"We called their 800 number, they made an appointment for the following week. Two people arrived on time. One worked inside the other outside. They moved whatever furniture necessary and replaced it and they were done in less than an hour. We have approx. 20 windows and a patio door."
"Install was easy. Up front cost was pretty low with Angie's List coupon. Monthly price is a little high compared to competing companies. Response time with alarms is excellent. I was advised to use glass break alarms within 10 ft of my first floor windows, which we installed correctly. I asked prior to installation if having one in the kitchen would cause false alarms due to dishes clanging, etc. I was told the glass break alarms are configured to a precise frequency that alarms with breaking glass. So, not a "no", but not really an answer. Well, every time we cook dinner, wash dishes or empty the dish washer, the kitchen glass break alarm gives a warning which would sound the alarm if it was set. This has caused us a number of false alarms while we've been away due to shifting bowls or plates in our drying rack. For the first several we've had to pay our police department $120 to check the house, and I was only notified after the first alarm that there was a cheaper option for a security company to drive by to check for a break in."
"I am purchasing a short sale home, and as seems to be the case, it has taken a considerable amount of time to get all the approvals. I am applying for a USDA loan which requires a 45 day closing window and once the approvals were received, I was surprised by a 30 day window to close so getting the inspections and appraisal done quickly and accurately was paramount.
My realtor recommended National Property Inspections out of Maricopa. Our Inspector, Jeff Arrellano agreed to do the inspection with very short notice. He requested that the power and water be turned the day prior to the inspection to allow any leaks or problems to surface before he began.
We met with Jeff as agreed at the property the morning of May 1st. When we arrived, Jeff had already completed the inspection, loaded the photographs he had taken into his laptop and was ready to go with the slideshow to point out the issues he had found. Jeff took the time to explain every issue from small to not so small and provided us with information as to what the consequences would be if they were not addressed. He prioritized the issues that needed to be addressed, and had the inspection report and photographs to my realtor by mid-afternoon.
What I appreciated most about Jeff, is that he was not rushed, he took his time to explain the issues I didn't fully understand and gave us an opportunity to look at the problems first hand before leaving. He obviously went to some length to get some of the photographs he did, especially in the crawl spaces looking for leaking water pipes and to ensure code compliance with electrical wiring, insulation and plumbing.
Jeff also offered to conduct a thermal imaging reading (a little extra) to determine if there were any weather stripping or insulation problems. Jeff measured heat signatures of all the windows and doors as well as the output of the air-conditioner and heater. Small problems were found that likely will be resolved by a little cleaning around the window rails.
I would absolutely call National Property Inspections again, and would ask for Jeff by name."
A lace curtain may block some of the biggest insects from entering while still allowing a breeze to get through. If your concern is privacy, then curtains and blinds will provide better privacy than window screens; for UV protection, you can choose specialty windows or UV-blocking film. And if you just want an inexpensive, temporary solution, there are adhesive or magnetic screen panels you can install for an hour, a day, or a season.
If you have bubble wrap lying around the house and you don’t care about the odd look, taping bubble wrap over a window is a very affordable way to insulate it. Another inexpensive option for insulating windows is to add new caulk around the glass. This step quickly cuts down on air drafts for older windows, and a tube of caulk only costs a few dollars. Adding plastic shrink film around the glass is another cost-effective option. You can purchase a kit of plastic film for a few dollars per window.
The most popular tint percentage for home windows is 35%. Generally, most homeowners choose a visible light transmission (VLT) between 50% and 35%, where lower numbers mean less sunlight enters the home. A 35% tint blocks over half the incoming light while still allowing plenty of natural light, which can improve energy efficiency and comfort. If privacy is a primary concern, you can opt for a tint of 50% or lower to make it more difficult for people to see inside. However, keep in mind that very dark, thick tints may offer fewer energy-efficiency benefits.
Unlike cars, there are no laws regulating window tint percentages on homes, so you can choose what you think is best. It is often a good idea to hire a professional, as they can show you samples of how different tint levels will look in your specific property, helping you make the right choice.
In many cases, window tinting will boost your home value. If you’re selling your home, especially in a warmer climate, buyers are very likely to see immense value in window tinting, which improves the home’s energy efficiency and helps make the living space more comfortable. Buyers may also recognize the privacy and security improvements offered by window tinting, which could lead to them paying more for your home.
The most popular way to remove home window tint is by using a hairdryer. Most people already have one in their home, but if you don’t, you can buy one for as little as $15. All you need to do is turn the hairdryer to its hottest and highest setting and run it over the window tint for a few minutes. Then, you can easily peel it away. You may need some goo remover for any leftover adhesive, but this DIY could be free for many people.
The Hayden, AZ homeowners’ guide to window tinting services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Can I tint my house windows? Home window tinting is a small upgrade that can yield major benefits. Here’s everything you need to know before taking the plunge.
