Home windows are one of the easiest places to install film yourself: the glass is flat and you work from the inside. A standard window takes 20 to 40 minutes once you've done one or two.
Before you start
- Check your glass. Dark or highly absorbing films can overheat some double-pane and low-E windows. Check the film maker's compatibility guidance, or ask us.
- Measure each pane to the edge of the gasket or frame, then add 1 inch to each dimension for trimming. Film is sold by the roll in several widths, so choose a width that covers your panes with the least waste.
- Pick a mild day. Avoid direct sun on the glass while you work; it dries the solution too fast.
Tools
- Spray bottle with slip solution: water plus a few drops of baby shampoo
- Razor scraper (not for coated or low-E glass)
- Squeegee and a hard card
- Sharp utility knife and a straightedge
- Lint-free towels and a drop cloth for the sill
Step by step
- Clean the glass. Spray, scrape off paint specks and residue, squeegee, and wipe the frame edges. Dust is the main cause of bubbles and specks.
- Cut the film about 1 inch larger than the pane on each side.
- Wet the glass generously.
- Peel the liner while spraying the exposed adhesive. Having a second person makes this easier on large panes.
- Apply the film adhesive side to the glass and slide it into position.
- Squeegee lightly from the center outward to anchor it.
- Trim the edges with a sharp blade against a hard card, leaving a gap of about 1/16 inch from the frame so water can escape.
- Squeegee firmly from the center out to remove the water, then wrap the hard card in a towel and press out the edges.
Video walkthrough
After you finish
- Curing takes time. Some haze and small water pockets are normal for 2 to 4 weeks, longer in cool weather. Don't press them out; they'll dry.
- Wait 30 days before cleaning, then use a soft cloth and an ammonia-free cleaner.
Choose your film
See our picks by need or browse home and office film. For privacy glass, try decorative film.
