I used the DIY film from Lowe's. It is super easy to apply despite the instructions.

I used the white film it looks kind of frosted- we used ours for privacy but it does block out some of the light. We used ours on the glass on our doors- we have the glass tops and wood bottoms- and because ours is the frosted white color it doesn't appear dark from the outside.

MIL and FIL used the mirrored tint DIY film on their sidelights and it did not look very good. It looked black from the outside and on the inside it had the appearance of a bad mirror.

There were several threads about window film on BAH forum here at GW, you might do a search on that forum for more information.

I had the Panorama film installed almost two years ago. Panorama is recommended by top interior designers and after research I decided to go with it--it was more expensive than others, but had a great warranty and got the best reviews. There are some that are less expensive that are good, too--but you should do your research. Some of the lesser priced films will shrink and do not provide the UVA and UVB protection from the sun's rays. You may hear arguments that they void the warranty on the windows--that wasn't a problem with my installation because they will replace my window(s) if there are any problems; there haven't been.

I selected a tint that allows viewing during the night into the house, but during the day it is difficult to see into the house. It also allows me to see better from inside at night--it is the type recommended for businesses when people leave to lockup--they can still see outside the building. Some films have too much glare and it is difficult to see out the windows at night. It is not particularly dark and no one seems to notice it.
The film does help reduce heat buildup during the summer months.

There is more glare with the window film and birds tend to fly into the windows more often--here is a photo, the film is on all windows in the photo.

Don't do the diy one where one side is a mirror for full privacy. If you're window is too big, you will need to do a seam and it's really hard. It also looks really cheap.

what are your window film needs? Whether you are looking for home or commercial security, anti-graffiti films, lifetime warranty films or any other window tinting product ? I am giving you which is below my be it helps you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Window Treatment

Is there some search engine out there that sends forum posts to people selling that particular item? I am amazed they would go to the trouble to register to the forum for the first time to post a link to their website so try and sell me window film!

I also used a Panorama film (professionally installed) with good results. However one of my windows cracked and I'm in the process of having it replaced. Panorama (actually Bekaert, the parent company) has said that they will reimburse me for that, even though the local dealer went out of business.

I used Home Depot film on my MIL's house, on just one smallish window, and it went on easily. It works great too, just doesn't look quite as good from the outside (more of a yellowish tinge). But huge price difference.

I'll check out Panorama. Would you share what one of your windows cost - and the approx size? Three big windows across my upstairs. Two are triple casement with each casement being about 24x40. One window is a double casement and a tad longer.

I also have two sets of casements on the 1st floor and am wondering if it will look odd if I don't do all the windows on the front of the house? I guess that's where it starts to get expensive. 3 triple casement windows and 2 double casement.

I just did a DIY job on our kitchen windows. Here is my take on doing this yourself-
After looking around online I bought the materials from a company called concord window films out of CT. Good product, great service, low price, fast shipping.
The job itself was a bank of 3 windows that face due West out of our kitchen. The view is wooded and right now we don't have any other treatments on the windows.
I'm a pretty handy guy around the house, but tinting was a bit frustrating. As careful as I was, the job is imperfect. There are a couple of areas where the film is a bit bumpy or bubbly and a couple of edges where the trimming didn't come out 100%. I did get better as the job progressed-I had six glass panels to cover and by the 4th or so I had more confidence.
So far I have left the tint up but I may either remove it and try again myself or have it professionally redone. The benefits are apparent right away, but it's one of those things that needs to look 100% if we are going to leave the windows bare. Right now I have some more Aura paint to buy so I'm not budgeted to have the job redone, but at some point that's probably what I'll do.

Hello. I also had Panorama film professionally installed on my windows. I am very happy with the product. My husband didn't want the film and now he is also happy with the results. I had 13 windows filmed for approximately $1500. I had several estimates and all were about the same.

Below is a link to a previous discussion on tinted windows.

Note the posts regarding cracking of the glass due to tinting. I've had it done professionally in the past and loved the results. I had a limited choice of tints due to possible damage to the glass.

Here is a link that might be useful: tinting

After we built our house back in '86, I put tinted window film on our windows. Granted, the windows we had installed when the house was built were regular double hung windows with storm windows on the outside. I applied the window film to the storm window vice the inside windows.

I used the window film by 3M and installed it my self. With 3M, you have a choice of film material and tint darkness. I used a darker tinted film on the Southern facing windows as opposed to what was used on the Northern windows. It was not hard to install, it helped with the heat, and the house did not look odd from the outside. However, I can't comment on window warranty with respect to today's windows. I am sure 3M has changed since then and other products may or may not be better. Fortunately, we have since replaced all of our windows with more energy efficient ones. I have provided a link to the 3M site for your information. I did notice on the left side of their web page under Customer Support, there is information for a 2009 window film tax credit for their qualifying window film.

Here is a link that might be useful: 3M Sun Control Film

Above are good points regarding films, but if you can not afford much but want to solve the heat problem, may I suggest Emergency Blankets. The cost almost nothing, are good size, almost weightless, simple to cover the window or door and toss when you no longer need. I first started using them in our motorhome. When removed, it's like opening the oven door, it really does hold alot of the heat from the room. I have misted windows and simply smoothed onto the glass. Never without them in my car, close window on them at the top to drape, easy and make the car so much more comfortable. Yes, this is a cheap sollution, but it works for us.