How much does it cost to tint home windows?

Reviewed by Gianna Cappuccio remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

You may have thought about tinting your automotive vehicles, but tinting your home provides the same benefits, if not more. If you’re a homeowner who’s looking for the next home improvement that increases your home’s aesthetics and decreases your home’s energy bills, look no further than home window tinting.

In this guide, we’re disclosing the average cost expectations for tinting your windows, the types of film options available, and whether or not you should leave the installation to a professional window tinting company.

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Key Takeaways: home window tinting

• The average cost to tint five double-hung 24" x 36" windows is $150 to $600

• Window tinting does not provide privacy at night.

• You can install window tint yourself or opt for professional installation. 

• One of the main benefits of window tinting is its energy efficiency.

Pros and cons of window tint for homes

Window tinting offers several benefits you might feel your house needs, but it also has a few drawbacks. Before you decide to upgrade your home with window tint film, it’s important to note the pros and cons so you can make a decision that’s best for your home. 

Pros of window tinting

Here are some of the benefits that come with window tinting your home:

• Increased privacy: During the day, the need for window curtains drops as window tint film makes it harder to see inside. This gives you extra privacy from prying eyes or people driving by.

• Energy efficiency: Window tint film blocks harmful UV rays, making your home more energy efficient by helping to regulate temperature. This comes in handy during the summer months by keeping your home from getting too hot so you stay comfortable all season long. 

• Decreased furniture fading: Because window tint film keeps the UV rays out, your upholstery will not be as likely to fade as it would be without the film. 

• Enhanced aesthetics: Adding window film to your home can increase the aesthetics by giving your exterior a sleek, modern appeal. The tint makes your windows look darker, which some homeowners like for an increase in their home’s design.

Cons of window tinting

While a home free from UV rays and increased energy efficiency sounds dreamy, there are a few cons to be aware of before you decide to go through with this home improvement project.

• Cost: Window tinting isn’t the most expensive upgrade option, but that doesn’t mean expenses won’t add up. If you have many windows around your home, it can become costly to add this film to every window. 

• Reduced natural light: If you love filling your home with natural light, then window tinting may not suit you. Part of its drawback is a reduction in natural light, which means your space won’t feel as bright and airy as it does without the film.

• Colder winters: Remember how we said window tint film keeps summers cool? Well, it also keeps winters cool as well. Since the film keeps UV rays out, less heat travels through the glass, so your home may feel colder during the winter.

• Doesn’t work at night: Window tinting tends to work better in the daytime for privacy than at night. That’s because interior lighting is brighter than outside darkness, so people can still see inside once the sun has gone down. This means you’ll still need a set of window treatments to cover your windows.

Household window tint options

When searching for residential window film, know that there are various types on the market for various purposes. Some are primarily decorative, while others specialize in energy efficiency, privacy, and even giving your window extra strength.

One important aspect to remember when considering adding window tint to your home is the current windows you have. Windows with special coating or other features may not be compatible with specific film options. If you’re unsure which type will work best with your windows, consult a professional window tinting company to find your window compatibility or find a chart online to try and figure it out on your own. 

Here are the five types of film options available:

• Decorative window film

• Security window film

• Privacy window film

• Glare control window film

• Low-E window film

Decorative window film

As the name suggests, decorative window film is all about enhancing your outdoor aesthetics with the color and pattern you choose. These are some of the thinnest types of window tint available, so their main purpose is to create extra privacy from the inside of your home while upping the visual appeal. Because of this, they’re not as heavy on the insulation and UV ray blocking as other types. If you have a window in a bathroom or other area you want to add more privacy, this is the best pick!

Security window film

Unlike decorative tint, security window tint is the thickest and provides a lot of strength for protecting your window from harsh impacts. This film acts as another barrier of protection to your window glass, making it tougher against storms, break-ins, and flying objects. Upon the extra strength, they still filter out UV rays and allow natural light to pass through while increasing the energy efficiency of your home and regulating temperatures. 

Privacy window film

Privacy tint is the most popular residential window film since this is what most homeowners are after: decreased visibility indoors. This type of window film darkens your windows and makes it harder to see indoors from one of their stylistic options (reflective, blackout, frosted, or decorative). Though privacy tints work well during the day, they aren’t as private at night, so you’ll still need to keep up blinds or window treatments to provide coverage during the darker hours.

