Pros and Cons of Reflective Window Film
Reflective window film is becoming more common in home decor. While this product can be a great energy saver, it also has some drawbacks in certain situations. Consider the pros and cons described here before deciding to install a reflective window film in your home.
Pros
Privacy: A well-applied, reflective window film can make it virtually impossible for anybody to see into your home in daylight. This gives you the freedom to enjoy most of the natural light that is available without having to close drapes and rely on artificial light.
Summer Temperature: By reflecting back a high proportion of the sunlight, the safety film will also help to keep the room cooler. The cooling effect is aided by the fact that large pieces of furniture do not become heated and act as radiators in the room. In the summertime, this can be especially beneficial.
Furniture and Fittings: Reflective window film blocks incoming ultraviolet light that is responsible for a lot of damage to furnishings and fabrics. Carpets will remain in good condition for longer and wooden furniture will not be subject to heat and dehydration.
Safety: A secondary benefit of tinting film is that treated windows don’t shatter so readily in the event of an accident. The film helps to hold the window together and can absorb a significant amount of shock.
Condensation: An internally applied film can help to reduce the amount of condensation by reducing the contrast between daytime and nighttime temperatures. This can be especially beneficial for windows with wooden frames.
Cost of Living: Well-installed window film can result in significant savings in the cost of cooling your house in the summer and warming it in the winter. Tinting film can actually reflect radiated heat back into the room rather than let it pass through the window.
Appearance and Comfort: Tinting film can be used to enhance the feeling of well being and comfort within the home through a careful choice of colors. By making the house look more welcoming, the film can have a huge impact on the impression your visitors receive when they first see it.
Cons
Privacy: While daytime privacy is more or less guaranteed, it is often forgotten that the film is not so effective at night when there are lights on in the room.
Winter Temperature: In the winter, the refection of the weak winter sunshine can remove all benefits and require more heating to maintain room temperatures even though the film will tend to retain the heat once it is generated.
Effect on Neighbors: Highly reflective window film can be very aggravating for neighbors who may become the unwilling recipients of the reflected light. Keep your neighbors' comfort in mind when deciding to use reflective window film. A setting sun might be a glorious sight but not if it is reflected directly into your picture window by a neighbor’s window film. Even the reflected light from traffic can be a problem for neighbors if your house is near the main road.
