April 23, 2021 | Cutting Edge Tint | Residential Window Tinting
WINDOW FILM FOR YOUR HOME 101
Are you considering adding window film to your home? Or are you simply curious about the basics and benefits of window film? We have the answers you need to make an informed choice about what works best for your home and lifestyle.
What is it?
First, the basics. Window film is a sheet of strong polyester laminate treated in variety of ways to improve the look and performance of existing windows. One side has a scratch-resistant coating and the other has an adhesive that bonds to the glass window. It is most commonly applied to the interior side of windows. There are two main categories of residential window film: professional film that can be purchased from a certified and trained installer and do-it-yourself window film that can be purchased at major home centers. This blog post explores the professionally installed window films. The installation process for those films is relatively hassle-free (mess-free, too), and takes a professional about 15 minutes per window.
What are the Benefits?
Window film isn’t a product that belongs only in fancy designer houses or large commercial buildings. Its benefits extend equally to private residences of every shape, size and value. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 15% of the average home’s wall space is composed of glass, which is a very poor insulator. The majority of a home’s utility bills are spent in energy costs from untreated windows. By adding a thin, virtually invisible addition to your home’s existing windows, window film can help you save up to 50% on cooling costs.
In addition to saving energy and reducing utility costs, window film basically adds another layer onto your windows, which can aid in blocking glare, keeping out Ultraviolet rays, and preventing fading of floors and furniture. Safety window film can also provide an extra layer of security for your home by helping to protect people and furnishings from the flying shards of glass that cause a majority of injury and damage during a storm.
What are my Options?
With such a variety of window film options on the market, there is likely a film that will meet your needs. Here are some questions to answer before you contact a professional installer.
What problem are you trying to solve with window film? What benefit are you seeking? (energy cost savings, heat reduction, glare, etc.)
How do you want the film to look on the inside and outside of your home? (clear, patterned, grey, warm/cool hues, reflective like a mirror, etc.)
Which rooms in your home would you like to have window film installed?
What is your budget?
Vista Window Film Products
Here are all of the products in the Vista Window Film line. If you want to see real-life examples of homes with Vista window film, check out our photo albums on Facebook.
Low-E
Low-emissitivity (low-e) films are suited for cooler weather climates where energy conservation is desired.
Neutral
Designed to provide moderate heat rejection where a soft, neutral appearance is preferred. Lighter versions are particularly good for showrooms and high-visibility display windows.
Spectrally Selective
Virtually invisible, these films ‘select’ desirable daylight while blocking undesirable heat and UV. These films are ideal for storefronts, commercial buildings, and homes that need minimal light control and maximum heat protection.
Dual-Reflectives
Designed to save energy, reduce glare, and reject UV rays while maintaining exterior views. These films are more reflective (shiny) to the exterior to improve solar heat rejection and less reflective to the interior to reduce interior reflection of artificial lighting at night.
Harmony
Provides maximum performance with extremely low interior and exterior reflectivity.
Safety/Security
Optically clear window film that helps hold shattered glass together should a break occur, and helps slow down entry through glass.
