A Guide to Residential Window Film

Window Tinting in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and Surrounding Idaho Areas

At Meridian Window Tint, we offer a wide variety of sun control and decorative options to help customers throughout Boise and surrounding areas get the most out of enhancing their windows. We also feel passionate about educating our customers, so we have put together this guide to help provide an overview of everything you need to know about residential window film.

Table of Contents:

What Are the Benefits of Residential Window Film?

Residential window film is a type of multi-layer coating used to enhance your home's windows. Made of thin polyester and metalized layers, residential window films are professionally applied to the inside of your windows and yield a variety of benefits.

Window Film Can Prevent Your Belongings from Fading Due to UV Sun Damage

Sunlight may be aesthetically pleasing, but over time it can cause damage to your furniture, carpeting, wood floors, rugs, and other home decors. Most residential window films can help filter out UV rays, visible light, and solar heat to reduce damage otherwise caused to your belongings.

Window Film Can Reduce Glare, Brightness, and Sun Intensity

Controlling the amount of sunlight can increase your productivity when working from home and generally boost your mood. Still, too much brightness can cause excessive glare, making it more challenging to see your computer, phone, TV, and other screens. Window film can reduce sun intensity and block most of the sun's glare, so you experience a more consistent amount of sunlight in your home throughout the day and year.

What are the benefits of Window Film?

Window Film Can Improve Safety

Residential window film could improve the safety of your home by holding the pieces of glass together if a window were to break, rather than allowing it to shatter into your home and yard.

Window Film Can Increase Privacy and Decorative Aesthetic

If your top priority is privacy, there are several window film options to choose from depending on what's most important to you: sun control window films, privacy mirror window films, blackout/whiteout/translucent window films, and decorative window films. One benefit of window film to achieve these effects is that you do not have to go to the effort of etching or replacing windows with decorative glass.

Window Film Can Lower Utility Bills

Excessive sunlight can significantly increase the temperature of your home. Tinting your windows can reduce energy bills by lowering your dependency on running fans, air conditioners, or central air to cool your home, especially in the summer.

Window Film Can Reduce Heat in Your Home

Applying window film to a room that receives direct sunlight and is excessively warm can help reduce heat. You'll finally be able to decorate the room more comfortable and can even positioning chairs in the filtered sunlight to create a more livable setting.

Window film can lower utility bills, and reduce heat in your home

What Is the Cost of Residential Window Film?

Your residential window film's total cost will largely depend on the type of window film you choose and the total square footage to cover. The condition of your windows and how accessible they are can also impact your final cost. Once all these factors have been considered, a window film technician can estimate your project's window film price. It is also helpful to remember that window film can lower your utilities' cost, which adds additional value to your investment.

What is the cost of residential window film?

What Are the Types of Residential Window Film?

We offer many different residential window films and are always happy to consult with you to determine which option will best meet your needs!

Decorative Window Film

Our decorative window film is a more affordable alternative to decorated glass, and it can turn basic windows into beautiful home décor. We have a wide variety of clear or colorful frosted, etched, and patterned films to choose from, and we can also work with you to create custom designs.

Sun Control Window Film

If you have a window that receives a lot of light, you may be experiencing any number of issues that make it hard to enjoy: fading, heat, glare, or brightness. Sun Control Window films help control each of these issues, so your space is still light but much more comfortable.

Privacy Window Film

Tinted, translucent, or opaque privacy window films make it more difficult to see into your home from outside. Each type provides a different balance between the amount of light the window allows and your ability to see out from indoors.

Sun Control Window Film & Privacy Window Film offered by Meridian Window Tint

What Are the Four Top-Selling Residential Window Films?

Meridian Window Tint offers a wide selection of residential window films from which to choose. Of those, our four top-selling residential window films include our 3M Prestige Series, 3M Night Vision Series, 3M Neutral Series, and 3M Affinity Series.

3M Prestige Series

The 3M Prestige Series efficiently blocks UV rays and saves energy by reducing heat on the IR spectrum. Prestige is a spectrally selective film giving you unparalleled visual clarity. This option provides low reflectivity, which makes it easier to see outside than other film options.

3M Night Vision Series

The 3M Night Vision Series includes three shading levels to choose from, which provide varying levels of privacy. This series is the most popular among residential customers and is a dual-reflective film dramatically reducing sun glare.

3M Neutral Series

The 3M Neutral Series is a strong choice if you're looking to keep your home cooler but still maintain good visual quality.

