Window Film - Oddity!

Eldi_Dos

ChilliBob said:

Eldi_Dos said:

I would have thought the default for putting foil on windows would be you can see out but those outside cannot see in.

Was foil placed on exterior or interior glass of the DG units.

Interior, which I believe is always the default - whether you have all kinds of different films, but I could be wrong!

Having read up on it,seems what you have got is the norm. (for solar)
I fitted reflective foil on the inside of van rear door windows a couple of times and even with the interior of van lit no body could see in as far as I can remember.

ChilliBob

Eldi_Dos said:

ChilliBob said:

Eldi_Dos said:

I would have thought the default for putting foil on windows would be you can see out but those outside cannot see in.

Was foil placed on exterior or interior glass of the DG units.

Interior, which I believe is always the default - whether you have all kinds of different films, but I could be wrong!

Having read up on it,seems what you have got is the norm. (for solar)
I fitted reflective foil on the inside of van rear door windows a couple of times and even with the interior of van lit no body could see in as far as I can remember.

Cheers, yeah I had a read up too but couldn't see much to be honest!

Yeah, this isn't supposed to be privacy film, so I guess it's basically an exaggeration of the effect of glass at night in lit VS unlit environments. 

Perhaps I need to light up the garden and turn the kitchen lights off lol 

sheramber

this one is put on the extenal side of the window and says it maintains a viwe throught he window,

Do oyu know what the one that was fitted is?

https://www.arcwindowfilms.com/window-film-range/solar-window-film?gclid=Cj0KCQiAwbitBhDIARIsABfFYIIElKXJZrBwmM1DxDe2_GvHztQ7WR2VMJUsjs7tYRA3akaDcZLa9AoaAlwZEALw_wcB

ChilliBob

sheramber said:

this one is put on the extenal side of the window and says it maintains a viwe throught he window,

Do oyu know what the one that was fitted is?

https://www.arcwindowfilms.com/window-film-range/solar-window-film?gclid=Cj0KCQiAwbitBhDIARIsABfFYIIElKXJZrBwmM1DxDe2_GvHztQ7WR2VMJUsjs7tYRA3akaDcZLa9AoaAlwZEALw_wcB

Not quite, basically I think a these companies take a film and 'white label' it so to speak and slap their own branding on - if that makes sense

DullGreyGuy

ChilliBob said:

It appears to be 'solar' window film from what I can see!

Im sorry but... from what you can see? 

Then ask your parents what it is supposed to do or which ever adult ordered it? A film that is designed to do A (eg reduce heat ingress) doesn't automatically also do X (eg increase privacy)

ChilliBob

Lol, well my parents wouldn't have a clue that's for sure, since it's not their house! But yeah, great suggestion to ask them, cheers, they know shed loads of useful stuff.

From the description on the invoice I gathered it was a solar film, from the many choices available. Obviously solar type films come under many names and brands, as mentioned above. 

We knew what they film was supposed to, and I'm sure will do, reduce glare, heat and UV. We didn't know the side effect of this would be to turn the windows into mirrors. The effect is really quite strong and a bit odd. 

twopenny

Come to think of it I used to use my patio doors at night as mirrors to practice correct exercise.
So if you put something else on the back of the glass that would accentuate the reflection.

I wonder, fairylights are on sale still. Strings in the garden may draw your attention away from the reflection....or a table lamp, candles inside. Clutter disappears    

Emmia

twopenny said:

Come to think of it I used to use my patio doors at night as mirrors to practice correct exercise.
So if you put something else on the back of the glass that would accentuate the reflection.

I wonder, fairylights are on sale still. Strings in the garden may draw your attention away from the reflection....or a table lamp, candles inside. Clutter disappears    

We have this film on the windows at work, it makes the interior darker in the day and the mirror reflection at night is a bit odd... Personally I wouldn't have it in our home.

Entirely clear film is available (a few windows in the office have it) but this won't give you privacy / heat / UV protection if that's the reason you put it up.

fairy lights in the garden will do diddly squat to reduce the mirror effect - you'd need football pitch type floodlights to illuminate your garden like it's the day, which would probably annoy the hell out of your neighbours.

Could you install curtains or blinds over the worst affected windows to cover the reflections?

ChilliBob

Emmia said:

twopenny said:

Come to think of it I used to use my patio doors at night as mirrors to practice correct exercise.
So if you put something else on the back of the glass that would accentuate the reflection.

I wonder, fairylights are on sale still. Strings in the garden may draw your attention away from the reflection....or a table lamp, candles inside. Clutter disappears    

We have this film on the windows at work, it makes the interior darker in the day and the mirror reflection at night is a bit odd... Personally I wouldn't have it in our home.

Entirely clear film is available (a few windows in the office have it) but this won't give you privacy / heat / UV protection if that's the reason you put it up.

fairy lights in the garden will do diddly squat to reduce the mirror effect - you'd need football pitch type floodlights to illuminate your garden like it's the day, which would probably annoy the hell out of your neighbours.

Could you install curtains or blinds over the worst affected windows to cover the reflections?

tbh I think if we knew the outcome we'd come up with a different idea really. Bit annoying really as it wasn't cheap!

I think we'll live with it for a little while - say a month or so - and see how we go. If we need to then perhaps blinds will be a good option. The whole idea was to be able to see the garden on really sunny days as opposed to block it out - I suspect it'll be good for that!

Right now I've taken all the junk off the fridge lol - was all reflected in the window above the sink, looked a right mess! - Perhaps it'll encourage us to be tidier and more 'minimalistic' - which my wife will love!

Difficult with it being dull, windy and a bit cold, to take ourselves back to the furnace and dazzling we endured in say July/August!