It is always good to see that other blogs, especially one as highly regarded as Treehugger, agree with your assessments.  In a previous article titled, New AC Unit vs Window Tint, we determined that window tint is much more affordable an better ROI (return on investment) than both a replacement AC or replacement windows.

At more than $5k for a new central AC unit or over $250 per replacement window, window film easily becomes the most economical choice at $2.25 per square feet for professional DIY window film.

Treehugger reports that National Trust for Historical Preservation states:

… a complete myth that replacement windows will save you money. In fact, they go so far as to say that the payback period for replacement windows is probably twice as long as the life of the window.

The preservation society offers more tips:

Whether the window film industry likes it or not, the consumers increasingly sees window film as part of the green product movement.  They are reacting to the energy saving qualities of window film more than the aesthetic qualities, and the window film industry should embrace this opportunity.

It is nice to see Beakeart Films (SolarGard) join Huper Optik in making the manufacturing of window film a greener industrial process.  Excerpt from the official press release.

Bekaert Specialty Films established an
Environmental Management System (EMS) to ensure the company`s activities and
products have minimal impact on the environment. Bekaert Specialty Films` EMS
helps monitor and improve energy efficiency, resource conservation, waste
management and chemical control. Additionally the EMS aims to:

* Reduce the environmental impact of BSF`s manufacturing operations;
* Improve the work environment and create cross-functional teams that foster
awareness, understanding and responsibility across the organization; and
* Enhance relations with the community, regulators and stakeholders.

In the middle of a very well written article about keeping cool and lowering energy bills contains 4 paragraphs about window films:

The same holds true with 3M’s Prestige series of performance window films, which preserve the view from inside the home. They allow natural light into the home while blocking up to 97 percent of the sun’s heat.

…

Prestige comes with a lifetime warranty against bubbling, peeling and color change. It costs about $9 to $11 a square foot, depending on the scope of the job and style of window.

While it is great to see window films deservedly making it into articles such as this, I am continually disturbed to see that only the most expensive films are being written about.  The 3M marketing manager in this case has a new high-end film product they wish to publicize; however, I think most of the newspaper audience would be scared away by a product that costs $9 to $11 per square foot especially in these hard economic times.

It is just my opinion, but I believe the reader would be better served by a true range of costs for window film.  Here is a comparison between Prestige and what TC thinks is the best bang for buck window film in 2009.

3M Prestige films

• Blocks 50-59% of total solar energy.
• Costs $9-$11 per square foot.

Suntek  Symphony Neutral

• Blocks 50-80% of solar energy
• Costs $2.65 per square foot for DIY install (Additional 30% off tax credit available)
• Costs $5-$6 per square foot for professional install

With this information, I feel consumers are better able to make a cost-effective choice regarding window film purchases.

Readers sometimes write in ask about the differences between static cling film and standard window film.  Here is a comparison of the various factors you should consider when making a decision between the two types of window films.

Solar Heat Rejection Performance

Winner: Regular Window Tint

Static cling film is not as reflective as standard adhesive-based window tint.  This causes heat to be absorbed rather than reflected away from inside the house.  After periods of absorbing heat, sooner or later this heat will be transferred into the home as well.

Due to its non-reflective nature, static cling film should not be installed on dual pane windows unlike regular window tint.  This problem is especially troublesome as the standard for windows now are dual-pane construction.

UV Rejection Performance

Winner: Tie

Both types of film are generally block 99% of UV radiation.

Preserving your Window’s View

Winner: Regular Window Tint

The optical clarity of regular window film is much better than the thicker but removeable static cling film.  When installed, regular window tint looks as if there is nothing on the window at all, whereas there will be minor to major optical distortions with static cling films.

Installation and Maintenance

Winner: Tie

The major win for static cling film is that it is removeable; however, there are also negatives with this feature.  Due to its static nature, it is likely to adhere to dust and small debris particles.  When removing and reinstalling, great care needs to be taken to make sure that the film is kept clean before the next install.  Once static cling film is dirty, it is quite hard to get it clean again.

On the other hand, although regular window tint cannot be removed, the installation methodology for both films are nearly the same.  After installation, regular window tint does not need any special maintenance besides avoiding using harsh window cleaner or ammonia based products on it.

Winter Performance

Winner: Static Cling Film

This is where static cling film really shines.  Once removed, the winter sun can help warm up your home.  With regular window tint, the sun will continue to be weakened by the window tint.  Although regular window tint provides some insulation to the windows, this insulation effect is not as substantial.

Great article form the Hometown Annapolis newspaper detailing the steps you can take to keep a room cool:

1. Turn on the ceiling fan
2. Go from Auto to On for your AC fan only
3. Apply window film to windows

I agree with all the suggestions; however, I would rank the window film slightly higher to #2.  The reasoning is that the money spent on electricity can never be re-couped.  Whereas the money spent on window film can be earned back within 2-3 years by reduced electrical consumption.

There is only one point in the article I strongly object to:

It doesn’t have metal and hurls the heat out in summer and helps keep it in the house in winter. It’s called the Prestige Series and comes in at $8 to $12 a square foot of glass, depending upon the difficulty of application. So figure about 100 bucks a window and don’t forget the skylight.

$8 to $12 a sqauare foot is an extremely high price to pay for window film.  I wish the author of the piece did some more research to give a range of possible window film options.  This range should also include installing quality film in a DIY project.  Quality DIY window tint that is custom-cut to the sizes a homeowner needs range from $2.15 to $2.65 a square foot.  The application process for window film is really not very complex.  SnapTint.com provides an excellent window tint installation video that quickly explains the process.

At these DIY prices compared to the $8 to $12 for a professional, a homeowner can afford to install every window themselves 3-5 times over!

This is an excerpt from an excellent and lengthy article in the HeraldTribune.com detailing the various options for protection in hurricane-prone areas.   Often times, readers have the mental image of bulletproof glass in their minds.  They believe that the safety film product can just be added to a window to make it bulletproof.  This is a fallacy.

Window films have long been marketed erroneously for hurricane protection. In 2005, the International Window Film Association sent a notice to the Florida Attorney General’s Office warning that such films were not hurricane-proof.

But some companies, including several in Southwest Florida, still market the product as an alternative, rather than a supplement to standard hurricane protection.

“Unlike shutters or plywood, window film does not need to be installed each time a storm approaches,” claims a Sarasota-based company called The Window Film Specialists.

The company Web site compares film to shutters and cites numerous tests and approvals for the film, none of which include the Florida Building Code.

But company manager Randy Faust said the firm makes sure customers understand what they are buying.

“It’s not as strong as hurricane shutters; we don’t want anyone to be misled,” Faust said.

This is an excellent and researched opinion regarding the use of safety window film against hurricane damage.  TintCenter has always advised users that write in regarding safety films and hurricanes that safety film do offer some level of protection, safety film should not be relied as the primary defense against severe hurricane damage.  Safety window film should be thought of as secondary defense with benefits like holding together shattered glass in the event of substantial damage.

Although it sounds like a joke, but there is really is decorative window film designed with the leaves of the marijuana plant.  Sold by hipstuffnow.com, the Pot Leaf Window Film is an excellent addition to any home a way to subtly express your recreational activities.   Thanks to windowfilmmag.com for bringing this unique product to our attention.

On a serious note, decorative film is a great product to add privacy to your windows at the same time as a decorative touch.  Decorative films come in slightly varying flavors, some come with adhesive backing, others utilize static cling to stay on the glass.  Both types are easy to instasll and can add meaningful accents to bathrooms, kitchens, and even home offices.