In a sun-centric city like Houston, window film goes a long way toward protecting your home and valuable property. It’s well-known that residential window tinting can dramatically cut down on fading and sun damage to furniture, carpets, artwork, and other property. And while those are great aesthetic benefits, did you know residential window film can also help protect your most valuable asset: your health?

An Ounce of Prevention
Obviously, the summer months mean you must take extra precautions to prevent the risk of skin cancer — especially in Texas, where the summer sun can make it feel like you’re on the surface of Mercury. But as the weather cools and activities move indoors, dropping your guard can be hazardous to your health.
The reality is that being indoors doesn’t fully protect you from the harsh southern sun, as residential windows block only about 25% of cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you’re at home and you’re near a window, you’re most likely exposed to UV rays. And that’s especially worrisome now that many people are working from home.

What Are UV Rays?
UV rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that’s always present in sunlight; in fact, 80% of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate through clouds. Two types of UV rays are especially damaging to skin all year round, and both are linked to skin cancer and melanoma:

• UVB: The main culprit behind sunburn, UVB light damages the skin’s outermost layer.
• UVA: Associated with skin wrinkling, dark spots, and premature aging, UVA light penetrates the skin more deeply. UVA accounts for up to 95% of the UV radiation reaching earth.

UV light can also cause eye damage, destroy Vitamin A in the skin, and harm collagen, the protein keeping skin firm. In the U.S., more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
Unfortunately, standard windows in homes and businesses don’t offer full protection from UV rays. Glass absorbs UVB light, but lets up to 75% of UVA rays penetrate. So how does a concerned Houston homeowner with big ol’ Texas-style windows keep safe?

Stay Protected
Experts agree that the best way to avoid skin cancer is to protect yourself from UV radiation, even when at home. But that doesn’t mean your protection options are limited to wearing sunscreen, floppy hats, and shades when at home watching the Texans. A better idea would be to invest in residential window tinting, which offers a whopping 99% protection from UV radiation.

Aside from the obvious UV protection window films offer, window film can help save on energy bills by minimizing excessive temperature rises in the home. But window film can also dramatically reduce glare and harsh direct sunlight without forgoing your home’s natural light, and unlike curtains and blinds, film won’t rob you of your wonderful view.

We Can Help
When it comes to your family’s health, the choice is obvious. When you’re ready to protect your home and health from the damaging effects of the Houston sun, no matter the time of year, contact Fine Line Glass Tinting.

Family owned and operated, we’re one of Houston’s top providers of residential and commercial window films, and we can help you find the best sun-blocking window film for your needs and budget. Our expert installers boast a combined 100 years of experience, so you can rest assured your job will be completed in a neat and skillful manner that upholds our commitment to excellence and professionalism.

Give us a call today. An experienced staff member will be happy to schedule a complimentary in-person evaluation and discuss which of our high-quality product lines is right for you.