Category Archives: Window Films

Gila Heat Control Window Film – Gila Platinum Review

Company Claims For Gila Platinum Window Film

Gila claims that its LES361 Heat Control Residential Window Film offers additional thermal insulation in winter to help retain the heat. They claim to reject 99% of the UV light, 67% of glare, and reduce fading of furniture and interior furnishings. Gila also contends its Platinum Heat Control Window Film will also reduce your summer cooling costs by an estimated 50%. Gila also claims that “Installation is simple”.

Who Are The Users Of Gila Heat Control Window Films?

When you drive through a downtown area of a major city, do you notice the beautiful metallic shiny reflections from the office building windows? This is one of the major commercial uses of Gila films, aka Gila tints. But Gila film is also available to residential customers. Especially these days with higher and higher costs of heating, anyone who lives in areas where it gets cold in the winter, including all of California, can benefit financially from Gila window films.

Anyone who loves the idea of passively heating up the house or an apartment, without money expenditures every month will find Gila films intriguing when they learn about them.

Anyone who has invested serious money in their furniture, carpeting, upholstering, and curtains, will want to take advantage of reducing the furnishings exposure to UV light, and glare, and thus reduce fading and discoloring of the surfaces.

Gila Titanium And Gila Platinum Emissivity And Reflectivity Rating: Old Titanium Vs. New Platinum

The older Titanium window film is still better known yet it is quickly being replaced by the new Platinum heat control film everywhere. The main reason is that Gila’s energy-saving platinum window film has the emissivity rating of .44, which makes it a 50% better in keeping radiative heat losses down than the Gila Titanium window film, which is rated at emissivity of .63.

You can find more info about the ratings here and you can read more about the meanings of emissivity here. Reflectivity is reverse of emissivity, so the lower the emissivity, the higher the reflectivity.

Versatility And Convenience Of Installation

As long as you know how to operate a sharp cutting knife any shape window can be covered with the Gila window film. Even if you make mistake, patching is easy and hardly visible. Despite the company claim that the installation is simple, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a a significant learning curve to do it right. It can be used on both single pane and double pane windows.

The method takes quite some practice and we suggest to get a helper to make it easier. Keep in mind that the adhesive is already pre-applied on the film. The film must be installed on the inside of the window. To double up and do the outside install, check out this 3M outdoor window kit.

Best Installation Practice

We’ll describe here the best installation practice (on top of following the Gila directions – (see Gila company video here) provided by a number of very experienced users.

Before you do anything, clean the window surfaces thoroughly using Windex. Make sure you have removed all debris especially caulking particles at the edges and in the window corners. Then carefully cut the film to size.

An experienced user suggests the following procedure that will prevent the biggest accident that can happen – Gila film curling back onto itself and gluing itself on itself. Which ruins the film totally. Pay attention because you won’t find this useful advice in the official directions for installation.

Here are the steps to apply Gila film to the window without incidents:

A) Cut the film (with liner attached) to size.
B) Get a friend to help you with the film (mainly to prevent curling of film back onto itself).
C) Before you peel the film off the liner, spray both sides with water which removes static electricity and prevents curling accidents which will ruin your film as mentioned above.
D) Before you peel the film off the liner, have your friend clip two clothespins to the bottom two corners of the film. This will allow gravity pull to help you keep the film straight.

E) Your friend starts peeling the film off the liner on top.
F) As he/she peels the film, have him/her spray the film with the adhesive generously. The more generous, the easier it will be to get rid of any bubbles later.
G) You press the top of the film in place on top of the window and proceed pressing down.

H) As you get to the bottom, remove the clothespins from the bottom and remove the last inch of the liner.
I) Finish with the film application.
J) Spray regular water on the non-sticky side of the film and use squeegy to press the film firmly to the window across the entire surface to remove bubbles.

The film is much easier to remove than to put on. You won’t be able to reuse it once you removed it. But why remove it when it can save you money both in summer and in winter?

