Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by blackwhisker » Mon Mar 27, 4:14 pm
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from NB.
I have large windows facing the sun. It gets really hot in my house on sunny days, even in the winter.
I heard there is something called heat and sun block films for windows. It can keep the house cooler and not blocking the light. Something like this:
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b/
Anyone has information or experience with such products? Any pros and cons I should be aware of? Thank you.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by brian » Mon Mar 27, 4:18 pm
I have experience using this at a previous house that I lived in.
It's a pain to install the film correctly. If you don't install it perfectly, you will see lots of creases and reflect light as you are walking by. It's pretty annoying. I mostly learned to just live with it, but I knew that I wouldn't be at the house forever. When I sold the house, I removed the film because it would have been a detriment.
With that said... the product does work well. This might be one of the few times that it is worth it to pay a pro to install, assuming they can do it much better than you can. Especially if this is a house that you expect to live long-term in.
--- Brian
PS. Yes, the YouTube videos make it seem easy to install. It's not that easy!
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by Tom_T » Mon Mar 27, 4:31 pm
Can confirm, it's not that easy to install. For windows, I decided to use honeycomb shades to keep the heat out in the afternoon sun. I do miss the film on my storm door - my front door gets hot, including the door handle. I may need to put it back on. Or see if there is a storm door with better glass.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by plannerman » Mon Mar 27, 4:36 pm
I just did it on south facing windows in FL. My predecessors had had it done maybe 20 years ago and the old film had lost its effectiveness. Removing the old film was a bigger chore than applying the new film. Plus 1 on the YouTube videos--they were very helpful. Glad I did it; it makes a big difference on the sun load.
plannerman
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by LittleMaggieMae » Mon Mar 27, 4:39 pm
I have exterior storm windows and then 75 year old double hung windows.
I added the film that helps keep the heat from the sun out of my house to the windows on the southern side of my house.
I put the film on the interior side of the double hung windows. It does work really well. It was easy to install - but as noted - it can be difficult to get it to be perfect. Especially if you don't have a helper to help with the installation.
I have window treatments - curtains or blinds that hide my crappy job of getting the film on the windows. I even patched together pieces of the film on one window - but I'm the only one who knows it looks bad. The curtains or blinds hide the seams and bubbles and crinkles.
With the film I can leave my sheer curtains on year round or leave the blinds open most days during the summer without adding more heat to my house.
If you need your window to look flawless - I believe there are professionals who will install the film for you. Or maybe you and another person or two can work together to better get the film installed with fewer flaws.
I did mine by myself. And I'm pretty sure I could do a better dramatically better job if I had a "helper" - an extra set of hands.
Be aware of privacy issues... at night, with a light on inside, you will no longer be able to see out the window (it's reflective) - but anyone outside will be able to see in. I can watch my neighbors across the alley - when they are in their kitchen and I can see into their upstairs bedroom (well the ceiling fan and door frame - and their little kids when they use their bed as a trampoline ) They have tinted windows and no window treatments - I'm guessing because they do not realize it's easy to see into their home at night.
Last edited by LittleMaggieMae on Mon Mar 27, 4:51 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by CenTexan » Mon Mar 27, 4:40 pm
I have used film, self-installed, and it has been great. However, it is tricky to install - especially large pieces. You could do a large window in "stripes" and overlay edges, then come back with a VERY sharp Exacto knife and a straight edge, and after making the cut, fish out the back over-laid trimmed piece, then smooth it down. When the film is still wet, you can actually slide the pieces to abutt one another. Use a good new squeegee, btw. The resulting seam is almost invisible. If your window is a focal point of the room (no sheers, etc), I wouldn't do it (maybe hire someone).
A second option is to build an exterior screen with solar screening. It works really well, but again, if you don't have the skill to make a screen (frame, roller, etc) it might not look that great. The good thing about the solar screen (versus film) is that you can seasonally remove it, if you like.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by delamer » Mon Mar 27, 4:57 pm
We had solar film put on almost all of our windows by a firm that does sales and installation.
It has made a difference in terms of cooling the house, but we are talking a couple degrees. It also helped with glare from some large west-facing windows in our kitchen eating area.
We used the least blocking film available that they had to limit the change in appearance.
Still, a man hears what he wants to hear. And disregards the rest. |
|
The Boxer by Paul Simon
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by walkabout » Mon Mar 27, 5:11 pm
I don’t know if it is still an issue, but it used to be the case that some films and some dual/triple panes were not compatible. Applying the film could cause the seals on the panes to fail over time. Film can also cause the glass to break. If you have dual/triple pane windows and their warranty is still valid, double check the terms to see if applying solar film will void the warranty.
Not trying to propagate scare tactics, but do your research before just jumping in and applying solar film.
Good luck!
