If you are like many homeowners, you may only think about the frames and the insulative qualities of the glass. While it is important to decide whether you should have metal or vinyl frames or whether double pane is better than single pane, there is one other thing you don't want to overlook. Glass can be treated with any number of coatings, many of which can make your home more comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient. The following will help you understand the options that are available.

Security Films

Security films cover the windows of your home to provide safety to those inside. For example, anti-shatter or impact films won't necessarily keep someone from breaking your window, but they will hold the shattered glass together and prevent it from falling into your home. This may keep all but the most determined thief out of your house. It also prevents broken glass from causing your family injury, particularly if the broken window was from a wayward ball or similar. These films can also provide protection from storm-related impacts, which can be vital if you live in an area with tornadoes or other wind events.

Sun Protection

While you may enjoy having your drapes open for the natural light, you may not like how the sun heats up the interior of your home in summer or how the UV rays damage carpeting and furniture. Fortunately, there are films for your window to solve this. Window tinting blocks the heat from entering your home. You can also have a UV coating applied with the tint so that the ultraviolet rays don't make their way inside. Reflective or anti-glare coatings can also reflect away much of the heat from the sun without a major loss of light in the house. As a bonus, tints and reflective coatings also provide more privacy, since you will be able to see out more easily than a passerby can see in.

Appearance Help

Some window coatings and films help with the appearance of your house. Anti-graffiti coatings can be nice to have on lower floor windows if graffiti or similar acts of vandalism are a problem. You can simply peel off the coating to get rid of the graffiti. There are also decorative films available. These usually have the added benefit of privacy and sometimes heat blocking. For example, you can get a film that makes your window look like stained glass or one that provides a frosted effect.

For more help, contact a window tinting or coating service in your area.