Looking to see if anyone who has applied tint to their home windows would do it again or regrets it? Did it make a big difference?

We have a south facing set of windows in our living room that makes us unable to sit on areas of our couch at certain times when the sun is coming through due to both the heat and brightness of the sun.

Due to the large triangle shape of these windows and how high they are I've received quotes of about $2500/window for motorized shades, which I'd like to avoid spending.

I've read about concerns with tinting double pane windows regarding window warranty, seals, etc. but also read other stuff that there are now 60 to 70% light transmission tints that still reject 50% of heat that don't cause a risk to the windows. I'm sure someone on here knows more than me.

Why not just solar screens?

We tinted our windows which face the west sun. We have no neighbors in that direction which has eliminated the need for any window covering or screens. A quality ceramic tint by a professional installer makes a great difference.

El_duderino said:

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Why not just solar screens?

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My wife doesn't want the view to be obscured at all

Would you have to do a pretty tight weave solar screen to make a difference? Are you able to see through them pretty well still?

Not sure I've seen any solar screens before but maybe we should go check some out

ComeAndTakeIt said:

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We tinted our windows which face the west sun. We have no neighbors in that direction which has eliminated the need for any window covering or screens. A quality ceramic tint by a professional installer makes a great difference.

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That's good to hear. I've been looking at a few high visibility ceramic tints. Do you happen to know the specs on yours (how much TSER, etc.?). No problems with your windows so far?

No issues seeing out ours during the day. I think we have 90% screens. I can't remember.

No issues with the windows after three years. I can't remember what the brand of the tint was. The installer should bring you some samples to look through in your home.

Do you get frustrated with the spec of dust that inevitably causes a bubble under your phone screen protector film?

Multiply that by 1000 doing window tint. Tinted my west facing windows years ago...never again. Get the screens!

hoosier-daddy said:

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Do you get frustrated with the spec of dust that inevitably causes a bubble under your phone screen protector film?

Multiply that by 1000 doing window tint. Tinted my west facing windows years ago...never again. Get the screens!

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I was assuming the install crew would scrub the windows down thoroughly and it wouldn't really be an issue

Our old house faced west, and due to there being a street to the 10:30 of us, the sun would set right down that street and give us maximum afternoon heating. The front bedroom was almost unbearable even though the house was new and had energy efficient windows. I decided to buy some clear ceramic tint and put it on, and it made a world of difference. I could walk in as the sun was setting it the room be as cool as the rest of the house.

It's not hard to apply. Get you a spray bottle and do a mixture of soapy water to spray on the windows (after cleaning them good), apply the tint, and then use a squeegee to get the bubbles out by working from the inside out. Be sure to do a size check and cut just a bit bigger than needed for the window before applying. Once you've applied and squeegeed it, cut the excess at the edges with a razor blade. It'll dry in a few hours, but don't touch it for a couple of days.

Ridge14 said:

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hoosier-daddy said:

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Do you get frustrated with the spec of dust that inevitably causes a bubble under your phone screen protector film?

Multiply that by 1000 doing window tint. Tinted my west facing windows years ago...never again. Get the screens!

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I was assuming the install crew would scrub the windows down thoroughly and it wouldn't really be an issue

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Lent free cloth and a lot of windex.

Install crew was me and the wife

hoosier-daddy said:

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Install crew was me and the wife

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Haha alright makes sense, I would hire out due to the height of the windows

Paid someone to install at my first house. Whole front faced west and nothing in front to block.

Slight font with ceramic made a difference. We had spray foam and double pane windows. They cleaned the windows before installation. It was worth it.

~egon

Ridge14 said:

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hoosier-daddy said:

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Install crew was me and the wife

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Haha alright makes sense, I would hire out due to the height of the windows

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Yeah it was pre kids and money. It ended up fine but definitely wouldn't do it now.

aTm2004 said:

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Ridge14 said:

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hoosier-daddy said:

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Do you get frustrated with the spec of dust that inevitably causes a bubble under your phone screen protector film?

Multiply that by 1000 doing window tint. Tinted my west facing windows years ago...never again. Get the screens!

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I was assuming the install crew would scrub the windows down thoroughly and it wouldn't really be an issue

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Lent free cloth and a lot of windex.

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Yeah, but that instillation takes forty days.

Ridge14 said:

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El_duderino said:

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Why not just solar screens?

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My wife doesn't want the view to be obscured at all

Would you have to do a pretty tight weave solar screen to make a difference? Are you able to see through them pretty well still?

Not sure I've seen any solar screens before but maybe we should go check some out

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https://www.lower-my-energybill.com/top-10-reasons-to-buy-solar-window-screens.html

Everyone online always shows exterior photos rather than interior, so thanks for posting. I'm curious on the difference if the window was professionally cleaned before installation and that's helping significantly or if it's glare reduction from the screens, looks pretty decently as pictured despite the low quality picture, just not sure if there's other factors like cleaning.

Ridge14 said:

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Everyone online always shows exterior photos rather than interior, so thanks for posting. I'm curious on the difference if the window was professionally cleaned before installation and that's helping significantly or if it's glare reduction from the screens, looks pretty decently as pictured despite the low quality picture, just not sure if there's other factors like cleaning.

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Caretaker of wife mostly sitting next to 6050 West facing window, with some Oak shading
Window shades that block all light not always desired
Home Depot sold a roll of Solar Screen I simply stapled up as a trial on that one window
The other 6050s in that same room would offer up a photo exactly like the promo one sent

Cleaning was of course done DIY prior to screen install Jul'21 and only foam cleaner spray thru screen, then hosed ever since.
Roll was $30, plenty left over, either Amazon or Home Depot.

Enercon in Aggieland is the go-to place for framed screens, new & repairs.
We have not framed ours yet.