How to cover windows from the sun, what to stick on glass

To protect rooms from the sun, until recently, darkening window tint films were mainly used. This coating did not allow light to pass through, but it did not prevent overheating, since it itself accumulated energy. Over time, manufacturers have eliminated this drawback and today offer fundamentally new sun protection. This article will tell you about the types of new tint films, the main differences between them, the installation method, and will also help you choose the appropriate polymer coating.

How to close windows

If the room needs to not only be protected from heating by the sun, but also shaded, then there are several ways. The most famous are curtains; blinds will also work, but reflective films will give the best results. It is cheap, quite aesthetically pleasing and achieves the desired effect. Let's look at the pros and cons of alternative remedies.

You can close windows from the sun using light-protective film

Curtains

If the sun is not too active, then it is enough to close the windows during the day. Ordinary fabric or roller blinds will cope with this task. Of course, sunlight will heat them, raising the temperature, but only slightly.

Fabric curtains will reduce the level of illumination and prevent the heat from the window from penetrating into the room in full. The best results are obtained from curtains made of dense, loose fabric that conducts heat poorly. For example, Blackout fabrics, they can block up to 80-90% of the light.

Closed windows in the house with roller cassette curtains

Roller blinds will be more effective in reflecting heat. If they also have side guides, they will make the system more closed. It is better to take reflective fabric.

Clean window glass heats up less. The dirt on the glass heats up, and it, in turn, warms the room. To reduce heat, they need to be washed more often.

Blinds

Blinds will help darken windows from the sun and reduce heat. You need to choose one with a metallic coating; it reflects light and heat well. Pure white horizontal lines also work well.

What to hang on the windows to protect from the sun other than curtains? Blinds made of white slats or with metallic coating

Price categories vary with a choice to suit every taste. Heat removal is not complete, but noticeable.

Blinds

Another popular type of solar control covering is blinds. When installing them, you need to take into account that they come in several types. If we consider the type of installation of the closing element, then they are:

1. Horizontal.
2. Vertical.
3. Rolled.
4. Pleated, reminiscent of a folded accordion.
5. Photoblinds, which are vertical blinds, but carry a specific image. It can be done on both the front and back sides.
6. Japanese type. The appearance of Japanese blinds resembles a plain screen. They are used both on windows and as partitions between rooms.

Blinds for windows

What to stick on windows from the sun

The easiest way to protect windows from the sun is to stick a reflective film. The term “reflective film” refers to a polymer base with a reflective layer applied to it.

Before purchasing, study the types of foil solar films, their advantages and disadvantages

The film is thin and flexible, with varying degrees of translucency or transparent in only one direction.

Types of sun protection films

Reflective films have different bases, the degree of transparency will differ, but they all cope with the task. Here's what you can stick on your windows to protect from solar heat:

• In most chain supermarkets or construction stores, there are inexpensive products with a foil layer . They cost little, and the effect depends on transparency. To attach it, just moisten the glass with water and spread the film on it.
• Tinting. From the inside it looks like a mirror, from the street it can be colored or look like tinted. It has an adhesive and protective layer. It costs more, but can be found in specialized stores or window installation shops.

  
  Are there colored or colorless?

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• Athermal . Sold in special stores, auto shops, it costs more than others, but is also more effective. Often happens with an applied adhesive layer.

These are the most common, not too expensive and generally available options. Any of these types will protect wall coverings and furniture from direct sunlight.

Window tinting in the apartment

Window tinting for residential and commercial properties is becoming an increasingly popular way to protect against prying eyes and the elements.
In addition, this is a great opportunity to solve a number of other problems while spending a minimum of time and money.

The simplest and most popular way to tint windows is to paste double-glazed windows with special films. Moreover, there are several types of such films. So which one is best for home use, and which one is best used in an office? Let's try to figure it out.

Methods for attaching foil to a window

Most often, metallized film is used to protect against sunlight. The choice is obvious - this is the cheapest option and it is easy to secure. Here are a few examples of how to hang solar foil on windows.

Packing and roll of sunscreen curtains

Adhesive tape on foil

The manufacturer provides for film fastening. To do this, adhesive tape with a protective layer is applied to the upper part of the edge. This allows you to secure it without resorting to additional means. This makes it convenient to attach protective foil to plastic windows.

There is a sticky layer on the sunshade

Glue gradually removing the protection of the sticky layer

The film is attached to its own sticky layer

You need to cut a piece of glass along the width of the roll, hook the protective strip on and remove it. Stretching a piece of foil across the width of the glass, glue it. The bottom and sides remain free and will let in sunlight, although only slightly. Secure them if desired.

Fastening with buttons

The method is suitable for wooden frames. However, it should be noted that punctures from the buttons will spoil the appearance of the window after the shading is removed.

Easy snap fastening

Scotch

You can secure the foil with tape to a frame made of PVC or wood. In this case, the protective agent is selected slightly wider than the glass or cut from a roll of the required width. The film is attached with pieces of narrow tape around the perimeter of the frame.

This method is the most profitable, since after removing the darkening, no traces remain on the frame. In addition, the tape holds the foil quite firmly and can be used outside the window.

Double sided tape

Allows you to attach a protective film over glass or frame. To do this, you need to stick pieces of tape around the perimeter of the glass or frame. Remove the protection and stretch the darkening and stick it on. As in the first case, with the correct selection of adhesive tape, no traces remain.

