The Science Behind High Altitude Sun Glare: It’s Not Just In Your Head

Fort Collins sits at a little over 5,000 ft of altitude and as, such deals with the high altitude problems that come with such a height. Those who don’t live at higher elevations simply can’t understand how intense the glare can be here. However, if you are from here or have been here for just a few days, you understand what we mean. The sun seems more intense here in Colorado–and that is because it is. As it turns out, it’s not all in your head. The fact is UV/UVB radiation is higher here because, at higher altitudes, a thinner atmosphere filters less UV radiation. For roughly every 3,200 ft increase in altitude, UV levels increase by 10% to 12%. This makes the glare of the sun, especially through windows that face west, more intense. These westward facing rooms are rendered nearly unusable for at least 3 hours a day if not more because, when the sun hits glass it causes refraction and light displacement decreasing your comfort, making the television unwatchable, and destroying your windows’ views. You live in Fort Collins, arguably one of the loveliest places in Colorado, windows are meant to be looked out of and enjoyed, not covered by blinds and drapes! For those that work from home or simply want to enjoy life in the wonderful, but high altitude state of Colorado, window film can help provide sanity and relief.

Window Tinting Greatly Reduces Sun Glare In Your Fort Collins Home

Controlling glare is essentially about reducing the window’s Visible Light Transmission (VLT). It is akin to putting on sunglasses, the darker the film (lens) the more light it will block and the less glare you will see. At Fort Collins WIndow Tinting, we know the concerns you may have with darkly tinted windows obstructing your gorgeous views but you do not need to worry because we offer a variety of glare reducing films in a variety of tint levels. Most of our films are barely noticeable from the inside and our most popular films offer a softer tint that will reduce light transmission by 50 percent but still give you plenty of privacy and glare control.
The best way to understand which tint is the best for you is to meet with us at Fort Collins Window Tinting and allow us to guide you through our wide selection of glare reducing window tint options. We will help you find the right one for you and get those areas of your house that are affected by sun glare up and running for you to enjoy! Contact us today to schedule a free, on-site consultation.

Mike Kinsey

Mike Kinsey has been working in the window tinting industry for over 10 years. Since 2008, he and his team have assisted on numerous installs in the Fort Collins area, totaling approximately 250,000 sq. ft. of film. As the Operations Manager for Fort Collins Window Tinting, Mike's duties include project management, customer relations, and sales. He is well-versed in the technical procedures for window film installation as well as the differences between the hundreds of types and styles of film on the market. Mike is certified by 3M, EnerLogic, and AIA for continuing education and is regarded as one of the top experts in his field.