Your home should be your sanctuary. Not only should it protect you from too much sun, it should also provide privacy. Shades and blinds can help you do this, but another option is window tinting.

Window tinting is the simple process of bonding a thin sheet of film in the inside surface of a window in your home. It’s usually made from clear polyester film that contains an even and thin layer of dyes, carbon, metals, or ceramics. These materials are used depending on their specific purpose.

Solar Control Film

Glare is a visual sensation that comes from excessive or uncontrolled brightness. Too much brightness in a dark area makes it hard for your eyes to readjust and focus on an image.Glare from the sun can be disabling and uncomfortable. It can cause headaches, fatigue, discomfort, eye pain, and even temporary vision loss.

Solar control film acts like sunscreen for your home. It gives maximum protection from glare by filtering out direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays. In addition, it also helps reduce glare from indirect sources, such as light reflecting off a body of water like a swimming pool. Most solar films include the following options for tinting:

Light to Highly Reflective Colored Tints

These most often come in blue, green or even yellow. They are one of the best types of film to use for reducing glare. These tints create a uniform color when viewed from the outside.

Light to Highly Reflective Metallic Tints

This type of film often has gold and silver tones, and they are also great for reducing glare. Just like reflective colored tints, they are also a uniform color when viewed from the outside.

Light to Dark Solar Bronze Tints

They are great for glare reduction and gives a warm bronze tint when viewed from the outside.

Ultra Clear to Dark Tints

These provide average glare reduction depending upon their color. Typically, the darker the tint, the better they will perform. These tints have a neutral appearance when viewed from the outside.

Tips On How to Use Solar Films

  •   Solar films (or Glare-Reducing films) should be placed on the inside portion of single-pane windows. Dual-pane windows require them to be placed on the outside and inside portion of the glass.
  •   The best windows to place these films are on the southern and western areas of your home. Bedroom windows on the western side of a home may not always require a lot of natural light, and if this is the case, then choose darker tints that have around 70% light blocking protection.
  •   It’s challenging to find the right balance between blocking the light and letting enough of it in to brighten the room. A standard recommendation is to allow 20% of light to go through the film and less than 40% of to be reflected away from your home.
  •   Solar film can’t be used for all glass types. There are some that might overheat and break when certain kinds of film are used. Make sure to do your research first.
  •   One of the most common reasons why people regret their choice of window tinting is that the film is too dark. You can avoid this by getting a sample of the kind you want to install and wrapping it around your face (like you’re wearing sunglasses). Look around and see if the level of darkness suits you. Do this with other film samples until you find the right one.
  •   There are times when window films have a slightly colored appearance (such as the highly-reflective green / blue tints). These colors may not go well with your house’s color motif. It’s best to get a bigger film sample (the size of a typical bond paper is good) and paste it on your window. Look at it from the outside, and check if the tint blends well with your house.

Privacy Films

Most people would rather not give neighbors a constant window into the privacy of their own home. You might solve this problem by constantly pulling your shades or blinds down, but that can be unfortunate if you’re denied the view of your beautiful garden or yard.

Privacy Films not only protect you from the prying eyes of people, but they also have options that add beauty to your home. Typical Privacy Films include:

One-Way Privacy Films

One-Way Privacy Films help you view the outside of your home, but its reflective tint prevents people from seeing what’s on the inside. It also allows a good level of natural light to come inside.

Two-Way Privacy Films

Two-Way Privacy Films make the inside and the outside areas of your windows almost opaque, so nothing can be seen on either side. High levels of light can still pass through, so it’s a good choice if you want to let in some sunshine inside your home.

Frosted films are also good options. These windows look like they’re frosted on both sides, and they look elegant when viewed up close. Aside from looking stylish, they also give you your much-needed privacy without feeling like you’re inside a cave.

Tips on How to Buy Privacy Films

  •   Choose windows that allow around 25% of light to pass through to maintain the balance between the inside and outside of your home.
  •   Two-Way Privacy Films cannot be used for all glass types. There are some that might overheat and break when certain films are used. Make sure to do your research first.

Only Choose the Experts

Aero Shade’s wide array of tinting and frosting materials give you an abundance of options to choose from.  Our expert installers work hard to give you the best customized window treatments, so you’re guaranteed the safest and most comfortable home any time of the day.