Many, many, many internet retailers and professional installers alike have been (or still are) guilty of over-stating the benefits of window film as a means of fade protection. This is not to say that window films don’t help slow fading, but to warn that businesses aren’t always truthful with how much each window film will actually help.
Just because most window films can block 99% of Ultra-Violet light does not mean that every window film is fit to protect against fading. When shopping for a fade protection window film, beware of claims that a light window film will perform just as well as a darker window film as a fade protection method.
Heat and visible light are 50% of what causes fading (UV light is 40%). If you are truly interested in protecting your furnishings and know that shades or blinds aren’t enough, make sure that you choose a window film that will block as much light as you can live with, as these films will also reduce the solar heat coming through the glass, thus offering better fade protection.
This article deals with the cost of having a service install window film in a home or commercial application – not the cost of automotive, DIY window film pre-cut kits or bulk rolled window films. Film is usually installed by the square foot, and the price includes the cost of the film and the installation.
On typical residential installations (100-300/sqft) the average price you will find is right around $7/sqft. On installations close to and over 1000 square feet, prices can fall as low as $6/sqft. Using these prices as a base, installation cost can go up as much as $2/sqft more, depending on the difficulty of the installation. These prices deal with the cost of standard semi-metallic films.
Typical “square” windows with clean edges that can be accessed without the use of stools, ladders or scaffold and do not have obstructions in the way should be installed at the low end of the price scale.
Things that can raise the base cost of installation:
- Excessive putty, paint or silicone on the edge of the glass to be filmed
- Glass that does not have a frame on some or all of the edges
- Odd shaped windows
- Skylight application
- Removal of existing film
- Storm window application
- Ladder or scaffold use
- Window/Door hardware removal/replacement
- Applications that require seaming (usually if window is over 72″ in two directions)
- Windows blocked by immovable obstructions
Square foot price is usually switched to a per-unit price when dealing with “french-pane” windows. Individual preparation and filming of each of the units is labor intensive, so the prices can range from $15-$20 a pane depending on the condition of the glass and the type of film used.
Shades, blinds & curtains are standard obstructions and the price should not be affected by their presence. The service should either work around or remove and replace these obstructions as part of the service.
Spectrally-selective films fall in a higher price range, from $12-$20/sqft. This base price range is mainly affected by the quality of the film. The “70” series of each of the manufacturers is the most popular, and refers to the nominal percentage of light allowed through the glass after the application of the film. This level of light reduction is nearly undetectable to the human eye, so the fact that these films can reject up to 56% of solar energy is impressive. These films also act as an after-market low-E coating, which can reflect heat back into the room, saving energy in the winter.
Lower quality spectrally-selective films block less heat, block more light, and in some cases, add distortion to the glass. Review our article about spectrally selective films for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions | Administrator September 12, 2010 | 
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