3M Affinity Series

The 3M Affinity Series is a darker, more reflective option that provides high protection against fading and more privacy during the daytime.

3M top-selling residential window films

What is the Process for Installing Residential Window Film?

Our residential window film installation process starts with measuring your windows to get an idea of the total square footage of glass you have. You can do this on your own by using our guide "How to Measure Windows," or you can request a free consultation appointment, and one of our window film installers will visit your residence to calculate the measurements. Once the glass's total surface is determined, we can estimate the amount of window film your windows will require.

Next, we'll ask questions to understand your needs better to determine which type of window film or combination of window films to recommend:

  • Residential decorative window film
  • Residential privacy window film
Decorative residential window film offered by Meridian Window Tint
Decorative residential window film offered by Meridian Window Tint

Our window film technician can make sure you are fully aware of each type of window film's benefits and why they recommended them for your project. They are happy to answer any questions or address concerns you may have about window film installation.

A quote is always provided before we get started, and if you decide to proceed, we will then schedule an appointment to install your window film. Our window film installation process is relatively fast and simple for homeowners, and you will be able to start enjoying your enhanced windows in no time!

What Should You Know Before Getting Residential Window Tinting?

How Long Does Window Film Take to Cure?

First and foremost, it is essential to note that your window film will generally take at least 30 days to cure fully and bond to the glass. This means just after your window film installation, you may notice bubbles, haziness or streaks, and other imperfections. Fear not; most of these will resolve themselves within the first several weeks after application.

What Are the IWFA's Standards for Residential Window Film?

Although we thoroughly clean your windows before window film application and do our best to avoid dust and debris, you may still notice minor imperfections up close that do not affect your windows' appearance from a distance. We guarantee meeting or exceeding the International Window Film Association's (IWFA) standards for residential and commercial window film for every window film installation.

How Do You Clean Residential Window Film?

Window film is relatively easy to care for because it does not need to be cleaned as often as glass. It is less porous than glass, which means that it does not accumulate dirt, dust, and other debris as quickly as uncoated windows. However, any window with film applied will need to be cleaned as advised to prevent damage.

Rather than using a traditional glass cleaner, we recommend cleaning your windows using a damp rag or microfiber towel and dishwashing detergent. The glass cleaners you may be most familiar with frequently contain alcohol, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals as their main ingredient. Sprayway's gentle formula can safely be used on window film if you prefer to use a glass cleaner.

There Are Warranties on Residential Window Film

At Meridian Window Tint, we know that our customers want to purchase quality products. Our residential window film warranty covers its appearance and functionality for a specified amount of time. Though very rare, the contract can also cover specific effects it may have on the glass of your windows. We will go over particular terms with you before installation to ensure that you understand what types of defects or damage are covered.

Warranties on Residential Window Films

Meet Meridian Window Tint: Southwest Idaho's 3M Prestige Dealer

Meridian Window Tint is a leader in residential window tinting throughout the Greater Boise Area. We've earned homeowners' trust in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Kuna, Emmett, Middleton, Star, and Caldwell! We are rooted in a commitment to customer service, professionalism, and satisfaction, which we believe sets us apart from other home service providers in the greater Boise, Idaho area.

At Meridian Window Tint, we are proud to partner with 3M to provide customers throughout Southwest Idaho with the highest-quality window films available. Our team of window film installers specializes in 3M Sun Control and Prestige window film for tinting and decorating homes. We are Southwest Idaho's 3M Prestige Dealer!

3M is a nationally recognized manufacturer of several quality products, and it was the first to create window films in 1966. Although there are plenty of cheaper and less-reliable brands available, we prefer to sell 3M films based on their strong reputation, brand recognition, and optimum performance.

Meet Meridian Window Tint: Southwest Idaho's 3M Prestige Dealer

Contact the Residential Window Film Experts in Boise, Meridian, and Eagle

Although most people prefer sunny days over dreary weather, the sun can have detrimental effects on your home's comfort and your possessions' longevity. Installing 3M residential window film provides a thin yet powerful barrier between the sun's UV rays and the interior of your home to minimize excess heat, glare, and brightness. Darker shades or frosted films can also provide an extra sense of privacy, especially if your windows are particularly large or close to other homes. Whether you're looking to protect your assets from damaging sunlight, add privacy to your home, or make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient, our 3M residential window films are your top choice.

We at Meridian Window Tint are always happy to go over your options so that you can be sure you are getting the most helpful window films for the nuances of your home.

Contact us today to start discussing your vision with us or to request a quote!