Gila Heat Control Window Film Platinum Color And Looks

When you followed all directions to the T, you will be able to enjoy a gorgeous view outside while at the same time know you are saving dollars every day on heating in wintertime and on cooling in the summer.

Get More Privacy During The Day

As a side benefit, Gila Platinum Window Film acts as a half-mirror. This means that, during the day, passers by won’t be able to see inside your home as most of the outside light will be reflected back from the film. You will have more privacy with Gila Platinum window film with its reflectivity of 0.66. So you could be watching the passers by from the window without them seeing you at all. That is why this heat control window film is sometimes referred to as Gila Privacy Window Film.

However, this is only a partial privacy tool. The privacy feature does not work at night when there is little light that can be reflected on the outside. If you have a light inside your home, people will be able to see inside through the Gila window film at night. Worse, you won’t be able to see much outside at night, the window will look like a mirror to you! So you will still need curtains or blinds for privacy at night!

Gila Film Dimensions

Gila comes in many sizes but for the purpose of heat reduction and privacy, the 36″ x 15′ and 48″ x 15′ are the most popular sizes. We provide access to both below. Gila film also comes in bulk. Either way, it is packaged in rolls.

Features

can be applied to any size and shape windows
enhances privacy
reduces heating and cooling costs
removes UV light
allows unobstructed view

Accessories

Gila recommends purchasing the Complete Application Kit when you purchase the film. The kit consists of the adhesive solution, squeegee, lint free cloth, and the trimming tool which is just a cutting knife.

Pros As Mentioned By Buyers

definite savings on energy bills
they love a mild blueish tint
enjoy significant difference in the room temperatures
dropped the room temperature by 8 degrees

Cons That Buyers Reported

While installation may be easy, it takes a significant time to learn to do it right. (Check out complete directions from experienced users above).
some felt the film was a pain to apply
some felt lack of dexterity and patience to apply the film

Gila Window Film Reviews By Buyers

Walmart actually has an OK rating for this product, only 10 reviews and 3 out of 5 stars awarded. That is due to two negative reviews which, most likely, represent buyers who couldn’t follow directions properly. But that will not be you because you have read in this article the simple tips (see above) to make it easy to install the film like a pro without incidents.

Here are excerpts from some positive Gila window film reviews for Gila Heat Blocking Window Film Platinum:

“We felt the difference IMMEDIATELY!”

“I couldn’t believe how easy it was for me to do, with little to no help.”

Price

We have seen a lot of products out of stock in November 2014. That was right after the Polar Vortex storms. Coincidence? We don’t know. So price may easily go up as more and more people realize how much money they can save on their heating bill.

At the time of writing, prices across the online retailers were within 10% of each other.

Verdict

If you are considering buying Gila Energy Saving Window Film to keep the utility costs down in winter and in summer, we feel that the one time cost, and a small effort to install the film is well worth the trouble.

Check out the current availability of Gila Window Heat Control Film at Walmart.com.
Here is the second link in case the first product is out of stock.

Thermal Window Treatments To Keep The Heat In Your House

Why Use Thermal Window Treatments?

Windows are the biggest heat sinks in your house, whether it is a single family residence or an apartment. In this post we will review three major types of thermal window treatments. These three types of thermal window coverings consist of Thermal Insulated Curtains, Thermal Curtain Liners and Heat Reflecting Window Films.

Thermalogic Curtain Liner

Any of these will reduce your heating costs and your monthly utility bill. It doesn’t even matter what type of curtains, thermal drapes or other type thermal window covers you might have right now.

By reading this post and following the links that you like, you can save more money and keep warm regardless of the window treatments you have installed now! The winter has not started in its full swing yet, there is still time to prepare!

Three Major Types Of Thermal Window Treatments

Ivory Velvet White Blackout Curtains Grommets Are Some Of The Best Thermal Window Treatments

Light colored velvet curtains are some of the best thermal curtains.

The three major types of thermal window coverings are, in the order of better known to lesser known:

Do you use all three? Some of these are so little known they could be considered secrets!

