How much does home window tinting cost?

Tinting your home windows can give you more privacy, reduce your energy bills and protect your furniture and artwork. To see window tinting prices in your area, contact professionals near you and ask for a cost estimate.

Expect to spend an average of $6 to $8 per square foot for installation and materials for residential window tinting. For larger projects on commercial window tinting sites, you may pay around $5 to $7 per square foot. If there are several large windows, most companies offer a reduced price per square foot. 

"It boils down to square footage," says Galen Mabe at Galen’s Tinting. “We measure the length and width of the windows and figure out how many square feet need tinting. We can offer a lower cost per square foot when we have a larger-scale installation — especially when it’s on large pane glass windows. Smaller, French pane-style windows take more time.” 

The type of tinting, the size, and the number of windows will affect the overall cost.

There are four main types of window tinting available, each with a specific benefit:

Decorative window film 

Decorative window tints provide a level of privacy and come in various patterns and textures to accent your home. For example, you can commonly find etched glass and frosted window films at retailers. You can also choose from fully colored styles and patterned designs to match your home.

Metalized window film

Metalized film is a great option if you’re looking for both privacy and heat regulation in your home. This window tint has a metallic look and can help strengthen your windows. Galen of Galen’s Tinting says that metalized films such as those made from aluminum or nickel help keep glass cool while deflecting heat. Within this class of films, there isn’t much price variance, he says. The choice instead is how dark or light to tint the window. 

Mabe’s customers’ most common requests include glare reduction, light softening, fade prevention, privacy and heat blocking. For some, it’s also a question of aesthetics. You may want a charcoal look rather than an earth tone or a sky blue. 

"Whenever you go lighter, you lose a little performance," Galen says. “Dark and shiny tint has good performance because you knock out most of the glare and most of the heat. That said, if customers want light, there are upper-level, lighter products that outperform standard lighter products.” These higher-end products cost up to $15 per square foot installed.

Carbon window tint 

The carbon film tint creates a matte finish to block both light and heat. While this film does not provide complete privacy, it helps prevent sun glare and fade on furniture and upholstery. It also regulates the temperature inside your home to keep the heat out during the summer. This window tint can also help reduce cooling costs. This film also reduces the amount of damaging UV rays from entering your home.

Ceramic window tint

Ceramic window film is typically the most expensive option. That’s because it’s also considered high-quality. It provides UV protection and glare reduction. This security window film can help keep the windows from cracking or breaking during inclement weather. Ceramic films are a more transparent option, allowing for clear visibility while still protecting you and your home from sun damage.

Several factors can affect the final cost of your window tinting installation. Applying window tint requires very little tools or equipment, so the price comes down to what type of tinting you choose and the windows you’re tinting.

The cost of tinting film ranges depending on the level of protection it provides. Some tinting is simply for decorative purposes and is relatively inexpensive. However, if you want to lower your energy bills, you will need a higher-quality film that comes at a higher price. The same can be said for a film that gives shatterproof stability to your glass or one that provides complete privacy. Each variety comes with a different benefit and a different price.

The other factor would be the windows themselves. The size, number and design can all impact the overall installation cost. When calculating your costs per square foot, the professional installer will factor in the number of windows and the complexity of the window installation. If there are many window panes or they’re oddly shaped, there may be an additional cost.

Many professional installers will lower the price per square foot on larger commercial buildings due to the number of windows involved.

The first question you should ask yourself is, “What goal do I want to achieve by installing tinted house windows?” This will help you choose the type of film you need and get a better estimate of your overall cost. 

If you want to apply a tint simply to make your window look better, a low-cost decorative film could be a great option. It can provide a limited amount of privacy and add a design element to your home’s exterior and interior.

You may also consider how many windows you need tinted. If your goal is to block the sun’s glare, choose to only tint the windows on the side of your home where the sun is the strongest. Once you decide how many windows you’re tinting and what type of tint you want, search for professional installers with reasonable prices in your area.

If you're a homeowner and your windows don't have any sort of built-in energy efficiency, too much heat may be invading your home, causing you to run your AC on high. Tinting your windows can help reduce both your cooling bills by keeping the heat out.

Solar film can reflect 99% of UV rays from entering your home. This helps protect you from the harmful damages of those rays and prevents your furniture, curtains and artwork from fading.

Window tinting also can give homeowners privacy. Using metal or carbon flakes in the film makes for a reflective or matte finish that prevents outsiders from seeing in. Along with the shatter-resistant materials used in ceramic films, you may feel safer and more secure in your home.

Search for a professional installation service to tint your home windows. They can guide you through the different film types and help you choose the one that best suits your needs. They can also recommend which windows should be tinted for the best results. 

Go online to find window tinting services in your area and look through their profiles. See their job experience and read their customer reviews. Ask for a free estimate to help you decide which professional is best for you.

Window tinting has many benefits ranging from lower energy bills to added security for you and your family. Find a window tinting professional in your area to help you choose the right tinting for your home.