Solar Screens vs. Tinted Windows: personal conclusions (Houston: credit, how much)

[kreeyax]

With the tint do they clean your windows really good to get any dirt or grime off so it won't be trapped between the film and window? Is there ever any issue with bubbling once it gets a certain age, where it has to be re-done?

[truelies]

I am interested in this. Anyway to get it together and discuss a large discount?

[truelies]

Originally Posted by danieloneil01

I did all my windows in my old house with the tint and it was really cheap. Maybe 200 bucks tops (13 windows ranging from 2x3 to 8x10) and it's pretty easy to do. It had a mirror to it and worked great. You don't need the high dollar stuff.

Any DIY instruction for this? I want to do this, $200 is great.

[greenrays]

I never liked the look of screens but they certainly did make a difference in the heat that comes in and in our electric bill.

Ours had no issues withstanding hurricane Ike----the fence wasn't so lucky.

Next time, I will bypass both options and make sure my home doesn't face East.

[tstone]

Window tinting is an art form. I'd practice with a cheap-o roll of film and installation kit from Auto Zone before going all out.

[behtypa]

Originally Posted by truelies

Any DIY instruction for this? I want to do this, $200 is great.

I respect danieloneil01for doing his/her own tints. But I don't think the film was of a comparable quality to what professional installers use. The quality is measured by:
- quality of the film, how thick, how elastic, how long it lasts and maintains its properties
- solar rejection, UV rejection, reflectivity and other parameters
- color, overall looks, etc.

The price installers pay for their film is around $0.40 - $1.0 per sq. ft. Or $60-$80 per 80 sq. ft. roll. They charge us a price from $4 a foot.

I tried installing a small piece (10 x 18) of frosted film. And without a proper tools it is hard. It traps bubbles and gets messy. The film is also too thick and does not have a good adhesion.

So I figured, that I'd better pay professionals do it. Because it takes a good experience ans a bunch of tools to lay a film to last for 10-15 years. The warranty is lifetime. If they mess, they change it for free.

[behtypa]

Originally Posted by truelies

Any DIY instruction for this? I want to do this, $200 is great.

Oh. And if the tint is too reflective (like a mirror) or not neutral in color (i.e. blue-ish) the HOA may not approve it. I had my tints approved.

[kreeyax]

Originally Posted by behtypa

I tried installing a small piece (10 x 18) of frosted film. And without a proper tools it is hard. It traps bubbles and gets messy. The film is also too thick and does not have a good adhesion.

I did a small bathroom window in my old house with the frosted film from Lowe's, it was maybe 2' X 3'. It actually came out very good and looked good for many years, never bubbled or anything. There's no way I'd attempt to tint all the windows in my new house though, it would just be way too time consuming and frustrating.

[Talltinter]

Originally Posted by predatorprey

I've had solar screens on my condo, and now i have solar film on my house.

Hands down solar film wins.

Here's an incorrect statement that solar films qualify for tax rebate. The rebate is only for film that meets certain qualifications. The only ones that qualify are ones usually used on commercial buildings and highly reflective (mirror look). Most home owners dont want this.

This all depends on the zone area where you live. In Texas which is zone 2, there are tons of film that quality and is not silver reflective.

[ethanw]

I had 300 S/F of windows done with Huper Optik Ceramic 40 and 30. $7 a S/F but is worth every penny. Stay away from 3M, just simply upsale and they charge $11-13 per S/F.

The temperature drooped by 5-6F in my house, measurements before and after the tint.
IRS will also refund you 30% of your cost as part of their energy / green house plan.