Transparent double-sided tape will not be visible on the window

Stick to glass

A common method that allows you to get an aesthetic look when using cheap film. The idea is to evenly smooth the metallized film over the glass. Water or soap solution acts as the “glue”. To do this you need:

• Clean the glass from dust and dirt.
• Cut the foil to the size of the glass.
• Moisten the glass with water or soap solution. To prepare a soap solution, dissolve 5 drops of liquid soap or detergent in 1 liter of water.

Lay the film down and smooth it onto the wet glass using a roller or rubber spatula. You can do it by hand, but then bubbles will remain, spoiling the appearance. Small air bubbles need to be pierced with a needle and the remaining air expelled.

Using a soft spatula will smooth it out faster.

After sticking the foil on the windows with water, it will take a long time to wash off the sun protection

The appearance will improve, but there will be a problem with removal. Under the influence of high temperature, the metallized layer “sticks” to the glass and is very difficult to remove.

To reduce problems with removal, glue only the corners or strip at the top and bottom of the glass.

DIY tinting

One of the undeniable advantages of tinting is the ease of its application. Even women can tint the windows in their apartment. This is what the technology for applying a protective film looks like:

• The surface of the glass must be thoroughly washed and degreased. If this is not done, the film will not stick to the dirty surface. It is better to repeat the procedure two or three times.
• The film roll is rolled out on any flat surface, and a piece of the required size is cut out. It is recommended to leave 1-2 centimeters of margin around the edges.
• The protective layer is removed from the surface of the film. To prevent the adhesive base from spontaneously sticking to your hands or windows, it can be moistened with a solution of soapy water.
• The film is applied to the top of the glass and gradually smoothed down. Try to keep the surface smooth: any wrinkles and bubbles that have formed must be removed immediately.
• The applied film is leveled with a rubber spatula and the excess is cut off.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated. It is worth noting that window tinting requires regular maintenance. Therefore, periodically wipe the surface with a damp cloth. The use of abrasive or chemically active detergents is prohibited.

Source: mr-build.ru

Advantages and disadvantages

The positive aspects of using cheap mirror film are that it is easy to apply it yourself and is very inexpensive. Protects wall coverings, floors and furniture from fading due to direct sunlight.

The downside is its unaesthetic appearance. It is too thin and it is difficult to smooth it out or stretch it well; wrinkles remain.

Cheap film from the supermarket doesn't look very attractive

Another disadvantage is that it is not indicated what percentage of transparency it has.

Tinted and athermal films

Due to the greater thickness of the base layer, these films do not wrinkle and look beautiful on the window. Due to their differences and price, they are suitable for long-term use (with cheap foil, you can seal the window for 1–2 months or the summer period, and then dispose of it).

For mounting on glass, they may have an adhesive layer already applied, and if it is missing, they are attached using the same methods as cheap film. Let's look at how they differ below.

Tinted

The main layer of tinted film is made of polyester coated with various metals, which impart sun protection properties. The most commonly used metals are aluminum and nickel, as well as bronze or silver. Sputtering colors the film in different ways and makes it possible to obtain products with different transparency. The table shows some data:

Technologies make it possible to obtain films with different functionality. The most popular of them are mirror and sun-protective, while the rarer ones are matte and decorative.

To achieve the required qualities from a tinted film, it is made multilayer, which increases its service life.

Multilayer tinted film device

Matte or decorative films are used if you want to decorate your apartment. It is easier to cover the glass than to replace it. To achieve maximum effect in reflecting rays, it is recommended to glue the film with a “metallic” layer to the glass.

Athermal

Athermal – translated from English as heat-protective. They are based on modern polymers, with a coating that well reflects thermal energy and ultraviolet rays.

Operating principle of athermal film

This type is more expensive, but also more effective. It allows you to protect home furnishings from fading without resorting to darkening the room.

Thanks to the manufacturing technology, the high transparency of the film is maintained, which is important, for example, for office spaces where the emphasis is on natural light. This allows you to save on lighting and resort to using split systems less often.

These types of “athermals” are almost invisible on the window, and a pleasant darkness is created inside the room. A big plus of athermal film is that, while reflecting UV and IR radiation in the summer, it retains heat inside the apartment in the winter. Such protection on roof windows, a glazed balcony or loggia will be especially appropriate.

Athermal film using spattering technology slightly darkens the room

According to manufacturing technology, athermal films are divided into three types:

• Metallized . The working layer is made of a metal polymer, which is applied to the outer or inner layer. Has a mirror effect.
• Spatternaya . The name comes from the spattering technology, which creates a layer of sputtered different metals. The sprayed layer is thinner than the base and is practically invisible, so it does not darken the room.
• Spatter-metallized . A combination of the two methods mentioned above to increase efficiency.

Depending on the manufacturing technology, films have different transparency. And with the application of an additional protective layer from atmospheric influences, external use is allowed.

Manufacturers of tint films

In Russia, window tint film is mainly represented by products from American, Chinese, Indian and South Korean manufacturers. Moreover, the range of most brands includes polymer coatings of economy, standard and premium classes. Thus, when choosing a brand, it is not advisable to focus solely on cost. Thanks to supplies from India and South Korea, high-quality window tint film has appeared on our market, which can now be purchased at an affordable price. For comparison, it is better to study the characteristics of films with the same functionality and cost. When evaluating, the quality of polyester, uniform color, degree of protection of the reflective layer, absence of harmful components and service life are important.

Chinese window tint film, which can be purchased several times cheaper than premium American coatings, cannot compete with the listed brands. With the same technical characteristics, it transmits light worse and retains heat worse. After about 2 seasons of using cheap films, tinted plastic windows have to be re-glued, since the coating not only does not fulfill its functions, but also begins to peel off from the glass.