We’ve all had days when the sun shines extra bright into our eyes. For drivers, that may mean combating the glare with window tint. But did you know you can put tint on your home’s windows, too?
Paul Stevenson is a window film specialist at Glass Doctor. He says there are different types of film they can install depending on your needs.
“30 to 40 years ago, window film started to come into cars, and a lot of people still don’t realize that we can add window film to their house windows,” says Paul. “Window films on houses have probably been out just as long.”
And these days, you have a lot more options.
“You can add metal and ceramic qualities into film now, too. You don’t have to do something that’s dark, and with most films, you can’t even tell it’s there. I actually think it really enhances people’s vision and the overall look because it knocks out that glare that our eyes shouldn’t be seeing. Eye doctors will tell you we should have it filtered a bit.”
Window film also brings protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
“We have a couple of versions of reflective type films. Every film I put on, no matter if it’s a clear film all the way to the darkest film, it blocks out 99% of the UV rays.”
In fact, Paul says the Skin Cancer Foundation has linked up with window film manufacturers to help in the fight against cancer.
“They’re really passionate about backing window film makers because of how much of the ultraviolet rays are blocked, both UVA and UVB. People are getting treated more and more every year for skin cancer, and it’s important that we do what we can to combat that.”
But it’s not just our skin and eyes that window tint protects us from. It’s also your personal items.
“People are putting down high-end flooring. They have photographs, pictures, portraits, and paintings. That stuff is fading,” says Paul. “Even indirect sunlight can have an impact.”
“In addition to those benefits, glare and privacy are the top two reasons people add window film to their homes,” Paul notes.
“Glare reduction is a huge thing,” explains Paul. “It can be one of those annoying things to constantly see glare from the sun on your TV.”
But window films have a “hidden” benefit many people don’t think about.
“What people don’t realize is that another incredible benefit to adding window film is efficiency. It’s almost a bonus to it. Most common films block out 65% of the heat coming through the glass.”
But stopping heat from coming in isn’t the only benefit. During the wintertime, many people have to deal with heat escaping their house because of the glass.
“I hate to say this, but glass is one of the worst insulator that we have in our house,” Paul notes. “But we’re not going to live in a solid-sided house. So, we add glass. When that tint is added on the inside, it can actually keep some of that heat from transferring through that glass and expelling to the outside in the wintertime.”
This means your furnace might not have to run as long or as hard, saving you money. “With window film, you may be able to generate a room that stays warmer in the winter,” Paul adds.
Another common place Paul sees window tints is in sunrooms.
“Sunrooms get hot in the summer and cold in the winter. In the dead of winter, say December 21st, which is the shortest day of the year, we are probably only getting about four to six hours of heat. But we are losing 18 to 20 hours of heat out of the windows because now we don’t have direct sun. Keeping that sun out in the summertime is just as important to keep AC costs down.”
Depending on the type of film you choose, it can block 20 to 95% of light.
“We can go really light or even to a medium shade, like sunglasses. But you don’t have to get dark film to get that energy efficiency. We have a chart that we have to follow to put window film on any house because not every double-pane window in the house is the same.”
Some people may be hesitant about adding film because they’re worried that their windows may look different, but Paul says that’s a misconception.
“A lot of people think of window film in a vehicle, and they think they have to go dark, but that’s not the case anymore. For example, we can use a dual reflective film, which is my most common. It’s neutral. In reality, I could probably show you 100 different films, but we are always going to do what is best for you at Glass Doctor.”
That’s why they were recently awarded for the 4th time the National Franchisee Award, the highest honor that can be given to a franchisee.
“With over 300 Glass Doctor locations nationwide, it’s an honor to receive it for the fourth time,” says Pamela Thomson, Glass Doctor’s operations manager. “It’s a testament to our commitment to our customers, and we believe we are the best glass shop around.”
Glass Doctor of Sioux Falls was presented with the National Franchisee Award in 2012, 2014, 2021, and 2024. They are the only franchise to receive this award four times.
The prestigious award is presented by each brand to the franchisee who has consistently grown through proper training and management of their organization and has had a consistently high level of sales through quality, professional service.
“We just care about our customers and we stand behind our products,” says Paul. “Our courteous, professional service is what sets Glass Doctor apart.”
