To create sun protection on windows, the easiest way is to use tinting film; unlike curtains, it makes it possible to see everything that is happening on the street, while drowning out the sunlight. You can do the gluing yourself. But in order to get an even coating without flaws, you should know the rules of work. Details on how to apply tint to a window will be discussed below.
When is window tinting necessary?
Most often, film tinting is found on car windows; this is done in order not only to reduce the brightness of sunlight, but also to hide it from others and reduce the heating of the interior. Proper gluing of solar control film on windows in the house will also lead to this effect. Tinting materials have different degrees of darkness. In bedrooms and living rooms you can create more darkness than in the kitchen or office.
Before you stick the tint film on the window, you should figure out when it is recommended to do it:
- If the windows in the room are located on the south side, where the sun shines longer;
- The climate is characterized by a large number of sunny days;
- If it is necessary to create a sufficiently darkened space, for example, for sick and elderly people.
In bedrooms and living rooms you can create more darkness than in the kitchen or office.
About the benefits of architectural tinting
In some cases, the glazing of a building is not successful and requires improvement. The reason is an unsuccessful choice of window size, peculiarities of their orientation, or inconsistency with the chosen interior style. Architectural window tinting has the following benefits, which are often used for office decoration.
- With its help you can reduce the amount of sunlight entering the room. This is especially important for “French” windows on the upper floors of high-rise buildings.
- The effect of glare and reflections on monitors disappears, which helps improve working conditions.
- Furniture and accessories do not fade from ultraviolet rays.
- The effect of glass resonance due to street noise is eliminated, which is an additional way to soundproof rooms. There are films that can be used to protect a room from outside listening.
- The appearance of the entire building is improved: the film can be of any color, highlighting the glazing.
- Window tinting in retail establishments improves the visualization of goods.
- Artificial darkening is a necessity for banking institutions, casinos and security premises. This decoration method is used at gas stations.
Architectural film, depending on its type, is glued to the inside or outside of the window. Window tinting (photos below) is an effective way to reconstruct building facades.
Principles of protecting windows from the sun
To reduce the impact of the sun, both light and heating, they decide to tint the windows. But there are several options for obtaining this effect:
- Using mirror protection – a reflective effect is obtained, the degree of reflection can be different;
- Infrared protection, in this case an athermal film coating is used, which only removes the heating effect without reducing the light illumination in the room;
- Ultraviolet protection, here the opposite effect with the previous option, objects can heat up and the light level decreases, the degree of light reduction can also be selected based on the preferences of the owners.
Thus, the last two types are selected based on climatic conditions. If the region is often hot, then it is better to use the second type, if the third is cold. The first type is selected if you want to reduce both light and heating.
To reduce the impact of the sun, both light and heating, they decide to tint the windows.
Varieties
Film designed to protect the loggia and windows in the apartment comes in several types. Each category has certain properties:
- Sun protection. This film can absorb up to 80% of ultraviolet rays. This is the optimal solution for residents of the southern regions who are forced to live in the summer with the air conditioner constantly on.
- Mirror. In addition to the main function, it obstructs the view from the street, although in the dark the mirror effect begins to work in the opposite direction. Looks good on glazed balconies and loggias.
- Protective. This film not only absorbs sunlight, but also makes the glass more durable. Recommended for installation on the first floors of apartment buildings and in the private sector.
- Matte. Let us immediately note that matte film is not the best option for tinting a loggia or windows in an apartment. Frosted films are intended for decorating glass partitions, mainly in office buildings or hospitals. However, the matte film will make it difficult to see from the street, and absorbs some of the sun's rays. Therefore, if desired, it can also be used in residential premises.
Types of films for window glass
You can apply tinting film to windows in different rooms. On balconies, cars, corridors, etc. There are many different film materials on sale; there are 4 main types: protective, sun-protective, mirror matte. The features of each will be discussed below.
You can apply tinting film to windows in different rooms.
Sun protection
This type is used to prevent objects from heating up from the sun. The degree of effect reduction can reach 80%. The film also helps to remove glare without affecting the lighting in the room. They get beautiful glass designs that stand out in an unusual color.
This type is used to prevent objects from heating up from the sun.
Mirror
The mirror type is similar to tinting, but during the day it helps to hide what is happening on the inside of the apartment from passers-by. But in the evening when the lights are turned on, the effect disappears. The reduction in light penetration is insignificant.
The reduction in light penetration is insignificant.
