If you're a homeowner in the Boise, Idaho, area and you're looking for ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home, reduce energy costs, and make your living environment more comfortable, you may be considering window film as an option.

Among the many questions homeowners have about window film, most have the following question on their minds: how much will it cost to install window film to all windows in the home?

In this case study, we'll take a look at the cost of installing three of the most popular 3M window films we offer at Meridian Window Tint on an average size residential home in the Boise area.

How Can My Boise Home Benefit From Tinted Window Film?

According to data recorded in January 2023, the average home in the Boise area, also known as the Treasure Valley, is approximately 1800 square feet. An 1800-square-foot home will have approximately 178 square feet of glass that could have sun control window film applied.

For this case study, we'll assume that the home is a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with an above garage bonus room. It has a variety of common windows such as sliders, sliding glass doors, picture windows and single hung windows throughout the home.

What is the Most Popular Window Film for Boise Homes?

At Meridian Window Tint, our three most popular 3M window films for residential use are:

• Affinity (good quality)
• Night Vision (better quality)
• Prestige (best quality)

Prestige Window Film

Prestige is 3M’s top-of-the-line film. It is a type of spectrally selective window film, which means that it is designed to block certain wavelengths of light, such as infrared and ultraviolet, while allowing visible light to pass through. This allows the film to reduce heat significantly and glare without dramatically altering the appearance of the windows or reducing the amount of natural light that enters the room.

Spectrally selective window films like 3M Prestige are often a popular choice for homeowners who want to improve the energy efficiency of their home while maintaining a clear view through their windows.

Night Vision Window Film

Night Vision is the most popular 3M window film for residential use. It is a dual reflective window film, which means that it has a reflective surface on both sides; however, the interior side is less reflective than the exterior facing side of the film. The less reflective surface on the interior side provides better visual clarity, privacy, and reduces glare, while the exterior reflective surface helps to reject heat and reduce the amount of light that enters the room.

Dual reflective window films like 3M Night Vision can be a good choice for homeowners who want to balance the need for privacy with the desire for improved energy efficiency and reduced heat gain.

Affinity Window Film

Affinity is a good film, with solid performance at a lower price point. 3M Affinity is a type of neutral window film, which means that it is designed to provide solar heat and glare reduction while maintaining a neutral appearance. Neutral window films are often chosen by homeowners who want to reduce the amount of solar heat and glare that enters their home but may not be all that concerned about maintaining a degree of visual clarity or outward appearance of their windows.

What is the Average Price to Have Window Film Installed in a Boise Home?

Now that we know what each of the popular window films are, here’s an approximate installation cost for installing 3M Window Film to all windows in an average size home in the Boise, Idaho area:

• 3M Prestige window film is approximately $5,400 installed
• 3M Night Vision window film is a more affordable option at $2,550 installed
• 3M Affinity window film is the most affordable option, with a cost of $1,980 installed

Can Window Film Save Money on Utilities?

While the cost of professionally installed window film may seem high, the energy savings can be substantial. With sun control window film installed, you can reduce the amount of heat that enters your home through the windows, which can lead to significant savings on your energy bills.

In fact, some homeowners may see a return on their investment in just a few years. On average, some studies have shown that homeowners notice a 1-3% reduction in their energy spending and maintenance costs for the home HVAC systems on an annual basis. Professionally installed window film spans a payback period of approximately 5 years.

Do Window Films Come With a Warranty?

Above all, regardless of the 3M window film selected by a homeowner, a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty from 3M is issued after each installation and you can expect up to 20 years out of the product before the need to replace it.

Upgrade Your Boise Home With Meridian Window Tint

Meridian Window Tint is the 3M Prestige Premier Dealer for Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Caldwell, Nampa, and the surrounding areas in Idaho. We offer residential and commercial window films manufactured by the world leader in adhesive tape and film products, 3M. contact Meridian Window Tint today for a free, no obligation quote, and start enjoying a home with window film that is cooler, features more privacy, and protects the investments you've made in your furnishings.