Tinted glass for residential window

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#2210857 4-Apr-2019 17:37

Why not get a roller blind shade (is a type of fabric which lets though some light, and you can still see out it. You can also now buy them with channels at the sides, to prevent light getting around the sides. You can also get dual blind ones, one for shade and one for blackout.

timmmay

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#2210902 4-Apr-2019 20:13

Jase2985:

you need to look at the difference between what you currently have vs what the tinting will give you. not just what the tinting will give you

Well right now I have cardboard over the windows behind the blinds, so nothing is going to be that good. Dark glass might be good enough. I've ordered it anyway.

mattwnz:

Why not get a roller blind shade (is a type of fabric which lets though some light, and you can still see out it. You can also now buy them with channels at the sides, to prevent light getting around the sides. You can also get dual blind ones, one for shade and one for blackout.

That's probably a good option too. I need to keep the wooden blinds though, as they match the rest of the room, and they're quite deep so I couldn't fit roller and wooden blinds. I'll see how it is with the glass, and if I need to I can re-assess the wooden blinds.

timmmay

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#2240498 18-May-2019 13:15

I got the window with darkened glass, it lets through about 50% of the light. I haven't reinstalled the blinds yet.

Initial impression is it was a waste of money. Sure it cuts 50% of the light out, but 50% of way too much light from the sun is still way too much light. I think you'd have to cut it by 90 - 95% to be useful.

I guess if the blinds aren't good enough I'll either get better blinds or a mirrored coating. The coating costs a a few hundred dollars fitted by a professional. I can't even put a screen protector on a phone so there's no way I could do a big window.

sqishy

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#2240500 18-May-2019 13:17

timmmay:

I got the window with darkened glass, it lets through about 50% of the light. I haven't reinstalled the blinds yet.

Initial impression is it was a waste of money. Sure it cuts 50% of the light out, but 50% of way too much light from the sun is still way too much light. I think you'd have to cut it by 90 - 95% to be useful.

I guess if the blinds aren't good enough I'll either get better blinds or a mirrored coating. The coating costs a a few hundred dollars fitted by a professional. I can't even put a screen protector on a phone so there's no way I could do a big window.

Could have saved....

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/newdecor-window-film-450mmx-2m-sandy-frosted_p00456678

eracode

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#2240503 18-May-2019 13:29

sqishy:
timmmay:

I got the window with darkened glass, it lets through about 50% of the light. I haven't reinstalled the blinds yet.

Initial impression is it was a waste of money. Sure it cuts 50% of the light out, but 50% of way too much light from the sun is still way too much light. I think you'd have to cut it by 90 - 95% to be useful.

I guess if the blinds aren't good enough I'll either get better blinds or a mirrored coating. The coating costs a a few hundred dollars fitted by a professional. I can't even put a screen protector on a phone so there's no way I could do a big window.

Could have saved....

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/newdecor-window-film-450mmx-2m-sandy-frosted_p00456678

I have used this stuff on several windows - including two that are about 1200 x 600 mm. I applied it myself - takes a bit of care and perseverance to get any air bubbles out - but it can be done while the glass is still wet (you spray the glass with water before applying).

End result is great - looks pretty professional. It’s been there 18 months now with no sign of any issues.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

timmmay

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#2240509 18-May-2019 14:00

I'd want something to reduce the light by 90%+, not sure that would do that. Privacy isn't relevant for this window.

eracode

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#2240528 18-May-2019 14:13

timmmay:

I'd want something to reduce the light by 90%+, not sure that would do that. Privacy isn't relevant for this window.

You're right - this stuff doesn't actually cut the light a helluva lot - we did it for privacy.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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Jase2985

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#2240529 18-May-2019 14:15

get a sunfilter roller blind then

https://theblindstore.co.nz/roller-blinds/roller-blinds-sunfilter/

has a 5% weave so should let in about 5% of the light. yet you can still look through it

the above shop will send you free samples

timmmay

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#2240533 18-May-2019 14:20

I have a wooden blind, but light gets in between the slats and around the edges. maybe the slightly darker glass will be enough with those blinds once I put them up.

mattwnz

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#2241052 19-May-2019 23:23

timmmay: I have a wooden blind, but light gets in between the slats and around the edges. maybe the slightly darker glass will be enough with those blinds once I put them up.

I have had wooden slat blinds before and haven't found them very good. People like them because they do look quite good. But they let light through the edges and the string support areas. They also are a dust magnet. I have grey tinted glass, and it doesn't make much difference when it comes to blocking light. Curtains, or roller blinds which are inside rails at the edge, are really the only way to filter light and not have light coming through the sides.

timmmay

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#2241102 20-May-2019 04:36

mattwnz:
timmmay: I have a wooden blind, but light gets in between the slats and around the edges. maybe the slightly darker glass will be enough with those blinds once I put them up.

I have had wooden slat blinds before and haven't found them very good. People like them because they do look quite good. But they let light through the edges and the string support areas. They also are a dust magnet. I have grey tinted glass, and it doesn't make much difference when it comes to blocking light. Curtains, or roller blinds which are inside rails at the edge, are really the only way to filter light and not have light coming through the sides.

Agree. I got them because they look nice. I'd rather not replace them as they match others in the room, but now I have a nice window I'd rather avoid the old solution of a cardboard covering the glass. The cardboard went mouldy too.

phrozenpenguin

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#2241291 20-May-2019 12:18

Does anybody have any recommendations for aftermarket film to reduce glare / increase privacy (including in the dark)? Either professionally installed or self installed.

KillerHulk

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#2241369 20-May-2019 13:03

Get some water and stick the Aluminum Foil to the glass. Not the "prettiest" option but did work for one of my window.

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#2241371 20-May-2019 13:06

Side note, but I put aliexpress mirror window film tint on 2 rooms this summer and it was simply awesome. Cost around $40 per room and made a massive difference heat wise.

Remains to be seen how it negatively impacts over winter, where we now won't get any heating from the sun on sunny winters days, but there's a 1% chance it will help reflect heat back into the room...

Fairly easy to apply, and worked well enough on the test room to do the other.

Appears as mirror to whichever side has the most light, so can't see in during the day, and can't see out (but can see in from outside) at night.

phrozenpenguin

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#2241377 20-May-2019 13:14

Jaxson:

Side note, but I put aliexpress mirror window film tint on 2 rooms this summer and it was simply awesome. Cost around $40 per room and made a massive difference heat wise.

Remains to be seen how it negatively impacts over winter, where we now won't get any heating from the sun on sunny winters days, but there's a 1% chance it will help reflect heat back into the room...

Fairly easy to apply, and worked well enough on the test room to do the other.

Appears as mirror to whichever side has the most light, so can't see in during the day, and can't see out (but can see in from outside) at night.

Thanks that is useful.

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