That would amount to as little as $27 to $54 for a do-it-yourself tint job of a single window pane measuring 3’8” by 3’8”! By these calculations, window film is generally cheaper than other popular window treatments that block the sun solar screens (fabric shades that absorb and/or reflect heat) go for an average of $40 to $280 per window for DIY installs, and cellular shades (fabric coverings that trap heat in honeycomb-shaped cells) will typically run you $45 to $220 per window for similar DIY setups. Meanwhile, professional installation typically costs $5 to $8 per square foot, according to cost guides on ImproveNet, a home improvement planning website. It will run you only $2 to $4 per square foot to buy an aftermarket window film from a home improvement center ( view example on Amazon) and install it yourself on your home windows. Newer windows with low-E coatings already provide homes with a measure of energy efficiency, so your indoor comfort and energy savings may not significantly increase by applying window film to these windows. Older windows without low-emissivity (low-E) coatings (a thin layer of metal oxide on the glass) that block out heat stand to gain the most from the energy savings afforded by tinting. Windows without energy-efficient coatings benefit the most from tinting. Many homeowners report window damage to their manufacturer only to find that they invalidated their window manufacturer’s warranty by applying a window film to the glass panes. Indeed, many window manufacturers will not cover defects caused by modifying windows with aftermarket window film because of the potential for certain types of window film to cause damage to certain types of window glass. Take heed: You should never begin tinting home windows without first confirming whether or not your window manufacturer’s warranty supports the application of window film. Installing window film could void your window warranty. Unless your manufacturer discourages it, you can usually apply them to all three common types of window glass-annealed (basic flat glass), heat-treated (annealed glass that has been exposed to high temperatures), and insulating (consists of two layers of glass with an intervening layer of air or gas)-with minimal risk of damage to the window glass.ģ. Most security and decorative films block minimal heat and therefore don’t place much thermal stress on the windows. Not all types of window film are compatible with all types of window glass.Īs noted in the section above, different types of window film absorb varying degrees of heat, which some windows are equipped to handle and others… not so much. It’s sold as a clear or bold colored film in a variety of etched patterns (such as stripes), stained glass motifs, or opaque frosted designs that keep out peering eyes.Ģ.
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