How to do your own window tinting in an apartment

For residents of the southern regions or people whose windows face the sunny side, summer is a busy time. And in the literal sense of the word. The sun's rays heat the room to unimaginable temperatures, so you can forget about a comfortable stay. There are two ways to solve the problem: live with curtained windows or get window tint. The second option is more profitable and we will tell you why.

Methods

Tinting can be done in several ways.

1. In bulk. The desired effect can be achieved by melting glass. For this purpose, metal oxide impurities are used. As a result, it turns out transparent, but with different shades. It is resistant to mechanical damage. High price corresponds to quality.
2. Glass pyrolysis method. When it has not yet had time to harden, a very thin metal layer is applied. After cooling, it turns into a chemical composition. The finished surface is durable and has a mirror finish.
3. Special films. This method is popular and inexpensive, so it is in high demand. Modern products are practical and reliable. They differ in varying degrees of eclipse, are mirrored and multi-colored. Additionally strengthen the surface.

Tinted double-glazed windows can be purchased ready-made. They are created during the manufacturing process. They have a long warranty period and are reliable in operation.

There are also films on sale that can be applied to the finished surface.

Advantages and disadvantages

Window tinting has its advantages and disadvantages. Having considered all sides of the issue, you can make an informed decision: do you need a tinting film or not. Let's start with the advantages:

• The film is installed on any type of windows, including glazing of a balcony or loggia. Its direct purpose is to absorb ultraviolet rays. The material copes with this task perfectly, transmitting only 1% of ultraviolet radiation. As a result, the room does not heat up, and furniture and wallpaper are protected from fading.
• The protective film prevents heat loss; therefore, by tinting the loggia, you will make it suitable for living at any time of the year. Let us immediately clarify that without a heating system, living on a balcony in the winter season will be very difficult.
• Performs tinting and protective functions. Glazing a balcony is an excellent solution, but if your apartment is located on the ground floor, there is a risk that the window will be broken. For example, children playing in the yard will accidentally hit the loggia window with a ball. If we ignore the costs of restoring the window (this responsibility can be assigned to the parents of the bully), the issue of safety remains. Flying glass can injure people on the balcony. If a tinting film is applied to the windows, the risk of injury will be reduced to zero: the fragments will be held together by the film.

• Thanks to tinting, you will perfectly see everything that happens outside the apartment, but you won’t be able to look inside the room from the street. Accordingly, residents of the first floors can do without curtains during the day.

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Protective films also have disadvantages:

• Only a certain spectrum of rays passes through the tinting of balcony windows and loggias, so the apartment will always be twilight.
• Protection from sunlight in winter will also have a negative side: the apartment will warm up slowly. This is especially noticeable if there are heating problems in the city.
• You won’t be able to completely abandon the installation of curtains: when it gets dark outside, the lights turned on in the rooms will provide an excellent view from the street.

However, even despite the existing disadvantages, window tinting is very popular.

DIY tinting

Tinting of double-glazed windows with film can be carried out by professionals. To save on such a service, you can do the gluing yourself.

The process is not complicated, the main thing is to do everything carefully, taking into account all the useful recommendations.

Required tools and materials

To perform this procedure, you need to prepare the following materials:

• an ordinary stationery knife;
• a spray bottle filled with soap solution;
• rubber spatula;
• the right amount of material.

After preparing all the necessary components, you can begin to work.

Step-by-step instruction

Tinting is performed in the following way.

1. The film is smoothed on a flat surface. The dimensions must be determined in advance. You should cut with a margin of approximately 2 cm.
2. The glass surface is thoroughly cleaned and degreased. Then it is moistened with a soap solution. This must be done several times.
3. Carefully separate the tint part from the base.
4. To facilitate gluing, it is moistened with a soap solution. This will allow it to stick tightly to the glass.
5. Gluing should start from top to bottom. At the same time, gently press down, checking the density of the glass filling.
6. A rubber spatula will help remove moisture and bubbles.
7. Use a utility knife to remove excess material.

By following these instructions, you can easily do this work yourself.

Removable window tinting

Window tinting can be removable. This is used to be able to regulate the illumination of rooms at different times of the day or seasons. At the same time, the tint film does not lose its qualities. To make this tint you will need the following.

1. Pattern for windows of complex shape.
2. Scissors or a sharp blade with a comfortable handle.
3. Spatula made of plastic or rubber.
4. Spray bottle with soap solution. The latter is prepared by mixing shampoo (4-5 drops) with ½ liter of water.
5. Tinting film.
6. A cutter for making holes in film.

