Winter Sun brings Excessive Glare
Winter in Grand Prairie brings a sneaky problem: the sun sits lower in the sky, and that low-angle light blasts straight through windows – right into your eyes, onto your TV, and across your work-from-home setup.
The good news: This is something that can be fixed easily with window film. Home window tinting with solar control window film can cut harsh glare and eliminate hot spots while keeping your view and natural light.
But wait, there’s more: The same window tint that cuts your glare in the wintertime also saves you energy in the summer by reducing the solar heat coming through your glass windows. That’s right, by solving your winter glare, you’re also setting your home up for those brutal Texas summers.
And because Texas has more cooling days than heating days…during the year you’ll run you’re A/C more than your heater… this is a smart time to improve comfort and reduce A/C load before spring and summer arrive.
Want to tame winter glare now and make summer easier later? Get a Grand Prairie Home Window Tint Quote from Starmor.
Why winter sunlight feels harsher (it’s the low sun angle)
In summer, the sun is higher and roof overhangs/awnings can block a lot of direct rays. In winter, the sun rides lower, and that light can shoot under overhangs and deeper into your rooms.
That usually creates:
- Blinding glare in the morning or late afternoon
- TV/computer screen glare that makes rooms annoying to use
- Hot spots in certain areas even on cool days
- Faded floors and furniture from UV exposure
- A “too bright to enjoy” room that you stop using
If you’ve found yourself closing blinds every day just to function, window film is often the cleaner solution.
How Window film Reduces Glare
Glare is basically “too much bright light” coming through your windows, so your eyes struggle to see clearly. Glare is a function of light – the more light you have the more glare you get.
Window film reduces glare by reducing how much visible light gets through the glass, often compared to putting sunglasses on your window.
1) The Visible Light Transmission (VLT)
Window film has a rating called Visible Light Transmission (VLT). That’s just a fancy way of saying: how much visible light passes through.
- High VLT = lots of light gets through (brighter)
- Low VLT = less light gets through (less glare)
Applying a film to your window lowers the VLT and reducing the glare so, the darker the film the less the glare.
2) Reflection
Films also reflect part of the incoming sunlight and the sun’s energy back outside instead of letting it pass through. Less incoming light = less glare.
3) Absorption
All films have a certain amount of absorption, which is how much energy is absorbed by the film – this will heat up the glass. By absorbing some of the energy of the light coming through your glass it can limit the intensity of the glare by a minor amount.
4) Real-world effect: easier to see screens and less squinting
That’s why window film is commonly used for glare control: it lets you “engineer” the daylight coming through your windows. It takes the “blinding” edge off so you can see screens/books more comfortably.
The Texas angle: fix winter glare now, get ready for cooling season
Most Texas homeowners spend more time (and money) cooling than heating. That means if you make the glass perform better now, you’re not just improving winter comfort—you’re proactively lowering your A/C burden as temperatures climb.
The same solar control films that help with winter glare also help:
- Reduce solar heat gain (those summer “oven” windows)
- Smooth out temperature swings near windows
- Improve comfort so you’re not over-cranking the thermostat
In other words: winter is a great time to upgrade because you feel the glare problem immediately, and you’re preparing for the long cooling season ahead.
What home window tinting actually does (and what it doesn’t)
Residential window tinting involves having a sun control window film professionally applied to the glass in your home. It is typically applied to the interior of the glass but there are times when an exterior applied film is the better choice. These window films can:
- Cut glare dramatically
- Reduce harsh brightness while keeping natural light
- Improve comfort by reducing solar heat gain
- Block UV to protect floors/furniture
- Add daytime privacy
What it doesn’t do:
- It won’t fix air leaks from poor seals (that’s weatherstripping/caulking)
- It won’t replace the need for blinds at night if you want total privacy
- It won’t repair seal failure.
And home window tinting is easy. It’s a glass-performance upgrade, not a construction project. It’s usually completed in one day or less.
How to pick the right window film for winter glare & year-round comfort
Step 1: Identify where the glare hits hardest
Common offenders in Grand Prairie:
- West-facing living rooms (afternoon glare + summer heat)
- East-facing kitchens/breakfast nooks (morning glare)
- Home offices with sun hitting screens at an angle
- Front rooms where you want light—just not the “laser beam” effect
The rooms that usually deliver the biggest “wow” after window film
If you want the fastest payoff, start here:
- Living room / TV room: less glare, fewer blinds closed all day
- Home office: improved screen visibility and comfort
- Kitchen / breakfast area: morning glare becomes manageable
- Primary bedroom: better comfort and optional privacy strategy
What installation day looks like (no drama)
When our installation team shows up, they’ll go through the following proven process:
- Walkthrough the project with you and check your glass
- We confirm the windows we’ll be filming, the type of film being applied and address any concerns and questions you might have.
- Window Clean and Prep
- We perform a thorough cleaning of the inside of your glass. This is a critical step because it minimizes the chance of getting debris under the window film.
- Installation of the window film
- Film is applied, edges finished, and the glass is inspected.
- Walkthrough of the completed project
- Our installation technician will walk you through the completed project, go over the warranty and cleaning instructions and again, address any questions you might have.
- Cure Time (30 days for most window films)
- All window films need time to “cure” after installation. During this time, you may see slight haze or moisture pockets at first; it clears as it cures.
Common mistakes when choosing a Glare Reduction Window Film
- Picking your film based on “darkness” alone.
While glare is a function of light the best glare solution might not be the darkest film, it’s the one that matches your glass, sun exposure and your personal tastes. - Only treating one window in a room.
Glare often bounces around. Sometimes you need to address the whole exposure to really fix the issue. - Ignoring summer performance.
In Texas, glare and heat go together. Choose a film that solves winter glare and summer heat.
FAQs
Will window tint make my room too dark?
It could, but you get to select the level of light transmission that works best for you and your situation. We will help you through the process of selecting the right film for your situation.
Does it help with summer heat too?
Absolutely! Solar control films are built to reduce the heat coming through your glass from the sun. If your goal is comfort and efficiency, choosing the right film now pays off during cooling season.
What about privacy?
You can choose films that add daytime privacy, or you can mix film types depending on the room.
Is window film safe for double-pane windows?
Yes, as a general rule most films are safe for double pane windows. Our Starmor window film specialists will let you know what films work and what films won’t for your windows.
Get a Grand Prairie Home Window Tint Quote
If winter glare is ruining a room, you don’t have to live behind closed blinds. Window film can give you the light you want—without the harshness—while also preparing your home for Texas’ long cooling season.
With Starmor we make the home window tinting process easy. You get:
- A glare-first recommendation tailored to your home’s exposures
- Options that balance view, brightness, and comfort
- Professional installation, a workmanship guarantee and clear care guidance
Next step: Request your Grand Prairie Home Window Tint Quote and let’s solve your glare issues together.
