A hint of tint

Given the amount of rain in Northland over this year's so-called summer it seems almost redundant to consider window tinting as protection against New Zealand's notoriously harsh ultra-violet light.

But when the sun does shine, tinting windows for protection against that penetrating light to reduce indoor heat levels and to cut down on glare makes common sense.

Many of us think tinting windows is just for cars but the application has far wider scope than that and not just as a protection against light. Security and privacy are equally important reasons why window tinting on houses is recommended. Moreover, and importantly, it can reduce energy costs and domestic carbon footprint.

Dave Carnaby of Tint North says tinting windows on houses is common in cities around New Zealand and is gradually becoming more accepted in Northland. There is growing awareness of the advantages window tinting

can provide.

His company uses MEP film, an American product from the world's largest film manufacturer. It's also surprisingly cost-effective. Of course it depends on the number of windows to be tinted and their size but Mr Carnaby says an average lounge and dining room window tint would cost slightly over $1,000 and take just a day to complete.

There are commercial applications too, for larger buildings. There is film tinting for solar control, energy savings and a lower carbon footprint, safety and security film made from heavy-duty polyester bonded with adhesives, anti-graffiti film which is nearly invisible when applied and is removeable and making it a far more economic replacement than, for instance, glass or other surfaces. It's just a matter of peeling off the tagged surface.

Decorative, designer and privacy film can contain graphics such as a corporate logo, for instance, and is once again far more economical than etched glass. It might be frosted, opaque, coloured, printed or translucent (as just some examples) and if the style and design needs to be changed it can be done so speedily. A design on decorative etched glass, on the other hand, is there until the entire glass is removed.

As for cars, a window tint provides privacy of course but it also offers scratch-resistant properties and is virtually maintenance-free.