Choosing the perfect window tint goes beyond aesthetics or privacy, it’s also about ensuring the tint complements your glass type for optimal performance and longevity. The wrong pairing can lead to costly issues like reduced efficiency. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your home or office understanding the nuances of different glass types is essential. So let’s look into the unique properties of various glass types and explore the most compatible tints to enhance functionality, safety and comfort.
Tempered Glass
This is often used commercial buildings and is known for its strength and safety features. It undergoes a heat treatment process that makes it highly durable, and fortunately, most window tints are compatible with it. Ceramic tints, for instance, are an excellent choice for their superior heat rejection and UV-blocking capabilities Metalised tints offer added durability and a sleek look, while dual reflective tints balance aesthetics with functionality by providing excellent heat reduction. Whatever your choice, tempered glass is versatile enough to handle a variety of tint options without complications.
Single Pane float annealed Glass
If you have single-pane glass windows, you’re in luck as they’re one of the easiest types to tint. Single pane windows are widely used in older homes and some commercial spaces. Most residential and commercial tints work seamlessly with single pane glass. These tints enhance energy efficiency, block harmful UV rays, and improve indoor comfort. If you’re unsure, ceramic tints are a reliable choice thanks to their non-reflective appearance and high heat-reduction properties.
Double Pane Glass
Double pane glass, found in many modern homes and offices, offers excellent insulation and energy efficiency. However, its unique construction (with two layers of glass separated by a sealed air or gas space) requires careful consideration when tinting. Tints with high absorption rates can trap heat between the panes, causing thermal stress that may result in cracks. To avoid this, we recommend speaking with our staff to ensure the correct materials are recommended for your double glazed windows. If you are wanting to reduce heat entering the building the best application for double glazing is to use an external window film. For example, we offer a clear IR film that will reduce the heat entering the window by 70%. Or we can use a tinted or reflective film that will offer a minimum of 70% heat reduction. We can achieve on average 50-60% heat reduction with internal films. The best way to reduce heat with an internal tint or film is to use a metalized reflective tint. The less absorbing the film the better. If the film absorbs too much heat then radiant heat will build up in the glass. We have seen some building use products that get so hot you can’t touch the glass. This is caused by the exterior glass pane not allowing the internal glass pane cool down from the exterior air and wind. Before recommend the correct application, we will determine the glass type within the double glazed unit. From there we will show you the best products and show you the pros and cons of each application.
Low-E Glass
Low-E (low emissivity) glass is coated to reflect heat and improve energy efficiency. This glass is used a lot in Melbourne and is also used in combination with double glazing. The main reason this type of glass is used is to reduce heat loss and is often used as a cheaper alternative to double glazing. This sophisticated glass type requires special attention when choosing a tint, as some tints may interfere with its coating. It’s essential to select a tint explicitly designed for compatibility with Low-E glass. Spectrally selective tints are an excellent choice, as they enhance the glass’s thermal performance without disrupting its original features to much. Always consult with our professionals to ensure it complements your Low-E glass rather than detracting from its efficiency.
The Importance of Professional Advice
Choosing the right window tint isn’t a one size fits all decision as each glass type has unique requirements, and using the wrong tint can lead to various issues. Consulting a professional ensures that your tint not only enhances your windows’ functionality but also preserves their structural integrity.
