Window Tinting – Solar Control Window Film

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Window Tinting Intro

Window Tinting is simply applying a window film on the surface of a glass or window. But over here in this article, this 4 to 8 mil thick window film is not an ordinary film. In this article, I will talk about the very popular window film type in this industry.

Window Tinting – Benefits of Solar Control Window Film

Solar control window film is the most popular of all types. Why is that? Have you ever experiene before where you are sitting in your house with air-conditioning maxed out yet you are still feeling warm? Did you ever drive a car under the sun whole day long and you felt like you are sitting inside a sauna room?

Here’s the reason. Windows could cause heat gain indirectly especially during summer months which can cause about 75 percent of heat gain. I would say indirectly because without a sun, there is no solar heat. Solar heat penetrates through your windows into your inner area of your house, car and office as a result causes heat gain. That’s why your inner area temperature is warm even if you maxed out your air-conditioning. Beisdes, without a good protective window film that reject UV rays, you are exposed yourself under harmful UV rays which can lead to skin cancer and sun burn.

Solar control window film is the solution to counter this problem. It is a very thin film that not only rejects 99 percent of harmful UV rays, but also rejects solar heat up to 90 percent or more with high quality window film. In automobile window tinting, you can drive under the sun whole day long without too much of worries while enjoying cool temperature inside. In fact, many people have experienced with great comfort. Not only that, when solar control film is applied on their house’s windows, their energy bills reduced by 30 to 40 percent. Solar control window film is an Energy Star qualified product, this has proven that solar control window film does help in energy saving. With a dyed and metallic window film, it can decrease energy loss by as much as 30 to 50 percent. Not to mention the latest techonology, ceramic window film which provide a substantial improve in blocking ultraviolet rays and the capability to control heat transfer.

Solar contorl window film also available with reflective or dual reflective film which provides one way vision privacy. Which means, you can have a very clear view from the inside to outside, but it is harder to see from outside to inside. With that said, you can enjoy an enhanced privacy with your windows. Note that you can apply any percent reflective window film on your house or office but not always on your car. Simply because reflective window film increases the risks of opposite drivers on the road. It is best to check with your local tint law before you apply car window tinting. Each state has it’s own rules, some allow any percent, some allow any percent and some doesn’t allow reflective window film.

Window tinting cost slightly higher with higher quality window film but worth every penny because you can enjoy all the benefits and it can last five to ten years with very low maintance. Don’t forget you can take advantage of the 30% tax credit when applying Energy Star qualified products. I would personally recommend you to apply window tinting for you car, home or office.

Resources:
Window Tinting Info Squidoo Lens : 
US Department of Energy : 
Energy Star Government :