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Is this easy to install...and to remove?

same question.

We bought a cling films from the HomeDepot. It was very easy to install (wet the window, put the film on, roll the air bubbles out, done). And it's still on. We covered the windows on the sunroom aka entrance hallway and also the window in the living room - not a fancy view. Now we feel like pros and want to get something more designerish for our huge kitchen windows.

I love the look of window films like in the photo you posted. In case you're looking for something more substantial though you can get the same benefits out of top down bottom up shades. This type of shade allows you to keep the bottom of the window covered and the top part open... just like with the window film.

BlindFINDER.com
"All you could ever want to know about window treatments."

for a short term similar effect, i would recommend a sheet of mylar from an art store. you can get frosted translucent styles. i trimmed the sheet to fit and just taped the corners. it worked in my rental for the 3 years i lived there and it was under A$2.

Hello,

I too have a bathroom window that looks out into my neighbors back patio and kitchen. I was wondering what that vent looking thing you have on your window is called. I want to get something like that so I can raise the window and let the air circulate and without having my neighbors see into our bathroom while we are doing our business. Do you know where I can get one? I live in San Francisco, in case, you know any specific shops in the area.

Thanks.

desertflower - You pretty much have to mailorder this stuff. The good stuff is never off the shelf it seems.

Here are some sources I recommend :

http://wallpaperforwindows.com/ (sometimes you can find this in the stores but not very often. It's good quality, very thick, no adhesive, perfect for renters)

http://www.decorativefilm.com/ (Nice patterns including some Eames derived patterns - I have some on my patio doors)

http://www.on-sitesystems.com/ (for full custom film - I have used these guys and they do awesome work)

By the way this topic was covered on ATSF just last week :

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/look/look-flower-pot-window-film-050779

boomer, I think I read elsewhere that the lovely Emma Jeffs films adhere with adhesive rather than water. I also heard that they were a pain to remove. Elizabeth, did you use water or did your film come with an adhesive backing? We are definitely considering some of the Emma Jeffs patterns for our home so any information is appreciated.

I'm thinking of putting this in my bathroom as well, but am hesitant to buy an entire roll for one tiny window. Anyone in the Boston area interested in sharing and splitting the cost?

Thanks boomer. I appreciate all the info.

Ikea sells the plain frosted film. I'm not sure, but I think it is non-adhesive. $4.99 for a 59" x 20" roll.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30079228

We have this (from a German dealer) since 2004.
It looks nicely and serves well but the corners loosen if temperature sinks and rises in winter. Then you have to take a straight edge or back of a knife to sleak the film.

It's pretty simple to install and remove: you moisten the window pane and put the foil on it. Then you wipe from center to edges so that air bubbles go out. The foil then stickens neatly to the glass. It' easy to move the foil while moisty. If you want to remove it begin to tear at one corner of the foil. It removes without any traces.

We have an old wardrobe with glass doors. Primordial there was a curtain to prevent the wardrobe's content from looks from outside.
We also covered the glass doors with the film and it now looks like a nice modern furniture.

What is that at the bottom of your window? Is it a screen that expands as you open the window? If so, where did you get that? I'd love to get some for our windows.

I just searched for the vent thing at the bottom of the window and found a couple:

http://www.natlallergy.com/product.asp?pn=1155&eid=yahoo&tid=yahoo&bhcd2=1211301627

http://www.colehardware.com/cgi-bin/hlimages/display_all.cgi?sku=545004

Maybe I can stop flashing my neighbors and get one!

I have exactly the same stuff on my bathroom window. I ordered it online from 2Jane.com. It wasn't all that cheap, I have to say. But one unit netted me enough film for both the bathroom window and the full-length window in my front door, which allowed me to get rid of two dusty venetian blinds. It was easy to adhere -- with water. Supposedly, it's also easy to remove -- you use a hairdryer. But I haven't had to remove it yet, of course.

Hey everyone,

The window film went up with water and was easy to install.

I haven't tried to take it down anywhere yet, so can't tell you how easy that will be, but I'm not too worried about it.

I've tried the IKEA version and found it to be pretty terrible - it scratches and doesn't stay up well - we finally gave up on getting the corners to stick and took it down. Another case of getting what you pay for.

As for the screen on the window - it was here when we moved in, and so far I haven't had any luck finding more. Cynthia - the ones you found are similar but not the same, this one isn't a filter, it's just a screen that also provides privacy. I would love some for our bedroom too, so am definitely on the lookout for them. Maybe I'll take better pictures of it and put it up on the site later this week.

thanks everyone!

I believe adding liquid soap to the water when applying the film makes it go on or stick better, athough I can't seem to remember why...

needleinthehay- if you're serious about that boston area group buy, i'm in!

The vent thing looks like a window screen that you put in when it's raining. Air circulates, and the rain can't come in. The Vermont Country Store has had them them.

JG - yes, the instructions for all the films I've used advise using one or drops of dish detergent in a quart of water for your wetting solution. I think the soap helps to add a film that "might" help prevent the squeegee from scratching the film but that's just a wild guess.

For what it's worth, I decided I was going to remove some Solyx window film today. I originally put a section on some windows so the dogs couldn't see out but with everything in bloom out that window I want the whole view (and the dogs have bark collars now ;->).

Man that stuff is a pain to remove. You need a razor blade to get it off. I ended up using a scraper designed for removing vinyl flooring (I already had one in my toolbox , it has a wide blade , a large comfy handle and is super sharp).

Good thing is - the Solyx stuff will definitely not fall off on it's own. I was impressed.

For those homeowners out there, I was also curious to find out that an application of films or glazes can void the warranty on your windows. That is the case with Pella windows.