Protective
This type helps to increase the strength of the glass unit; there are subtypes that help contain glass fragments if it is hit hard. Others increase strength; glass can withstand stronger mechanical loads. They also reduce the heating effect.
This type helps to increase the strength of the glass unit.
Matte
The condition when you can apply a matte film is that there is no need to look through the glass. After all, they make glass opaque. Therefore, a matte look is used for door panels and windows between other rooms.
The condition when you can apply a matte film is that there is no need to look through the glass.
Kinds
Manufacturing conditions affect the quality and variety of the resulting film. Manufacturers produce the following models:
Mirror | They are one of the most popular and are made of metallized polyethylene terephthalate. The high-quality composition blocks up to 99% of radiation. Provides reliable protection from unwanted attention, heat and solar radiation. Among the manufacturers, we can highlight the UltraSolarBlock brand, which produces a film that costs 1,600 rubles. |
Sun protection | The key function is protection against heating due to exposure to sunlight. Fixation is carried out on windows on the south side. The film blocks up to 98% of ultraviolet radiation, including up to 95% of infrared rays. In this case, up to 75% of visible light passes through. The manufacturer STELLINE produces film that costs 351 rubles. |
Protective | The film has anti-burglar and anti-vandal properties. This is a good alternative to window bars, which increases the strength of the glass. Protection classes A1, A2 and A3 are provided. offers film costing 850 rubles. |
Matte | The film is affordable. Decorative models are available, which can give not only the desired shade, but also a decorative design. The USB manufacturer offers the film at a price of 900 rubles. |
It is important to choose not only the purpose of the film. Parameters such as density and color scheme are taken into account. Light transmittance is indicated as a percentage. The higher the parameter, the more light will pass through the film. Manufacturers offer gold and silver shades, as well as bright colors.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before deciding whether or not to glue film to the window glass, you should study the advantages and disadvantages of tinting. The advantages include:
- Can be used for all types of glass;
- Reducing the penetration of ultraviolet radiation to one percent;
- Getting rid of glare;
- Reducing heating of objects from the sun;
- Creating a layer that will prevent people from outside from seeing the interior of the home.
Disadvantages noted:
- The lighting in the room becomes worse;
- In winter, the room takes longer to warm up;
- In the evening, the “invisibility” effect disappears.
Before deciding whether or not to glue film to the window glass, you should study the advantages and disadvantages of tinting.
How to properly apply tint film
To get a beautiful coating, you need to do the gluing correctly; you can do this at home, following the following steps:
- The base is cleaned, it is advisable to clean the entire room in advance so that there is no dust that gets on the film and can later lead to it peeling off;
- The film is cut to the required size, the glass unit is measured in advance, and a margin of 2.5 cm is made in width and length;
- Remove the protective layer from the film;
- Spray the window with soapy water so that it remains possible to adjust its location;
- When the film coating has been distributed over the surface, smooth the material with a rubber spatula to get rid of all bubbles;
- Leave until dry, then carefully cut off excess parts with a stationery knife.
When the film coating has been distributed over the surface, smooth the material with a rubber spatula to get rid of all bubbles.
Advantages of tinted double-glazed windows
Tinted structures have a number of advantages:
- increasing the strength of the product and safety, it is more difficult to damage a double-glazed window with film; if this happens, the fragments will not scatter in different directions, but will remain on the film;
- effective sun protection;
- reduction of heat loss;
- protection from prying eyes;
- attractive appearance.
Among the disadvantages of tinted products: a limited range of tinted colors in the mass and a higher cost in comparison with transparent designs, as well as more demanding care for the film coating.
How to apply car tint to apartment windows
Film coatings for cars have the best protection against heat, so some people decide to glue them in the apartment. There are some nuances in the gluing process:
- Use a special solution, not just soap and water, to ensure an even distribution of the coating over the surface;
- To treat difficult areas, the surface is heated in these places with a hairdryer, which leads to the film being leveled.
To treat difficult areas, the surface is heated in these places with a hairdryer, which leads to the film being leveled.
Methods of applying tint
- When purchasing or replacing plastic windows, you can order already tinted windows. They are made directly at the factory. To obtain the desired shade, a dye of the required color is added to the composition.
- Another way to darken windows is spraying. This process involves applying a tinting layer by spraying onto the glass while it is still hot.
- Vacuum tinting is also a way to darken windows only at the factory.
