There are two major forms of window tinting, either those that absorb sunlight or those that act as solar reflective films. They both aim to reduce heat radiation from the sun, but they have different approaches to the process.
Dyed polyester products absorb light from the sun, and are older pieces of technology. These barriers are dark colored, and keep a lot of natural light from entering the home. This can effectively raise the monthly utility bill as lights will have to be turned on in the daytime. Problem is, light and heat are two different things, and while absorbing most of the light will initially keep the interior cooler, the absorbed heat energy is slowly conducted into the building. Most of it is pulled off by air currents outside, but this barrier is not as energy efficient as it could be.
Newer products are aimed at rejecting sunlight, and this is the idea behind solar reflective films. These tints repel heat and UV rays before they even reach the glass. This means that nothing is conducted into the home, and plenty of natural sunlight can still fill the room. In short, it’s more energy efficient than its polyester counterpart.
Beyond that, though, it comes with a couple more benefits. These products are made with metallic tint that enhances the barrier’s durability and longevity. It’s not unusual to get a lifetime warranty with one of these products. They can also be customized to allow any amount of light into the home, so a homeowner who wants added privacy can elect for low light transmission when they purchase the product.
