Privacy film on windows?

[ali_kat]

We need to add some privacy to the front bay windows without having the curtains drawn 24/7

We don't want net curtains as we have cats, one of whom is blind & has had experience of being tangled in a net

I don't like the 'pretty' etched designs.

What I'd like is one way film, but I can't find one that doesn't look mirrored, does anyone have any suggestions please?

[PositronicRay]

These are brilliant.

Let loads of light in and stops prying eyes, you don't even notice if the tellys on from the street.

https://www.johnlewis.com/design-project-by-john-l...

[ali_kat]

Thanks, but they wouldn't fit a bay window

[SteellFJ]

Amazon does these films but you'll be hard pushed to find a one-way non-mirrored film to be honest. Frosted etc all available but one way is a chore and any other colours will show through when you have more light in than out side.

[sparkythecat]

Your local car window tinting emporium should be able to help. Ours does window film applications for houses too.

[ali_kat]

SteellFJ said:

Amazon does these films but you'll be hard pushed to find a one-way non-mirrored film to be honest. Frosted etc all available but one way is a chore and any other colours will show through when you have more light in than out side.

Yes, that's what I've found so far

I was hoping the mighty PH would know better

[ali_kat]

sparkythecat said:

Your local car window tinting emporium should be able to help. Ours does window film applications for houses too.

Ooohhhh

There's an idea!! Thank you

[SteellFJ]

ali_kat said:

sparkythecat said:

Your local car window tinting emporium should be able to help. Ours does window film applications for houses too.

Ooohhhh

There's an idea!! Thank you

Be careful with this route, in fact any route, to buy only quality film as they can discolour and fade over time, see Japanese imports with Yellow/Brown tints. also some of the cheaper stuffs likely to come away in mm thick strips if you even want to replace/remove it.

I used to fit Llumar film to car windows and highly recommend the structural stuff from them, we done a couple offices and swimming pools in that stuff that's still going strong some 12 years later.

[langtounlad]

Reflective film on the inside of double glazed units facing south stand a good chance of causing the unit to fail or the glass to crack due to the reflected heat. The risk also increases if the window is in partial shade due to the differing expansion rates.
Irrespective of the supplier, reflective (one-way vision) film flips the effect in the evening when it gets dark and there is a light on in the room. The occupant then can't see out but the burglar has an excellent view into the room.

[NoIP]

langtounlad said:

Reflective film on the inside of double glazed units facing south stand a good chance of causing the unit to fail or the glass to crack due to the reflected heat. The risk also increases if the window is in partial shade due to the differing expansion rates.
Irrespective of the supplier, reflective (one-way vision) film flips the effect in the evening when it gets dark and there is a light on in the room. The occupant then can't see out but the burglar has an excellent view into the room.

You mean like what currently happens with the traditional windows at night time then?

Anyway, at night you would have the blinds or curtains closed so it's moot point.

[PositronicRay]

ali_kat said:

Thanks, but they wouldn't fit a bay window

3 would (unless you've one of these art deco curved bays.

[Murph7355]

ali_kat said:

sparkythecat said:

Your local car window tinting emporium should be able to help. Ours does window film applications for houses too.

Ooohhhh

There's an idea!! Thank you

I suspect anything that does what you want will look horrid from the outside and likely to get people knocking on the door asking if you're a porn shop

Have you considered shutters? A lot more expensive, but look great and cover your objectives.

[langtounlad]

You mean like what currently happens with the traditional windows at night time then?

No, the reflective properties reverse. You cannot see out and it's like looking at a mirror.
Also, I agree with the Porn Shop comment, not a good look for a domestic property.

[Murph7355]

NoIP said:

...
You mean like what currently happens with the traditional windows at night time then?
...

I would imagine the temp gradients may be quite a bit more substantial. Whether it's enough to crack glass, who knows. But reflective glass has caused issues in buildings before (walkie talkie building?).

[NoIP]

langtounlad said:

You mean like what currently happens with the traditional windows at night time then?

No, the reflective properties reverse. You cannot see out and it's like looking at a mirror.

So.. like normal windows at night then? Normal windows also become reflective if you have bright light on one side and darkness on the other. You can't see what's outside.

Again, it's moot because every normal person would close the curtains/blinds at night anyway, unless they're living somewhere where random people can't see in.

[ali_kat]

And that's exactly why I don't want reflective



The 'ceiling' is very old plaster & lathe so, until we have that replaced, can't take the weight; we were lucky to get curtains up & as a result we can't easily fit blinds or shutters

Thanks everyone, back to the thinking cap

[PositronicRay]

The JL roller blinds are feather light, I've fitted mine to the window frame.

[dugt]

I've just changed my double glazed units for ones with blinds in, never going to get dusty or tangled in anything
Not exactly a budget option though


I don't know how to turn the pictures round

[Steve Campbell]

The privacy films rely on reflection to work, unless you are going completely opaque or tinted.

[Shuvi McTupya]

Have you looked at 'perfect fit' blinds? They attach to the frames and look like part of tbe window. You would need to fit 6 of them as looks like you dont need to cover the top windows.

They come as either venetians or rollers.