Window security film

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geoffwnz

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#270181 27-Apr-2020 13:22

Wondering if anyone has experience with sourcing and application of security film to home windows.

Is this something that can be DIY or is that just opening myself up to a world of headaches and bubbles?

I also note from some quick research that options include tinting such that you can see out but not see in. Anyone got any experience of this?

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Gordy7

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#2472062 27-Apr-2020 13:33

I have a glass panelled side door to my garage which then gives access to my house.

On the DIY el-cheapo front where aesthetics do not matter, I used 50mm wide reinforced PVC tape.

Took a while to lay the tape side by side across the glass...

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geoffwnz

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#2472074 27-Apr-2020 13:50

Gordy7:

I have a glass panelled side door to my garage which then gives access to my house.

On the DIY el-cheapo front where aesthetics do not matter, I used 50mm wide reinforced PVC tape.

Took a while to lay the tape side by side across the glass...

Currently have a hole patched up with 50mm clear tape.

Aesthetics will matter as I'm looking at (through) the main windows around the house. Will also talk to the glazier about options for the glass itself though that's likely to be as/when I need to replace it.

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mdf

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#2472075 27-Apr-2020 13:53

Yes, you can absolutely do this yourself, but you also absolutely need the right accessories to get a decent install - window squeegee, bottle of sudsy water with spritz sprayer (you can DIY this or buy a ready made solution) and a sharp craft knife - maybe an extra $25-30-ish:

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/search/products?page=1&q=window%20film&sort=BoostOrder&pageSize=60

Overcut the film a little. Then clean the window and let dry, then spritz with the solution. Install into window and squeegee as best you can. Press into corners and cut into the corner with the knife. Then spend quite a bit of time getting all the bubbles out, but the sudsy water makes it pretty straightforward.

There are some good youtube videos.

geoffwnz

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#2472083 27-Apr-2020 14:11

mdf:

Yes, you can absolutely do this yourself, but you also absolutely need the right accessories to get a decent install - window squeegee, bottle of sudsy water with spritz sprayer (you can DIY this or buy a ready made solution) and a sharp craft knife - maybe an extra $25-30-ish:

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/search/products?page=1&q=window%20film&sort=BoostOrder&pageSize=60

Overcut the film a little. Then clean the window and let dry, then spritz with the solution. Install into window and squeegee as best you can. Press into corners and cut into the corner with the knife. Then spend quite a bit of time getting all the bubbles out, but the sudsy water makes it pretty straightforward.

There are some good youtube videos.

So, technique and tools basically the same as applying decals to a car, but slightly less complicated by being comparatively flat rather than the multi directional curves that car panels have.
Good to know. :-)

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mdf

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#2472086 27-Apr-2020 14:25

Yep, exactly! Getting all the the dirt out of the corners of the windows is about the hardest part. Other than that, bit of time and patience and it is pretty straightforward.

We did mirror tint on a west facing window in a room that was getting way too hot in summer (downside of retrofitting insulation). Difference was amazing. Did make everything look a bit greyer when looking through it though.

Stu1

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#2472104 27-Apr-2020 14:49

The 3m stuff is crap didn’t even last the summer, The instructions are completely different than the Bunnings videos even watched the 3m ones as well. Even if taking your time it looks terrible on the windows. Just get someone to install it or get sunshade or block out blinds instead. The best solution is double glazing of course

geoffwnz

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#2472106 27-Apr-2020 14:50

mdf:

Yep, exactly! Getting all the the dirt out of the corners of the windows is about the hardest part. Other than that, bit of time and patience and it is pretty straightforward.

We did mirror tint on a west facing window in a room that was getting way too hot in summer (downside of retrofitting insulation). Difference was amazing. Did make everything look a bit greyer when looking through it though.

How good is the mirror from the outside? Presume that it would still be "see through" from outside at night with lights on (though I would normally have the curtains closed at that point anyway).

And was it the one from the Bunnings link?

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geoffwnz

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#2472107 27-Apr-2020 14:53

Stu1:

The 3m stuff is crap didn’t even last the summer, The instructions are completely different than the Bunnings videos even watched the 3m ones as well. Even if taking your time it looks terrible on the windows. Just get someone to install it or get sunshade or block out blinds instead. The best solution is double glazing of course

How good is double glazing for stopping a bottle being thrown through the window? I presume it's only as good as two layers of glass, and therefore gonna cost far more to replace afterwards?

I hopefully don't have to find out again, but once is bad enough.

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mdf

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#2472122 27-Apr-2020 15:17

geoffwnz:
mdf:

Yep, exactly! Getting all the the dirt out of the corners of the windows is about the hardest part. Other than that, bit of time and patience and it is pretty straightforward.

We did mirror tint on a west facing window in a room that was getting way too hot in summer (downside of retrofitting insulation). Difference was amazing. Did make everything look a bit greyer when looking through it though.

How good is the mirror from the outside? Presume that it would still be "see through" from outside at night with lights on (though I would normally have the curtains closed at that point anyway).

And was it the one from the Bunnings link?

Second story so I've never looked particularly closely. Looks good from the ground! I installed some years ago and I actually have a feeling it might have been a repco one. Not 100% sure though.