How to make window tinting in the apartment with your own hands

For residents of the southern regions or people whose windows face the sunny side, the hot season comes in the summer. And in the literal sense of the word. The sun's rays warm the room to unthinkable temperatures, so you can forget about a comfortable stay. There are two ways to solve the problem: live with curtained windows or tint the windows. The second option is more profitable and we will tell you why.

Pros and cons

Window tinting has its advantages and disadvantages. Having considered all sides of the issue, you can make an informed decision: do you need a tint film or not. Let's start with the benefits:

The film is installed on any type of windows, including balcony or loggia glazing. Its main purpose is to absorb ultraviolet rays. The material copes with this task perfectly, passing only 1% of ultraviolet radiation. As a result, the room does not heat up, in addition, furniture and wallpaper are protected from fading.
The protective film prevents heat loss, respectively, by toning the loggia, you will make it suitable for living at any time of the year. We’ll clarify right away that without a heating system, living on a balcony in the winter season will be very difficult.
Performs tinting and protective functions. Balcony glazing is a great solution, but if your apartment is located on the first floor, there is a risk that the window will be broken. For example, children playing in the yard will accidentally hit the loggia window with a ball. If we omit the cost of restoring the window (this responsibility can be assigned to the bully's parents), the question of safety remains. Shattered glass can injure people on the balcony. If a tinted film is applied to the windows, the injury risk of the situation will be reduced to zero: the fragments will be linked by the film.

Thanks to tinting, you will perfectly see everything that happens outside the apartment, and you will not be able to look inside the premises from the street. Accordingly, residents of the first floors can do without curtains during the day.

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Protective films also have disadvantages:

Only a certain spectrum of rays passes through the tinted balcony windows and loggias, respectively, there will always be twilight in the apartment.
Protection from sunlight in winter will also have a negative side: the apartment will slowly warm up. This is especially noticeable if there are problems with heating in the city.
It will not be possible to completely refuse to install curtains: when it gets dark outside, the lights on in the rooms will provide an excellent view from the street.

However, despite the shortcomings, window tinting is very popular.

Varieties

The film designed to protect the loggia and windows in the apartment can be of several types. Each category has certain properties:

Sunscreen. Such a film is able to absorb up to 80% of ultraviolet rays. This is the best solution for residents of the southern regions who are forced to live with the air conditioner constantly on in the summer.
Mirror. In addition to the main function, it prevents the view from the street, although at night the mirror effect starts to work in the opposite direction. Looks good on glazed balconies and loggias.
Protective. Such a film not only absorbs the sun's rays, but also makes the glass more durable. Recommended for installation on the first floors of apartment buildings and in the private sector.
Matte. We note right away that a matte film is not the best option for tinting a loggia or windows in an apartment. Matte films are intended for glass partition decoration, mainly in office buildings or hospitals. However, the matte film makes it difficult to see from the street, and absorbs some of the sun's rays.Therefore, if desired, it can be used in residential premises.

DIY tinting

One of the undeniable advantages of tinting is the ease of its application. Even women can tint windows in an apartment. Here is what the technology of applying a protective film looks like:

The glass surface must be thoroughly washed and degreased. If this is not done, the film will not adhere to the contaminated surface. It is better to repeat the procedure two or three times.
A roll of film is rolled out on any flat surface, a piece of the desired size is cut out. It is recommended to leave 1-2 centimeters of stock around the edges.
The protective layer is removed from the surface of the film. So that the adhesive base does not spontaneously stick to hands or windows, it can be moistened with a solution of soapy water.
The film is applied to the top of the glass and gradually smoothed down. Try to keep the surface even: the formed folds and bubbles must be eliminated immediately.
The applied film is leveled with a rubber spatula, the excess is cut off.

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As you can see, there is nothing complicated. It is worth noting that window tinting needs regular maintenance. Therefore, periodically wipe the surface with a damp cloth. The use of detergents on an abrasive or chemically active basis is unacceptable.