Home Windows - Tinted Float or Tinted Film

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FineWine

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#288591 11-Jul-2021 09:31

In December 2015 we had some of our house windows tinted with "mepfilms" by llumar using MEP Film N1035.

Now in July 2021 four of the windows, all in the kitchen facing NW to NE, the film has started to break down. Have spoken to the original suppliers and installers who came round and examined the windows and took photos and they have stated, conditional on HQ approval, that full replacement will be carried out at no cost as the product comes with 3 years to Lifetime warranty. Apparently this break down is due to winter moisture over time.

We also had three other window tinted at the same time, they are perfectly fine. The rest of the windows in the house were tinted by the original owners some time in the 2000's (house built 2000). This tinting is deteriorating as well and on a couple of the windows I have removed it myself.

My original tinting cost for the kitchen windows in 2015 $225 and I have received a quoted of $402 (including removal of old film) for three of the original lounge windows. Probably will not get it done as it does not receive direct severe sunlight.

My question is: Would it be more cost effective in the long term, and more beneficial, to have the kitchen windows replaced with "tinted float glass"? and even perhaps double glazing these four windows at the same time.

What are forum member experience with Tinted film, Tinted Float glass plus or minus tinted float double glazing ?

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

timmmay

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#2742372 11-Jul-2021 11:50

I had tinted glass in double glazing put into my office window, behind my computer monitor. I got "5 tint + 5 clear : Thermal Spacer 14, Grey Argon" which was the darkest I was offered. It helps reduce the sun intensity significantly according to the specs, but the sun is still SUPER bright and blinds need to be closed. I should've gotten proper mirror film glasses.

If you can afford double glazing with tinted glass it should last a very long time. Films are likely less durable as you've found.

bfginger

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#2746311 18-Jul-2021 20:09

Why did you want the windows tinted? Too much solar heat coming in? Privacy?

Windows film is not going to last as long as tinted glass. One aspect to think about when retrofitting double glazing is the quality of the joinery. Corner leaks into the walls was common in 80s aluminium.

FineWine

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#2747063 20-Jul-2021 11:05

bfginger:

Why did you want the windows tinted? Too much solar heat coming in? Privacy?

Windows film is not going to last as long as tinted glass. One aspect to think about when retrofitting double glazing is the quality of the joinery. Corner leaks into the walls was common in 80s aluminium.

@bfginger

The 2015 tinting, which has broken down, is in the kitchen. The two window areas face NW & NE, same as our solar panels, therefore get sun all day long, winter and summer. It is not really for privacy but for to much heat, UV and glare on work surfaces and appliances coming in during the summer, with the slight small benefit of minimising heat loss during the winter.

The 2015 tinting has a lifetime product guarantee.

Our aluminium window joinery and wood framing is 1999/2000 vintage.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

FineWine

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#2748154 22-Jul-2021 13:43

@timmmay:

I had tinted glass in double glazing put into my office window, behind my computer monitor. I got "5 tint + 5 clear : Thermal Spacer 14, Grey Argon" which was the darkest I was offered. It helps reduce the sun intensity significantly according to the specs, but the sun is still SUPER bright and blinds need to be closed. I should've gotten proper mirror film glasses.

If you can afford double glazing with tinted glass it should last a very long time. Films are likely less durable as you've found.

I see from your post in this topic: Ducted heatpump /Lossnay system, still getting condensation quote: I went to proper double glazed PVC windows.

Is uPVC double glazing better and/or cheaper than glass and can it be supplied tinted?

I have not heard of PVC / uPVC windows. A little bit of reading says the German made product is the best.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

timmmay

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#2748269 22-Jul-2021 14:59

FineWine:

I see from your post in this topic: Ducted heatpump /Lossnay system, still getting condensation quote: I went to proper double glazed PVC windows.

Is uPVC double glazing better and/or cheaper than glass and can it be supplied tinted?

I have not heard of PVC / uPVC windows. A little bit of reading says the German made product is the best.

uPVC and aluminum frames both use the same glass panels, the glass can be tinted in either. My office window is uPvc and has a dark tint. The tint doesn't do much to direct sunlight, I should've gone mirrored but it's much more expensive.

uPVC is a better insulator than aluminum. It's durable, I've had some for going on ten years and it looks new - you just have to give them a clean every 6 - 12 months.

Window and door places are super busy. A friend of mine is getting it done, the lead time between paying the deposit and getting them installed is 9 - 12 months! I'm having an aluminium front door made, because PVC can only be white and we wanted colored, that took about 2 months for them to come talk to us, then about 4 months from order until installation.

FineWine

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#2748322 22-Jul-2021 16:41

timmmay:

FineWine:

I see from your post in this topic: Ducted heatpump /Lossnay system, still getting condensation quote: I went to proper double glazed PVC windows.

Is uPVC double glazing better and/or cheaper than glass and can it be supplied tinted?

I have not heard of PVC / uPVC windows. A little bit of reading says the German made product is the best.

uPVC and aluminum frames both use the same glass panels, the glass can be tinted in either. My office window is uPvc and has a dark tint. The tint doesn't do much to direct sunlight, I should've gone mirrored but it's much more expensive.

uPVC is a better insulator than aluminum. It's durable, I've had some for going on ten years and it looks new - you just have to give them a clean every 6 - 12 months.

Window and door places are super busy. A friend of mine is getting it done, the lead time between paying the deposit and getting them installed is 9 - 12 months! I'm having an aluminium front door made, because PVC can only be white and we wanted colored, that took about 2 months for them to come talk to us, then about 4 months from order until installation.

Thank you for that info.

The 9 - 12 month wait and the non-selection of colour has put me off.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

timmmay

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#2748326 22-Jul-2021 16:50

uPVC is popular because it's excellent. Cold countries use that rather than aluminum - why would you make windows out of something that's a great conductor of heat! If you need it in a hurry don't go to ThermalFrame, try one of the other uPVC vendors.

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BiffTannen

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#2748411 22-Jul-2021 20:55

If you have the chance to get the windows themselves rather than the film, do that. Works out better in the long run. The tinted or double glazed windows will look 'cleaner' and more 'natural' than an ordinary windows with film on top of it eh.