Home window tinting...any ideas?

[Alaskan Rover]

I've got some large windows that look out over some pretty spectacular vistas (double pane...about three inch space between panes) however, that exposure gets direct sun for much of the day. I don't like dealing with blinds and curtains and shutters...as they are just a pain. I'm not trying to block out the sun for sleeping...that's dealt with. This is for the living room, great room area. What I want to block out is glare, but don't want to go with a dark tint. As I really appreciate the views the rest of year when I need all the light that can be had.

So...3M has this new, high tech window film called Prestige Clear Window film. It blocks 97% of UVA and B, and something like 95% of infrared. And cuts out (supposedly) shit-tons of glare.

Anybody out there have any experience with this product?

Note: I've always liked the look from the outside, of bronze-tinted front windows...but it seems they darken things up inside fairly considerably. This new 3M film is nearly clear and indistinguishable from regular Windows.

Any contractor types have beta on this stuff? Solar degradation after a couple years??? As good as 3M makes it out???
I like the fact that it doesn't limit the little bit of skant light in the winter like regular tint does.

[iceman]

3M makes good products no doubt but take a look at Huper Optik, the "nanoceramic" shit is nuts, I have it in my car, it's pretty amazing stuff. https://www.huperoptikusa.com/products/

It was more expensive than 3M at the time but not outrageously so. But it's not very much material to do a car.

[Alaskan Rover]

Thanks, Ice...their Klar85 nano-ceramic looks like their version of 3M's Clear Prestige....allows 85% of visible light transfer (VLT). That's pretty good!

[::: :::]

could also consider canopy?
prolly depends on which location in the world & orientation/exposure

[Alaskan Rover]

Sunbrella shade canopies work if small, protected windows...but not best on large front windows in high-wind areas. They look nice on old shingle summer lake "cottages" though.

[::: :::]

Not just fabric, could be permanent brise soleil...or porch type roof sort of thing

[Alaskan Rover]

Ahhh.....this kind of thing ........interesting!!!!

[grskier]

That's dope...
Been trying to figure out some ideas for our house

[grskier]

Have access to a bunch of old chairs... and one sitting in the back yard waiting to get mounted next month.

I don't want to block the view that much... tonight's sunset

[iceman]

That view's okay I guess.

[stompinlines]

Jesus balls.

[wyeaster]

i don't know, man. power lines?

[Bromontana]

That part of Colorado is special, love the area through Redstone up to the pass as well.

[Alaskan Rover]

Alpenglow upon the mountain is always a wonderous, evocative thing....wherever that mountain may be.

[alive]

Hey Alaska, Other than skiing, window film is my life. Been installing it for 19 years now and have had my own company for 15. I would never recommend 3M. It works, and if that is all that is available, it will do a great job. You just end up paying a whole lot extra for the name. The Spectraly selective films (prestige and some Huper films and other great brands SutTek, Hanita) are great for letting light in while still stopping a good amount of heat, but it sounds like you would be better off looking at the Duel Reflective type films that still have a bit of subtle reflection from the outside, but the inside is coated with a neutral, natural looking coating that cuts glare and still looks really natural. With those films, you can get close to 70% heat rejection as well. I'd look at SunTek Symphony 25, or Hanita Optivision 30. It really depends on what type of dealers you have in the area. If you have any questions, let me know...

[mcsquared]

Hey Alaska, Other than skiing, window film is my life. Been installing it for 19 years now and have had my own company for 15. I would never recommend 3M. It works, and if that is all that is available, it will do a great job. You just end up paying a whole lot extra for the name. The Spectraly selective films (prestige and some Huper films and other great brands SutTek, Hanita) are great for letting light in while still stopping a good amount of heat, but it sounds like you would be better off looking at the Duel Reflective type films that still have a bit of subtle reflection from the outside, but the inside is coated with a neutral, natural looking coating that cuts glare and still looks really natural. With those films, you can get close to 70% heat rejection as well. I'd look at SunTek Symphony 25, or Hanita Optivision 30. It really depends on what type of dealers you have in the area. If you have any questions, let me know...

Is this something you can buy and DIY? I hate hiring people. For anything. I would rather totally fuck something up than hire somebody. It is kind of a problem. But not one I am going to stop now.

[el hefe]

Hey Alaska, Other than skiing, window film is my life. Been installing it for 19 years now and have had my own company for 15. I would never recommend 3M. It works, and if that is all that is available, it will do a great job. You just end up paying a whole lot extra for the name. The Spectraly selective films (prestige and some Huper films and other great brands SutTek, Hanita) are great for letting light in while still stopping a good amount of heat, but it sounds like you would be better off looking at the Duel Reflective type films that still have a bit of subtle reflection from the outside, but the inside is coated with a neutral, natural looking coating that cuts glare and still looks really natural. With those films, you can get close to 70% heat rejection as well. I'd look at SunTek Symphony 25, or Hanita Optivision 30. It really depends on what type of dealers you have in the area. If you have any questions, let me know...

Hey man, building a place in Vernon that just gets hammered by afternoon sun. Are you still in the business?

[Alaskan Rover]

Hey Alaska, Other than skiing, window film is my life. Been installing it for 19 years now and have had my own company for 15. I would never recommend 3M. It works, and if that is all that is available, it will do a great job. You just end up paying a whole lot extra for the name. The Spectraly selective films (prestige and some Huper films and other great brands SutTek, Hanita) are great for letting light in while still stopping a good amount of heat, but it sounds like you would be better off looking at the Duel Reflective type films that still have a bit of subtle reflection from the outside, but the inside is coated with a neutral, natural looking coating that cuts glare and still looks really natural. With those films, you can get close to 70% heat rejection as well. I'd look at SunTek Symphony 25, or Hanita Optivision 30. It really depends on what type of dealers you have in the area. If you have any questions, let me know...

Thanks for the info, Alive. I'll check those out!

I would sure like to find a pull down version of the above film! Why in hell can't they make something like that? The rolling up and down action too hard on the film, I guess?

[sb]

Would an awing work?

I have the cheap kind that fold up for winter or high winds, probably not what you are looking for.

[::: :::]

Thanks for the info, Alive. I'll check those out!

I would sure like to find a pull down version of the above film! Why in hell can't they make something like that? The rolling up and down action too hard on the film, I guess?

i believe they exist

http://mylarshades.com/mylar-roller-shades-custom-made/

[alive]

Hey MCsquared... Yea, Home Depot will usually have some available. The quality is not great and really limited sizing means you pay for a lot of wasted film. It really is finicky material to work with, but if you don't care what the end result looks like, it will stop heat. Love that home depot sells the stuff... I've done two DIY, remove and replace jobs this week But if any mags need film, happy to send out some good stuff for a decent price...

Alaska, The roller shades would be a good idea, but have a few drawbacks. Because it isn't laminated to a flat surface, there is a lot of visual distortion, wavy-ness. The heat rejection isn't the best either due to the fact the heat is already in the room when it makes contact with the film. Its been a long time since I've seen it, but the old stuff did not last long due to it being fragile. Hopefully soon we will see electronically switchable or Photo-chromatic films that are optically clear and cheap!

Hefe, pm sent! Would be happy to drop by and take a look...