For years we have been hearing about taking precautionary measures from the harmful rays of the sun whenever we go outdoors. Now there is added awareness that deals with blocking out the damaging rays from penetrating our interiors.
Who would have ever thought of using sun protection for the home?
Keeping your curtains drawn is not the ideal solution for everyday living. Most of us enjoy as much light as possible in our home and the idea of living behind closed shutters sounds a little cavernous.
The truth about the sun is that it not only harms our skin, but it also manages to ruin our interiors. The sun will cause fading and deterioration to everything from fabric and leather upholstered goods, drapery, pillows, carpets, art, photography, wood furniture and even hardwood flooring.
Over the years as the sun’s rays penetrate into your home, the results can be as damaging as if you literally had all of your furniture sitting outdoors. Lift up your rugs to see if your hardwood has faded as this is a true test that the sun has caused damage to your space.
Using a good quality window film is a revolutionary solution to keeping about 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays out of your home. It will prevent your furniture and interior finishes from becoming dull and washed out.
The film will also diminish the glare on monitors, screens and televisions. Using this product will also keep your air conditioning and heating bills down.
In the summer when your home’s air conditioning system is hard at work there will be less heat beaming into the home from the warmth of the sun. In the colder months, it will reduce heat loss by reflecting back indoor radiant heat. As a result of these advantages, you will also be reducing your carbon footprint!
A solar control window film is a clear, high tech product that is applied to the inside of your windows just as easily as any decorative film. There are professional companies out there that will install this product for you, however this is any easy DIY project that you can undertake yourself.
You can purchase the 3M film or other comparable product at your local hardware store. This product is also available to purchase online, and if you choose to do so make sure you are only buying from a reputable supplier that guarantees the product’s quality.
Some solar films are also available in a greyish shade if you choose to tint your windows. Tinting your windows will create privacy and will reduce the amount of daylight that penetrates your space.
To install the product yourself, ensure that your windows are cleaned prior to the application. Follow all the manufacturers’ installation instructions. It usually takes about 30 days before the product settles, after that, you can clean your windows just as you would normally.
The average cost of a DIY project is around $4-$7 per square foot, while a professionally installed product will run you between $6-$9 per square foot.
Protect your expensive furnishings and hard finishes with window films; it will save you money and preserve your interiors.