Does solar film for glass work?

SpenderÂ£ · 14 March 2022 at 7:32PM

I have seen cooling self adhesive films for glass or conservatory ceilings which supposedly help to cool on hot days, on amazon the reviews are hit and miss.

Anyone tried this?

Murmansk · 16 March 2022 at 2:22PM

Where I used to work they had a big window, basically a shop window, and behind that was an office. It got very hot when the sun shone so they had a mirrored film fitted to the window. It did reduce the heat a bit I think but hard to quantify exactly how effective it was. One side effect was that because of the mirror finish, people walking down the street would use the window as a mirror to groom and adjust themselves - not realising that there was someone just a few inches away on the other side of the glass!

MakingUpGround · 19 March 2022 at 10:34PM

We have professionally fitted film on all our windows. We had to choice from different levels and there are a few different makers too. I think it does make a difference, our house is south facing on one side so I wanted to try to limit that. We do still have to close the curtains on a very hot day in our son's bedroom.
I also wanted it because as said above, the mirror side of it is very helpful. It really does keep prying eyes out!

deannagone · 20 March 2022 at 8:17AM

I put some heat reflective film on a window that was in full sun all day, making the room unbearable during summer. It immediately lowered the temp in the room, and continued to do so. It did have a mirrored finish when looking from outside the house, so increased privacy as well. I am very impressed. What I ordered was from Amazon, and fairly thick film (I suspect that from some of the reviews thinner film isn't as easy to install). Worked for me. You do have to be confident you can measure and cut accurately though!

It cost about £30 for 90x460cm film (enough for two large windows with three window panes) I think, so worth trying it out. You can buy smaller lengths for a tenner.