The summer sun in San Antonio does not make it easy to keep your home cool without overworking your air conditioning unit and costing you a small fortune on your electricity bills. We’re in the midst of exploring the options of solar screens, tinted window film, and Low-E glass for reducing heat transfer into your home through your windows. In our previous blog post, we looked at the benefits and disadvantages of solar screens, and today we’re going to examine tinted window film as another option for your home.
Window film has also been shown to cause windows to crack, especially if it has undetected weaknesses. This is because the film increases the thermal stress on sunlit glass. In fact, solar film is not recommended on very large single pane windows (more than 100 square feet), tinted glass that is thicker than ¼ inch, or windows made from solid metal such as older aluminum windows.
It is possible that adding aftermarket window tinting to new windows may void the manufacturer's warranty. We suggest that you check the warranty's fine print and confirm if any modifications, additions, or alterations void the warranty. Most manufacturers do not recommend any changes to their products, including adding aftermarket tinting, as this may affect the window's performance and durability. In addition, poorly installed tinting may cause the window to crack, which can affect the warranty's coverage. To avoid the risk of voiding the warranty or damaging the window materials, it is best to consult with a professional before adding any aftermarket tinting.
All in all, tinted window film can be a good and inexpensive option for a starter home or one that just needs a temporary solution to the heat transfer. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution that will produce a much more dramatic difference in your home, you should look into a high performing Low-E glass package for your windows, which is what our next blog post covers. For any further questions, please feel free to contact us directly.