We have two large 3’x5’ sliding glass doors to our backyard/patio. I have been thinking for a long time that it would be good to do SOMETHING to reduce the heat that comes from them but this summer with temps climbing above 90 degrees have finally started acting. I just mailed for 5 samples of static cling window films (5"x7" to see what each of them might look like on the window and am planning to order and install. The price online is much lower than at Home Depot and Lowe’s, plus I was able to get the 5 samples mailed to me for only $2.95/
Does anyone have any experience with using these static cling window films to reduce heat? As I sit here at my computer in the family room, I can feel the heat coming off the window and think that these reusable films will be just right. I especially like that there is no adhesive to mess around with and you apply and then just peel it off & roll it up when you want to store it for awhile.
There are three different tints (medium, dark and reflective), as well as a lot of other options. I got samples of the 3 tints and 2 others that look like stained glass. I have read online reviews & information from a variety of sites. Would love to read about other folks experiences about beating the heat that comes in through the windows.
Can you get the company that installs auto window “tints” to come and install this on your doors? They should carry the really energy-reducing and heat reflecting films. The most effective at reducing heat transfer have something metalic in there, if I remember correctly. They are not just dark tinted films and they are held on with more than just static cling - although they are removable, they are not easily removed.
I would never get permanent window tint (like the auto tint) on my sliding glass doors. In winter we *want *the sun to warm up the house. But HIMom is in Hawaii so doesn’t have to contend with winter.
Double check the measurements for your doors…5’ seems short. Finding decent film shouldn’t be difficult…applying the film without getting a bunch of bubbles might be the tricky part of job, Order film a little big so you don’t end up short. Once you apply it’s supposed to stay on…you don’t just peel it off and apply couple days later again…that’d be a huge pain in the neck.
We rather have the removable stuff, just as a trial to see what we think. The company we found on the internet is pretty inexpensive. It would be under $100 for a roll and the tools to install for the 2 sliding doors and windows that are all 3’x5’. If we really like it, we can consider whether we want a more permanent installation and pay more for a different material that would reflect more heat.
I have looked at the websites that recommend the film that has an adhesive back that you put on which is more akin to the stuff you use for autos. We aren’t ready for that but think this is a good compromise for now. One more advantage of the temporary cling style is that you can easily replace it every 5 years or so, when the UV is less effective (or when something better becomes available), as it does age in the bright southern sun every day. Hopefully it will allow us to avoid needing A/C.
The 5’ height is just for the glass portion–we don’t need or want film on the wood framing around the glass. The door itself is larger, of course.
@JustOneDad, have you tried these? What brand? What tint? I’m very curious about all of this, as it is a new area for us. We do have curtains as well, but I can feel the heat on the window and know it’s coming in from the windows. I want H to put up something in the patio to help keep the sun from beating against the window as well.
Thanks for that thought. I pointed out the shadecloth to H and wanted to buy it from the local hardware store, but he vetoed it. He says he’ll put up a covering in the patio–soon! LOL! Will see how we like the samples when they arrive and also explore the shadecloth sunscreen ideas as well.
Our slider faces due west and lets in the hot, hot summer sun. We put up a retractable awning (a Sunsetter) many years ago - it shades the deck and slider nicely and keeps the inside much cooler than when it’s not “up”. Have you thought about something like that?
You can get the auto stuff applied and it doesn’t have to be very dark to be effective. Really, it is a much better option… it would make sense to get a quote and investigate the reflective properties of the film before installation.
Maybe just go ahead and get the Gila heat control film from your Lowes store. For $38 you can get a roll that’s more than enough for both doors. Get some vertical blinds too maybe for extra sun protection too. Can get both film and blinds probably for under $100 together. If you don’t like the film after installing…just take it off the glass.
H likes the silvered one that is said to block 78% of the heat and 99% of UV rays. It is expensive, as it will run nearly $300 for us to cover our sliding glass doors and windows, but “free delivery” and removable. It is cheaper than an air conditioner and we like that it’s passive. We are looking forward to the reduced heat and light coming through the window, when combined with the white drapes we already have.
We had film installed on our windows at our cottage and my husband picked the darkest to block out the rays since we face south with large decorative windows. Yes it cools down the place but makes it way too dark and gloomy inside. So my advice would be to pick a lighter tint. We are going to take it off the French doors soon to bring in some more light. Hopefully that doesn’t look too strange but if it does we are changing everything to a lighter tint. Live and learn I guess. I wouldn’t want to install that myself as I think it would be hard to keep from getting bubbles and to cut the film if you have any large windows.
And ours is silvered so I’m wondering if it’s the same tint you are looking at. When I walk in from outside it’s like a mirror and I can see myself.
Dang, we went and purchased some stick & peel film today from Lowes and I was just reading the fine print that says do NOT install on glass over 40 years old. Our windows are mostly over 60 years old. We called the company and asked about that and they said that since glass 40+ years ago expanded and contracted at a different rate from more “modern” glass, the film is made for CURRENT rates of glass expansion and contraction and our old glass MIGHT crack if we used this film on it. That would be a very BAD thing, so we are rethinking our options.
Tint we planned to use wasn’t all that dark, but it is reflective. It is supposed to reduce heat by 50%, but I guess we will look to alternatives because the idea of potentially cracking our windows is NOT what we had in mind for a “home improvement.” SO GLAD we read the fine print on the one roll of film we bought tonight. I can just take it back and get a refund and we can figure out other options
Thanks for sharing your experience, @riverpirch. We will keep your experience in mind in figuring out way forward.
We tried a nonadhesive tinted window film (from Lowe’s or HD, I don’t recall which) in a west facing upstairs guest room. It lasted less than a year before it fell off. We’d never had that happen with window film in previous homes. I’ve wondered if maybe the window got too hot.
In my experience (FL and the deep South), even expensive window films such as professionally installed Huper Optik are of limited benefit. I’ve had better results when I could prevent the sun from hitting the window glass. In one house, I had black window screens installed that were marketed as solar shades. In another, I bought Coolaroo roll-up shades and installed them at the outer edge of a shallow back porch. Cleats were used to tie them off, but they did have to be fully raised when we had strong gusty winds. In FL, some people install similar shades directly over their windows. This site has photos of different installations: http://www.blinds.com/control/product/productID,8771
Hmmm, I think installing the blinds further from the windows would reduce the likelihood of thermal fracture of the glass. Since our glass is older than I am, that is another risk we aren’t interested in which increases with window treatments that could lncrease the heat on the windows. Things are more complicated that we realized & I guess we’re just lucky that they have stayed good all this time.