Privacy tints

[Scuzi]

I have just moved house and as the first house in the cul-de-sac, a lot of people walk past on their way in and out. Mostly they shamelessly stare into the house and make eye contact which is strange because in person some of them often do their best to avoid eye contact. Anyway, I digress.

Friends of ours have privacy tints on their windows. They were installed when they moved in. From inside they provide a very light tint but from the outside it creates enough of a reflection to make it very difficult to see in. I like this idea because I don’t want to be prosecuted for exhibitionism for scratching myself on the couch.

I have seen various DIY options available but I still have the scars from
DIY car tints I bought for my Mk4 Escort 17 years ago. There were enough air bubbles in those to make it look like the car had leprosy.

Are the current batch of DIY home window privacy films easier to install or is it better off getting a professional in to do it? What is a reasonable price?

 

[b00merang69]

Pretty easy to do as I did same with this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GC9FO04/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The YT video made is easier.

The only time anyone can see in is at night if room is well lit and by that time I have blinds closed, during the day as it is brighter outside they cannot see in.

Do not black out tint a Sealed Unit as it could crack in summer (ok on single pane windows).

 

[Steampunk]

Are the current batch of DIY home window privacy films easier to install or is it better off getting a professional in to do it? What is a reasonable price?

It's pretty easy if you can manage a straight edge and a sharp blade. I'd recommend getting an applicator which is just basically a plastic edge with some felt on it used to push the bubbles out as it makes life a lot easier. You just cut a little oversize, spray the window with water, then place the tint and cut the edges with a scalpel and a straight edge. Then push the water out, and let it dry. You can buy a roll for less than a tenner and see how you get on. If you don't fancy cutting, then most online companies do cut to size options, but then you have to measure very accurately.

B&Q do a load of different patterns and opacity options, and there's a lot more choices out there on the internet from the likes of Brume or the Window Film Company.

There are spray-on products that are just a frosting without patterns, but people complain these are harder to apply properly and get good results.

 

[Participant]

Are there any other options, like rapidly-growing hedges (e.g. laurel)?

 

[Dis86]

Blinds?

 

[Quartz]

Are there any other options, like rapidly-growing hedges (e.g. laurel)?

For an immediate solution consider net curtains. And an auto-targeting and tracking security camera.

 

[Psycho Sonny]

We have 3 different "curtains" in our living room.

A thin mesh white one which you can sort of see through, a thin mesh purple one similar to the white but purple. Then a thick custom made curtain. We never use the third one. I use the other two and the wife only uses the white one to let more light through.

It looks much better than using film and IKEA sell a triple curtain hanger for this purpose.

 

[Steampunk]

The thing about film is it's retrofitting frosted/patterned glass without actually changing the glass. It's got quite a clean and minimalist look compared to curtains, and it lets more light in. It can look very good if you've got nice straight windows.

 

[Psycho Sonny]

The thing about film is it's retrofitting frosted/patterned glass without actually changing the glass. It's got quite a clean and minimalist look compared to curtains, and it lets more light in. It can look very good if you've got nice straight windows.

How does it let more light in than curtains which can be moved aside to let all available light in?

 

[Steampunk]

How does it let more light in than curtains which can be moved aside to let all available light in?

It lets more light in than curtains drawn across. Obviously, there's no point in having curtains for privacy if you pull them back and don't have them over the windows.

 

[SizEzE]

I have just moved house and as the first house in the cul-de-sac, a lot of people walk past on their way in and out. Mostly they shamelessly stare into the house and make eye contact which is strange because in person some of them often do their best to avoid eye contact. Anyway, I digress.

Friends of ours have privacy tints on their windows. They were installed when they moved in. From inside they provide a very light tint but from the outside it creates enough of a reflection to make it very difficult to see in. I like this idea because I don’t want to be prosecuted for exhibitionism for scratching myself on the couch.

I have seen various DIY options available but I still have the scars from
DIY car tints I bought for my Mk4 Escort 17 years ago. There were enough air bubbles in those to make it look like the car had leprosy.

Are the current batch of DIY home window privacy films easier to install or is it better off getting a professional in to do it? What is a reasonable price?

Not sure if your still in the Romsey area. I had this company quote recently, I did not haggle, barter or otherwise. Actually installed blinds in the end!

MVM Window Films

To supply and install LLumar N1040 (or similar) solar control and fade reduction film to:
ground floor ( lounge, dining room patio doors and Kitchen) first floor windows four first floor bedrooms (not bathroom)

£718.00 fitted

 

[Scuzi]

Very helpful folks, thank you. Hedges and blinds have been considered but we have decided against them as long as the film can meet our expectations on the balance of light transmission into the house and privacy.

Having given it some consideration I’m leaning towards getting a company in to do it. I probably could do it myself but I have visions of film being stuck to every inch of my exposed skin whilst i turn the air blue. I’ll give that company a call SizEzE, thanks.

I’ll report back if we proceed.