Home window tinting (1 Viewer)

[pillguy]

Hi all
Has anyone ever put on window tinting on their home windows?
I have 22 yr old single pane wood windows with individual panes and the cost to replace just the sashes is running around $200 per window excluding any labor

I am thinking of putting on window tint Especially on southern side of house in order to improve efficiency. Cost is about $36 per window for materials
Anyone done this and what type of results?

 

[Capt. Jim]

Window tinting, particularly the darker tints, actually increase the heat load. The window becomes a radiator as the dark tint absorbs the sun's heat and causes the pane to get very hot and hence radiate this heat into your house. I have scanned windows that have been tinted and have direct sunlight hitting them with an IR thermometer and found surface temperatures in excess of 140* F. Reflective tints are not that bad, but still get hot and radiate heat into the structure.

I am assuming you are trying to improve efficiency in the summer months when using AC.

 

[fsusteve]

wow, something I didn't know.

 

[pillguy]

THis is good to know as I was unaware of this info. So how does this differ from low- E glass coating.
I am trying to avoid buying windows if I can at all help it.
What other options are there?
Tinted storm windows?

Window tinting, particularly the darker tints, actually increase the heat load. The window becomes a radiator as the dark tint absorbs the sun's heat and causes the pane to get very hot and hence radiate this heat into your house. I have scanned windows that have been tinted and have direct sunlight hitting them with an IR thermometer and found surface temperatures in excess of 140* F. Reflective tints are not that bad, but still get hot and radiate heat into the structure.

I am assuming you are trying to improve efficiency in the summer months when using AC.

 

[bsilva132]

The big box stores have DIY solar screen kits. Neighbor accross the street did it last year and they look almost as good as the one's I had professionally made for my house. It makes a big difference in how hot my front room and master get due to the vaulted ceiling. Well worth the money and they are easy to take down for the winter when you want a little more sunlight.

 

[pillguy]

I found this site here Solar Screens Online - Solar Screen Kits and Screen Parts
About how much per window did you pay?
I need them on the southern side of my house

The big box stores have DIY solar screen kits. Neighbor accross the street did it last year and they look almost as good as the one's I had professionally made for my house. It makes a big difference in how hot my front room and master get due to the vaulted ceiling. Well worth the money and they are easy to take down for the winter when you want a little more sunlight.

 

[bigndn]

A screen outside your window and an attic fan will help dramatically.

 

[bsilva132]

no clue on the per window cost. Plus my windows were several different sizes and one was huge (~10x4).

 

[pillguy]

Last summer i upgraded my attic insulation project (30" blown) to improve the original 6" in it. The research I did on attic fans did not seem to justify electric cost so I left the turbines in place
So far utility bills have dropped
I have regasketed most of my windows and have been looking at some option short of replacing my sashes.
Biggest bang for my buck is to hit the southern side of my house and western side as it gets hot in Atlanta

A screen outside your window and an attic fan will help Qdramatically.

 

[pillguy]

Can u post a pic?

The big box stores have DIY solar screen kits. Neighbor accross the street did it last year and they look almost as good as the one's I had professionally made for my house. It makes a big difference in how hot my front room and master get due to the vaulted ceiling. Well worth the money and they are easy to take down for the winter when you want a little more sunlight.

 

[bsilva132]

Have not put mine back up yet and it is raining like hell right now. I can take a pick of the neighbors house when the weather clears.