Glare control window film

Are a few of your windows placed somewhere that creates an annoying glare on a TV screen? Then, you may love adding a glare control tint on select windows. This type of tint film reduces glares by keeping certain lightwaves out and allowing others in. Though they only allow certain wavelengths to pass through, your home still gets natural light from the light that does come through the glass. 

Low-E window film

Low-E tint is another type that helps increase your home's energy efficiency by blocking direct solar heat from entering. This film also helps regulate temperatures indoors during the summer season while still allowing enough light to pass through so you can enjoy some of the natural light you enjoy.

Cost of window tinting for your house

The national average cost for installing home window tinting five double-hung 24" x 36" windows is $150 to $600, with most homeowners spending $375 to install a window tint. There are a few other factors that play into the overall cost of your window tinting project you should be aware of, such as:

• Tint type

• Professional installation 

• DIY installation & removal

Tint type

The type of window tint film you choose and alter the price of your overall project. Installing a decorative tinted window screen costs around $9 to $20 per sq. ft., while residential window tinting with security film costs as much as $26 per square foot.

Professional installation

Though it’s possible to install window tint film yourself, a professional window tinting company can ensure the film is installed correctly so you don’t have to remove it yourself. The window tinting price range with professional installation is between $5 and $20 per sq. ft. In most cases, companies don’t do small projects and have a minimum rate of around $392. A professional tint on five flat windows with an economy-grade film can cost as low as $150, while installing a smart glass film on five double-hung 24" x 36" windows can cost up to $4,200.

DIY installation & removal

Some homeowners want to install the window tint film themselves to cut out labor costs, which can help decrease the project's cost. You can find DIY window tint film on a roll for around $1 per square foot and a kit with the necessary tools for $15 to $45. However, if you do not like the tinted windows, removing the tint will cost about $3 to $5 per square foot. So, while putting the tint on yourself may not cost as much as opting for professional installation, factoring in the cost of removing the film can jack up the costs.

Window tinting vs. blinds

Window tinting and blinds both have pros and cons and making the right choice depends on your preferences. Both do a great job of offering privacy, but with blinds, you can have the privacy you want day and night. Film and window treatments also help lower your energy bills from their heat rejection properties, but window film isn’t as easy to remove as window treatments if you ever need to take them down. 

Overall, window tinting is cheaper to install than blinds. On average, blinds cost $35 to install on the low end and $42 on the high end. Blinds also come with hidden cost factors such as trimming pre-made blinds and old blind removal, but you may enjoy more of the control that blinds offer homeowners over window tinting.

Is home window tint worth it?

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Some homeowners may find the benefits of home window tinting worth it, given the increased protection some film options provide and the reduction in energy costs. It’s also handy that the average per project ranges from $150 to $600, depending on how many windows you plan on tinting.

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Frequently asked questions: home window tinting

What is the disadvantage of window film?

There are several disadvantages to installing window film, primarily the possible cost factors and reduced nighttime privacy. The cost can increase considerably depending on the quality of window film, the type you choose, and how many windows you’re tinting. It can also increase if you hire a professional to install the film. You should also be aware that the film has privacy factors at night since interior lighting overtakes the outdoor darkness, which allows those outside to see through the glass.

What type of window tint is best for a home?

The heat-blocking film tends to be the most popular tint for residential and commercial properties since it helps regulate temperature and keep energy costs down. This type of film filters out certain light wavelengths while allowing others to pass through, so less heat is transferred indoors. The good news is that this type of film doesn’t completely reduce natural light.

Do you put tint on the inside or outside of windows?

When installing window tint, you should put it on the inside of your windows. This placement area keeps the film in good condition, so it lasts longer and protects it from inclement weather or flying debris.

Is home window film worth it?

There are definitely pros and cons to consider when it comes to window tinting, but you might find the addition worth it for your home. Tinting your windows helps to increase your energy savings since it traps solar heat and provides a one-way mirror during the day.

Can installing window tint void my window warranty?

Depending on your window manufacturer, window tinting may or may not void your warranty. Before installing a tint, it’s best to check your window’s warranty to see if it will void it since tints can damage and tamper with the glass. 

Can I install a home window tint myself?

Yes, you can install window film yourself, but professional installation may be the better route to ensure the film is installed correctly. You can find DIY window film kits that provide instructions for installing the tint the first time.

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