What kind of window film should I get? (Home Depot, windows, heat)

[nightbird47]

I've been looking through the home stores sites for some kind of window film that will hopefully accomplish multiple purposes.

I need something that will block heat and cold. This is especially true of one large window. I have the plastic you tape to the window but it didn't work well and can't leave it up in the summer anyway. I'd like to install something that works for either.

On the front windows I want something that gives decent privacy but I can see through. Do any of the heat types do this? I'd compromise on it if I could just put one type of film on the windows, hopefully inside.

For my kitchen window I need something that will block excess heat but also provide some privacy (its double paned), and allow light for plants as I'm going to turn it into a garden window. This has to provide privacy and sufficent light for plants.

I may been looking for the impossible but hope I don't need one on both sides, or would that work at all?

[CHTransplant]

Heat films don't provide privacy. They are reflective to a degree - the side with more light will be mostly reflective (outdoors during the day, indoors during the night) meaning the other side can see through (see out during the day, see in during the night).

[xlabel]

I would get a pro to do it. First of all I doubt you would find a roll wide enough (like Gila brand) to cover the dimensions of a large window without having to seem it.

I installed Armorcoat 4 mil security film. It is a 35% tint and during the day someone would have to have thier face right up on the window to see inside, at night you can see right in from the street.

You don't want to put anything above a 35% tint on dual pane windows, it can cause seal failure and fog your windows. Tint generally always goes on the inside, don't tint inside and outside of the dual pane. Armorcoat/Solargaurd, 3M, Vista, Huper Optik are generally not sold to the public, you may be able to get a partial roll from someone at tintdude.com, check out his forum and they can better answer your questions.

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by xlabel

I would get a pro to do it. First of all I doubt you would find a roll wide enough (like Gila brand) to cover the dimensions of a large window without having to seem it.

I installed Armorcoat 4 mil security film. It is a 35% tint and during the day someone would have to have thier face right up on the window to see inside, at night you can see right in from the street.

You don't want to put anything above a 35% tint on dual pane windows, it can cause seal failure and fog your windows. Tint generally always goes on the inside, don't tint inside and outside of the dual pane. Armorcoat/Solargaurd, 3M, Vista, Huper Optik are generally not sold to the public, you may be able to get a partial roll from someone at tintdude.com, check out his forum and they can better answer your questions.

Actually all my windows except one are 22 inches wide. The big one was added and is a pain, on an exposed side of the house to wind and blowing things. I'm thinking of something applied outside for that window, also shutters.

There is a tinted film sold at Home Depot I've used before which blocks glare and bright light I've ordered for the little windows. You have to get fairly close to see through it, which is fine. I just want to open the curtains/blackout shades and get some filtered light.

The double paned window will have plants sitting in it so it can't block a lot of light, but may get something for privacy with a pattern on it. Still thinking on that one.

The big window.... if the tinted stuff does well will probably get that. Either inside or outside shuttters are probably going to happen with that one eventually.

Wish I could afford a pro but can't.