How Long Does Window Tint Last? A Guide for Homeowners
There are several advantages of tinting your home's windows, but how long does window tint last? This is the lifespan you can expect.
You can spend up to a whopping $1,350 on home window tinting installation. Therefore, you want to get your money's worth. This can be difficult to do when the tinting on your windows wears off too quickly.
However, you can prevent this by choosing long-lasting residential window tinting services and types. If you're still typing 'how long does window tint last' into the search bar, read on to learn what factors affect the lifespan of tinting.
What Is Home Window Tinting?
You may have heard of car window tinting but not home window tinting. To some degree, the two types of tinting are the same. They're both kinds of films that you or a professional contractor can install onto windows.
These differences come down to the specific types of window tinting available for cars and homes. For example, there are certain decorative types of residential window tinting that resemble frosted or stained glass. Such styles wouldn’t look great on your car.
Beyond this, though, the benefits that both car and home window tinting offer are mostly the same. Both make the space behind a window cooler and harder to see. They also reduce the glare from sunlight.
As far as how long these window tints last, experts have mentioned quite a wide range of estimated lifespans. According to them, window tinting can last anywhere from five to 30 years. Something they all can agree on, though, is the causes of a longer or shorter window tint lifespan.
Moisture
Professionals who specialize in tinting home windows install the tint on the inside of your windows. Therefore, you don't have to worry about rain slipping under your window tinting or wind blowing it off.
However, moisture isn't exclusive to the outside alone. The fact that your bathroom window fogs up after a shower proves this. That same moisture can get under your window tinting and wear down the adhesive.
This can also occur in humid environments or when the temperature is much warmer inside than outside.
You can control the humidity in your home. However, this won't change the fact that adhesive-reliant window tinting will last a shorter time in humid environments.
Luckily, though, you're not helpless if you live in this kind of climate or need bathroom window tinting. You can choose the types of window tinting that don't rely on adhesives to cling to windows.
Heat and Light
One factor that affects window tint lifespan is something that's beyond your control. You probably know that colored items will fade when they're left out in the sunlight. The same happens to the dye in window tinting.
In addition, lengthy exposure to heat also affects your residential window tinting. High heat will cause adhesives that keep tinting stuck to windows to decay faster. When this happens, bubbles will form under the tinting or it will peel.
Unfortunately, one of the major jobs of window tinting is to keep light and heat from your home. Therefore, it has to stand in their path. In many cases, you will just have to accept that your tinting may have a short lifespan in your local climate than other ones.
However, there are still other ways to control the lifespan of your window tinting.
Quality of Materials
Most types of window tint exist on a scale that runs from low-end to high-end. Tinting on the higher end won't fade or degrade as quickly as that on the lower end. This is because the dyes and materials used to make these tints are more durable.
Of course, it’s difficult to know the difference between high- and low-quality tint. Certain tints can have a high price but have a short lifespan. The actual best way to find a long-lasting window tinting is to look for the longest warranty.
Also, don't be afraid of window tinting with an expensive price tag. Remember that you'll save money in the long run by not having to replace your tinting every two years or so.
Installation Quality
There are many tutorials available online that can teach you how to install your own residential window tinting. However, none of them can give you the years of experience that a professional tinting installation contractor will have. They've also made many of the mistakes an amateur can make and can now avoid them.
There are also a lot of specific details that professionals will know about tinting home windows that you won't. For example, certain types of tinting will work best on certain types of windows. Another example is that tinting installation is best done in certain weather conditions.
A professional can then use this experience and knowledge to give you long-lasting window tinting. Therefore, it's best to find a good quality tinting installation company to install your tinting.
Maintenance
You can, however, maintain your tinting to increase its lifespan. All you have to do is clean it, but you must do this correctly. With proper research, you can find many tips on proper tinting cleaning online.
In addition, you can find a few tips listed here:
- Let the tinting cure for a few days before its first cleaning
- Clean with soft water rather than hard water
- Avoid cleaners that contain acid, alcohol, and/or ammonia
- Don't use abrasive cleaners either
- To reduce the chance of scratching, clean tinting when it's cool
- Use dish soap and water or special glass cleaners for cleaning
How Long Does Window Tint Last? Longer With Our Services
So how long does window tint last? It depends on how much time you set aside enough to search for the best kinds of window tinting and tinting services. Also, be sure to find all the information you can about cleaning it properly.
While you're searching for tinting services, consider ours. EcoArc Home & Office Window Tinting is the leader in window film installation for the Waynesville, Knoxville, and Greenville areas. Contact us today for a free price estimate for your residential or commercial building.
