Solar film for windows
Discussion
We built a new garden room last year which serves as an office for my wife. The french windows face southwest so get a lot of direct sunlight in the afternoon. She chose the blinds herself and went for perfect-fit metal venetian ones. They block out the vast majority of the light, but they get hot and just radiate the heat back into the room 
We've seen some reflective film you can buy to apply to the windows in order to improve privacy (not a concern due to the blinds) and cut light and heat transmission into the room. Obviously the websites all say their products are the best thing since sliced bread but I wanted to find some real-world experience. Seems you can get interior and exterior types as well, is one better than the other?
We've seen some reflective film you can buy to apply to the windows in order to improve privacy (not a concern due to the blinds) and cut light and heat transmission into the room. Obviously the websites all say their products are the best thing since sliced bread but I wanted to find some real-world experience. Seems you can get interior and exterior types as well, is one better than the other?
Fitted some on my utility when I had to use it as a temp office in covid. Internal reflective stuff. It did help a bit, but realistically if there is a large area of glass in full sun, it's limited.
Are external shutters/shades an option? That would stop the head before it gets inside the place.
Are external shutters/shades an option? That would stop the head before it gets inside the place.
There are window films that will remove most of the infra red and some uv from the light. This takes almost all the heat out of the light entering the room. It doesn't significantly reduce the light as it works on the infra red and uv lengths only. You will still see pools of light on flooring and furniture however there is no heating up . 3m make some really good temp control films.
Farley MK11
Farley MK11
Would this sort of thing work?
Its not too expensive either .
https://www.primrose-awnings.co.uk/-p-10865.html?s...
Its not too expensive either .
https://www.primrose-awnings.co.uk/-p-10865.html?s...
Simpo Two said:
I looked into this last year, and found Solargard (maker) and Solartech (installer). They said that it was best on the outside, and needed sealant around the edges.
Yep we’ve got this (I think) on some roof windows. Definitely makes a difference in keeping sun/heat out in summer and heat in in winter. Fitted on the inside.https://www.solargard.com/uk/ecolux/
I’ve used some of the standard Amazon / ebay internal stuff on my home office and found it really good. Appreciably reduces room temps under direct sun. Not expensive, easy to install and will remove without damage if it’s not for you. As a side effect it’s mirrored (assuming outside is lighter than inside) which is nice from a privacy POV.
TreeHouseTim said:
I’ve used some of the standard Amazon / ebay internal stuff on my home office and found it really good. Appreciably reduces room temps under direct sun. Not expensive, easy to install and will remove without damage if it’s not for you. As a side effect it’s mirrored (assuming outside is lighter than inside) which is nice from a privacy POV.
Link?I want some for my conservatory but when I priced it up with the branded stuff it was nearly a grand so I'd need to be really *really* sure it was worth it. If cheaper would be a lot more open!
craig1912 said:
Simpo Two said:
I looked into this last year, and found Solargard (maker) and Solartech (installer). They said that it was best on the outside, and needed sealant around the edges.
Yep we’ve got this (I think) on some roof windows. Definitely makes a difference in keeping sun/heat out in summer and heat in in winter. Fitted on the inside.https://www.solargard.com/uk/ecolux/
Also thanks for the other suggestions. I know a chap that runs a place that do car window tinting, I'll give him a call.
8bit said:
Thanks both. Without wanting to appear vulgar, was that expensive?
Also thanks for the other suggestions. I know a chap that runs a place that do car window tinting, I'll give him a call.
It's not cheap, it's a premium quality film (uses gold) designed to last and was fitted professionally but it does the job. I'm not sure car window tint would do as good a job as it its designed for privacy more than anything else. The film reflects both UV and heat and has the advantage in winter of keeping some heat in.Also thanks for the other suggestions. I know a chap that runs a place that do car window tinting, I'll give him a call.
There are plenty of films on the market, with a range of tints and shades. All will be able to help in some way and it will be down to personal preference and the look and shade you prefer balancing it up against the performance.
Most films would be applied internally, you get a much better lifespan out of the film if it isn't exposed to the elements, An externally graded film will work slightly better as a percentage of the sun's energy is rejected before coming into the glass unit. The range of external films available is smaller than internal films.
The best-performing films will cut out around 60 - 70% of the total solar energy, these films are likely to be heavily mirrored or tinted to achieve this however. From there it is a sliding scale trading off the shade to the amount cut out. (there are clear heat-reducing films that work well, but cost £££)
I'm sure a Window Film company of a reasonable size will be able to send out samples or advise further.