Let’s look into the details of each of these. As we list these various thermal window treatments, we will point out what to look for when you are purchasing them. We will provide links to reviews of best thermal window coverings we could find.

In the reviews you will not only find descriptions of items we recommend, but also underlying physics. The simple physics will help you make a better choice of color, size, and material to maximize heat blocking and maximize your savings.

What Are Thermal Curtains? Choices Of Thermal Insulated Curtains For Your Home

Simply stated, thermal curtains, or thermal insulated curtains are curtains that keep the heat out in the summer, and equally important, they keep the heat in come winter cold.

In the old days, people used very heavy drapes, often velvet drapes made of heavy cotton or silk. Only royalty could afford them.

Today, the invention of plastic materials with insulating properties is allowing a much less heavy yet still thermally insulating curtain construction. Many of these materials you can even find at Walmart at a really good price. You will find faux-suede thermal insulated curtains, faux-silk thermal insulated curtains, even beautiful white velvet curtains. Any of these will help you save on heating costs.

Here are four of our reviews of different types of thermal curtain panels:

Top Heat Blocking Curtains – Thermal Faux Silk By Better Homes And Gardens. This is an exceptional curtain that combines an awesome, rich look of shiny silver, with top notch heat blocking quality. Due to the classical back tab hanging options, the curtain will have a more classical, stately look. In this review, we provide suggestions for the kind of color (light) that will provide better heat insulation. We also talk about choosing the best size thermal curtain panel to match your windows and to minimize heat loss.

Cheap Insulated Curtains – Eclipse Nottingham Thermal Energy-Efficient Curtains. These come with a great price tag at Walmart.com. They are very popular there. We picked Eclipse Nottingham Thermal curtains because of their wide selection of light colors. We showed that light colors are more effective for heat insulation. This holds true both in the winter as well as in the summer. Thanks to their grommet top design, these curtains look quite appealing and modern. Once you show them to your friends, they will think they cost a lot more than what you paid at Walmart.com!

And For The Kid’s Rooms

Awesome Kids Thermal Curtains – Eclipse Dayton Thermaback Energy-Efficient Curtains. These excel with their thermal panels in vivid colors, and you will have multiple choices of light, playful colors to choose from. Regardless if your girl wants curtains in pink or purple, or if your boy would prefer blue or lime, these vivid curtains will encourage your kids to have fun in their rooms. Especially if you are decorating a room for a new baby, you will be reassured to know that your baby will not be interrupted. The street noise, hot sun rays, or wild temperature swings will affect the child less when you install these thermal insulated curtains.

Best Thermal Curtains At Target, Walmart, IKEA, Lowes And Amazon Best Thermal Curtains At Target, Walmart, IKEA, Lowes And Amazon. It is amazing how these top North American retailers offer such completely different choices of their top thermal insulated curtains. None of them suggests the same top thermal curtain choices. It is also true that their product descriptions are rather short and generic. There are no color considerations mentioned for best insulation, no size recommendations, and no material preferences mentioned.

This makes it difficult to pick the right heat blocking curtain for your home.

That is why we provide our own opinion on thermal window treatments based on simple physics. Our reviews which will hopefully give you an additional guidance of what to look for to get a perfect set of thermal curtains for your rooms.

Thermal Curtain Linings Boost The Insulating Power Of Your Curtains

What do you do in the winter when it becomes extra cold and you have to go out into the cold? You add an extra layer of clothes! Same thing with thermal curtain linings. You can add an extra layer of curtain thermal lining to every single curtain out there, even the one that is already labeled thermal or energy efficient. Since windows are the biggest heat sink in your house, every extra layer of thick curtain lining will directly influence the temperature in your room, and, at the end of the month, your utility bill will go down. We find that, thanks to the fiber technology, thermal insulating curtain lining does not have to be all that thick after all (think Thinsulate!).

