Tinted House Windows: Pros And Cons
Windows play many crucial roles in the function and design of your home. They let in fresh air and light, provide design and offer up a view. They are also areas that tend to be the least secure in your home. Whether you are worried about temperature fluctuation, security, or privacy, the odds are you may have even considered installing window tints onto your windows. But when it comes to adding tints to your home windows, is the investment worth it?
Window tints can increase the value of your home as they can enhance your home’s security and decrease your energy costs simultaneously. They also increase your level of privacy without sacrificing your view. Some downsides to window tints include potential costs, voided window warranties, and too much blocked sunlight. Home window tints can look sloppy if done hastily and can be costly on some window types.
Home window tints certainly have their benefits, but they aren’t right for every home. In fact, they aren’t even allowed or possible in some homes, as you will read below. But not all tinted windows are the same. In fact there are several different window films that are designed to achieve different effects on your home’s windows. As you weigh the pros and cons, consider which route works best for your home and its windows.
Types Of Window Tinting You Can Choose From
As you embark on weighing your home window tint options, you should also know that there are several house window tint types to choose from. Window tints come in several materials with different goals. The three main house window tint types are explained below.
Solar Tints For UV Light
One popular window tint is a window tint designed to block out UV light. These tints are helpful in places with large windows where the home is likely to get lots of direct sunlight. These tints are often combined with anti-glare to block glare from affecting your day-to-day activities in the home. These are popular in tropical and warm areas, where harmful sun rays are an everyday concern.
Tinted Security Windows
Another common type of security window is tinted security windows. Security window film is a strong material often made of polyester that, in addition to offering a color tinted window, also offers shatter protection. These window tints often make the windows much harder to break, and prevent them from shattering into a million dangerous shards when they do break.
Decorative Window Tints
Decorative window tints are installed for the primary purpose of style and effect. They are installed for privacy, and also to give an alluring look to an otherwise translucent window. Mirrored window tints are becoming more popular, as they reflect their surroundings, which can include woods, water, or a city scene, which can enhance the look of large, otherwise bland windows.
Pros Of Tinted House Windows
Can Add Value To Your Home
In the end, the goal of almost every home improvement project should include adding resale value to the home. While this is rarely the primary goal of most people installing window tints, they can in fact add value to the home. The look, privacy and cost savings that they pass on tend to make them a popular home add-on that buyers assign value to.
Save Money On Energy Costs
While professional tinted window treatments can cost a pretty penny, they can also return that penny right back – and then some. Many home window tints help you control the temperature in your home. This means your energy bill is likely to shrink. In fact, in some homes with lots of windows and direct sunlight you can save upward of 40% on your energy bill.
Window tints can also come with potential rebates. These rebates are often energy-saving initiatives geared at lowering energy costs. Look into whether or not you can qualify for any of these rebates.
Glare Reduction
Is there anything worse than carefully installing a wall-mounted television only to find that it has window glare on it until the sun finally goes down? Many window tints greatly decrease this irritating glare. This makes tinted home windows a great perk in rooms with computer or television screens.
Improved Privacy
Another really amazing benefit to adding tints to your house windows is increased privacy. Sure, you can always purchase blinds or curtains, but that does not mean they are always closed when they should be. Also, every time you use curtains or blinds, you block your view.
When you install tinted house windows, you can enjoy your view from the inside while also enjoying privacy fro. the outside. This makes tinted windows a great option for those with large windows in not-so-private places, like cities or along popular beaches.
Enhanced Security
For some, security is equally as important as privacy. Luckily, some home window tint films are designed to strengthen the window. The material makes it possible for the glass to withstand much stronger blows, and decreases the amount of shattered glass when there is a blunt impact.
Additionally, tinted glass also keeps the contents of your home safe from the eyes of burglars. Tinted windows mean no one can see your valuables, and also can’t see when you are or are not at home.
Modern and Sleek Style
There are also some design benefits to tinted home windows. More and more, modern sleek home designs come with tinted windows. These windows may just appear a bit darker in color, or can have a mirrored reflection added. This mirrored reflected look with modern trim or home color gives an ultra-modern and chic look to the home.
UV Protection
UV light is a silent and invisible killer. Not only does it contribute to skin damage and even skin cancer, but it also can damage many of your home furnishings. From Furniture to rugs and wood, nothing is safe from UV light. By installing window tints with UV protectant, you can help protect your home from these harmful rays. In essence, this UV protection also ensures your furniture will last longer without cracking or changing color due to sun exposure.
Cons Of Tinted House Windows
Can Look Cheap If Installed Incorrectly
While the goal of tinted windows is an approved curb appeal, poor installation can leave your home looking cheap and sloppy. Poorly installed tint film can result in bubbles, frays, and scratches over time, which is certainly not the desired effect.
Might Damage Your Windows
It is important you make sure the window film you select is compatible with your windows. Some window films can damage certain types of windows. This is why consulting with a professional is important, and professional installation, while costly, is encouraged for many of these installs.
Can Void Your Current Window Warranty
One major con you need to consider when you are deciding whether or not to install window film to tint your windows is your window’s existing warranty. Windows are not cheap, but they often come with a many year, even lifetime warranty.
This warranty, however, can be null and void when you alter the windows, and this often includes adding window tints. Make sure you know the ins and outs of your window warranty before you go forward with a home window tinting project.
Might Not Be Allowed In Your Area
Another con to home window tinting is that it simply might not be allowed where you live. If you live in an HOA or community with many zoning rules, make sure you review their policies. Since window tints make your home stand out, many HOAs do not allow this type of window treatment. Be sure home window tints are permitted where you live before you proceed with the project.
They Might Keep Out Too Much Light
Window tints keep out glare, but sometimes they keep out too much light. Window tints decrease glare, but they also decrease the amount of natural light in the home. If you live In a home that is starved for light, window tints might take away some of the little light you have.
If you live in an area that has short days and is cold much of the year, window tints also might not be a real idea. Window tints can keep the home cooler, and reduce the much-needed amount of warmth you get from sunlight.
Can Affect Your View Of The Outside
Although window tints often allow you to view the outside without curtains, it can also hinder the view a bit. Some tints, while designed to keep out UV light and glare, can darken the view. These tints can even take away from the color, light, and contrast of the outdoors. So if you have a sweeping vista view, make sure tinting your windows won’t diminish this view.
Quality Window Tinting Can Be Costly
Another major con to adding window films to tint your home windows is the cost. Sure, sometimes this is a DIY project. Sometimes it is even an affordable project that you can hire a professional for at a reasonable rate. Other times, however, it is quite costly. Prices rise significantly when you want more expensive window tint, or have large or complicated windows.
Final Thoughts On Pros And Cons Of House Window Tinting
There are both benefits and downsides to having tinted windows. Some of the main pros of home window tints include increased security and privacy. Home window tints can also reduce your energy costs, glare, and dangerous UV light. These benefits combined can even help increase the value of your home.
There are, however, several downsides to home window tinting. Sometimes, especially when it is a DIY project, window tints can look cheap. When done professionally, however, they can be quite expensive. Home window tints can also affect your outdoor view. Your HOA might also forbid tinted windows.
Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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