Types of tint film

Based on the fact that only the last method is relevant at home, let's look at what kind of tint film there is.

• Sun protection. Its main purpose is to counteract the effects of sunlight. Such material can reflect up to 80% of radiation. This type of film will protect furniture, wallpaper and textiles from fading, and in the summer it will reduce the temperature in the room. Recommended for use on the east and south sides, as well as on the balcony.
• Mirror. An excellent option for tinting windows on the first floor. Such film cannot be viewed even at close range. There is a choice of different colors, from dark brown to red and green.
• Matte. This type reduces the transparency factor, emphasizes the design of the window itself and levels out the degree of exposure to ultraviolet rays.
• Shockproof. This window tinting not only counteracts solar radiation, but also adds strength to the glass. It will be much more difficult to break it.
• Energy saving. This film is designed to reflect the sun's rays. Thus counteracting the heating of the room and maintaining the desired microclimate.
• Automotive. The possibility of using car tint film at home is not excluded. The windows get the same tint as the glass in the car.

Window tinting cost

the price is per square meter

minimum order from 5,000 ₽

provided that the work is performed in the ISTEK group workshop, there is no minimum order

The cost of tinting work includes everything: consumables, window cleaning process, film coating and pasting.

What is self-adhesive mirror film?

Mirror film is a canvas made from polymer materials that has the ability to filter solar rays (up to 99% of ultraviolet and 40% of infrared radiation). Thanks to this quality, any room becomes protected from heating through the window glass. When developing the product, this was precisely this goal. However, this advantage is not the only one, because the film increases the strength of the glass. When choosing a protective coating, you should pay attention to the degree of burglary resistance; the most impact-resistant products prevent damage to the window even if it is hit by a bullet fired from an air pistol.

The base of the film has an adhesive layer, which helps to quickly and efficiently install it. There is no need to worry about the reliability of the fastening.

How to care for tinted glass

Despite the fact that the film requires virtually no special care, sooner or later you will have to wash the windows on your balcony. In addition, it often happens that the glass becomes dirty not from dust, but from ordinary dirt from flower pots or splashes of food and drinks. Some tips for caring for tinted windows:

• When washing such windows, do not use hard sponges and, especially, brushes. This will damage the surface and cause scratches;
• Wet cleaning of windows is necessary at least once a month;
• When cleaning with soap, do not use aggressive cleaning agents. Liquid baby soap diluted in water is best;
• A microfiber cloth is good for removing dust;
• If bubbles appear, they can be easily removed using water and a syringe. First, puncture the bubble, fill it with water, and straighten the surface with a soft cloth or spatula.

Now, watch a visual video on film installation:

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When is window tinting necessary?

The most common type of window tinting is found in cars. At the same time, the interior becomes darkened, inaccessible to prying eyes. When sticking solar control film on windows in a house or apartment, the effect is approximately the same - that is, darkening and shading of the premises.

In this case, the degree of shading is selected taking into account the required level of illumination - for bedrooms and guest rooms it can be lower, for an office, children's rooms, kitchens, and other actively used rooms - higher.

For residential buildings, the illumination levels indicated in Table 1 are accepted. The data are given in lux - lux. This unit of measurement is defined as 1 lumen per square meter of area.

Table 1. Illumination standards according to SNiP 23 – 05 – 2010 (indicated for the working surface - table, bed, floor).

To roughly understand how much illumination sunlight provides, and how much its flow can be reduced without harming vision, we give examples of illumination:

• under direct sunlight - 32...130 thousand lux;
• in the shade on a sunny summer day - 10...25 thousand lux;
• solar noon in winter - 4...5 thousand lux;
• on a cloudy day - about 1000 lux;
• very cloudy, rainy day – 100 lux;
• moonlight on a full moon - 0.27 lux.

Thus, when deciding how to darken windows from the sun with our own hands, for example, in a nursery, with a film with a tinting percentage of 50%, on a sunny day, even in winter, we will get quite comfortable illumination - 2...12 thousand lux, reducing the intensity of direct rays to tolerable condition. On a cloudy day, lighting will also be sufficient, but in rain or snow, additional lamps will have to be turned on in the room.

Considering the importance of insolation for maintaining people's health, when choosing a film for window tinting, it is necessary to take into account the percentage of light reduction.

