Construction & Contractors Blog
It can be frustrating when a vibrant sofa fades to a dull hue or a plastic chair becomes discolored. You may find that you constantly replace the furniture in your home or change decor, such as throw blankets and portraits, because you no longer like the way they look after their colors change. If you're tired of keeping your curtains shut tightly in an attempt to block out the sun, consider residential window tinting. Here's a brief explanation of why the sun damages your decor and how tinted window installation can help protect your home's furnishings.
The Sun is a Powerful Star
The sun is incredibly hot, and it can damage the items in your home if you do not take steps to prevent the damage from happening. The temperature of the sun's surface is 5,700 degrees Celsius, which equates to approximately 10,292 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, picture this powerful star sending hot streams of light, known as thermal rays, through your windows. Thermal rays can make it uncomfortable for you to sit directly beside a window as you read a book or watch TV, and you may even notice that some decor materials, such as plastic, become warped after prolonged exposure to the sun's heat.
Thick curtains help block the sun's thermal rays and reduce the amount of heat that enters your home, but what if you want to get a clear glimpse of what's going on outside or let natural light illuminate your home? Tinted windows filter thermal rays without blocking them completely, so there's no need to keep your curtains closed. Window tinting typically offers different thermal transmission options, such as 40% or 70%, so you can customize your comfort level.
UV Rays Change the Composition of Some Molecules
Color pigments are composed of chemicals. When UV rays land on these pigments, they alter the composition of the pigments' molecules. These molecules are known as chromophores, and they either throw back or absorb different forms of light, including sunlight. UV rays damage the bonds that connect chromophores, which is why a deep burgundy couch that sits near a sunny window might eventually adopt a light red hue.
Some furniture is crafted from UV-resistant fabric, but you can typically find this type of furniture in an outdoor patio set. If you want to protect your indoor decor from the sun's strong rays, you have to stop the UV rays from penetrating your furniture's pigments in the first place. Home window tinting accomplishes this goal by blocking some of the UV rays from entering through your windows.
Opt for Window Replacement Rather Than Tinting Existing Windows
If you want to tint existing windows, you can purchase your own films from a hardware store or home improvement center. However, there are numerous drawbacks to consider before you install window films on existing windows, such as:
For these reasons, it is generally best to replace your current windows with pre-tinted windows rather than adding factory films to existing windows. An experienced contractor can and explain the different tinting options available for your home, as well as help you find tinted windows priced within your budget.
Now that you understand why the sun is not a friend to your home decor and have some information about tinting options, you might be ready to make some changes. Contact a company that specializes in residential window installation to learn more about how you can extend the life of your furniture with tinted windows.
For more information about window installation, contact a company like Smith K L Inc.
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30 October 2015
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
