How to Determine if a House’s Window Glass is Colored

Understanding the type of window glass in your home is crucial for various reasons, such as energy efficiency, aesthetics, and maintenance. A common concern is whether the window glass is naturally tinted or has been artificially tinted with a coating. This guide offers several methods to help you determine if your house's window glass is colored.

Inspecting the Window Tint Visually

All windows have a subtle tint due to their manufacturing process. To discover if there is an additional tint, you need to perform a simple visual inspection. Here’s how:

First, roll up the window almost to the top of the frame to expose the uppermost section of the glass.

Look for a very thin, almost invisible edge that appears lighter and more transparent. This thin clear area at the top of the window is an indication that the window may be naturally colored or has a tint.

If you do not see this clear edge, the window is likely clear and not tinted.

When a tint has been applied, the tinting material is rolled up into the window frame to maintain its effectiveness. The tinting itself will stop at the window frame, leaving the uppermost part of the glass clear. This clear area is what you should look for to determine the presence of tinting.

Comparing with a Car’s Clear Glass

Another method to check the tint on a window is to compare it with the “clear glass” found in a car. Cars are allowed to have tinting on the windows behind the front seats, provided they also have a right side mirror. Therefore, if you have a car to refer to, use its rear windows as a reference point.

When comparing:

Note that the tint in a car’s rear window is still allowed and is legally permissible.

Observe if the glass in your home’s windows has a similar tinting level. If it does, then the windows might have the same level of tint applied.

Using a White Piece of Paper to Test the Glass

To double-check whether the window glass is colored, you can perform a simple test using a white piece of paper:

Place a white piece of paper behind the glass.

If the paper remains white, it indicates that the glass is clear and not tinted.

However, if the tint is visible and casts a darker shadow on the paper, it confirms that the glass is tinted.

This method is particularly useful for identifying the presence of low-e (low-emissivity) glass, which often has a subtle tint.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can easily determine whether the windows in your home are naturally colored or tinted. Proper identification is essential for making informed decisions regarding your home’s energy efficiency, aesthetic preferences, and maintenance routines.