Solar reflective films for exterior windows

[MillCreek]

For our new house, a couple of people have recommended that we look into applying solar reflective films to certain windows.  I thought they were crazy bearing in mind that I live in rain country and all, but some of these windows are going to be 12-20 feet up, are not amenable to blinds, and have a western exposure.  We are more worried about heat and UV fading than privacy.

I know nothing about these films.  Any thoughts from the Collective would be appreciated.

[Ben]

The folks have some that was applied to a west-facing 2nd story bedroom window. It gets into the high nineties - low hundreds at the house for 2-3 months out of the year. The film is at least 20 years old, so it could just be crappy tech, but I don't know that it has ever done much. It maybe helps with blocking light for fading issues, but I see nearly zero effect on heat on that window. The insulated curtains they have on it have a MUCH greater effect at keeping heat out.

For your neck of the woods, you might be better served with good mini-blinds. Though again, the new solar stuff may be light years ahead of what is at the folks' house.

[BlueStarLizzard]

the only input I have is if you do it, do it right. I'm guessing it's one of those things that requires a certain amount of finesse to apply.

A couple different offices around my work have that stuff, and the ones that didn't do it right are very obvious.

[MechAg94]

Never heard of the solar films.  I figure a coating or film on the glass is only going to do so much as it is either thin or transparent to some light.  I have heard of screen material that can be used to cover the entire window.  At least that would layer it up better similar to a multi-pane window. 

[vaskidmark]

Solar relective films reflect sunlight.  That gives them some (not much) ability to reduce infrared conduction/convection.

Triple-pane windows will do a much better job of keeping heat on the desired side.

Be aware that when backlit they do a marvelous job of letting the view of the inside be seen from the outside.  Thank goodness it was my nextdoor neighbor's door that brought that to my attention.  But what has been seen cannot be unseen.  Ever!

Remote controlled miniblinds, Roman blinds, roll-down shades all can be installed to block the view and control thermal transfer.

stay safe.

[tokugawa]

 check these folks out- http://www.hanitacoatings.com/films/US/products/solarzone

 I have used a lot of their "safetyzone" window film, it is a impact reinforcement- works well, but cannot comment on the solarzone film.

  despite the name, they are an Israeli company, not Japanese.

[Brad Johnson]

There are some good films on the market. No terribly expensive but still much better than what you can buy at Walmart. Installing film isn't all that hard, mostly soapy water, a steady hand with a razor blade, and some ladder time.

Brad

[Hawkmoon]

I know nothing about these films.  Any thoughts from the Collective would be appreciated.

They work -- for both heat gain and UV fading.

[Hawkmoon]

Solar relective films reflect sunlight.  That gives them some (not much) ability to reduce infrared conduction/convection.

Triple-pane windows will do a much better job of keeping heat on the desired side.

Actually, unless the triple pane windows have at least one pane that has a reflective coating, triple pane glass does exactly NOTHING to prevent either solar heat gain or UV fading. Triple pane glass is "insulating" glass. At night or out of the sun, it does slow the transmission of heat through the window. In direct sunlight, it is essentially useless.

Solar heat gain is direct radiation. It is neither convection nor conduction.

[Firethorn]

Solar heat gain is direct radiation. It is neither convection nor conduction.

Just what I was going to say. 

Many windows are already protected, there are sensors that can tell you if excessive amounts of UV and IR radiation is getting through your window. 

The worst windows, well, my parent's dogs really enjoyed it because they'd lay right in the sunny area for maximum temperature gain.  With the right film, you'd be a touch warmer(Light is still energy), but not nearly as much.

[MechAg94]

Blinds and curtains are great for blocking light.  I would say they do block some heat, but they do it on the inside which is still an improvement.  A shade on the exterior would be better I would think. 

[Chester32141]

I'd suggest you start here ... http://www.snaptint.com/home-tint.html

I'd get them professionally treated w/ OWS, the only type that can safely be used on double and triple paned windows ... the new stuff works incredibly well but it's worth having a pro do it ...

Outside Weatherable (OWS) ... http://www.snaptint.com/product.php?productid=16225

[RevDisk]

They do work. If humanly possible, get it professionally installed. It's generally not that expensive. I mostly used them for security purposes. The right film make it a bit of a challenge to gain entry even with a baseball bat or crowbar. But yep, they make versions that block UV, act as one way mirrors, etc. All kinds of different films. I prefer tinting, UV block with the film and blinds for blocking sunlight, ensuring privacy.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Films are intended as retrofit solutions for existing windows.  They can make new windows with all of the desirable characteristics built right into the glass itself, no film needed.  

You're having the house built, right?  Skip the film and just use windows with the right glass.

[MillCreek]

^^^ To update, I checked with the window company, and learned that almost all new windows being built these days are 'Low E' which cuts down on UV light entering in the summer and interior heat leaving in the winter.  So the window company (local to me) said that with the windows I am getting, the necessary capability is already built in and reflective films in the wet part of the Pacific NW are not needed.

[geronimotwo]

^^^was going to say that as well. 

[Blakenzy]

Mylar roll + duct tape