Looking Into Window Film? Check Out This Guide

When you live in the desert, the sun beats into your home causing frustrating glares year-round. You can solve that problem with the help of window film.
This simple solution is also great for reducing energy costs and simply making your home look better from the outside.
So, here is a guide from your Las Vegas window cleaning crew that will help you choose the right window film and successfully install it yourself.

Choose the Best Film

You want to choose a window film that meets the needs of your family and your home. Once you analyze those needs, there are a number of window films you can choose from.

Insulating films are a type of film you can choose to help maintain a comfortable temperature in your home no matter the time of year. This type of film reflects the sun’s heat in the summer and keeps in the warmth in the winter. That means you end up saving a healthy amount of money on your energy bills. It is also helpful in keeping the upholstery, flooring and window treatments in your home from fading.

Glare-reducing films are also known as static-cling films because you can easily remove and reuse them. This type of film reduces glare, blocks 99 percent of UV rays and prevents the washout of your TVs and computer screens. If you choose this type of film, you want to be sure to install it to the inside of single-pane windows and the outside of dual-pane windows.

Privacy films block 99 percent of UV rays and also create privacy because they are frosted on the outside. This allows light to shine through while disallowing people to see through the windows all day. You also have the option to choose mirrored privacy films. These, however, only provide privacy during the day.

Know The Lingo

Once you decide that you are ready to make the purchase, you want to make sure that you understand the lingo that the salesmen will use to convince you to make a particular purchase. Some of those terms are as follows:

• Total Solar Energy Rejection – This measures the film’s ability to block various types of sun rays. The higher the number, the better.
• Light Transmission – This determines how light or dark the film is. The lower the number, the darker the film.
• Visible Light Reflectance – Declares the percentage of light that the film can reflect. The higher the number, the more shiny the film looks.
• UV Rejection – This important number measures how much ultraviolet rays are blocked by the film. Aim high for the best protection of your family and home.

How To Install

Before you make the purchase of a particular window film, measure your windows so that you know which kit to buy. As a general rule, add 15 percent to that measurement to ensure you have enough film to account for waste and scraps.

Pro Tip: Apply the film early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day. Too much heat on the windows can interfere with the end result of your DIY install.

What you’ll need:

• window film
• cleaning solution
• transparent tape
• squeegee
• utility knife

Step 1: Clean your windows with a homemade solution of one gallon of water and one teaspoon of baby shampoo. This is to make sure your windows have the right pH for the best results.

Step 2: Cut a piece of film that is one inch wider and longer than the window you are covering.

Step 3: Generously spray the window with your cleaning solution. To avoid fingerprints, keep your hands moist with the same solution.

Step 4: Remove the backing from the film with two pieces of transparent tape. Once you have exposed about an inch of the adhesive backing, spray it with your solution. You may want to ask for help with larger windows to avoid messing up the film.

Step 5: Start at the top and place the adhesive side of the film of the glass so that it is centered. Carefully and slowly work your way down the length of the glass. Spray the film again and use a squeegee to get rid of any bubbles in the outer two inches of the window.

Step 6: Carefully trim the film to the size of the window using a utility knife. Just be sure to leave a border about 1/16 of an inch between the edge of the film and the edge of the window sill. This is important for step seven.

Step 7: Spray the surface of the film one more time with your solution and use a squeegee to get rid of any bubbles. The bubbles will be able to escape through the border created in step six.

Step 8: Let the film dry. After about 30 minutes, you should notice the film starting to stick. After about a week, the film should be fully cured.

Once your window film is installed, you want to prolong the life of them for as long as possible. You can do this with the help of an experienced window cleaning Las Vegas company. For the best results, contact the experts at J & J Window Wash for help and advice on the best ways to protect your new investment. For more information about this Las Vegas cleaning company, contact 702.274.8128.

October 27, 2014