apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

It's good that you're planing to do something about the UV light blanketing your living area. Based on the picture you have beautiful things and I understand your desire to protect them from sun damage. The film would be better for aesthetic purposes but the question didn't really specify what you're looking to get out of the window treatment you choose. Do you want to have the option of darkening the room (IE pulling the blinds) or do you like the sunlight and want to preserve the natural lighting in your living area? Ask yourself that and I think you'll find your answer.

What about "Solar Shades"? Don't they filter UV?

Keep in mind your bid includes labor.

You can do it yourself.

You can get anti-UV films here :

http://www.decorativefilm.com/UV,Heat,SafetyFilms.htm

They'll send you samples in the mail.

A 5-foot wide roll of film is $35 per yard which is pretty reasonable.

It's pretty easy stuff to apply. You just need a ladder, a misting bottle with water and one or two drops of dish soap and a squeegee.

I haven't installed this UV film but I've applied frosted films to windows and doors and it's so easy anybody can do it.

I've also applied a translucent film, to an old set of bay windows which faced another apartment's windows (I had a studio on the backside of a building in San Francisco). It was pretty easy, even with all those panes to contend with. The only problem I encountered was the irregular nature of the edges on old windows like that, and all the paint spatters on the windows themselves. I had to scrap 'em clean with a razor. That doesn't look like an issue in this installation.

It's like hanging wallpaper. I got the film at TAP Plastics down on Van Ness, but they're pretty spendy. I think Lowes or Home Depot might be carrying those films now. I know OSH here in Los Angeles keeps them in stock. Just make sure the film you get is wide enough to cover the width of your windows.

Another good spot for *frosted* film is Ikea. It's cheap, applies easily, removes easily, and, did I mention, cheap? It's best to install with two people--one for holding top at corners of window(s) and one for smoothing down the film. (A plastic scraper from a cooking store works perfectly for this.) I didn't see any UV-blocking film at Ikea, though...
Good luck with your beautiful windows. (*Jealous*)

i'd probably go with some cellular blinds (maybe top up/bottom down?) because they offer you the versatility of being able to filter the light/gain privacy when you want to as well as preserving your view should you want to. The only problem with a frosted or translucent film is that you won't have the view option. Also, your windows, if newer, may already have a UV filter; if not, solar film is a nice investment though if you can afford it.

I dream of having windows that size - I can't tell for sure but the view looks interesting.

If I had a great view and huge windows - I wouldn't give a crap about sun damaged furniture.

There would be blinding times of the day though - so occassionally covering those amazing windows would have to be figured out - that's right.

ATN - the film I linked to is transparent. It does not block the view, only blocks UV. Check the link...

By the way - check the other films they carry. There is a film that any fan of the Eames designs will love.

http://www.decorativefilm.com/OnlineCataloguePage1.htm

Scroll down to almost the bottom. It's the frosted film they call "Clear Frosted Jacks".

That one comes in 3 foot wide rolls. I asked them about 4 foot wide for my patio doors (to keep my dogs from barking at the squirrels ;->), and they said they can make it as wide as needed.

how old are the windows? They more than likelly already have a "UV" coating on them if they are relatively new.

Sorry for the confusion! The picture is not of my place. I'm glad AT thought my question was relevant enough to post and find a picture to illustrate my problem. I posted the question around 2 AM and could not take a picture to illustrate, for obvious reasons. ;)

I would really like to have the windows uncovered all the time. I've considered solar shades, but that would mean closing the shades to get the benefit of light filtering. For privacy, I just need some half shades, coming up from the bottom, instead of the top. If I go with the film, I'll just find an inexpensive blind system instead of solar shades.

My place was built in 1999, but it doesn't seem like it has UV protection. I've already noticed fading in my furniture and photos. :(

Thanks for all the advice!