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by Svensk Anga » Mon Mar 27, 5:15 pm
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Heat Blocking Window Film.
I installed myself a similar product in my Florida house 20 years ago. Installation was not difficult. However, it now has severely deteriorated to the point that it ought to be removed. It looks bad. I can't work up the motivation to redo it. I'm not so sure it did enough to be worth the effort.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by stlrick » Mon Mar 27, 5:20 pm
We looked into this about 15 years ago and chose professionally-installed Huper Optik rather than 3M. Very happy with it. Remains as clear as when new.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by abner kravitz » Mon Mar 27, 5:38 pm
I have it, it does help. Had it professionally installed by a 3M dealer. I personally wouldnt attempt it myself on large windows.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by blackwhisker » Mon Mar 27, 5:45 pm
Thank you all for the helpful replies.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by Mr. Rumples » Mon Mar 27, 5:57 pm
Yes, had it in CO. Got the idea when visiting the Governor's Mansion which has a south facing facade. I asked someone who worked there and used the same company. There is defiantly a skill in getting it on just right.https://nyackel.files.wordpress.com/200 ... esouth.jpg
"History is the memory of time, the life of the dead and the happiness of the living." Captain John Smith -
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by tortoise84 » Mon Mar 27, 6:25 pm
I used this tint, which was on sale for $26 when I got it, but right now it's $44:
https://www.amazon.com/Gila-Platinum-Ad ... 000KKM8EG/
DIY installation is a little bit tricky, but for $26, I wasn't afraid to tear some pieces off and redo if there were creases or imperfections. Use lots of soap spray on the window, under the backing, and on both sides of the tint, and you'll eventually get the hang of it.
Halfway through tinting a South facing window, I checked the temperature of the carpet where the sun was shining on. The untinted section was 95F, and the tinted section was 85F, so it definitely made a difference.
Yes, as other people said, at night with the lights on inside, you'll only see a reflection looking out, while people outside can see in clearly. So you'll need to use blinds or curtains as well.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by enad » Mon Mar 27, 7:23 pm
We have sunscreens that we added to our windows which are 80% and 90% blocking and they will reduce the amount of heat on the windows. We also have plated shades on the inside and some windows have dual pleated shades. They help mostly with light. We have a roller between the shades and the glass in some rooms which cut down on both heat and light if we want to darken a particular room of the house that is in full sun. But in the end we installed roller shades on several windows and removed the sun screens on them since the earliest you can block the heat the better chance you will have. We also have low E dual pane windows but we live in the desert where the temps can be in the mid 120's in the summer/fall and in the low teens in the winter.
Our neighbors had the film but it didn't matter if they installed it or a professional did, it still bubbled up after a while.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by FrugalInvestor » Mon Mar 27, 8:25 pm
We have Low-e double pane windows and use exterior mounted 80% sunscreens on the south and west sides of the house. They not only block a lot of heat but also protect interior surfaces (flooring, furniture, cabinets, etc.) from fading and also help the glass seals last longer. We also like that they increase privacy, especially during the daytime. Using dark brown or black screens allows your eyes to focus on what's beyond the screen, so although not clear when looking out it is not nearly as intrusive as one might imagine.
I chose not to use heat blocking film because it can cause the window seals to fail prematurely and having glass replaced is very expensive.
Have a plan, stay the course and simplify. Then ignore the noise!
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by Bogle7 » Mon Mar 27, 10:46 pm
We have 3M film. Professionally installed. Recommended.
Old fart who does three index stock funds, baby.
Re: Heat and sun blocking film for windows
Post
by tortoise84 » Sun Apr 02, 8:33 am
Are you interested in learning more about aluminium protective solution? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
So I've been looking into this and it appears that some window films qualify for the 30% Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit as an 'insulation' product (not as windows).
Sources:
International Window Film Association
https://iwfa.com/news/window-films-are- ... x-credits/
Madico
https://madico.com/blog/energy-savings/ ... ntial-film
Johnson Window Films, for original tax credit that expired in
https://www.johnsonwindowfilms.com/deal ... CLE_ID=273
However, going off the IRS Fact Sheet -40
Insulation materials or systems and air sealing materials or systems: must meet the criteria established by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) standard in effect at the start of the year that is two years prior to the year the materials or systems are placed in service. For example, materials or systems placed in service in must meet the criteria established by the IECC standard in effect on January 1, , to qualify for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit in .
Also, for the tax credit on insulation/window film, it must be your principal residence, and labor costs are not included (material costs only).
So we need to reference IECC for:
- Climate zones: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IECC2 ... 03_SecR301
- Glazed fenestration Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IECC2 ... ecR402.1.2
In climate zones 0-3 the SHGC is ≤ 0.25 and zone 4 except Marine is ≤ 0.40. If your product quotes Total Solar Energy Rejection, then SHGC = 1 - TSER.