Choosing Privacy Films
When you start looking into window film for your home (or business), you will quickly realize that there is a huge variety of options and configurations to choose from. Each type of film offers different performance characteristics and has different pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the right one.
For many of our clients, privacy is their #1 priority. If you want to add privacy to your home, you’ll be happy to learn that there are several options to choose from.
Options for Privacy Window Film
- Solar Control Tinted Window Films
- One-Way Mirrored Privacy Films
- Frosted/Decorative Window Films
Solar Control Tinted Window Films
These films are the best choice for customers looking to block out solar radiation and prevent unwanted hot spots and heat gain in their homes. Solar control films are perfect for making the interior temperature of your home more consistent, reducing glare, and protecting your skin from UVA and UVB radiation. Solar control films come in a range of tint levels, so to gain privacy, you’d want to choose a relatively dark tint.
Advantages: Even with dark tint, you will get to enjoy natural light entering through your windows. The major advantages relate to solar heat control (as mentioned above) and will also protect your interior furnishings from solar damage. These films allow you to keep your views, while maintaining privacy.
Disadvantages: Darker solar control films that can create privacy often have an outwardly mirrored finish. If you don’t want high exterior reflectivity, making the outside of your windows look like mirrors, using solar control films to create privacy might not be the best option for you. Solar control films also won’t create total privacy at night, as the strongest light source will most likely be coming from inside your home. Tinted glass blocks view from the side of the glass with the most light, so at night you would probably have to use blinds or shades to guarantee total privacy.
One-Way Mirrored Privacy Films
These films were developed with privacy in mind. They are similar to the dark tinted films mentioned above, but are fully reflective when viewed from the outside. These films are designed for those who want ultimate privacy without disturbing the views from inside their homes.
Advantages: Keep your views, enjoy your privacy.
Disadvantages: Many people don’t like the way truly mirrored films look when viewed from the outside. Similar to tinted films, these films work the best when there is more light outside than inside, so they lose some of their performance at night.
These films are the ultimate in total privacy solutions. Frosted films allow natural light to pass through windows, but completely obscure the view.
Frosted/Decorative Window Films
These films are the ultimate in total privacy solutions. Frosted films allow natural light to pass through windows, but completely obscure the view. These films are often used in bathrooms, where privacy is not an option, and can be effectively used on exterior windows and interior glass surfaces. Frosted films can be customized to fit your privacy needs.
Many people choose to apply these films to the bottom half of windows, preventing people walking in front of your house form seeing in, but allowing you to see out when you choose.
Advantages: These films provide complete 24/7 privacy, while allowing natural light to filter into the room. Use these films where you want to be completely sure of your privacy without the need for the high expense or inconvenience of replacing your windows with custom glass. There are limitless options to customize these films, giving you full control.
Disadvantages: These films obscure viability in both directions, meaning that wherever they are applied, no one can see in or out.
How to Choose What’s Right For You
At Sun Shade, we think everyone should feel comfortable in their own homes. That is why we take the time to work with each client to figure out which configuration of window films fits their needs. If you want to schedule an on-site consultation with one of our specialists, just give us a call or send us a message to get in touch with either our Victoria or Kamloops office. We’re always happy to chat.
