has anyone installed window film? (3m or otherwise)

[JohnN]

I understand it can give the window
1) privacy (tinted or clear)
2) energy efficiency
3) shatterproof (not damage proof, but at least glass shards won't be flying)

if you did
- are you happy
- price (approx?)??
- contractor?

thanks

[zcaveman]

I installed the window film several years ago. I am extremely happy with it. It reduces the glare and makes the heat from the windows less than it was without it. I am not an engineer and do not have calibrated equipment. It is just a feel for the before and after.

Mine was installed by IES (International Energy Savers). I installed it for the energy savings and not the shatterproof aspect but that is a side benefit.

My cost was $380. I have an Amarillo - 6 regular windows, one kitchen window, one storm door and 2 sliders.

I got the darker tint. It has a mirror look on the outside looking in. At night, if you have the lights on, people can see you.

If there is any problem it is that when the clouds come in, it looks nastier outside than it really is.

[JohnN]

zcaveman, very informative, thanks bud

[Sidney Lanier]

Can this type of film be homeowner-installed? How complicated is it? And if it is relatively simple, does anyone know where to purchase it? Is it the kind of thing Home Depot or Lowe's sells, or does one have to go to a specialty place? Appreciate whatever info is available--thanks!

[marianne237]

We also had the film installed by IES; their phone is: 352-245-0833 (www.ieswindowfilms.com) about 2 years ago. Friends had recommended we have it done to save our carpeting and furniture from fading, and also the cooling factor.

It really made a difference in cooling the rooms (check your thermostat before and then after a day or two) and reducing glare. The cost was $1000+, but we were able to apply it to our taxes for energy savings.

I'm not sure this is something that can be applied by a local handy man. IES was suggested by a neighbor. They came prepared with experienced people and were done with all the windows and doors in reasonable time. The only problem has been where my jack russell has scratched off the film on one sliding door when she tries to intimidate other dogs walking by. That panel will be repaired somewhere in the future.

Tinting the windows and doors does make a difference.

[punkpup]

I believe you can purchase tinted window film at both Home Depot and Lowe's but I'm not sure how easy it is to apply or how good the end product looks. If I remember correctly it can be found in the same department as blinds and wallpaper sometimes referred to as "Decor".

Good luck.

[mikey]

Does the tinting cut down on the brightness of the room? My wife is a fanatic about having as much sunlight as possible.

[JohnN]

here's a link to the 3m specs http://www.3m.com/us/arch_construct/scpd/prestige/products.html

I've installed it myself here and it's been on 8 years and did a nice job.
The sun is pretty bright and I prefer the tint and you actually get quite a bit of visible light, but like noted above, it is darker particularly during cloudy weather.

All that said, I'm opting for a very nice professional installation this next time around.
It's only about $100 more and I'm not all that good. LOLOL

It's the security aspect and energy savings I want.

regarding fanatic wives, I've got my own LOL

[NJblue]

I was wondering if there were any updates on this thread. We just had a presentation by Underglass who deals with 3M products. Naturally they claim 3M products are the best, with the best patents etc., but their prices seemed higher than what we expected. Perhaps our expectations were out of whack.

They did claim that with their product it would avoid the "gloomy outdoor" look. Again - not sure if this is hype or reality. They also said that their product would provide privacy without giving the "mirror" look from the outside.

[Ooper]

I installed window tinting in my Florida Room. I did it myself. It was very easy. You buy the rolls from a hardware store and each roll usually comes with it's own squeegy to install it. All you do is spray the window with a soapy water or buy a premixed liquid if you want... squeegy the bubbles out of it, trim the edges with a straight edge and sharp razor and let it dry. What remaining bubbles will usually disappear in a day or two. In the meantime, that room is the furthest from the air handler and it is the coolest, even though it has the most glass. The tinting also keeps your furniture from fading from the UV light as well as provide privacy. Love it.

[texasfal]

we had the entire house done including the eyebrow window in our living room by Underglass. 3M is the best (my husband sold it in Texas). It cut down the cost of our electric bill by almost 25% and now we can sit in the living eroom in the morning without putting towels on the windows. It's great.

[bestmickey]

we had the entire house done including the eyebrow window in our living room by Underglass. 3M is the best (my husband sold it in Texas). It cut down the cost of our electric bill by almost 25% and now we can sit in the living eroom in the morning without putting towels on the windows. It's great.

Does the product darken the room? Also, can you still see through the windows from the outside? THANKS!

[texasfal]

We picked the medium tint and no it does not darken the room. And you don't get that mirror on the outside look. In fact, if I didn't tell you about the tint you wouldn't even know it. The light still comes in just not the heat. We had it in Texas and one of the first things we did to the house when we moved here 5 years ago was get the film installed.

[Ooper]

Typically, during the day, it is hard to impossible to see thru the window from the outside depending on the degree of darkness of the tint. However, at night, it is just the opposite. It is hard to look out thru the tint but easy to see in from the outside. It all depends on which side has the most light.

[meriboo]

We installed this on a couple of sliding doors, ourselves. It has been a god-send. The very bright light is kept out....great for orchids (they use to get burnt prior to the window film, and it certainly keeps the material from fading. It helps to have another person helping. The first door has a few wrinkles in the final installation.....tried to do it myself and not really enough room to do it. The second door looks fabulous....had help and lots of room to bend and move around while putting it on. We bought our kit at Home Depot. I didn't think it was too expensive. When you look from the inside-out it appears as if the window is darkened....from the outside-in it is blocked....you can't see in, until you are very close - appears more like a mirror. It doesn't glare like a mirror, but you can see your reflection.

[GERALDINE]

I know this is an old thread, but I have a few questions:

1.) We were told by an installation company that if we do this, it voids the warranty on the windows. ???
2.) Has anyone installed the heat reflective roller shades? We had someone give us an estimate for our 2 west facing windows but then found them online cheaper. Both the guy who came out and the online info swears they block 95% of the heat and 100% of the UV rays. They will fit between the blinds and the window glass so don't have to remove the blinds. Any input?

[starflyte1]

Geraldine, I hope someone replies to your post. I too, am interested in tinting our windows, but not concerned about the warranty as we have an older home. Pat

[JohnN]

Geraldine,
yes it voids the window warranty, but that's a risk I'd be willing to take.
What's the warranty really going to do - not much. The tints have been used many years effectively.

[starflyte1]

We bought an older home and the front windows face west. We had EIS install the film on the front windows, and I think I would do it even if it did void a warranty. The privacy and comfort we enjoy is worth a lot.