7 Types of Window Tint You Should Consider for Your Home

1. Solar Window Tint

Also called “solar control film,” this is by far one of the most popular options on the market today. It’s also the best type of window tint for homeowners who live in a sunny area, or for use on any sunny window that doesn’t face south.

If you want to protect your skin from sunlight with an untinted window, you’d need to wear sunscreen indoors. With a solar tint, on the other hand, you’ll be able to let a certain percentage of light in while keeping the majority of the sun’s harmful UV rays at bay. Some manufacturers make films that absorb and reflect up to 99% of UV rays!

Hand in hand with its ability to block or deflect sunlight is the ability to cool your home. Windows with a solar tint can help regulate indoor temperatures that remain more comfortable in the summer months. This, in turn, can lead to significant energy savings.



It’s worth noting that solar tints come in a range of options that let more or less light into your home. Many homeowners opt for a window tint percentage of 80%, meaning that the tint will block about 20% of the light that hits your window.

2. Decorative Window Tint

Also known as “dyed window tints,” decorative tints do just what their name suggests: they add aesthetic appeal to your home’s windows.

These products come in a wide spectrum of colors, patterns, and designs. Some homeowners choose to use them to enhance the appearance of a room, while others use them to block visibility through a certain window of the home. Decorative window tints can be colored, frosted, translucent, or even opaque.

It’s worth noting that the decorative tint on most products is only visible from the inside, however. From outside your home, visitors will only see an opaque tint that makes it difficult to see indoors. This makes decorative tints a great way to enhance privacy in addition to your home décor.



You should also note that some types of decorative tinting do not block UV rays. Because they are the thinnest type of window tint, they also will not enhance a window’s strength like other products will.

3. Safety and Security Window Tint

For homeowners who worry about shattering glass, security tints can be a great way to get a little more peace of mind.

Security window tints are often the thickest films available, which allows them to enhance the overall strength of the glass itself. Security film won’t reflect sunlight and heat in the way solar film does, but it can minimize the damage of shattering glass. It also makes it difficult for anyone outside your home—such as potential intruders—to see inside.



In other words, whether you’re concerned about a home break-in or damage from a serious storm, security tints are often a great addition to your overall window protection strategy.

4. Glare Control Window Tint

If your window is placed in such a way that the sun’s glare frustrates you each day, this type of residential window tint can help. Glare control window films block sunlight where it matters most—such as when you’re working on the glossy, reflective screen of your laptop.



These options are popular with businesses, which use them to enhance office productivity by keeping employees from squinting at their screens all day!

5. Mirror Window Tint

As the name suggests, mirror window tints create a mirror effect on your windows. This can be either a one-way or two-way effect, depending on the product you choose. In other words, the person on either one side or both sides of the window will see only their own reflection when they look at the glass.



Mirror window tints can be a great way to add privacy to a space, but many homeowners opt for decorative or glare control options as an alternative. Mirror tints tend to be popular with businesses that want privacy as well as a professional and glossy look to their windows.

6. Ceramic Window Tint

This type of tint is one of the more modern—and expensive—options on this list. Where the tints above include various dyes, ceramic film includes tiny ceramic particles.

Because ceramic itself is non-reflective and non-conductive, these home window tints can help cut down on a significant amount of UV rays.



However, there are a few additional properties that make ceramic tints more costly. First, they’re durable enough to outlast other types of window tint, and they’re less prone to fading. In addition, they also significantly enhance a window’s strength.

7. Metalized Window Tint

Unlike decorative tints, which use dye to change the appearance of the film, metalized tints use tiny particles of various metals. Depending on the brand, the included metals may be copper, aluminum, or nickel.



Metalized window tint behaves a lot like normal solar tint: it helps to deflect heat and light from your room. Some solar window tint brands also include hybrid options, combining the lighter dyed look of normal window tint with the thermoregulation properties of a metalized tint.

Find the Right Window Tint for Your Property

Whether you want to change up your home’s appearance or get significant savings on your energy bills, the right window tint can help. Consider your needs and weigh the options above as you decide which tint is best for your property.

If you’re looking for superior window tints and an excellent installation experience, don’t forget to reach out to the EcoArc Home & Office Window Tinting team! We have a history of providing quality tints to homeowners throughout the Knoxville, Waynesville, and Greenville areas, and we’d love to help you find the perfect tint for your home. Contact us today to learn more, or get a free estimate! We have three convenient locations in Waynesville, Knoxville, and Greenville to better serve our customers.