Putting window tint film on a SW facing Florida room

[olnacl]

[quote karsen]Another alternative to consider is to build a pergola or buy a roll out awning that overhangs the window creating shade.
Oh God! That would be a treat in this land of Condo Cops! I'll be lucky to get the window tint job past the board. Seriously, an awning would be wonderful but with the rules/regulations in this community, it would never fly. I'm going to replace three single hung windows with impact resistant /heat shield units and it's a major project to get that through the association. Luckily, the company is used to dealing with HOAs and will prepare the drawings/materials I need to get the work approved.

I used to live in Wisconsin, on a 1.5 acre property with a house and a barn and I did what I wanted when I wanted (it was zoned industrial). Moving to FL was a lesson in how the other half lives. I have to deal with it though...

[olnacl]

I have a couple smaller sliding doors that lead out to an east facing patio off the kitchen. Since the morning sun isn't a particular heat load problem, I wasn't going to do anything with them. Maybe I'll buy enough film for one of them and try it myself. The vinyl floor is all faded right near the window, so even though I don't see the sun coming in there as a problem, I suppose some UV shielding would be a benefit. And a learning experience. Tile floor is going in in a few weeks so the fading will no longer be an issue.

[Ombligo]

I'd suggest getting hurricane film on them.. cheap and easy way to strengthen the windows from breakage.

[olnacl]

[quote Ombligo]I'd suggest getting hurricane film on them.. cheap and easy way to strengthen the windows from breakage.
The guy who estimated the job suggested that as an option - for double the cost. And the film won't stop the window from breaking - just keep the glass from shattering into the house. I have aluminum hurricane shutters for all windows in the house so I'll pass on doubling the cost for tinting the patio sliders. The windows I'm replacing will be hurricane resistant but I'll probably still put the shutters up when one threatens.

[bazookaman]

I bought some of the window tint from HD and tried it myself on my sliding door. While it is a big piece of flat glass, it is a BIG piece of flat glass. And getting that same size piece of tint to do what I wanted was a major PITA and finally resulted in a ruined piece of tint. So i ended up getting someone to do it. I was very happy with the results. Although i don't remember the cost. It was a little higher since we got the higher grade tint of the two he offered.

[olnacl]

[quote bazookaman]I bought some of the window tint from HD and tried it myself on my sliding door. While it is a big piece of flat glass, it is a BIG piece of flat glass. And getting that same size piece of tint to do what I wanted was a major PITA and finally resulted in a ruined piece of tint. So i ended up getting someone to do it. I was very happy with the results. Although i don't remember the cost. It was a little higher since we got the higher grade tint of the two he offered.
Being basically lazy, that's the sort of experience I like to hear. Not that I might not try it myself, but hearing from others sort of hardens my resolve to let people experienced in their job - do their job - while I do mine.

Back in the day, when I fixed cars, I redid a lot of home brewed repairs that people attempted on their own. It was always fun to see the flatbead bringing in a Corvette with one rear wheel off and the parts lying alongside. We KNEW the owner had tried to replace his own axle bearing! Some things are better left to the pros.

Thanks for relating your experience

[John B.]

A door-size piece of tint is probably a two-person job, because if the tint folds over on itself, it's stuck together and you will damage it trying to pull it back apart.

Basically the key to putting on the tint is to hose everything down with liquid...either their application spray, or some solution of soapy water. That includes soaking the tint with spray as you are separating it from the backer that it comes rolled up on.

Mine has held up well. I got the Gila solar-reflective tint, which makes the windows slightly reflective from outside. I don't know what would happen if a cat were to try and scratch the tint. I think it makes a noticeable difference in the windows.

Also as a former Midwesterner, I was surprised when I bought a house down here and it had single-pane windows. Everyone (inspectors, hardware store people, etc.) said that was the way it was done here...either the payback for double-pane windows was too long, or the pane seals failed (this was in 2004). Of course, by the time I put an addition on the house in late 2006, the contractor was using double-pane windows.

Someone mentioned hurricane film. I would never call the Gila film hurricane film, but I will say that during the aforementioned addition, one of the windows with the Gila film got hit by a stray 2x4, and while the glass shattered, the Gila film held it in the frame.

[olnacl]

I think, from the comments generated, I'll have the pro do the job - after I do my upcoming cat-sitting stint. While they would enjoy the cooler temperatures the film might provide, they'll have to deal with it as they have for the past several years when I've been their temporary caretaker - and I don't even particularly LIKE cats - mostly because they're aloof and I'm allergic to them.

Thanks to all for advice and comments. As always, I can count on the forumites.

[Harbourmaster]

Having worked at a laminators that manufactured the Gila film back when I was a bit younger I will give you this advice.

Do not do this job, pay for a pro!

Also if I were you, I would be looking for a company that is familiar with doing tints on commercial buildings and businesses.

Why? Because they will be better versed with applying tint to large windows and have tint that will fit without having to create a seam. They will also use a commercial grade film that has a much higher resistance to scratching and the film will get scratched!

Believe me when I say that there is NOTHING harder than trying to remove window tint film that has been baking in the sun for a couple of years!

[Blurb]

Olnaci, check Angie's list too. More comprehensive info and more up to date than BBB. Actually I use them both.