It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s not your imagination, the sun’s light and glare actually appear brighter in the Winter. The reason is that from October through Spring, the sun is much lower in the sky and that presents itself as an irritating glare that you might not notice as much at other times of the year. This lower angle of the sun’s rays hitting your windows results in a corresponding lower angle light passed through into the space.

The combination of a brighter sun and the lower angle of the rays result in excessive glare that make a space less comfortable and make seeing a computer or television screen more difficult. Furthermore, when you combine this lower angle and brighter sun with reflection off water or snow, the resulting glare can be even worse. Finally, the leaves on tress that provide a barrier to glare in the warmer months are missing giving the sun an unobstructed path to your windows.

So, How Does Glare Reducing Window Film Help?

For these reasons, Winter is the best time to consider retrofitting your existing windows with a glare reducing window film. Much like a quality pair of sunglasses, window films can significantly reduce the glare and increase visibility and comfort without negatively impacting your views. In fact, when the glare is reduced, your eyes can actually relax and result in an enhanced view and a more comfortable home.

In addition, significant glare problems are often accompanied by the issue of faded floors, furniture and furnishings. The increased sun exposure brings in excessive UV and light which both are major contributors to fading. A great added benefit of  window film is that it also will typically reduce 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays and a portion of the visible light.

If you would like more information or have any questions about glare reducing window film for your space, contact us at (913) 384-2665. We would be happy to provide a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing these solutions in your Overland Park, Kansas, and Independence & Lee’s Summit, Missouri area space. We look forward to serving you.

We recently read an article in the Huffington Post by Sam Cohen titled “Build Superior Homes By Installing Window Films — Valid Reasons To Add Them To Your Windows“, and we thought it would be great to summarize the article here. It mentions some reasons window film is a great choice for a Fall home improvement project. Some of the reasons are from Sam, and we added with some of our own.

6 Reasons Why Window Film Should Be Your Next Home Improvement Project?

• Create a Comfortable Environment: After window film is installed on your home, it can create a more comfortable environment by reducing both hot and cold areas of your home that are often associated with proximity to windows.
• Save Energy: Window film can not only improve the appearance of your home, it can also play a huge role in saving on energy costs. Depending on what type of window you have and the film you choose, significant savings on your energy costs are possible.
• Protect Interior Furnishings from UV Damage: Window films can block 99% of the ultraviolet rays of the sun that enters your home. This is important because UV is the primary contributor to fading. As the window film blocks the UV rays, it also protects upholstery, furnishings, tapestries, paintings from discoloration and fading.
• Enhance Security and Safety: Window films can also help hold glass together in the event of breaking a window. Whether due to an attempted break-in, storm or an accident, the window film can act as a barrier to entry and protection from injury from glass shards.
• Reduce Glare: At this time of the year, the sun is lower in the sky and this often creates irritating glare and reflectivity issues that aren’t as prevalent in the Summer. Window film can help cut the glare reducing eye strain and allowing you to see things like television and computer screens more easily.
• Improve Your Existing Windows: Rather than deal with the disruption of replacing your windows, window film retrofits to your existing glass to upgrade their performance. Also, professional installation can be done quickly with minimal disruption to the daily activities in your home.

You can read the remainder of Sam’s article by clicking HERE

We hope that you found this brief list informative and that you might consider window film as your next home improvement project. If you would like to learn more about home window films, click here. If you have any questions, contact Midwest Tinting today by calling (913) 384-2665. We service Overland Park, Kansas, Independence and Lee’s Summit, Missouri and all the surrounding suburbs.

4 Fast Facts And Benefits About House Window Tint

• Window Film Retrofits To Existing Windows – Window film is installed as a retrofit to your existing windows allowing you to significantly improve the performance of you windows with minimal disruption to your home.
• Window Film Improves The Comfort In Your Home – Window film can enhance comfort by reducing excessive heat and glare throughout your home or strategically only in areas most impacted by the sun.
• Window Film Extends The Life Of Your Floors & Furnishings – Most window films will reduce 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. This along with the reduction of heat and glare mentioned above will significantly reduce the contributors of fading and extend the life of your floors and furnishings.
• Window Film Can Enhance Privacy – By using decorative window films in areas like entryways and bathrooms you can add privacy without resorting to blinds, curtains or shades that obscure the windows.