Most films would be applied internally, you get a much better lifespan out of the film if it isn't exposed to the elements, An externally graded film will work slightly better as a percentage of the sun's energy is rejected before coming into the glass unit. The range of external films available is smaller than internal films.
The best-performing films will cut out around 60 - 70% of the total solar energy, these films are likely to be heavily mirrored or tinted to achieve this however. From there it is a sliding scale trading off the shade to the amount cut out. (there are clear heat-reducing films that work well, but cost £££)
I'm sure a Window Film company of a reasonable size will be able to send out samples or advise further.
shatter said:
There are plenty of films on the market, with a range of tints and shades. All will be able to help in some way and it will be down to personal preference and the look and shade you prefer balancing it up against the performance.
Most films would be applied internally, you get a much better lifespan out of the film if it isn't exposed to the elements, An externally graded film will work slightly better as a percentage of the sun's energy is rejected before coming into the glass unit. The range of external films available is smaller than internal films.
The best-performing films will cut out around 60 - 70% of the total solar energy, these films are likely to be heavily mirrored or tinted to achieve this however. From there it is a sliding scale trading off the shade to the amount cut out. (there are clear heat-reducing films that work well, but cost £££)
I'm sure a Window Film company of a reasonable size will be able to send out samples or advise further.
The one I linked to rejects 54% of solar energy and isn’t heavily mirrored or tinted. It is one of the reasons I chose it as you can’t really see it’s there. But it is quite expensive. Full fact sheet hereMost films would be applied internally, you get a much better lifespan out of the film if it isn't exposed to the elements, An externally graded film will work slightly better as a percentage of the sun's energy is rejected before coming into the glass unit. The range of external films available is smaller than internal films.
The best-performing films will cut out around 60 - 70% of the total solar energy, these films are likely to be heavily mirrored or tinted to achieve this however. From there it is a sliding scale trading off the shade to the amount cut out. (there are clear heat-reducing films that work well, but cost £££)
I'm sure a Window Film company of a reasonable size will be able to send out samples or advise further.
https://www.solargard.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/...
Revisiting this thread! We had the film installed on the office/garden room and found it made a significant difference. Unfortunately not long after that one of the double glazing units failed and had to be replaced. The film company assured is that was nothing to do with the film.
Fast forward to a few months ago and we had the same film installed in all the windows, roof light and sliding doors in our kitchen extension as it can get very hot in there. It makes a big difference, but this time we've now found a crack in one of the panes on the roof light window. Haven't spoken to the film company yet.
Has anyone else had issues with their windows after having film of this sort installed? Obviously it could simply be coincidence but I'm starting to worry.
Fast forward to a few months ago and we had the same film installed in all the windows, roof light and sliding doors in our kitchen extension as it can get very hot in there. It makes a big difference, but this time we've now found a crack in one of the panes on the roof light window. Haven't spoken to the film company yet.
Has anyone else had issues with their windows after having film of this sort installed? Obviously it could simply be coincidence but I'm starting to worry.
Without naming the installer, do you know what brand the film is?
There are considerations regarding glazing and window films, certain types of films can generate thermal loads that are not ideal for some windows/materials (especially when it comes to interior vs exterior fitment).
A quick Google for things like "thermal shock" and "premature seal failure with window films" will give you everything you need.
I don't know about in the UK (haven't tracked down the relevant docs yet), but for example 3M in the US warranty against failures/damage to glazing where their films are professionally installed & you can provide details of the original window purchase/warranty.
Given your experience I'd suggest the onus is on the installer here but check your paperwork to see what it says and what's covered/not covered.
For anybody else looking at an installation, this is something you want to ask about before the install.
There are considerations regarding glazing and window films, certain types of films can generate thermal loads that are not ideal for some windows/materials (especially when it comes to interior vs exterior fitment).
A quick Google for things like "thermal shock" and "premature seal failure with window films" will give you everything you need.
I don't know about in the UK (haven't tracked down the relevant docs yet), but for example 3M in the US warranty against failures/damage to glazing where their films are professionally installed & you can provide details of the original window purchase/warranty.
Given your experience I'd suggest the onus is on the installer here but check your paperwork to see what it says and what's covered/not covered.
For anybody else looking at an installation, this is something you want to ask about before the install.
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