Window coverings - net curtains / shutters / ?

Cactus_Flowers

I have just completed on a house, and am trying to decide on what to use to cover the windows at the front of the house. It's a mid-terrace house with the living room at the front, and it's right on the pavement with no front garden. I'm not a big fan of net curtains, but it would be an easy option as it's what the previous owners had so the hooks to hold the curtain wire is still there.

I've heard about but never used window film, does anyone have any experiences of it? Is it easy to put on? Does removing it leave marks which don't come off? In an ideal world I think I would have shutters, but it's large window in a small room so I think it would be overwhelming (also expensive!). Are there other options I'm not thinking of?

theoretica

I have plain voile net, but just in the lower half of the windows.

I am a big fan of pinching other people's ideas - what does anyone else on the street have? 

Cactus_Flowers

theoretica said:

I have plain voile net, but just in the lower half of the windows.

I am a big fan of pinching other people's ideas - what does anyone else on the street have? 

That's a good idea - the ones I've seen are net curtains, but I've mostly stayed down the side of the street I'm on. I can walk further down and (discreetly!) check out any other ideas

PollyWollyDoodle

Nets are the cheapest solution but I have a real dislike of them. 

I bought cheapish Venetian blinds, if you open them and then run your hand down from halfway you can have them open at the top and closed at the bottom, it makes the room a bit darker than net curtains would but I preferred it. 

Chickereeeee

Window film works well, in my experience. Applied with water. No bubbles, a variety of styles, cheap, and easily removed with no damage.
Worth a go.

theonlywayisup

Windowfilm from The Window Film Company and absolutely never Active Window Film (a shocking company with terrible customer service which I absolutely was so mistreated by that I go out of my way to NOT recommend). 

Very easy to apply, using a spray with water and Fairy liquid, then slide it on (there is a very good You Tube video on the WFC website).  Then cut to size.

https://www.windowfilm.co.uk/got-a-question/what-is-one-way-mirror-window-film

Window film (mirror)  for one way privacy only works in the day (or in simple terms, the side that is brightest has the mirror on) - if you put a light on then you reverse the effect and you will be visible to all. 

It means you can still see what is going on and have privacy during the day.   WFC send the rubber applicator to smooth the film on but a cheap sprayer is all you would need otherwise. 

silvercar

I put up nets when we first moved in, with the intention of changing them when we decided what we wanted. 16 years later they are still there!

Wes121708

We've not long moved in and put up some privacy film for now in our bedroom just on the bottom half just while we decide and save on what we want. I got some from b and q for £8 and gives us complete privacy but we can see out of the top.

frankersBri

I've got Purlfrost window film downstairs, coving the lower half of the window for privacy but it still let's most light in. I have a roller blind to lower as and when I want it. I ordered the film pre-cut to my window size which I think helped make installation so easy as I didn't have to take scissors or a knife to it!

Sorry, no experience of removing but their website shows videos that look reasonably straightforward.

MaryNB

My house is right on the footpath and came with ugly brown venetian blinds.
I got a voile panels and love them. 

sevenhills

PollyWollyDoodle said:

I bought cheapish Venetian blinds, if you open them and then run your hand down from halfway you can have them open at the top and closed at the bottom, it makes the room a bit darker than net curtains would but I preferred it. 

I often think roller blinds should be made to roll up from the bottom and not from the top. Then people could roll the blind halfway up and leave the top half clear to allow in light.