Quick List of The Pros and Cons of Using House Window Tint

Pros of House Window Tint:

• Energy Savings: Windows treated with a window film can help reduce the amount of heat that enters your home in the summer, which can lead to lower energy bills.
• Reduced UV Rays: Most window films can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, which can protect your furniture and belongings from fading, and reduce your risk of skin cancer.
• Increased Privacy: Some window films can make it more difficult for people to see inside your home, which can be a benefit for privacy and security.
• Improved Curb Appeal: Some window films can give your home a more modern and stylish look.
• Reduced Glare: Tinted windows can reduce glare from the sun, which can make it easier to watch TV, use computers, and read.
• Safety and Security: Windows with film installed can make it more difficult for burglars to break into your home, and they can also help to hold shattered glass together in the event of a break-in.

Cons of House Window Tint:

• Cost: The cost of window tinting can vary depending on the type of tint you choose and the size of your windows. However, there are great choices at several price points to fit a variety of budgets.
• Reduced Natural Light: Some types of window tint can reduce the amount of natural light that enters your home, which can make it darker inside. That being said, new technology allows you to get much of the benefit without significantly darkening the view.
• Visibility Issues Looking Out at night: Traditional window tint can make it more difficult to see outside at night, especially if you choose a dark-colored tint. There are newer window film technologies designed to address this issue and allow better visibility out at night.
• May Void Window Warranty: While it is true that some window manufacturers may void their warranty if you have window tint installed, there are substitute warranties to keep you covered in these situations.

We hope that this article shed some light on house window tint and the pros and cons of using it in your home. If you would like more information, call us at (816) 353-2665 for the Independence, Missouri Location, (913) 384-2665 for the Overland Park, Kansas Location, (816) 560-2665 for the Lee’s Summit, Missouri Location and (866) 443-2665 for the Sunrise Beach, Missouri Location. You can also fill out the contact form HERE. We have been serving the greater Kansas City and Lake of the Ozarks area since 1976 and would be happy to discuss your options and provide you with a free, no obligation assessment and quotation on your particular home.

Did you know that Energy.Gov states that 30% of a home’s heating and cooling costs can be lost through windows that are not energy efficient? With home fuel costs going through the roof, you may be considering the purchase of energy-efficient replacement windows.

However, before you spend thousands of dollars, there is a way to upgrade home windows without replacing them.

When your goal is to improve energy efficiency, retrofitting energy-saving window film to your existing windows provides an affordable alternative to window replacement. Home window films can help windows that are otherwise in good shape, but just not as energy efficient as you would like.

If you windows are damaged or deteriorating, they will need to be replaced. Assuming that window film is a viable option, the cost for quick, professional installation of energy saving window film is about 1/5th the cost of replacement windows!

2 Ways Residential Films Help Save Energy

• Energy-saving window film can also lower your home’s cooling costs by reducing the heat coming through the windows in warmer months.
• Specific Low-E window films can help retain interior heat in the cooler months.

In these two ways, home window film helps reduce house energy consumption, which saves money and also helps the environment. In addition, retrofitting window film is much less disruptive than window replacement and is better for the environment than the landfill impact of removal of the existing units.

Additional Ways Window Film Can Upgrade Home Windows

• UV Protection: Window films can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, which can help to protect your furniture, flooring, and artwork from fading. UV rays can also contribute to skin cancer, so window films can also provide a layer of protection for your family.
• Added Privacy: Window films can be used to create daytime privacy without blocking out all of the natural light. This can be a great option for homes with young children or pets, or for homes that are located near busy streets.
• Additional Security: Window films can make your windows more difficult to break through, which can deter burglars.

Choosing a home window film to upgrade your windows without replacing brings benefits all the way around.

If you are interested in learning how window films can upgrade home windows, please contact us today by calling (913) 384-2665 for a free, no obligation consultation and estimate of implementing window film.

We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about window film, the installation process and the products that we use to upgrade your Overland Park, Kansas, or Independence/Lee’s Summit, Missouri area home.

Have you noticed the size of your utility bills lately? The warm Summer weather is something many of us look forward to all year long, but it can also bring higher energy bills as we use our air conditioning to keep our home cooler and comfortable. With that in mind, we wanted to share some ways that home window films can help save you on home energy costs this Summer season and beyond.

We discuss how window film can reduce the load on your air conditioning system which saves you money on utility bills and also on HVAC system maintenance.

