Have you been thinking about having your home or office windows tinted? Perhaps you relish the sleek aesthetic appeal or want to leverage one of the many benefits that tinted windows can provide. Whatever the case, you are likely wondering what type of tint you should opt for?
That’s right…it’s not as simple as just having tinted windows; you now need to decide on the actual type of window tint that best suits your needs.
In this article, we’re going to look at ceramic tints in particular. What is a ceramic tint? Is it better than regular tinted window film? And is it better on the inside or outside of your windows?
Read on to find out everything you need to know so that you can make an informed decision as to which option is best suited to your needs and requirements…
What is ceramic tint?
As window tinting technology continues to advance, there are many new types of tints emerging in the market and ceramic tint is one of them. But, what is it?
A ceramic window tint is very similar to regular tinted films in that they are made from the usual materials (either polyester or laminate-based sheets), and are available in a selection of different shades and colours.
The critical distinction between ceramic tint and a regular tinted film, however, is the fact that ceramic film is coated with genuine ceramic particles during the final stages of the manufacturing process.
This is done to add special performance upgrades to the coating. Not only does it block visible sunlight and increase privacy like regular tinted film, but it can also block harmful UV rays, reduce glare more effectively, and help to improve the overall performance and temperature management of your windows.
Is ceramic tint better than film?
So, is ceramic tint actually better than regular film? Is it worth opting for this option instead?
Ceramic-coated window film is a high-performing tint that outperforms regular window tint, so yes, it is definitely a superior product.
There are actually a few issues that some people find with a regular window tint, for example:
- Regular tint doesn’t reflect UV rays or heat effectively.
- It can raise the thermal stress on your glass (effectively making it hotter than if it wasn’t tinted to begin with).
- With far too much heat (particularly during the Australian summer), the build-up of heat and stress on the glass can actually cause your windows to crack and break.
- Additionally, regular tinting does not offer quite as much durability and ceramic.
- The anti-scratch coating does help for longevity, however, the coating does break down and will require re-tinting in the future.
Ceramic film coatings on the other hand:
- Superior performance: the ceramic tint outperforms regular tint in all areas.
- Greater durability: the ceramic particles take the standard tinted window film and give it yet even more durability.
- Efficient UV blockage: the UV rays from the sun can cause the items in your home to fade considerably. For example, if you have natural hardwood flooring in your home and certain areas of your house receive a significant amount of heavy sunlight during the day, over time your floors (among other household items) can fade and lose their colour. With ceramic tint, however, this can be effectively eliminated.
- No thermal stress: not only do the ceramic particles improve UV blockage, but it helps to reduce thermal stress on your windows so you will never need to worry about your windows cracking or breaking from intense heat.
- Effective glare reduction: this is perfect for both a home and office environment. Whether you are working at home or trying to watch TV during the day, you won’t need blackout curtains to see your screens clearly. The same applies to an office environment, thus providing your employees with a more productive working environment at peak hours during the day.
- Reduced heat and thus better temperature regulation: more than 40% of Australia’s energy consumption at home is attributed to heating and cooling. With high-quality ceramic tint, however, the impact of the heat coming into your home can be reduced, thus allowing a far more efficient temperature management. If your utility bills have been especially high lately, this is a very attractive benefit indeed.
Does ceramic tint go on inside or outside?
So, does the ceramic tinted film go on the inside or the outside of your windows? In all cases, ceramic window tint is fitted on the inside of the glass – rather than the outside. This is especially handy as it reduces the chance of vandalism and external damage from the elements.
Conclusion
To recap and compare both products:
- Both regular tinted window film and ceramic tinted window film are made from either polyester or laminate sheets.
- Both tints are available in a wide variety of colours and gradients.
- Ceramic and regular tints are effective at blocking visible light and increasing privacy.
- Regular window film has an anti-scratch coating, but that is all.
- Ceramic window film has additional ceramic particles for increased durability.
- The ceramic film can also block harmful UV rays, and reduce the overall glare, and heat.
- Ceramic window tints can prevent the glass from overheating, cracking, and breaking.
We hope that you have found this article helpful and that you now know the key differences between both regular tinted windows and ceramic. Rest assured that if you purchase a high-quality window tinted film from a reputable supplier and installer like SolarGraph Glass Tinting, you will not regret it. However, for a superior product, you cannot go wrong with paying that little bit extra for a ceramic window tint instead.
