Adding Flat Glass Tinting to Your Automotive Window Tint Business

Starting Flat Glass Tinting Business

It is very common that an automotive window tinter finds themselves needing to quote and tint a home or business. Residential and commercial window tinting, also known as flat glass tinting. As consumer awareness of residential and commercial window tinting is growing, so is the demand. Flat glass window films can provide huge benefit to home and business owners such as heat reduction, fade and UV protection, privacy, safety and security, and more.

If you’re an automotive window tinter and you’d like to expand into residential and commercial window tinting, you’re going to find it very similar however there are some things you should keep know.

Window Film and Glass Compatibility

When installing tint on cars, there no need to be concerned with what film you’re applying to which windows. With the exception of sunroofs, you can install any car tint on any car windows without worry of damage to the window. That is not the case with flat glass windows, windows on homes and businesses. Matching a window film that is compatible for the glass type is important as the wrong film can cause the glass to crack or cause premature seal failure in the window.

Most windows film projects will be straight forward, either dual pane or single pane, clear or tinted, annealed or tempered glass and you’ll likely be offering a dual reflective or ceramic window film. But things can quickly get complicated if the glass is laminated or if it’s a large pane of glass that gets partial sun because an awning.

Contact your window film supplier and ask for a “film to glass compatibility chart”. Suppliers of window film for homes and businesses will have a chart that shows each of their film offerings on a chart along with the different types of glass, making it really easy to see what films goes with what types of glass.

When you’re measuring the windows, look for a stamp on the corner of the glass. It should say what type of glass it is. If it is not stamped, you’ll need to look and visually determine if it’s single or dual pane, tinted, laminated, etc and then use the film to glass chart to see which films are compatible options.

Flat Glass is a Completely Mobile Tint Business

Unlike automotive window tinting, flat glass window tinting happens almost exclusively at the clients location which means you’ll be out of the shop (if you currently have one). The installation is not the only time you may have to travel to the job site.

To give a proper quote, show the customer samples, and properly sell the job, it is best to have an in person consultation with the customer. This will give you the opportunity to see the glass in person, check for existing window film, show the customer different samples, and makes the customer gets exactly what they want and the installation goes smoothly. You can’t be in two places at once so make sure you understand the opportunity cost involved in the services you offer.

Also keep in mind 60″ and 72″ rolls are common for flat glass window tinting so make sure you have a vehicle that can fit multiple 72″ rolls along with a ladder, scaffolding, film slitter, water tank etc.

Bad for Someone Who Is Afraid of Heights

Tall ladders and scaffolding are often needed to reach upper windows. If you have a fear of heights you may want to consider hiring an installer or going another route in business.

Being Organized and Efficient is Extra Important

Residential and commercial window tinting requires more detailed quotes than automotive window tinting. Depending on the size of the job, flat glass window film projects can get long with rooms, windows, and doors, noting the width, heigh, square footage, direction of the window, glass and frame time etc. Using a window tint software will keep you organized, efficient, and making money.

Scheduling Your Appointments Close Together

Residential and commercial window tinting can mean a lot of driving to consultations and installations making it extremely important to schedule yourself efficiently. By reducing drive time you have more time for sales and installations which are the driving forces of your business.

Tint Wiz scheduling software for window tint businesses has a side by side map and calendar making it really easy to see where who will be where and when. Using live pin drops on the map, you can quickly see where the consultations and installations are scheduled so you can keep your drive time to a minimum and your profitability to a maximum.

Provide A Quote During The Consultation

It is very important that when you go out to the job site to measure and provide samples, that you’re also able to provide a price to the customer on the spot. For tint companies not using a proper window tint software writing up a quote can be time consuming which means it often will get done when “they get back to the office”. The customer took the time to meet you for the quote, give them the price.

Tint Wiz enables you to quickly create a detailed quote on the spot from your phone, tablet, or computer. Simply enter the room name and start adding windows, doors and Tint Wiz does the calculations for you. Once you’ve entered in all your measurements, select your film options and your proposal is ready for the customer.

About Tint Wiz

Tint Wiz is a business management platform for window tint businesses that keeps track of everything in one place and automates day-to-day operations, so window tint businesses can provide exceptional service and run at maximum efficiency.

Choosing the best window tint software for your business can have a powerful impact on your productivity. Tint Wiz can help your workforce minimize downtime, attract clients, get organized and get everything into one trusted software platform.