Tinted glass is often used in homes to block solar heat.
Glass tinting is a term given to any process that alters glass to reduce the passage of light or a specific range of radiation. Tinted glass can be used to reduce glare from light, to decrease the amount of heat entering a building or car, to allow residents to remain very private, or simply as an aesthetically pleasing way to decorate windows. Tinting glass can be done by adding a chemical to the glass during its creation or by adding window film over or between the sheets of glass after it is made. Coloring glass often results in some sort of discoloration, depending on the chemicals used to create the paint. Common colors include yellow, blue, green, and of course black.
Limousines often have tinted windows.
A popular use for window tinting is in home windows to reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation that enters the building. UV radiation causes discoloration of paint, upholstery, and carpeting over time, and by tinting glass, a homeowner can slow down this inevitable process. This type of tint is usually done to let in as much natural light as possible, to keep the house well lit, while only cutting out harmful light rays.
Color protection laws vary from state to state, but typically the windshield must be clean.
Prevention of heat gain is also an important use of glass tinting. In warmer climates, energy costs can increase significantly due to the constant need to cool the interior of a home because heat is added throughout the day through sunlight. While one option is to use curtains or blinds to block out light completely, many people want an alternative that allows them to still enjoy ambient daylight but reduce the heat generated by the light. Tinting glass is extremely effective, often blocking more than 50% of the sun’s heat, which increases the reflectance of the glass surface.
Window film is a type of glass tint that is used on both buildings and car windows. These films can be used as a method of keeping out ultraviolet light and heat, but are more commonly used as privacy curtains.
For automobiles, there are four main types of glass tinting, indicating the amount of light that can pass through. Fifty percent of the tint lets half the light through, which is more than enough for full visibility. Thirty percent is much darker, but still allows for visibility. Twenty percent makes the window difficult to see on both sides, but the shapes can still be seen quite clearly. Five percent is the darkest shade available and is also known as a slime shade. At 5% tint, visibility on the bright side, typically outside, is virtually nil, while those on the dim side can see outside relatively clearly.
The price of tinted glass is surprisingly affordable, and tinted home windows often pay for themselves in energy savings in just a few years. Car window tinting is controlled by state or provincial law, so be sure to check and make sure the level of tint you want is allowed on the streets where you live.