Does your home have traditional windows with no low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings? If so, you can improve window performance by investing in glass tint. However, the many glass tinting products on the market can overwhelm a first-time buyer. Therefore, before commencing your project, check out these tips to help you get started.

Define your window tinting needs

The first step to successful window tinting is defining your needs. Would you like to install film on all the windows, or just a few? What would you like to accomplish with tinting products? You can use residential window film to achieve the following:

• Block heat and UV rays
  • Solar film absorbs UV rays and blocks the sun's heat from penetrating the windows. This tint is excellent for regulating indoor temperatures and lowering energy costs. It also gets rid of solar glare and is ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and home offices. You can also use solar film to prevent UV rays from fading furniture and furnishings. 
• Improve the sturdiness of window glass
  • Glass-cut injuries are common in traditional windows because the glass breaks into shards on impact. If you're concerned about this, you can use security tint to improve the sturdiness of the windows. Security film protects the glass and holds it together on impact. Instead of breaking into shards, the glass shatters into thousands of pieces, lowering the risk of injury.
• Increase privacy in indoor spaces 
  • Would you like to improve the privacy of indoor spaces such as the home office or bathroom? You can use privacy film to prevent outsiders from peeking inside your home. There are various types of privacy film, such as frosted and reflective tint. Frosted tint is great for bathrooms, while reflective film is ideal for bedrooms and living spaces.

Check your window glass for compatibility

Not all types of tint are compatible with regular window glass. For example, solar film can cause thermal stress on conventional window glass, leading to breakage. If your windows shatter due to using the wrong tinting product, your insurance won't cover you. Therefore, check with your glass manufacturer to ensure compatibility with tinting products.

Choose your preferred shade

Window tint is available in various shades, ranging from dark to light or invisible film. There are also decorative films you can use to improve the curb appeal of your windows. In most cases, the shade of the product is just an aesthetic feature, and it does not determine performance. For example, solar film doesn't have to be dark to block UV rays. Therefore, your choice of shade and colour should depend on your preference.

These tips should help you get started with your window tinting project. For further consultation, contact a professional contractor.