But how do they work? Window insulation film weatherizes your home by blocking cold air from entering and hot air from leaking through the windows in the winter, and vice versa in the summer.
Though window films are thin and practically unnoticeable, the added film layer installed over the original window can help play a key insulating role, thereby helping minimize heat loss during the cooler months. While window films aren't able to prevent total heat loss, they are able to significantly reduce it.
It Keeps the Room Cooler in Summer and Warm in Winter
Reflective window film bounces a portion of the sun's rays back which helps keep the room cooler. This is a great benefit during warm days because it can reduce the need for fans or air conditioning.
Plastic window film covers can reduce drafts and make your home feel warmer during the winter. They are also a relatively inexpensive way to reduce condensation buildup and lower energy bills. Window wraps can also seal air leaks around the window, when those leaks extend over woodwork.
Does Insulation Film Work? Despite the controversy following any DIY homeowner solution, both window companies and repair gurus consider insulation film to be effective. It really works, and it can increase a window's insulation for many months.
Under the right conditions, quality film for windows can last for as long as you own your home. Many homeowners have gotten 20 years or more out of their tinting systems.
An insulating window film applied over a window can help the window retain up to 55 percent more heat in winter, potentially reducing your heating costs up to 30 percent. These films are less effective at reducing summer heat gain, though.
Window film won't block condensation on your windows. Since condensation is caused by air moisture and temperature differences between the glass and your rooms, more effective solutions include decreasing humidity, installing weatherstripping, and others.
The short answer is on the inside. First, the film is laid on the outside of the car's windows and cut out to fit. Those pieces are then placed on a large piece of glass and trimmed before being installed on the inside of the windows.
Why reflective window film won't work at night
Since reflective window film is still translucent, the outdoors must be brighter than the inside of the room that the film is protecting. Daylight is brighter than your interior lights, which is why it works during the day.
3M window tints are considered the top-choice by made car manufacturers and providers. The quality of the product ensures that you will be getting a valuable commodity that can make the difference for your vehicle in the long-term.
Window film can cut utility costs by 30% to 40%, says California-based consultant Donna Wells, and at $6 to $14 per square foot, it's much cheaper than replacing windows. Solar films block 99% of UV light that fades furniture, and with better technologies, now do it without looking reflective or dark.
A: The tape is designed to work in outdoor conditions and if you follow the directions for installation, you should have no problems with the wind. the rain will have no affect.
Window insulation film can mean as much as a 30% to 40% decrease in your utility bills. Window films are one way to make your windows more energy efficient. You might be able to save up to 19kWh per square foot of glass on your energy costs.
3M Sun control window films are very durable and designed to last for many years, just how long will depend on the type of film applied, type of glass, climatic conditions and care. Based on our experience, films will last 10 to 15 years.
There are also window films that have low-e coatings, which can also be effective in reducing winter heat loss and increasing thermal comfort of occupants. They also typically are effective at reducing near IR solar radiation.
Peel the paper from the tape across the very top of the window. Hold up your measured and cut plastic so that it frames the window with the 5″ of excess around each side. Pull the sides taut and press the plastic sheeting onto the taped frame. Press firmly so that there are no gaps where air could escape.
The best way to winterize your windows is to add a sealed layer of plastic or glass over the window. And the cheapest, easiest way to do this is by installing an interior window insulation kit. Duck brand Shrink Film Window Insulation Kit and 3M Window Insulator Kit are two readily available options.
Blown-in attic insulations both work well in both winter and summer months, and multi-layer or reflective attic insulation is an innovative way of keeping heat out of your attic by reflecting back to its source. Installing multi-layer insulation around your attic walls is also going to reduce ice dams.
The price range for just a few windows, an average job for most window film installation companies, is between $380 to $650. For the average size home in the U.S. that chooses to do a complete window film installation on all south and west facing windows can come in at around $1,400 or more.
Mirror film, also known as one-way window film, offers a high degree of reflection to give a mirror-like appearance. This special type of mirrored privacy film blocks sight into a building from the outside while allowing inside occupants to clearly see outdoors.