- If these options do not suit you, then there is the most common and cheapest way to tint the windows in your apartment or house. This is the use of adhesive film. Tinting using this method is quite simple; you just need to choose the appropriate color and shade.
How to do your own window tinting in an apartment
How to stick mirror film on a window so that there are no bubbles or unevenness. First, measure the window to cut the desired rectangle from the film material. Next they take care of the cleanliness of the room and the absence of dust. The film is cut with a margin in order to hold the film by these edges when gluing.
Use a spray bottle to spray the window with a soapy solution, and dilute a little liquid soap in water. The film is transferred to the glass and carefully leveled using a rubber spatula. He also knocks out the bubbles. You can spray the film on top again with soapy water. Excess parts are cut off.
The film is cut with a margin in order to hold the film by these edges when gluing.
Instructions for self-installation (sticker) of film on windows
To obtain the desired quality result, two stages should be carried out: surface and room preparation; the gluing process itself. Also, the required tools for work are prepared in advance; gluing should be done without the distraction of searching for them.
To obtain the desired quality result, two stages should be carried out: surface and room preparation; the gluing process itself.
Material and tool
It is necessary to prepare the following tools and materials: scalpel/knife; rubber spatula; sprayer; tinting material; liquid soap; water.
It is necessary to prepare tools and materials before gluing.
Caring for a Tinted Window
For the first 7 days after gluing, it is forbidden to wash the glass unit; when gluing is completed, you can wash the window using the usual method. Cleaning with abrasive agents and rough brushes is unacceptable. Dirt from the tint coating is easily removed by moistening the area with soapy water and after a short time removing it with a soft sponge.
For the first 7 days after gluing, it is forbidden to wash the glass unit; when gluing is completed, you can wash the window using the usual method.
The article described how to apply tinting to windows in an apartment correctly. This product will help make being in a room more comfortable in hot weather and will provide additional protection from prying eyes. It is important to choose high-quality material to make gluing easier.
Important features of film for tinting windows in the house
Practical, durable material . Made from modern PVC, the film looks great even after several years of use. It does not lose its properties under the influence of light, rain, snow and other atmospheric factors. Light reflection and heat protection . The film reflects up to 75% of solar heat entering a house or cottage through windows. The degree of film protection (reflection 5-75%) can be selected for each specific case. Infrared protection . Reflects 40-90% of radiation harmful to eyes and skin. Environmentally friendly coating . Non-toxic, does not emit harmful substances, approved for use in private homes. No loss of visibility in the house . The premises will not be deprived of light, it will simply be more comfortable, diffused and safe for the eyes. Unlimited service life . The tinting film is easy to apply and does not require special care or additional measures. Strength of the material . The film glued to the glass protects against accidental damage and impacts. And also from a scattering of fragments, if the glass was still broken.
Required Tools
According to experts, high-quality gluing of glass surfaces is only possible in production. However, home tinting, provided all recommendations are followed, can be in no way inferior to factory tinting.
To tint your glass yourself, you should prepare the necessary raw materials in advance:
- sun protection film (take as much of it as the area of the glass, about 4 cm more);
- a solution of liquid soap or baby shampoo, at the rate of three liters of liquid per few drops of soap;
- spatula equipped with a soft sponge;
- clean cloth;
- spatula with a rubber tip.
Sequencing
Window tinting, when carried out in accordance with all the recommendations recommended by experts, easily performs its intended functions. Only adherence to technology guarantees that the composition will stick tightly to the surface of the stele and will not begin to fall off after a short period of use.
Before starting work, you should familiarize yourself with the sequence of mandatory actions:
- Prepare glass surfaces.
- Cut the film according to the obtained dimensions.
- Moisten the glass surface.
- Remove the protective layer from the sheets.
- Align and fix the canvas on the plane of the window.
- Displace water and air using a spatula.
The composition dries completely in about 7 days, during which time the canvas may lighten a little, because excess moisture will come out from under it. The air bubbles that remained on the surface will also gradually disappear.
During installation work, a number of rules must be observed:
- during gluing, the temperature inside the room should be between 5 and 40 degrees Celsius;
- the humidity level should be no higher than 80% and no less than 20%: when this figure is lower, you should periodically spray water from a spray bottle near the work site;
- the preparatory stage necessarily includes thorough cleaning of the glass; if there are foreign particles under the film, it will be difficult to stick it evenly, and it will adhere worse;
- Before starting work, the window must be cleaned with a detergent that does not contain abrasive substances; when there are obvious traces of dirt, use a scraper.