I have privacy film on bathroom window. I prefer that to blinds or curtains than never can be open. Mine is the non adhesive kind. I was told sometimes a problem removing the kind with adhesive. I wonder if that is the kind those with problems had.

I live in a house built in 1883 that has close to 60 very large original wood windows. They are structurally sound, and replacing them is cost prohibitive. I'm insulating around the windows and adding window film. The improvements have made my house more energy efficient.

I got the window film for privacy at my front door sidelight and on a bathroom window. The film is cheaper than ordering the frosted glass.

A friend had some of her windows covered and they cracked. She was then advised by the window manufacturer that tinting the windows had violated terms of the warranty so it was voided. Might want to check before you doing anything.

My husband insists on it but I hate it. While it does cut down on the amount of sun coming in I can never tell if its sunny out or about to rain. We are buying a new home at the beach and he said the first thing he's going to do is have the windows tinted! I almost died! I'm just craving that natural sunlight that window tinting takes away. It also stinks when the windows overlap causing double tinting and then I can't see out the window at all.

In 1998 I placed LLumar film on my windows here in south Florida to help prevent fading of my furniture and help with the heat coming in the windows. The film I had installed was also the type used at embassies (far fewer options at that time). Riding out hurricane Charlie and Wilma the film more than pleased me. Yes water came in around the frames of the windows, and debris hit the glass, but my glass never broke, My 8 foot sliders bowed and the frame slipped off the glass on both sides far enough you could stick your fist through if you wanted to get close enough. but the glass never broke! After the storm my home was secure because I had glass in my doors. I was unhappy when I was required to replace the doors with hurricane sliders when I felt the film more than paid off. Replacing the sliders was extremely expensive.

I plan on placing some on our new place. (we just moved)

We purchased a home in Colorado that sits at 9,400 ft. Most of the windows face South and East. When we were ordering furniture the decorator insisted we come up with a solution or the furniture and rugs would fade in 30 days. After research, I chose a 3M product. Love it! It's actually better to look at the mountains, no glare and NO FADING!!! Thank you 3M

I live in the deep south with more windows than wall. The day we moved in, it was 108 degrees and the AC was huffing and puffing. After careful research, I discovered that 3M offers a tint that protects furnishings, fabrics and our electric bill without degrading the views. It is very subtle. I had it installed on almost all the windows. We are very pleased! The only downside is that on wintery sunny days, the sun doesn't warm up the house but since winter lasts a couple weeks, I am okay with that. I have seen some of the early attempts at tinting discussed here. Window film has definitely improved a great deal!

I'm just looking into this option for my fourth-floor south-facing condo with three bay and partial bay windows. I live in Canada and I just bake in the summer. On the upside, I very seldom have to turn on the heat during our terrible winters. I'm getting a quote from a 3M dealer on Friday. I'm concerned, however, about the comment above mentioning that live plants can't survive with film on your windows. I really need at least a few plants, as I have no outside space.

Helixg1, yes the film appears to be the adhesive kind. Have tried using blades and everything else. What a mess it is.

Thank you Scampsmom, sounds like a good idea except I really don't want any more film on the windows after this!!

I use it in a bathroom for privacy but allows the light to come in. Intend to add to garage windows for privacy and security, especially after being burglarized.

Yes, saves money on electric bills when sun comes in at the hottest time of the day and you can still enjoy have light let into your home.

@muximaus, I don't know what kind of film your husband wants to use, but the one we have it's not tinted so that you don't see the sun. We have lots of windows in the family room and we needed this film to avoid having faded furniture and also to avoid UV. Take a look at huper optik, their ceramic collection

We have 2 windows across from our living room/dining room that look to the front door. I didn't want to do drapes as it is the walkway to the office and with cats and dogs liking to look out it just wasn't going to work. While I wanted some privacy (it is rare for folks to camp out on the front stoop) I wanted to let as much light in as possible (Pacific Northwesterner here). I did some cling film (Solyx) in a bamboo pattern and it is just right. I am very happy with it and many neighbors have asked what it is so they can do it as well.

i've considered it but window people tell me it may cause the windows to crack.

judithdobkin I never had any widows crack and min was installed in 1998

We just purchased a waterfront home in South Carolina. The 10' long window & 9' sliding door had film on them. It was breaking down & flaking off in many places. It was easily removed & new film installed by a window tint specialist. We could instantly feel the difference in the room temperature, as well as the protection from fading floors & fabrics that the film provides. The installer was adamant that you not clean the film side of the window with spray window cleaners containing ammonia. They damage the film, over time. He gave me an aerosol can of glass cleaner that is "ammonia free" & streakless. The brand is Sprayway & is sold in some big box stores.

