In 2019, the global window tinting industry was valued at almost $10 billion. As you can see, it’s popular for people all over the world to use glass window tinting for various purposes.
You may be looking into this yourself. Whether you’re a new or old homeowner, you can certainly benefit from some residential window tinting.
But how much does home window tinting cost? And what are your choices?
In this article, we’ll discuss home window tinting and the ballpark figures of what you can expect to pay for each.
Types of Home Window Tinting Available
Naturally, there are several types of home window tinting you can get. What’s right for your house will depend on what your needs are. Take a look below to see the main types you can choose.
Heat
Does your house heat up a lot, especially in the summer? Then it may be difficult to get comfortable. You might also find that your furniture is fading quicker since sunlight reaches your pieces.
Heat window tinting doesn’t just block out the sun in the summer. It also keeps your home warm come wintertime. Plus, it reduces glare all year long, which means you won’t have to squint as much at your computer and TV screens anymore.
While you enjoy some great benefits with heat window tinting, it does come with a caveat: it’s more expensive than the rest of the options on this list. However, with the amount you save on utilities and preserving your furniture, it’s well worth splurging on.
Decorative
As you may have guessed from the name, decorative window tinting is used to improve the aesthetics of your home. Because of this, you can choose from a myriad of designs that are textured, frosted, or stained.
However, because they’re decorative, they don’t block out heat as well as heat window tinting does.
Privacy
If you’re a private person and don’t like passersby looking into your home, then privacy window tinting is what you need. You don’t have to get it in complete black either; you can choose the perfect shade to suit your preferences.
Not only is privacy tint good for keeping curious eyes out, but it’s also good for keeping burglars away. If they can’t see what you have inside, they won’t be as tempted to break in.
Security
Security window tint might sound the same as privacy tint, but it’s actually something completely separate. In fact, security tinting isn’t necessarily darkly shaded. You can even get some that are completely transparent.
What makes security window tint unique is its makeup. It prevents glass from getting all over the place should it get shattered. This makes it effective against both weather and burglars.
What Affects Pricing?
On average, you can expect to pay around $5 to $8 per square foot on home window tinting. Of course, this is just a general figure; you may end up paying more or less than that.
Let’s take a look at what can affect pricing so you can be prepared when you speak to tinting companies.
Type of Window Tinting You Choose
As we’ve said above, heat tint is one of the most expensive options out there. Expect to pay up to $14 per square foot for this type of tint.
The others will be on the cheaper side. For example, security tint will cost around $7 to $9 per square foot; 3M will cost up to $15 per square foot. Decorative tint will cost between $6 to $10 per square foot.
If you are considering premium options, the 3M Prestige Residential Film Tint offers excellent performance, though it comes at a higher price point. The best way to decide on the type of tinting you need is to consult with a professional who can advise you on the most suitable option for your home.
Number of Windows
Obviously, the more windows you have tinted, the more expensive it’ll be. However, you can usually get a “package deal,” where the tinting company gives you a discount for having a bunch done at once. So when you break down the cost per window, it’ll be cheaper than just getting 1 or 2 done.
Position of Windows
Not only does the number of windows affect pricing, but so does their positioning. In general, the harder it is to reach a window, the more expensive it’ll be to get them tinted.
For example, taller windows that need to be reached by a ladder can be $0.50 to $1.50 more per square foot. If they’re so high up that the tinting company needs to bring in special equipment, then expect your costs to be much higher as well.
Shape of Windows
Tinting film is usually manufactured in a rectangular shape. If you have half-moon windows, then these will cost an extra $1.00 per square foot to have tinting installed. This is because the company has to cut the film to the exact shape of your window and cannot precut them beforehand.
Where You Live
Where you live will play a factor in pricing. Generally, cities with higher cost of living will have companies that charge more for window tinting services. This is because they have more overhead to pay for and need to charge higher prices to make up for that.
Also, if there aren’t many window tinting companies in your area, then this enables the few that are there to charge more as well. They have less competition, which gives them more reign to raise their prices for home window tint services.
Get Home Window Tinting for Your Property
Now you know all about home window tinting, including the types available and around how much they cost.
Of course, every contractor will set their own prices, so you’ll need to call around to inquire about their exact pricing. But since you have the knowledge of what the ballpark figures are, you’ll be able to tell if someone is overcharging for their services. As a result, you can avoid falling for unscrupulous businesses.
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