Home Window Tinting in Denver

Planning Home Window Tinting Around Denver Sun Exposure

We plan a house by its walls, not by its window count. The west wall gets the toughest film, since that is the side that catches the sun as it drops toward the foothills on summer evenings. South walls come next: the sun is high in July, so eaves and porches shade them, but in December the low sun pours straight in under those same overhangs. East windows usually need something lighter, and north glass often needs nothing at all.

That approach keeps the cost down and the house bright. A typical Denver tinting job might put a spectrally selective film on a west living room and primary bedroom, clear UV film on a south dining room with original oak floors, and frosted film on a bathroom that faces the alley. Three different products, one consistent look from the street.

Window Tinting for Denver Brick Bungalows, Squares and Victorians

A huge share of central Denver housing is brick. Bungalows and Denver Squares fill the blocks around Washington Park, Platt Park and Park Hill, and older Victorians are still standing in Highland, Curtis Park and Capitol Hill. Many still have original wood sashes, some with wavy glass and divided lites. Owners usually want those windows kept, not replaced, and interior film is one of the few upgrades that leaves the sash completely alone.

Older glass needs a careful look before film goes on. We check for cracked lites, loose glazing putty and old repairs, and we choose films that suit single-strength glass. Small divided panes take longer to cut and fit than a single large sheet, which is why a 1910 house with twelve-over-one windows costs more per square foot than a newer house with picture windows.

Original leaded or stained glass is usually left untouched. If a transom or sidelight needs privacy, a decorative film can go on a separate clear pane nearby instead.

Tinting Newer Denver Homes With Dual-Pane Low-E Glass

Houses built since the 1990s, from Centennial subdivisions to the new streets of Central Park, almost always have dual-pane insulated windows, and most have a factory low-e coating. Those windows already block some heat, but they still let in plenty of glare and visible light, and the upstairs rooms in a two-story with little shade can run hot by late afternoon.

Film on insulated glass has to be matched carefully. Too much absorption on the inside pane can raise thermal stress, especially in a climate where a 20-degree morning can be followed by bright sun. We identify the glass type, read the window maker's warranty language and use films approved for that combination.

What to Expect on a Denver Home Tinting Install Day

Plan on one day for most houses. We ask that blinds be raised, sills cleared and furniture pulled back a couple of feet from the windows. Dogs are happier in another room, since doors open and close a lot. The crew lays drop cloths, cleans each pane thoroughly, then trims and applies the film from inside the house.

After installation, film needs to dry. Denver's dry air speeds that up compared with humid cities, but cold glass in winter slows it, so a January install may stay a little hazy for a couple of weeks. Do not clean the glass during that time. After it clears, a soft cloth and an ammonia-free cleaner are all the care it needs.

• Raise blinds and clear windowsills
• Move furniture back from the glass
• Keep pets in a separate room
• Skip window cleaning until the film clears