It is worth sticking the film if:

• the room/rooms face south, southwest, southeast and are not shaded by trees or tall buildings;
• The climate in the area of ​​construction is characterized by a large number of sunny days. A map of Russia indicating areas of greater or less sunshine can be viewed here;
• It is necessary to create a comfortable, shaded atmosphere in the room - for example, for elderly or sick people.

Summarizing

Currently, the market is represented by a huge selection of tinting films, and manufacturers offer to darken the glass when purchasing a window for a small surcharge. To tint the windows in an apartment or not is a subjective choice of each person. However, keep one thing in mind: the shade you choose cannot be changed instantly. Therefore, before tinting your balcony red, think twice.

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I hope my article today was helpful to you. I tried to talk as simply as possible about tinting the windows in the apartment, but it’s up to you to decide whether to carry out such an improvement or not. Write in the comments what you think on this topic, and what tinting method in your opinion is the best.

A few tips before gluing the film

Experts give recommendations that, if followed, will help you get the job done efficiently and quickly:

1. It is important to monitor the air temperature during pasting. It should not be higher than + 350 Celsius, but not lower than +10.
2. It is equally important to consider the humidity in the room. It should not be too high (over 70%), but too dry air (less than 25%) will lead to a weak connection between the film and the glass.
3. In order for the adhesion of the film surface to the glass surface to be as strong as possible, the glass must be sprayed with a spray bottle with water or a weak soap solution. This will help solve the problem of air humidity if you do not know how to determine it.
4. In order to reduce the risk of damage to the film with a spatula, it can be moistened with water.
5. Before gluing, the glass must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt, dust and degrease. You also need to ensure that no particles, even the smallest particles and fluff, get on the film. This will lead to further detachment and “bubbles”.

Despite the fact that windows can be tinted both from the inside and from the outside, it is recommended to use the first method. This will help increase the life of the film.

The process of making removable tint

You can make your own removable film for window tinting. To do this, you need to purchase suitable material. If you lack skills, it is better to entrust the work to specialists. The whole process in the first and second cases can be divided into several stages.

1. Based on the dimensions of the transparent part of the window, a finished product is ordered from a specialized company. It will be a rigid, but elastic and durable tint film with small (about 5 mm in diameter) holes in the corners and, if necessary, along the edges.
2. If at this stage you decide to act independently, you need to cut a part from a roll of film according to a pre-made pattern of the required size. To prevent the pattern and the film from moving relative to each other, they should be temporarily secured with double-sided tape.
3. A cutter makes several holes at some distance from the edges of the film. Mandatory - in the corners and in the case of a large film size - on the sides (to avoid sagging).
4. The glass should be washed with soapy water and dried.
5. The film is applied to the installation site, and special round magnets with an adhesive backing are attached to the glass through the holes. They are sold together with the film.
6. Metal pressure washers are placed on top of the magnets. They will be practically invisible on the glass and will securely hold the film in place.
7. If it is necessary to remove the film, remove the washers and wind it into a roll. The magnets must remain on the glass.

To make the process clear to you, here is a story about how to do removable window tinting with your own hands (video).

Interior burnout protection

One of the most negative factors in the fact that furniture begins to lose its attractive appearance, although it can serve for a very long time, is fading. The cause is exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Other interior items suffer no less from it. This is especially true for fabrics, carpets and paintings. Ultraviolet radiation has an equally negative effect on wall decoration, especially wallpaper. You can almost completely avoid the effect of radiation on the interior of any room if you install reflective film on the windows, which provides maximum protection from ultraviolet radiation.

How to remove

The process is complicated by the presence of a metallized layer, which requires careful removal from the glass surface.

Two ways to remove the coating.

Using a household steamer

The selected area is heated with hot steam for 5-7 minutes. As soon as the material has lifted, they pick it up and tear it off, pulling it towards themselves. The same manipulations are done with other areas one by one until all the glass is clean.

Remaining traces can be easily removed with soapy water.

Using newspaper and soapy water

Newspapers are placed around the perimeter of the surface, the remains are cut off with a stationery knife. Newspapers from the sprayer are moistened until they completely adhere to the glass.

The procedure is repeated periodically for 1 hour, after which the sticker can be easily removed along with the newspaper. All that remains is to wipe the glass and frame with a soft cloth.

Sources

• https://UltraSolarBlock.ru/zerkalnye-plenki/
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• https://glassfilms.ru/solntsezashchitnye-plenki.html
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