We live in SoCal up on a hill and our back windows face west, with gorgeous sunsets. But in the summer, especially those 2-3 weeks when it gets really hot and since we don't have AC, we needed to put window film our sliding back door, our family room window, and on 3 decorative windows high up in the cathedral ceiling wall. It really seems to help keep the temp down and has made our family room much more enjoyable, with fewer fans.

The Florida sun sets on the back of my townhouse every summer. After 1 month I put the film on those windows
With blinds it has made a difference.

We live in SoCal up on a hill and our back windows face west towards the sunset as well. Adding to that, we have a glassed in porch with zero insulation and single pane aluminum windows so it gets really hot in the summer afternoons.

After the first summer here it made that part of the house completely unlivable so I had to do something. I remember as a child my mom had her windows tinted and it cut down the heat in the house significantly so I bit the bullet and had it professionally installed in the sun porch as well as on the two windows on the southwest side. It really cut the heat down. We later also added some Ikea sliding binds (modern equivalent of vertical blinds) which helps with the glare.

We live in FL, so putting professional film on the windows cut down on glare, fading of rugs & furniture & definitely helped keep it cooler.

I bought a house with the bubbling cracking kind and plan to call window people in to redo. Had the no tint applied to my vehicle 3 years ago so I understand the clear. Glad to know the brand names liked.

We had 4 - 6' atrium window in previous house...loved the light...but the dang glare, heat and sun bleaching became an issue since it was on the west side of house. Didn't want drapes or shutters that covered them and a friend turned me on to film. We
did use a professional that did mainly commercial applications....they had MANY options available and we had only good results!!! No sun glare, reduced heat and still got to enjoy the sunshine!! My son is now living in the house and they are still in perfect shape...they did recommend I not go with it on the back door as it had a full glass insert...and we had a german shepherd that would scratch at the backdoor to go out! Cost was about $100 per window, installed.

I had film put on my large south facing windows many years ago. We live in rural CT surrounded by woods but get lots of afternoon sun. Only problem is that we often have birds fly into them because they give a mirror like reflection from outside and this seems to confuse the birds. Thankfully most bounce off and keep going.

When we moved into our house all the windows had film on them and most of the windows were ruined. The double-pane windows had fog between the two panes and were discolored. We had to replace them with new double-paned low E windows with solar protection built in. At the time, the installer told me the film ruins double paned windows and will void the warranty on new windows. I would never use it.

I'm surprised no one has addressed skin damage from UV rays, which I think is more of a concern than fading furniture! I live in Seattle, have floor to ceiling (2-story) north facing windows and make it a priority to apply sunscreen every day after getting sunburned when I'm at home. Has anyone experienced this? We're in the process of getting estimates for replacing the glass, which is single-pane as well as considering the less expensive film option.

Kim, UV protection for skin was another reason we got the film. It does help a lot.

what an absolutely awesome dining room!

Definitely will when I own my own home!

Live in Houston and had film put in a few months ago because I have two-story windows in the kitchen/dining area and when the sun came in on the west side in the afternoon it blinded me to the point I could not even be in the kitchen cooking and talk about HOT... I had darker ones put on the top windows and lighter ones put on the bottom ones (didn't need it darker because of blinds). It has made a huge difference, and it also cut the glare so I can cook in the afternoon/evening. I am considering doing them on the south side... only a few windows there, but have noticed a difference in the two sides of the house. You can't tell much from the outside, only that you can't see into the house during the day, and not much at night. Really like them, wish I had done it sooner.

From what I've read, mirrored film windows are a great deterrent to burglars.
Here in west Texas, the film makes a HUGE difference in temp control.
If I was building a new house I would prefer wider porches and overhangs to shade the windows.

I also have put them on my bedroom window that is on the second floor facing south-west. It definitely is making a difference and cutting down on the heat.

