# is there an easy to install and remove reflective film to reflect sunlight from windows? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 19, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-to-install-and-remove-reflective-film-to-reflect-sunlight-from-windows/589590 "2011-07-19T15:47:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![code\_grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-to-install-and-remove-reflective-film-to-reflect-sunlight-from-windows/589590/1 "2011-07-19T15:47:42Z")
when I get direct sun exposure in my windows, the room temperature pretty obviously goes up, in part because air conditioning setup seems to leave much to be desired. So, it would be nice to have a semi-transparent reflective film type of product that could be easily manually installed and removed from the room-facing window surface. Such as, I put it up at 11am and take it off at 2pm if no longer needed. Is something like that available for purchase? My googling so far only returns DIY instructions for McGyver-types and exorbitantly priced reflective blinds for people who don’t mind wasting money and overhauling the blinds setup. Would be nice if it were instead cheap, in a nice package, not interfering with existing blinds and window setup and installable/removable by a one-armed elderly person suffering from a heavy hangover. I also want fries with that if possible 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-to-install-and-remove-reflective-film-to-reflect-sunlight-from-windows/589590/2 "2011-07-19T17:11:48Z")
[Yes there is](http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100616386/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053). I purchased some several years ago when I had a large picture window facing east, but I never got around to putting it up. The instructions sounded doable, though tricky with just one person. ETA: I missed the bit about being easy to remove and re-install. No, I don’t think there is such a thing. This stuff gets applied and stays on. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-to-install-and-remove-reflective-film-to-reflect-sunlight-from-windows/589590/3 "2011-07-19T17:18:48Z")
If and when you do find something like that there’s a good chance your neighbors across the street will get the reflection straight in their window. Just something to think about. No fries! Chips! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-to-install-and-remove-reflective-film-to-reflect-sunlight-from-windows/589590/4 "2011-07-19T17:25:38Z")
There are also IR filtering films which won’t end up blinding the folks across the street. ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-to-install-and-remove-reflective-film-to-reflect-sunlight-from-windows/589590/5 "2011-07-19T22:10:35Z")
A couple of things to consider. Do you want to put it inside or outside? Is the glass single or multiple pained. Inside reflectors may cause a double or triple pained window to crack. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-to-install-and-remove-reflective-film-to-reflect-sunlight-from-windows/589590/6 "2011-07-20T00:33:59Z")
I used aluminum foil and duct tape. Not transparent, but it worked. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-to-install-and-remove-reflective-film-to-reflect-sunlight-from-windows/589590/7 "2011-07-20T03:13:50Z")
We used some of the stick-and-leave film from Home Depot (upon looking, exactly that same one linked to above), and it really has made a difference. And it doesn’t look as tacky as you would think, although we don’t much care about that anyway. ---
**Author:** ![code\_grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-to-install-and-remove-reflective-film-to-reflect-sunlight-from-windows/589590/8 "2011-07-21T02:44:16Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > [Yes there is](http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100616386/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053). I purchased some several years ago when I had a large picture window facing east, but I never got around to putting it up. The instructions sounded doable, though tricky with just one person. > > ETA: I missed the bit about being easy to remove and re-install. No, I don’t think there is such a thing. This stuff gets applied and stays on. [QUOTE=chaoticbear] We used some of the stick-and-leave film from Home Depot (upon looking, exactly that same one linked to above), and it really has made a difference. And it doesn’t look as tacky as you would think, although we don’t much care about that anyway. [/QUOTE] interesting, thanks. From the reviews it does sound like it is a not necessarily easy thing to install. Some quotes from [their site](http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100616386/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053): > [@](#): > > The room was instantly cooler after install. I found the install to be easy with the help of my wife. Use lots of spray and a sharp blade and you will not have a problem. Dont rush the project or you will fail. Dont be stupid or you will fail. Clean your windows and then scrape them down with a razor blade or you will fail. > … > Patience and another set of hands make this an easy install. Used on western exposure sliding patio doors. Immediately noticed results on living room temperature, A/C load, and temperature of carpet when walking on it. Tasteful exterior appearance too. > Allows plenty of natural light to enter room and more effective than the privacy black vinyl film in reflecting radiant heat. > Follow instructions, use plenty of solution, and be patient. Results are well worth the cost. > … > The hardest part about putting this up was cutting the pieces to size. It was very forgiving and adjustable. We will be using this on other windows. The cooling effect is noticeable. **chaoticbear** , so are you happy with the state of your window during winter or otherwise when the weather is not particularly sunny? Also, were you unable to find anything cheaper than this? Or is this a one-of-a-kind type of product with little direct competition? ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-easy-to-install-and-remove-reflective-film-to-reflect-sunlight-from-windows/589590/9 "2011-07-21T03:03:17Z")
We are generally happy with it - we only installed it on windows that face west - we don’t have any southern-facing ones to speak of, and there’s a house close enough to our west that we don’t get a lot of hot morning sun there. Since I live in Arkansas, though, there is plenty of warmth still in the winter. It was fairly easy to install, though, since we have a bunch of panes to cover, rather than large window surfaces. Having said that, it’s a rental, and we’re not particularly concerned with its longevity, and it looks good enough. Certainly not professional, by any means, but there aren’t any air bubbles in it, even given our limited skills. I don’t remember ours being quite so expensive, but that is exactly the product we used. It took us two rolls to cover 5 good-sized windows, and I think there’s even a little left over. Don’t know about competing products, but the mirrory finish does seem to let plenty of light through while reflecting the heat, somehow. Don’t know that it’d be the same with the less expensive ones that are simply tinted.