to the windows
- Remove bubbles using a wiper
- Attach the window tint film to the window corners
- Trim excess film portions
- Clean the windows
If you have further questions about installing your own window tint film on your residential windows, check out this review of how to apply window film.
How well does home window tinting work?
Home window tinting works wonders for homeowners and renters across the country. Depending on your overall goal of installing window tint, it can be relatively easy to achieve your desired effect.
Some homeowners choose to install tint on the windows for aesthetic purposes, while others prefer to increase in-home privacy. Others still simply want to reduce heat protrusion into the home and cut energy bills by up to 30%!
The most important factor to consider when installing window tint on your home windows is to decide which type of window tint makes the most sense for your needs. Then, either order window tint film to install on your own, or get a few quotes from professional tint companies so that you have an idea of how much the tinting process will cost, and you can even run a cost-benefit analysis.
All in all, most homeowners or residents who opt to install tint on their home windows are happy with the results and suggest that home window tinting is effective and that it works well.
How long does home window tinting last?
The duration of effect and quality of your home window tint depends on the type of window tint film you use as well as the installation process.
Most window tints can last between two and ten years.
If you use a high-quality tint film and a professional installation team, chances are that the tint will last significantly longer than if you install the tint yourself, or use poor grade window tint film.
If you want your residential window tint installation to last, opt for top-quality window tint film and consider hiring a professional window tint installer to do the job. This will help you avoid repeating the project year after year, or seeing tint peeling from windows around the house.
Is home window tinting worth it?
Most homeowners or residents who opt to have window tint installed on their homes say that the tint is very worthwhile.
Those who opt for tinted windows to reduce glare and heat, appreciate the cost savings on energy bills, and the overall energy savings for a more sustainable home.
Some homeowners say that tinted windows are a worthwhile investment because they have achieved a level of privacy for their homes that makes them feel comfortable and secure.
Other homeowners suggest that the windows are safe from storm damage, or potential scratches or cracks.
Whatever reason you have to tint your windows, it is always worth the investment!
Best home window tint
Selecting window tint film for a home or residential property just requires a little research. By informing yourself about the types of home window tints (decorative, security, and solar) as well as learning about the different types of window glass, you’ll be able to make an easy selection for the right tint for your home.
You may be considering installing the tint on your home by yourself. There are some great options on the market when it comes to DIY home window tinting kits. But, remember to study the process so that you do it the right way by asking questions like: is window tint on the inside or outside?
If you’re not as skilled or adventurous, you may want to hire a professional to install tint on your home windows. This is especially true (and recommended) if you live in a home that is multiple stories and requires safety equipment and harnesses to apply the tint.
Whichever type of tint and installation process you choose, window tint for homes is a great way to save money on your electric bill by improving energy efficiency and minimizing heat entering your home interior. It’s also a nice way to add sophistication and style to your home, as well as increase security and privacy.
What makes a house a home? Wonderful and warm natural lighting.
But, if your home windows are bare and tintless, your house will overheat inside and lack proper privacy from strangers or even just the neighbors peering in.
Installing tint on your home windows is a must.
It will help keep your energy bill low, protect you and your family from onlookers, and add a level of sophistication to the curb appeal of your single-family home, or apartment unit.
The best way to have your home windows tinted is with a professional and experienced residential window tint company. This will ensure that the tint film is high quality, and the installation process follows the correct procedure for long-lasting and effective tint.
Home window tint should allow maximum natural light to enter the home from exterior windows while limiting visibility into the inside of the home. It will also add a layer of heat protection to minimize heat penetration and keep the house interior cool, especially from the hot Florida sunshine.
If you need support selecting the right home window tint, check out our tint options.