Depending upon your situation and specific window tinting needs, there are a variety of factors to consider when narrowing down your product options. We feel that these factors can best be understood by addressing them under these distinct categories:
- Purpose
- Aesthetics
- Longevity
- Warranty
- Brand Reputation
Purpose
Window tinting, or window film, as it is also known, is a multifunctional product that can address a variety of issues and, in many cases, resolve multiple problems with one application. ClimatePro’s SF Bay Area customers choose to have their homes or commercial buildings treated with window tint or film for the following six reasons, whether stand-alone or in some form of conjunction:
- Fade Prevention
- Glare Reduction
- Heat Reduction
- Safety or Security Concerns
- Privacy Concerns
- Decorative Reasons
Narrowing down exactly what you want your window tinting to accomplish allows us to recommend the perfect window film for meeting your needs. Every distinct window film product’s costs depend on purpose, material composition, production methodology, and lifespan.
Aesthetics
The aesthetic look of your home or business windows, along with the views they provide in our beautiful San Francisco Bay area, is often considered of prime importance by our customers. We all love windows and the unique light they bring into the indoor spaces we spend so much time in, whether at home or at work. Studies consistently conclude that well-lit, naturally illuminated living and working environments have a positive effect on people. Thus, you should want to invest in a window tinting solution that preserves or enhances the views and natural lighting while delivering the desired tinting solution outcomes.
Longevity
Some window tinting manufacturers construct their products with cheaper base materials, use substandard production methods, and/or lack stringent quality control protocols, all of which can result in questionable end products. When you consider that for most window tinting applications, the window film product will be exposed to direct daily sunlight day-after-day, and, in some cases, to other outdoor elements as well, you want your finished product to be manufactured with the best materials, the finest production methods, and under stringent quality control. While one window film may typically look like any other of the same hue, based on material components, production methods, and quality control, some are prone to relatively quick structural breakdowns, resulting in window tinting failure, which often proves costly to rectify.
Warranty
Because window tinting usually represents a substantial investment in your home or commercial space, you want to be sure that a dependable, long-running warranty backs your window film. This not only ensures that your investment will be protected for many years to come but also serves as evidence that your window tinting company believes that your chosen window tinting option is going to provide its claimed benefits trouble-free, 24/7, for at least as long as the warranty, if not longer. After all, it’s not like your window tinting company wants to return and redo a window tinting job for free.
When considering window tinting product warranties, double-check that any warranty claims that might arise will be addressed swiftly. You can learn more about window tinting warranties on our warranties page and on our recent warranties blog post. The most common warranty programs offered with window tinting are:
Residential - Lifetime Warranty Commercial - Five to 15 Years
Brand Reputation
When choosing window tinting, seek out options from a manufacturer that has earned a reputation for being a leader in the industry. The reason behind this is simple: choosing a leading manufacturer helps ensure that you will have a trouble-free experience and provides confidence that any warranty issues will be efficiently and quickly addressed to your satisfaction.
While some of the technologies and base materials may be the same among manufacturers, it does not mean that all products are created equal, nor does it mean their longevity and service will be equal.
The window tinting buying process can be divided into six key stages:
- Product Selection
- Estimating
- Quote Presented
- Customer Sign-Off
- Order Processing and Production
- Installation
Each of these stages is broken down for you below, along with simple time-frames, to help you better understand the process and estimate how long the process might take to reach completion.
- Product Selection - One day to several weeks (highly variable, with the time frame dependent in large part upon the customer)
The first step when purchasing window tinting is determining which window tint or film is right for your needs and application. For most window tinting projects, this process can be simple and be done quickly. For large, complex projects that may require numerous on-site meetings to fully assess all details and specifications, this step could take several weeks. As the customer, you have a high degree of influence over how long this step may take.
- Estimating - One to two days
In general, we need to understand the scope of the project, window access points, specific window sizes, types, and conditions, and gain a general idea of working conditions. This can be accomplished in different ways. A ClimpatePro technician can visit your home or business for an on-site review, or you can send us pertinent information and work with someone from our team via phone, email, and/or text messages (your choice). If you choose the latter, we will need to ask lots of questions, request photos or videos, and need you to conduct many measurements for us.
You can also use our product selector tool and get an instant estimate here.
- Quote Presented - One to two days
We strive to work quickly to get you a quote for the scope of work. In general, we try to get a quote to you no later than 48 hours after an on-site visit or full consultation on your project’s scope of work. However, it may take longer depending on the project type.
- Customer Sign-Off on Estimate - Variable (dependent on the customer)
Once you receive our quote for your window tinting project, the ball is in your court, and we await your decision on moving forward with the job. We may call or email you to follow up on our estimate to see if you have any questions or concerns during this process, but unlike many other companies, we never resort to high-pressure sales tactics.
- Order Processing and Production - One to 10 days (depending on project scope)
If you choose to move forward with the project (Yay!), our team will begin processing your order. This includes verifying material amounts needed, ordering them if necessary, scheduling your installation, and starting production if necessary. Some complex projects require pre-on-site production work before we can start the installation. This can include pre-cutting or otherwise processing the materials needed for your project. Our team works diligently behind the scenes to make this part of the job as seamless as possible.
Everything comes together for the installation. Most projects are completed within a day with little disruption to your home life or business operations. If your project is larger and requires several days or weeks to complete, our team will work with you to time this according to your needs and schedule.
We have written a comprehensive article on window tinting cots here, which we try to keep updated regularly. The article is designed to show you why window tinting pricing can be so highly variable, depending upon your needs and application. Further, it helps guide your decision-making in choosing the right window tinting.
DIY or Hire a Pro?
Unless you are willing to dedicate some serious time to watching videos and reading step-by-step installation instructions, it is probably best to leave this to the professionals. The issues in installation work that usually trip people up are:
- Cutting the film to precisely the right size
- Cutting in a straight line
- Cutting in an arch (for arched windows)
- Removing the film backing without creasing the film
- Not leaving any fingerprints on the film
- Successfully applying the film without any air bubbles
- Accounting for bigger windows or tall glass doors—it is safe to say that successfully installing window tinting on these without the assistance of at least one other person is next to impossible.
Selecting Your Window Tinting Professional
When narrowing down your list of installers, seek out installers who have as many of the following qualifications as possible:
- Have been certified or otherwise honored by window film producers*
- Needs to have a California contractor license or other licenses depending on the area.**
- Are A+ rated members of the Better Business Bureau
- Have been in business for many years
- Offer a warranty on product and labor
- Are insured and bonded
- Are rated highly on websites like Yelp, Google, and other review services
We strongly encourage you to conduct a thorough review of window film products and/or window tinting companies before signing or agreeing to any contract or proposal.
*ClimatePro has been certified by 3M™ as one of their elite 3M™ Platinum” window film dealers. This means that a window tinting project from ClimatePro comes with the highest quality window film, superior application, and exceptional customer service.
** Search the California Contractor database to verify if the service provider is licensed here.
