Whether we’re hoping to reduce our exposure to UV rays or simply prefer the look, tinting your home’s windows in Barrie can be a great idea. It’s a relatively simple project that can significantly improve the appearance and curb appeal of your home and, in some cases, help protect your possessions inside your home, too. With that said, tinting can be a bit confusing, especially if you aren’t sure which kind to buy or where to begin with the installation process. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how to tint your home’s windows in Barrie.
1. Find the Right Film
Tinting your single or double-pane windows in Barrie might seem like a simple process. Just take the film and apply it to the window, and you’re done, right? The real question, however, is what kind of film you’re hoping to install. Not all films are created equally, and they don’t serve the same purposes. Are you hoping for a film that blocks UV rays and infrared rays, or are you simply looking for a decorative tint to improve the appearance of your windows from the curb? Security film is also a popular buy. It won’t help reduce the temperature inside your home like other films might, but it does keep your window safe from storm damage and burglars thanks to its thick nature.
2. Make Sure the Film Matches Your Glass
Choosing the film that offers the right benefits is important, but all of the deliberations will have been for nothing if you can’t actually use the film on your windows in Barrie. Not all window glass is compatible with all window films, so it’s important to understand the type of glass you have installed before you go out and buy a film. This is most important if the glass in your windows are tinted annealed glass more than ¼ of an inch thick, clear annealed glass more than 3/8 of an inch thick, or insulated glass more than 10 years old and/or with seal failures. If your windows in Barrie fit any of the above, proceed with caution if you’re hoping to apply solar film in particular as the high heat absorption of the film could potentially crack them.
3. Ensure You Don’t Void Your Warranty
If you have a warranty in effect on your windows in Barrie, make sure to go over it carefully before you apply a film of any kind. Some window manufacturers specify that damage done to the glass by a window film (or sometimes simply damage caused while the film was in place) is not covered. Furthermore, if you apply this film, you could void your windows’ warranty altogether. It doesn’t take too long to call your carrier and ask for clarification, so take the time to double-check before you do something you might end up regretting in the future.
4. Ensure Your Window Needs Tinting
If you’re installing film because you’re after a specific benefit such as UV filtering or heat absorption, make sure that your windows in Barrie don’t already have low-emissivity, also known as low-E, coatings applied to them. You can still tint windows with this coating, but you might not experience much benefit as the low-E coating is designed to do exactly what the film should do. This is something to consider especially if applying the film would impact your warranty – voiding future coverage of your windows over a film installation that doesn’t significantly improve things might not be worth it.
If your main goal is simply to tint for the aesthetics of it, of course, then the above doesn’t necessarily apply.
5. Find the Most Affordable Options
Window film is generally pretty affordable for windows in Barrie. This is especially true when you’re buying and installing it yourself. Still, it doesn’t hurt to do some research and look at a few different retailers before making your final decision. Look at online sellers as well as local shops and compare the prices. In general, you can expect to spend between $27 to $54 per window for a pane that measures 3’8” by 3’8”. Don’t be discouraged if this is more than you have to spend – you don’t have to tint every single window in your home at the same time. Pick the most trafficked areas and go from there.
6. Apply the Tint
Finally, it’s time to actually apply the window tint! The first thing you should do is carefully clean the windows to be tinted. You can do this using an application solution that came with your film or a solution you make yourself containing 1 teaspoon of “no-tears” baby shampoo per 1 gallon of bottled water. This helps provide the final clarity and proper pH for the tinting process. If there is anything like paint or grime on the window, scrape it off as much as possible. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the window, spray it with the solution once again, use something to squeegee it away, and dry the area with a low-lint cloth.
Cut the film to be one inch longer and wider than you want. This is to allow for easier positioning of the film as well as to cut it down to size for a perfect fit. Spray the glass again with the solution and apply the film on top. Align the factory-cut edge right up along the glass edge to ensure the placement of the film is correct, then squeegee from the top of the film down to the center after spraying the film itself once it’s lined up. Squeegee from the center to the side of the film and push out bubbles as you go.
Press the film into the corners and edges of the window, then trim the excess film using a utility knife. Use the low-lint cloth to clear any excess moisture from the glass and allow the film to dry. You’re all done!
Tinted Windows Barrie
If you’re looking for the perfect windows in Barrie, including those with the perfect amount of tint, reach out to Clera Windows + Doors! We’re happy to help design something to fit your exact needs.
