Window Tinting vs. Window Coverings: Which Is Better for Your Home?
Are you trying to decide between window tinting and window coverings? This is how to choose the best option for your home.
You're looking for a way to reduce glare, increase privacy, and block UV rays from entering your home. Do you invest in window tinting or traditional window coverings like blinds?
There are a ton of reasons to consider residential window tinting. However, many homeowners don't realize that window tinting is better able to fulfill their needs than blinds or shades.
Today, we're here to talk about the signs that you should hire window tinting services vs. the signs that blinds are the best choice for your home.
Read on to get the information you need to choose between window tinting and other window options.
Benefits of Window Tinting
When you find the right window tinting company, you can transform your home in a single day. How do you know if window tinting is what your home needs? Let's take a look at some of the top benefits you can get from window tinting film, alone.
Blocking UV Rays
Most of us realize that if we're spending the day in the sun, sunblock is a must to protect us from harmful UV rays. What you may not realize is that even when you're sitting inside, you can still be exposed to UV rays when the sun is shining on your windows.
With the right window tint film, you can block up to 99% of UV rays from entering your home. Not only is this better for your skin but it can reduce glare, protecting your eye health, too.
Reducing Heat Gain
In Florida, the cost of cooling is a major concern. We need to run our AC for months every year and nothing is more frustrating than spending more than you need to make up for things like heat gain.
Heat gain occurs when the sun that hits your windows is converted into heat. This causes your AC to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. By blocking UV rays, window tint film can also reduce heat gain and protect your energy bill.
Increasing Privacy
No one wants to feel like they have a spotlight on them when sitting in their own homes. With window tinting services, you can add a reflective tint or texture to your windows, making it harder to see in. Increasing your privacy can make you feel safer and more comfortable at home.
Preserving Natural Light
One of the most attractive features of home window tinting is that you can reap all of these benefits without having to block out natural light. Even as you're protected from the hazards of UV rays, you can still enjoy a sunny afternoon.
Many homeowners prefer natural light because of its positive impact on mood. Plus, cutting down on the need for artificial lighting can reduce your energy bill.
Easy Maintenance
Once your window tinting service is complete, there isn't much you'll have to do to enjoy your tinted home windows. You don't have to worry about pets or kids breaking blinds or playing with pull cords. Simply wiping your windows down with a cloth from time to time will work wonders in keeping your window tint clean and clear.
Limitations of Window Tinting
Depending on the type of window tinting you invest in, you may not have complete privacy in your home without additional window coverings. However, reflective window film can make it almost impossible to see in, especially when the sun is bouncing off the reflective surface.
Window tinting can add to your interior design, but you may find that you still prefer the look of blinds or curtains around some of your larger windows. Window tinting is applied directly to the glass, meaning that it won't cover any loose or broken seals that are letting air in or out of your home.
Benefits of Window Coverings
How do you know if window tinting film isn't enough for your needs? There are a few things blinds and shades may be able to provide that not all window tint film can replicate.
Blocking Sunlight
When pulled closed, window coverings can block out sunlight. This will reduce your exposure to UV rays and can also create darkness in your home on a sunny day. When you need to sleep in, that darkness can come in handy.
Creating Full Privacy
Window tint film can increase your privacy in your home. However, nothing creates full privacy besides blocking off your window. If you live in close quarters to other houses or apartments, you may find that having window coverings is a must.
Reducing Heating and Cooling Loss
If your windows are loose-fitting in their frames, you're probably losing some of your heating and cooling through the gaps. In fact, about 30% of heating is lost through windows in the average home. Window coverings like blinds or curtains can create a protective barrier to trap your climate-controlled air inside.
Limitations of Window Coverings
Window coverings often cost more than window tint film, especially if you're hiring professionals to install them. Window coverings like blinds and drapes can also attract quite a bit of dust which may prove difficult to remove.
To get the biggest benefits of any window covering, you're going to have to close it. While this isn't much of an issue at night, it does mean sacrificing your natural light during the day. If you want the benefits of a window covering but don't want to lose your natural light, consider combining blinds or drapes with window tint film that can provide added benefits during the day.
Call Sunstopper for Window Tinting Services
Residential window tint and traditional window coverings both serve important functions. Chances are, window tint is all you need on most of your windows to provide UV protection, reduce heat gain, and increase privacy. When you do need window coverings to create total privacy or darkness, consider combining your window treatments with window tint film for daytime benefits.
Looking for window tinting services in Melbourne, FL? Sunstopper Window Tinting is owned and operated by a true window tinting veteran. Request an estimate on the best window tinting services in town.