I have never used window film. With that said, I don't think it's for me. #BeSeenBeSafe

Ender

i think i'm the person who asked the original question on window film. i've now consulted with a couple window replacement people who don't like the film. they said they've replaced too many shattered windows due to heat build-up caused by the film. anyone have this experience? thanks!

I have window film on my windows. I get direct sun in the afternoon. I've lived in my house over 10 years and have never had a problem. It depends on which company you use.

I have film on my sliding doors because my wood floor and artwork were getting faded and marked from the sun. It is not ideal because it does start to peel around the edges and you have to be careful when cleaning that side of the glass but it did the job with reducing the sun related problems. I live at the beach, so perhaps drier locations wouldn't have the peeling problem I have. Make sure you do not get the kind that acts like a mirror when the room is dark (the cheaper ones do this), you should still be able to see out the window at night even though the view will be reduced. I will be replacing the doors soon and will get tinted glass instead so I won't have the peeling problems.

DONT DO IT.. I had a 3M professional installer come in and install NV35 window film. After a month from the heat hitting the film one of my large double pan windows cracked. A large thermal crack from the side of the window. Yes 3M covers the windows for 5 years but what they fail to tell you is it voids your 20 year window manufactures warranty and also they only cover up to 500 doolars per window. The window cost my 750 to replace and I was left with a 250 dollar bill. I was refused a refund and removed all the window film my self. It cost me over a thousand dollars that I now have lost. DONT DO IT.

dear williamgraham - thanks for your comment - what state do you live in? judy

William that is an unfortunate experience. There are manufacturers (like www.vista-films.com) that will match your existing window warranty regardless of length. Quality professionals will also waive the warranty cap so you are not out of pocket (at least we do).

The NV35 has a fairly high absorption rate (the window and frame absorb some of the Suns energy) and may not have been advisable for you depending on your climate, exposure, use of blinds or shades, etc. these are all factors that can contribute to thermal stress failure. I wish you had a better experience, that dealer should have covered the extra glass replacement cost for you.

Window film installations should be done by certified professionals who explain the warranty options and only use films safe for your home. Millions of windows have film installed every year with no issues and a few bad eggs can make the whole bunch smell.

I have used it twice for customers in an appartement tower with a modern interior because no drapes were wanted, and of course in offices and store windows... it is amazing !

Window film is a great solution for protecting your interiors, as it controls sun glare and rejects 40% of the sun's heat and 99% of UV rays. Maintain energy costs and learn more about the different types of window film at http://www.budgetblinds.com/window-film/, where one of our local style consultants can quickly install protective window film for your home!

We used the Huper Optik ceramic series, like another reader here. It is fabulous, a bit pricey, but our utilities are the lowest in the entire neighborhood. Cooler in summer and warmer in winter, inside. It does not look like anything is on the window at all, but the scorching heat does not permeate and keeps rays at a minimum when sunlight at its peak. WELL worth the cost in the long run. Only problem is that it is difficult to find a vendor, as it is a European product. Our vendor, who did an excellent job, was actually a vehicle window tinting shop. Now, in AZ, (from CA), we have not been able to find a vendor.

I used Low E windows in my new build, and the energy savings are amazing!

For those looking specifically for Huper Optik films, they are available in the USA. Click here for their dealer locator.

Yes, i do. I don't like the looks of it but for energy efficiency, we have to. Our house is over a hundred years old and the front door window and the stairway windows are original to the house and when we bought the house, the film was already up, so for now they will stay.

Diena, the Huper Optik film is not visible..you can't tell it's there

I have used etched glass look pattern window film (a tree design) on front facing window for privacy as I hate nets etc. its beautiful and creates lovely light patterns on the opposite wall.

Window Film has been increasing in popularity for many reasons.

Safety, clean and minimal maintenance.

In this photo, just LOOK how the view is magnified with the windows that have film applied. Wow.

Blinded by light? Film.

Film is also fantastic with heat control. Solar film can block up to 80% of heat radiating in your home. Whoooa...just think of the savings in AC costs in the summer!

Films also add another layer of safety to your windows. During storms, with high-powered winds and property damage(i.e burglary), it prevents the glass from shattering. Amazing something so thin can do SO MUCH!

We do not have a need for window film.