The first thing we want to explain is how home window films work to reduce the load on your air conditioning system. The simple explanation is that window film installed on your existing windows reduces the amount of the sun’s heat coming into your home by passing through the glass.

On a hot Summer day, this excessive heat pass through might have your air conditioning system struggling to keep up with the demand and keep your home’s interior comfortable.

Unfortunately, this demand for air conditioning is also happening all throughout your area at the same time. This spike in demand for energy allows the utility company to charge a premium on the energy you use during this peak period.

Now, the good news. Home window film is very effective at reducing the heat making its way into your home through the windows through absorption or reflection.

By stopping a great deal of the heat at the glass, your air conditioning will not having to work as hard to keep your home comfortable. By the HVAC not having to work as hard, you will not use as much energy

In addition, as a result of reducing the heat entering the home, the home’s air conditioning system will not need to run constantly to keep up with demand. As mentioned, this not only saves you money on energy costs, but will also save you system maintenance costs from excessive wear and tear. The air conditioning unit consists of numerous components that each have an effective service life.

The longer, and harder, a unit is forced to run, the faster these parts wear out and need replacing. Furthermore, as parts degrade they often do not work as efficiently as they did when new. The resulting system inefficiency translates into higher energy usage to get the same results in home cooling.

Our hope is that this brief article shed some light on how home window films can help save on home energy costs and system maintenance this Summer and for many years to come. If you would like more information about home window films and how they can be implemented into your house, click HERE.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to schedule a free, no obligation quotation, contact us today by calling (913) 384-2665. We service the Overland Park, Kansas, Independence, Sunrise Park and Lee’s Summit, Missouri and surrounding areas.

Why Home Window Tint / Film May Be The Perfect Spring Home Improvement

• Reduced energy costs. Window tint can help to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which can lead to savings on your energy bills.
• Improved comfort. Window tint can help to reduce glare and heat, which can make your home more comfortable to live in.
• Increased safety. Window film can help to deter break-ins and protect your family from flying glass in the event of an accident or natural disaster.
• Enhanced privacy. Window films can help to provide privacy for your home in a variety of ways.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, safety and privacy, then window tint / film is a great option. And with the warm weather of spring just around the corner, there’s no better time to get it done. It is a retrofit that is applied to your existing windows with minimal disruption to your home.

If that didn’t convince you, here are a couple additional benefits of home window tint.

• Reduced fading of furnishings. The sun’s UV rays can fade furniture, carpets, and other furnishings. Window tint can help to protect your belongings from fading.
• Increased curb appeal. Window tint can make your home look more attractive from the outside. This can be a great way to increase your home’s value.

With so many benefits to offer, window tint is a great Spring home improvement project. If you would like more information about our home window films, you can contact us by calling  (913) 384-2665 for Overland Park, Kansas, (816) 353-2665 for Independence, Missouri, and (816) 560-2665 for Lee’s Summit, Missouri or fill out a form here. We are located in Independence, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Overland Park, Kansas and cover the surrounding areas.

The article begins by saying that “the right type of window film offers several energy-saving benefits: enhanced and prolonged performance of HVAC and lighting systems, increased window insulating power, and decreased plug load. Window film also improves the indoor environment by reducing hot and cold spots, making near-window indoor temperatures more tolerable, reducing glare, and lessening exposure to UV rays.” Let’s take a look at each on of these points individually.

Improved Comfort: As mentioned above, a properly specified window film can help reduce both hot and cold spots in a building. Rather than have areas of a building that are too hot or too cold, you can strategically use window films to even out the temperature and increase comfort. In addition, window films can be used to reduce glare and eye strain while allowing pleasant light to stream into the space. This makes a space more pleasant by maintaining views while eliminating the irritating elements of natural lighting.

HVAC Savings: This point was made by stating “proper maintenance and load reduction strategies may extend the life of existing systems. If you’ve identified HVAC as an opportunity to save energy, start by reducing heating and cooling loads. You may also prolong capital investments in HVAC upgrades or replacements.” There are several ways to reduce the load on an HVAC system, but a logical place to start is by controlling the transmission of heat through the windows. Window films can be used to help reduce the heat passing through the glass and allowing the HVAC to not have to work as hard to keep the space at the desired temperature.

Lighting Savings: Having uncontrolled light streaming through the windows can bring some unwanted aspects. This causes many people to use blinds or shades. The article explains by stating while this “helps reduce the effects of solar heat gain, glare, and UV ray exposure, but covering the windows also sacrifices natural light and views. As a result, artificial lighting requirements may increase because it’s the only source of light.” By taking advantage of the natural light coming through the windows, the need to use lighting is decreased and that helps save on lighting costs.

