How to Install Sun Blocking UV Window Film for Your Home

If you remember a few weeks ago, I put up some canopy sun shades on the back deck. You can check those out here. They are doing a great job, but the sun at One Hundred Acres Home is absolutely brutal in the summer. So my husband and I decided to install some UV reflective window film on the sunny-side doors and windows for even more sun protection. The film also has an added bonus of providing privacy protection during the day. This post will show you the UV window film we used, how to install a UV window film, and what it looks like after it is installed.

Reflective UV Window Film:

Here is a photo of the the roll of reflective uv window film we are going to put on the kitchen window and the back door. It comes in a roll, and so you’ll need to roll out whatever length you need. Simply cut it with scissors.

This window film is in the color Black-Silver. This adds a little more light blocking than say the Silver color. There are a number of colors to chose from on Amazon.com. Choose what fits with your color scheme and sun-blocking preferences.

Sun Blocking Anti UV Reflective Window Tint

Sun blocking window film can effectively block 82% of infrared rays and 90% of UV rays which may hurt your skin, prevent your precious furniture and interior decorations from fading.

buy on amazon

KESPEN Window Privacy Film One Way Daytime Privacy Static Cling Sun Blocking Anti UV Reflective Window Tint for Home and Office, Black-Silver, 17.5 Inch X 6.5 Feet

A few tips when deciding which roll of window film to buy:

1. Measure the window areas you want to cover and make sure the width of the roll will match, or even better, be slightly larger. You want to avoid two different pieces of window film on a single pane of glass. Otherwise, the joint between two film sections will be visible.
2. Cut the piece of film slightly, say 1 or two inches, larger than the window area you’re coving. You will fine-tune the edges of the film along the glass with a razor blade once it’s on the window.

Steps to Install Window Film:

Directions with photos on how to install the uv window film came with the film. They are super helpful and pretty easy to read. A photo of the directions is below.

The steps are:

1. Clean the window on which you plan to apply the uv window film.
2. Measure the window.
3. Cut a sheet of the window film to cover the window. Make the cut a little bigger than your window size.
4. Remove the film protective liner. Lay it flat and spray it with some soapy water.
5. Spray the window with soapy water and then press the film, wet side, on to the window.
6. Squeegee the film against the window to remove any bubbles.
7. Trim the film along the window edges with a razor blade.
8. Squeegee again and dry the window film.
9. DONE!

Amazon has a tool kit to help with installing window film. The kit we bought and all the parts are shown below. It includes a bunch of squeegees to get bubbles out of tricky areas, a spray bottle, and a razor blade to trim the film along the window edges.

Set Film on Window:

Ok, we’ve cleaned the window, and cut and measured the window film. Now let’s get it on the window! Below is a photo of my husband squeegeeing the first pane. You can see he used some blue tape to help hold the film in place while he presses it onto the glass.

Also notice the big difference in light that this black silver UV window film makes!

Trim Film Along Edges:

With the UV film well squeegeed onto the window, we used a razor blade or exacto knife to cut the film along the window edge.

Squeegee Air Bubbles in UV Window Film:

Once the film is trimmed, squeegee again to remove any last bubbles. Below is a photo of the protective UV window film on both sides of the kitchen sink window. It makes such a difference!. Now the sunlight doesn’t strain our eyes when standing at the sink.

Comparison UV Film vs No Film:

Thought you might like to see a side-by-side comparison of the the black-silver UV window film. It is on the right window pane. No film is on the left in the photo below.

Here is the window from the outside with the UV reflective film on both sides of the window. You can see my blurry reflection. The film makes it almost impossible to see into the windows during the day. So that’s a nice added privacy protection. However, remember that you can see into the windows at night with lights on in the house.

Sun Blocking UV Window Film for Home:

Below is the black-silver UV protective film on the back door. Our cat enjoyed watching use install the window film.

Here’s the view from the outside where you can see my reflection. Added privacy and no more harsh glare inside! We’re very happy with the results.