Two most popular thermal linings, Thinsulate Curtain Liner and Thermalogic Curtain Liner

Thinsulate Thermal Curtain Linings For Winter And Summer: This is a lining that fits any curtain style at all and increases thermal blocking on every window in the house. Thinsulate fabric, as the name reveals, is a 3M product that was designed to take advantage of micro fibers. Micro fibers are ten times thinner than usual. This then provides super small air pockets that provide excellent thermal insulation. You will frequently find Thinsulate in gloves, caps, and thermal insulated clothes. And now Thinsulate is used to make Thinsulate curtain thermal lining. The lining thus becomes relatively thin, flexible, and easy to work with. Best, Thinsulate curtain linings can be attached to most curtains via the variety of hooks. They can even be hung in parallel using a double rod. Check out even more details about Thinsulate Curtain Lining here.

Thermalogic Ultimate Window Liner, A Detachable Thermal Curtain Lining: Thermalogic is the most popular thermal liner out there. It is the stuff you will find in top hotel chains nationwide. This window liner is the stuff that makes you sleep in till 11 AM when you stay in Motel 6. It not only will reduce temperature variations, save the air conditioner from running, but will also block the outside noises and blackout the room. Perfect if you want to sleep in. But also perfect if you want to equip the heat sinks of your home, the windows, with another layer of heat blockage. A layer that will double or triple your savings on your heating bill this winter, and any harsh winter to come. With Thermalogic Detachable Curtain Lining, you will be prepared.

Heat Reflecting And Heat Reducing Window Films

Thermal insulated curtains and thermal curtain linings is not all you can do to keep your biggest heat sink in the house, your windows, thermally insulated! Heat reflecting and heat reducing window films are a little known secret of further decreasing your heating costs in the winter, and AC costs in the summer. This technology was for the most part only used on windows of large corporate offices. However it is now available for house owners and apartment dwellers alike.

You will be surprised to find such a wide variety of window films that will all help you. Some create air pockets between the window and the film for insulation, others use the reflectivity of a metal (such as platinum or titanium) to reflect the heat and reduce heat losses that way. Heck, you could even use all three types of thermal window treatments below if you are a heat loss freak. Or you may just find that one of them will be quite enough. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

We review three ways you can use a heat reducing window film. These are: Indoor Gila Heat Control Platinum Window Film, Outdoor 3M Heat Reflective Window Film, and Duck Brand Heat Blocking Window Film. Check them out below.

Three Types Of Heat Reducing Window Film

Gila Heat Control Window Film Platinum Review (Indoor installation). The newest Gila Platinum window film improves on Gila Titanium window film. It offers even higher heat reflectivity, which means added heat insulation for your windows. It provides more privacy. Gila film works like a half-mirror. You can use it together with the thermal insulating curtains for an insulation boost. Heat control film has one big advantage: You achieve thermal insulation without losing the view to the outside.

3M Heat Reflective Window Film Review (Outdoor installation). 3M has outdone itself with this product. You will now be able to install this film simply on the outside of your patio door, or on the outside of a window. The installation will weather the elements such as rainwater, sun rays, and strong winds. That’s because the film installation uses the two-sided scotch tape, also produced by 3M!

Some of the advantages of the outdoor heat reflective window film is that it reduces the indoor water condensation, and it reduces the frost buildup on the outside of the window.

Duck Brand Heat Blocking Window Film Review. This “shrink wrap” window film will work great on windows and doors. It creates an air pocket between the window an the film. The air pocket will then act as a thermal insulator. It is quite like adding an extra window pane but without the astronomical cost of the windows in your home.

A Beauty Of All Thermal Window Treatments: White Velvet Curtains

White Velvet Curtains Review. You want heat insulation and you are in love with the idea of white velvet curtains. Then yes, there is good news for you. The white or off-white velvet curtains are an excellent way to heat insulate your windows. First, because of the thickness and weight of the material. Second, because of the air pockets that appear in the pile in velvet curtains. Third, because of the white, or light, color of the curtains which reflects the infrared light that transfers heat. So check out the White Velvet Curtains Review.