We hope that this summary helped you understand how a window film retrofit upgrade can improve your space by making it more comfortable and help save energy costs. If you would like more information on these innovative films, click HERE. If you have any questions, or would like to arrange a free, no obligation consultation of your commercial facility, contact us by calling (913) 384-2665 for Overland Park, Kansas, (816) 353-2665 for Independence, Missouri, and (816) 560-2665 for Lee’s Summit, Missouri. We service Independence, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Overland Park, Kansas and the surrounding communities.. We would be glad to explain the different types of window film and help you get exactly the right film to fit the needs of your space.

First, what are window films?

Window films are thin sheets of material that are applied to the surface of windows to provide a variety of benefits, including UV protection.

How do they help with UV protection?

Here are some of the benefits of using a window film for UV protection in a home or office.

1. Blocks Harmful UV Rays: Window films can block up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. This means that it can help protect the people inside the building from the damaging effects of UV rays, such as skin cancer, premature aging, and other skin disorders.Check out this article from The Skin Cancer Foundation that states, “Both UVA and UVB rays can cause sunburn and tanning, which damage the DNA in your skin cells and increase your risk for skin cancer. UVA rays also cause the unwelcome signs of premature aging, including dark spots and wrinkles. Those UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface and are quite good at finding you. They can bounce off reflective surfaces like water and, most relevant during the workday, they can penetrate window glass. If you’re sitting next to a window on a sunny day, those UVA rays hitting your skin are doing damage. (Window glass filters out most UVB rays.)“
2. Preserves Interior Furnishings: The same UV rays that harm human skin can also damage interior furnishings and fabrics such as carpets, curtains, and upholstery. Window film can help protect these items by blocking the UV rays that cause fading and discoloration.

Overall, window film is a practical and effective way to provide UV protection for a home or office. By blocking harmful UV rays, window film can help create a healthier and more enjoyable indoor environment.

If you would like more information on the UV protection of our home or office window film offerings, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Midwest Tinting today by calling (913) 384-2665 for Overland Park, Kansas, (816) 353-2665 for Independence, Missouri, and (816) 560-2665 for Lee’s Summit, Missouri. We service Independence, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Overland Park, Kansas and the surrounding communities.

The article is based on the author being asked by a friend for some advice on having their home windows replaced. He explains that retaining and retrofitting your existing windows might be a much better option. He also makes the point of saying with current inflation that the sticker shock on window replacement might be quite eye-opening. He states that “It may be a better idea to install new weatherstripping and window films, and to paint your existing windows with the best urethane resin paint you can find
We hoped that you enjoyed this article considering a home window tint retrofit instead of home window replacement.”

As we install window films, we will focus on that option. These films are installed on your existing windows most commonly on the inside surface. Most home window film and tint installs can be done fairly quickly with very little disruption to your home. As the author mentions in the article, “you can apply transparent films to your existing windows and achieve the same results. One film can reject 97 percent of the IR light that’s trying to transform the inside of your house into a blast furnace. Another film can block significant amounts of UV light that work to fade your fabrics and carpets. These films cost a tiny fraction of what a new window might set you back.”

One thing the article mentions to consider is how long you might be staying in the home if you think the replacement windows will pay for themselves in the energy savings. He mentions that this might be much longer than you might expect by saying “My calculator showed it would take more than 86 years to break even. Yes, as energy costs rise, the payback period is reduced. Do your own math using your true annual heating and cooling costs. I think you’ll be stunned by the length of your payback period.”

We hope you enjoyed this post. If you would like to read the entire article in The Washington Post, click HERE.

To learn more about the residential window films we offer, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Midwest Tinting by calling (913) 384-2665 for Overland Park, Kansas, (816) 353-2665 for Independence, Missouri, and (816) 560-2665 for Lee’s Summit, Missouri or fill out a form HERE.

With that being said, let’s jump in. Here are some common statements and questions and the answers we are summarizing from Builder Trend.

