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THE BEST IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL WINDOW TINTING
Film Systems Blogger • December 5, 2019
DIY Home Window Tinting: A DIY Don't
If you're considering taking on the arduous project of DIY home window tinting, explore why you might want to think again and leave it to the specialists!
Did you know that all those windows in your home account for 10% to 30%
of your heating and cooling bills?
That's right!
That energy use comes from the heat gains and losses that transpire in them. For starters, 76% of the sunlight
that gets past double pane windows turn into heat. Windows can also let out up to 30% of heating energy outside.
The good news is, the best window tinting can block much of the sun's heat and save you up to 50% on cooling costs.
You'd need to skip DIY home window tinting and get the tint installed by a pro to enjoy these savings though. For starters, mistakes in tint application can make the material inefficient, even ineffective.
But that's just one of the many risks that come with applying window tint on your own. Keep reading, as we've listed down the main downsides of DIY window tint installation!
Choosing the Wrong Type of Tint Can Damage Your Windows
Some types of tint absorb all the sun's heat rather than reflecting some of it away. When this happens, the tint can get very hot and the heat would spread to the window glass. Glass that heats up expands, and if there's too much expansion, it could break and shatter.
That said, applying the wrong type of window tint can cause serious window damage. While you'll find a lot of info about tinting online, the terms can be too technical. You need to be familiar with Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
and Visible Transmittance.
Even a small mistake in calculating these values can already put your windows at risk. That's why it's best to leave home window tinting to experts who understand these terms. These window tint specialists know exactly what type of tint
should go on your windows.
Heat Damage Caused by DIY Tinting Makes Windows a Safety Risk
Did you know that cuts and lacerations are some of the main causes of serious hand injuries in the US? That these injuries send over a million U.S. workers
to emergency rooms every year?
Many of these accidents involve sharp glass, which can quickly go through the skin. This alone should tell you how a damaged glass window can put you and your loved ones at a serious safety risk. This could happen if a glass window breaks due to the excess heat caused by improper tinting.
So, don’t risk it! Hire a professional instead to ensure proper window tint installation.
Tint-Caused Damage Can Void Your Window Warranty
Some window manufacturers don't allow their customers to apply tint on their products. One of the main reasons is the possible thermal damage that an incorrect tint can cause. Even if the glass doesn't break, excessive heat can break the window's factory seal.
A failed IGU (insulated glass unit) window seal will no longer provide insulation. Meaning, it'll no longer be energy efficient and it'll allow heat gains and losses to occur.
This risk of seal failure is why DIY tinting can void some window warranties. That's why you should always call in a pro for residential window tinting. They can help you avoid invalidating your warranty.
Window Tinting Involves Quite a Lot of Steps
There's a lot that goes into window tinting, from cleaning the windows to curing the film. The glass surface itself needs to be completely dry and dirt- and debris-free. You need to clean and dry all your windows before you can even begin the tint application.
You also need to cut the film in exact sizes that fit the glass window surface. A small gap (uncovered area) can reduce the tint's energy efficiency. A layering tool, such as a squeegee, is also a must-use to ensure the tint lays completely flat on the glass surface.
After this, the tint needs to go through a curing process to fully adhere to the glass. Curing helps evaporate the application solution that attaches the tint to the glass. Without this, imperfections like bubbles, streaks, and haze may develop.
There is no one-size-fits-all process when it comes to curing, as it depends on the type of glass you have. The construction of your window also dictates the curing steps, and how long it should take.
As you can see, tinting sounds easier than it actually is, when in fact, it requires accuracy and precision. That's why it's always best to leave the job in the hands of window tinting specialists. Through their knowledge and skills, you can avoid ruining the beauty of your windows.
Removing Incorrectly-Applied Tint is Messy and Time-Consuming
If any of these DIY tinting mistakes occur, you may have to redo the entire job. That means removing the applied tint, which is hard since it has already adhered to the glass surface. Without special tools, you may end up scratching or even causing worse damage to your windows.
Imagine how much time and money you’ll lose with even just a tiny mistake during a DIY tint application. Consider that replacing the glass alone could already cost an average of $270. If you have a double pane window glass, your bill could skyrocket to $400 for each glass pane.
You can save yourself a lot of time and unnecessary expenses by hiring professionals. Window tinting specialists know exactly what they should do, so there's no risk of errors.
Even in the unlikely event that a problem occurs, don't worry, as the job will come with a guarantee and warranty. Meaning, you can rest assured that the window tinting experts will resolve the issue ASAP -- and for free.
Skip DIY Home Window Tinting and Go Pro Instead
There you have it, the top reasons you shouldn't attempt DIY home window tinting. Aside from the safety risks, you may also end up spending more money due to installation errors. There's also the potential of voided warranties, which you can avoid by hiring pros.
Ready to save money with professionally-tinted windows? Then please don't hesitate to give us a call! We'll be more than happy to discuss your options and even throw in a free project estimate.
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