Our dark one way mirror film is ideal for reducing excess glare, while mitigating excess heat. You can purchase this film by the metre in a length of your choice, or cut to size to your exact measurments for ease of instalation.
Solar reflective window film (also referred to as mirror privacy film) is designed to ward off the sun's glare and heat and to keep your home, office or conservatory cooler. The dark reflective film is the most efficient film when it comes to controlling excess light, heat and glare. It also helps with reducing UV light by 99%, and major cause of fading in furnishings.
Can it be used for privacy?
The reflective quality of the film will also offer varying levels of privacy, when used on exterior facing windows. The darker the film, the more reflective it is, and the more privacy it will offer.
The privacy effect will only work during day time hours, on windows exposed to sunlight, so this film might not be suitable for North facing or shaded windows.
Where is the film most effective?
As a rule, we recommend the darker films for south facing windows, where the sun is harsher. East facing windows will be exposed in the morning, when the sun is low, and west facing windows in the afternoon when the sun is high, but brighter. For east and west facing, we recommend both the dark and the medium films, depending on how exposed your windows are to the sun.
North facing windows shouldn't be too affected by the sun.
How to order
You can order the film by the meter, or for ease of installation, cut to size. Unlike frosted window film which comes with a paper liner, this film comes with a clear polyester protective liner which has no metric grid printed on it. You'll therefore need a large flat surface, a straight edge and a retractable knife to cut the film to size.
How to apply
The film is applied to the glass using a soapy water solution. Please click here to view our video tutorial, showing how to apply large pieces of film. The process is the same for small pieces of film which you will be able to apply single handedly.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you are planning to install this film on a double glazed unit, make sure the glass is toughened. If it is, it will have a kite mark in one of the corners of the pane. If you apply this film on glass that is not toughened, the glass could crack due to poor build quality especially on older units. Please use the medium reflective film or anexternal reflective filmas an alternative.
Samples
Not sure whether this is the right film for your purpose? We offer free 10cm x 10cm samples. The pictures depicting the film are only for illustration purposes, so a sample is recommended to make an educated choice. If you'd like to try a larger piece before committing to a large order, just order a small amount of film, or a cut to size piece to test on a pane.
Returns and refunds
We will only accept returns for films purchased by the metre. Just send it back to us in it's original condition and packaging. We cannot accept returns for films cut to size however, as they have no resale value.
* Visible light transmission
In most offices where the lights tend to be on all day, the loss of natural light is not a big issue. In a home environment, the loss of daylight might be more of an issue, and we would recommend this film on large windows, or in a room with several windows.
Step by step instructions on how to apply window film & frost glass
Regardless of the type of window film or stickers you purchase, whether frosted, tinted, mirror or decorative, the principle on how to fit window film will be the same. We also have several targeted video tutorials which you will find by clicking here.
Glass Preparation (the crucial task)
Make a slip solution using a few drops of washing up liquid mixed with water in a spray bottle and thoroughly clean the glass. Use a glass scraper to remove specks of paint, or any other glass covering like stickers.
Film Cutting
Unless your window film is already cut to size, and if the film has a paper liner with a metric grid, measure your glass at the top and bottom, and left and right and mark and cut your window film. You can also cut the film bigger than required and trim it once applied to the glass.
Film Application
A. Thoroughly wet the glass with the slip solution.
B. Place the window film face down an a flat surface and expose a small amount of the adhesive or cling side.
C. Spray the adhesive or cling side liberally with the slip solution as you peel off the protective liner.
D. Slip the adhesive or cling side of the film on the glass butting one edge and the top against the window frame or rubber gasket (double glazed unit).
Squeegee Technique
A. Liberally wet the face of the film with the solution to act as a lubricant fro your squeegee or felt edged tool.
B-C. Squeeze out the solution from under the film using a firm and even pressure, starting from the top and working your way down and across the film.
Film Trimming
Run a credit card and a retractable knife blade down the edge of the glass to trim any excess film. The thickness of the card will allow for a small gap to help any remaining solution to be squeezed out. Once trimming is complete go over the film once more to squeeze out all the solution.
Final Checks
1. Make sure that all the solution has been squeezed out.
2. Wipe the film and any remaining solution with paper towel.
3. Inspect the film on both sides of the glass to check for any trapped solution or air bubbles.
How To Remove Window Film
Removing window film can be a very easy process, but it all depends on how long the film has been on the glass, and the type of film that was used.
Here's a video tutorial which shows the basic principal.
Typically, films are either made using PVC or PET.
PVC is a soft material which can be peeled off the glass with a glass scraper. Any glue residue can be removed with soapy water and a scraper.
PET is a brittle material widely used for solar and safety film, and might be made of layers of mettalised material. To remove this type of film, use a wide glass scraper and lubricate with soapy water to remove the film.
As a rule, old PET film are more difficult to remove than PVC films.
For large panes, it is best to first score the film into strips with a sharp knife. This means that you can tackle it in more manageable pieces.
Measuring Tips
Ready to place your window film order?
You will first need to measure the glass, in centimetres, using a tape measure. Only measure the glass you want to cover.
Width: measure from left to right at the top and the bottom of the glass, and take note of the largest measurements (some older wooden windows are not perfectly square). Height: measure from top to bottom on the left and the right of the glass, and take note of the largest measurements.
Top tip
Leaving a clear gap around frosted or patterned film is a stylish and practical option, allowing you to peep out when someone is at the door for example. To create a clear outline around the film, deduct twice the width of the desired clear outline, to the width and the height of your pane.
For example, if you want a 1cm (10mm) clear gap all the way round, deduct 2cm from the width, and the same from the height.
Fitting the film with a gap all the way round is much easier, especially on old wooden windows and doors which are not always in the best condition, and where the edge of the glass has paint encroachment.
Care
How To Care For Your window film After Installation
Window film is very easy to look after and you won't need any special products to clean it with. In fact, soapy water, similar to the solution you used to apply the film is the best cleaning product.
Do's
Wait for at least 3 weeks before first cleaning your film
Use soapy water
Use a soft cloth or paper towel
Use a rubber edged squeegee (unless the film is printed or has cut outs) in good condition
Don'ts
Do not use abrasive products
Do not use Amonia based products
Do not use defective or damaged squeegees
Caring for printed films, or films with cut-outs
Extra care must be taken when cleaning printed films, or films which have been cut out and have exposed edges. Gently clean with a soft cloth only, and take particular care around the cut areas. Do not rub too hard or use a squeegee as it could damage the print or your cut film.
Caring for static cling films & stickers
Take extra care around the edges and clean your sticker or film from the centre out. Do not use a squeegee.