How Night Affects Home Window Tinting

Privacy window films are a fantastic way to achieve open window privacy to truly enjoy the benefits and purpose of a window. Often times, these films are metallic which provide the brightness needed to reflect light from the glass and achieve the desired effect. Although they have extreme heat rejection capabilities, they also offer multiple levels of privacy. Below is a Texas Tint Masters project we completed with a metallic privacy XPEL Architectural Window Films: 

These types of window films allow you the unique ability to be able to see out with the privacy and peace of mind of not being seen. 

Privacy window films are also a popular alternative for day time privacy because they preserve your view as opposed to obstructing it like blinds, shades, curtains do.

Does one way privacy tint look different at night? 

Much like wearing sunglasses, night time visibility will be affected as it is the nature of darkening a window. There are limitations to how privacy a window film will provide. Let's dive into this and find out the WHY and WHAT you can do about it. 

Can people see in at night through my window tint? 

Yes and no. This is a loaded question that takes more digging to determine the outcome. During day light, the film works with your glass to use the external light source to limit and reflect off the glass giving the occupants the privacy effect they desire. 

This is an effect of light balance: The external light source (the sun) is much brighter so it reflects off the glass and allows you to see outside, which is the brighter side. This is why skyscrapers have a mirror-like appearance during daylight as shown below:

In the evening, the sun goes away and that external light source is now limited to porch lights, flood lights, street lights, etc. If the inside of the home or property is brighter than the outside, then you are likely to be seen from the outside. Here is an example of a skyscrapers at night, notice all the interior office lights on? 

What can I do about having privacy at night with window tint? 

 The short answer is to limit your interior lighting so that it restores the privacy that is being desired. There are factors that contribute to the transparency of window film at night. In general, the brighter the inside lights, the brighter the interior colors, the more likely you are to be seen through the window. 

This is because light reflects off of bright surfaces and redirects light throughout a space. It is recommended to limit light to reduce the transparency. This can be done by using desk lamps, night lights, etc. 

Below is an example of a home that shows the same XPEL One-Way Privacy Window Film under different lighting:

A quick easy way to to achieve privacy at night is to simply use blinds, curtains, or shades. These area a great to completely obscure the view and achieve a two-way privacy effect.