Window privacy film/tint

We bought some from Amazon and put it on. Firstly, it looked terrible. Secondly, it blocked out loads of light. In hindsight, I wish I'd just paid someone to install it. I would imagine that they have lots of options with regards to how much light you want to block out.
 
Fitted some very similar UV blocking film from Amazon to some south-facing windows that get 10 hours of direct sunlight daily in the summer.

Ours looked fine when fitted, but we really took our time and the windows they went on had long, but thin glass panels which made fitting without a thousand trapped air bubbles less of chore.

They did exactly what the blurb claimed - couldn’t feel the sun’s heat anymore on the indoor side of the windows and dropped the room temperature by 4-5°C during the day. From outside, you basically can’t see anything through them unless it’s dark outside and you have interior lighting on. Even then, it’s tricky to pick out any detail unless something’s very close to the window.

The downside was precisely as advertised : only 30-40% of visible light gets through the film, making the room very dark indeed. Wasn’t a big problem for us as most of the windows are in bedrooms, but you do need the kitchen lights on during daytime for food preparation as the worktop is now in permanent shadow.
 
I have two windows with privacy film on the lower pane so light blocking hasn't been an issue. If I want to block more light I lower the black out blinds down to cover the top half.
 
Privacy has a major setback. at night when there is no light you cant see out but people can see in and see everything!

The better alternative is ContraVision its the stuff they use on the bus advertisements so you can still see out but still let light in.
 
The trick with window tint is plenty of water - spray glass and tint and use a plastic square spatula - take it easy and all the bubbles will just be run to the edge.
Also make sure the windows are clean and put a few drops of washing up liquid in spray water.
 
pigeonguyuk said:
Privacy has a major setback. at night when there is no light you cant see out but people can see in and see everything!

The better alternative is ContraVision its the stuff they use on the bus advertisements so you can still see out but still let light in.
Click to expand...
Yes that is the problem. The moment you light the room the film is useless.
Never heard of Contavision before looks good.
 
I'll probably get a pro in to do it, it's not expensive and will look loads better.

I didn't realise it stopped working with the lights on though, might have to rethink this....
 
Anyone recommend some?

I've been thinking about doing this for years I'm tempted to DIY it, and if it looks **** I can always pay a professional later.
 
I put this on my bedroom window. I do tend to prefer having the light on as well, unless its a very sunny day. I did it mainly for heat reduction in the summer as I had a lot of PC's in here, which have since moved to the front room, but I haven't done those windows as I want that room lighter/for sitting in the sun.
It is from amazon, rabbitgoo brand, silver colour choice. states it blocks 85% infrared and 90% UV. I stuck a little left over piece on the front glass of my pc, intending to do both windows if I liked it but i don't have quite enough left for the other window. Now they've gone and brought a chrome plated glass version that looks the same lol. Here are some examples of it with differing amounts of light behind it. It is not a full mirror with no light though, I can see inside a little bit with no light on inside, unlike in the picture.
Also, could just look at a sky scraper, or tall glass hotel etc, then you can see what it is like from both sides, but it is very similar to the description/pictures on the rainforest too.
pcc-mirror.jpg
 
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