It’s no secret that windows can have a very drastic impact on the way a room looks. Simply replacing old, worn out windows with new ones can instantly give a room a whole new look. If getting new regular windows makes a huge difference, imagine the kind of impact windows with a specialized type of glass, like stained glass or frosted glass, would make!
The good news is that there is a way to change the look of the glass in your windows without having to get entirely new windows. Window films are very thin sheets of vinyl that can be applied directly to the window pane and can be purchased at many hardware stores. These window films come in many different styles and can offer some great benefits without having to spend a lot of money.
Easily Change a Room’s Decor
Do you like the idea of having stained glass windows in a room in your house, but don’t want to have to pay to have the real deal installed? Window films can give you the look you want, but for a fraction of the price. Best of all, if you decide to redecorate the room or you move out and the next homeowner wants to change them, window films can easily be removed without damaging the window or causing any extra expense.
Added Privacy
Want to create a little more privacy in a room? Many window films mimic the look of etched, frosted, and textured glass, which can make it more difficult to see into a room from the outside while saving you the expense of getting new glass for your windows or having to get blinds or curtains. While you may want privacy in a room, that doesn’t necessarily mean you want to drastically cut down on the amount of natural light the room gets. While these types of window films might reduce the amount of sunlight that comes in, they’ll still let in quite a bit of light while still giving you the privacy you need.
Reduce Solar Heat and UV Rays
If you’d like to cut down on how much time you spend running your air conditioner during the summer, many window films are designed to reduce the amount of heat from the sun that enters your home and filter out UV rays. Not only will these types of window films help make your home more comfortable, the UV filtering properties can prevent the colors in your carpet, furniture, and paint from fading.
Although window films do have their benefits, it’s important to understand they won’t fix larger problems with the window itself. If your heating and cooling bills are higher than you’d like them to be, a solar heat-filtering window film will only do so much. There may be a draft around your window or elsewhere in your home that needs to be addressed. Or if you have an older type of window, upgrading to vinyl replacement windows would be a more effective long-term solution because of their more energy efficient nature. It’s also important to note that window films that reflect heat shouldn’t be used on dual or triple pane windows since these films can cause heat to build up between the panes of glass and cause condensation to form.