• My energy bill is too high. – Window tinting can lower energy costs. The insulating effect provided by the film prevents heat and cold from escaping homes.  The savings will vary depending on factors such as the size of the home, the age and condition of the windows, and what part of the country they live in. For example, the warmer the climate and the older the home, the bigger the savings.
• This room is too hot to use during the summer. – In addition to saving energy costs, tinting windows can also make a home more comfortable by reducing the heat and the glare of the sun’s rays. Balanced temperatures mean rooms can be used any time, no matter how much the sun shines.
• The sunlight in this room is fading my furniture. – If your noticing negative effects of sun exposure on their furniture or hardwood floors, tinted windows can help. The estimated UV reduction on most window films is about 99%. This means tinted glass can almost completely eliminate harmful rays from the sun and protect their belongings.
  
  

  Source: Blog, Style by Emily Henderson

• We never open the blinds because we like our privacy. – So, you like your privacy? No problem. Certain shades of tinted film can prevent others from seeing into your home behind the glass.

If you would like to read the complete article in Builder Trend, click HERE.

We hoped that you enjoyed this article on a home window tint retrofit. To learn more about the residential window films we offer, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Midwest Tinting by calling (913) 384-2665 for Overland Park, Kansas, (816) 353-2665 for Independence, Missouri, and (816) 560-2665 for Lee’s Summit, Missouri or fill out a form HERE.  We are located in Overland Park, Kansas, Independence and Lee’s Summit, Missouri and cover the surrounding area

1. Quality of Window Film Being Used – Like most things in life, window film / tint comes in a wide range of technologies and quality levels. It is critical when comparing different window film offerings that you understand the underlying product that will be used. First, let’s discuss quality. Window film is produced in various areas around the world at drastically differing quality levels. The construction of the film and the adhesive that holds it to the windows are where the rubber meets the road. The issue is that they all may look very similar the day you install them. Problems can arise if the film begins to fade, change color, delaminate, etc after a few years. Worse yet, it can begin to lose adhesion to the glass and bubble. You may have seen a window with film installed with this unfortunate problem.
2. Technology of Window Film Being Used – Now, let’s look into the technology of the film being used. Some films are basic metal technology (cheapest cost), they may give some performance but may not have the desired appearance. Others are high tech infrared filtering films (more expensive cost) that not only look great but also block a great deal of heat. It is important that you know what technology the films are so you can truly compare apples to apples.
3. Expertise of the Installation Technician – It goes without saying that this one makes a huge difference. Just like the skill of the person that cuts your hair, does your taxes or builds a home, experience matters. It is a safe assumption that people in skilled trades, like window film installation, get better over time and with the number of windows they have installed on. A good installer can take sub-standard film and make it look pretty good. A mediocre installer can use the very best film and still may produce a sub-standard result. There is simply no getting around the fact that the expertise of the installer plays a huge role in how well the final outcome of a window tint installation will be.

We hope this brief article will help you make a good choice with regard to home window film installation. To learn more about the residential window films we offer, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Midwest Tinting by calling (913) 384-2665 for Overland Park, Kansas, (816) 353-2665 for Independence, Missouri, and (816) 560-2665 for Lee’s Summit, Missouri or fill out a form HERE.  We are located in Overland Park, Kansas, Independence and Lee’s Summit, Missouri and cover the surrounding area

3 Interesting Benefits Of Retrofitting Window Film To Your Home

1. Added Privacy – Often the usage of space changes over time. An example might be how many people are turning spare bedrooms and other home spaces into offices in recent days.. When this occurs, a window that may have been a good fit for the rooms previous use lacks privacy for the new objective. Window films can be retrofitted to add the desired privacy to your existing windows. The best part is that this film is removable if the space were to ever need to be reverted back to the previous use.
2. Improved Security – Clear window films can be retrofitted to your existing windows to helps keep the envelope of the space intact. Windows can be broken for a variety of reasons. From a burglary attempt or act of vandalism to a breakage from natural occurrences such as storms. Window films will keep the broken glass intact which makes it more difficult for someone to gain access to the space or weather to pass through the opening.
3. Increased Safety – As mentioned above, window film can help retain broken glass in place. This will help increase the safety of the space by reducing the risk of injury from broken glass falling or flying out of the window opening.

We hope that you found these additional benefits of retrofitting home window film to your existing home windows interesting. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Midwest Tinting today by calling (913) 384-2665 for Overland Park, Kansas, (816) 353-2665 for Independence, Missouri, and (816) 560-2665 for Lee’s Summit, Missouri or fill out a form HERE. We are located in Overland Park, Kansas, Independence and Lee’s Summit, Missouri and serve the entire surrounding Kansas City area.