Active Film Silver Reflective Window (Solar Control & Privacy Tint - One Way Mirror/Mirrored Glass) (76cm x 1 metre - 10 metre) (76cm x 1 metre)

I think that I (along with some other customers) owe an apology to window films of this kind. Like myself, I believe many customers actually did not realize that the film comes as 'two thin films stuck together'. At the beginning of the year when I mounted my first film, I stuck the 'whole thing' up, only to realize (like other customers) that when the water dries up, the whole thing falls down again. But finally I have discovered that no matter how thin you think you 'one' film is, it really is two stuck together. To separate them successfully, one needs to stick a tape at one corner of the film, say horizontally, and then stick another piece at the back of that 'same film' (which really is another thin film) at a 90 degree angle to the first tape, and then do your best to separate the two. Once the two very thin films are separated, and having first cleaned the window, and sprayed it with plenty of slightly soapy water, you can then mount the film with more success. I would not say that this is an easy task, but having done this a good number of times now, I know better how to tackle the problem. An extra pair of helping hands will always help. Well, the film does its job, but you need to gather some trial-and-error experience along the way. Not easy easy, but neither does it take a professional, if you are ready to live with a few bubbles here and there. So, 4 stars. But I have to say the film is good enough for my purpose :)

Living on the ground floor of a dangerous area, I had erected a covert CCTV unit to monitor the comings and goings of any undesirables. However, it no good if the animals were aware that their behaviour were being monitored (even if that were a suitable deterrent), best to capture their natural behaviour all year round, as I cannot always be there to prevent it in person. This film would of course obscure the CCTV unit and did just that. However, I found that I would have to disable the onboard CCTV IR lights that would automatically illuminate, due of the blinding effect from the reflection off of the film. Not only this, but those IR lights can easily be spotted piercing through the film in a darkened environment, thus giving away the CCTV units position. The workaround came from a LIFX IR (Apple HomeKit compatible) bulb that would smartly illuminate if a (Apple HomeKit compatible) sensor detected motion, otherwise illuminating in any colour desired on command. The IR spectrum would then flood the outdoor area allowing the CCTV camera to easily monitor, while being invisible to the human eye, problem solved. I did a lot of research beforehand in order to best prepare for installing this film, it was quite a process and I learned how best to do it: Techniques: • Clear the floor area and lay down rags/newspaper • Wash the window glass and frame squeaky clean with a dilute dish-soap mix from a spray bottle and microfibre towels • Use a squeegee to best get a clean finish (both for cleaning and film application) • A Stanley knife is best to cut the film larger than needed for the application area, and to trim to fit once in position • Make sure to understand which side of the film should be applied to the glass This was a repeat purchase for me, after becoming familiar with the process first time around, and happy with the product's results, I decided uniformity across all windows was less conspicuous. Although the second application was later on in the year and closer to the cooler months, when it is advised not to apply the film. However, the results were the same and so it's more likely the manner in which the film is applied, rather than the weather conditions, if not too extreme. An unintended offshoot of this system allowed my room to bathe in the natural light I would otherwise have had to shield myself from, which was unfair but necessary. Of course, during the evening there is no need, but it's nice to have something other than unnatural light. All in all, this product was worth the tuppence, you'll end up with a lot left over (which usually goes strait into the bin) and that means more than one attempt if need be, depending on your measurements and technique (hint: avoid cutting in the middle, the strait pre-cut edges are a bonus).

Bought a small bit to try as a test. Thought I had better after reading all the dire warnings about technique. I did read the instructions that came with the film, and watched the videos. The day arrived and with a bit of patience and thought it went on first time with remarkable ease. It was not perfect, there are a few small bubbles, but for a test I was impressed. Also expect water to run down the window onto whatever is below, so have something ready to soak it up and don't expect to be able to clean up the water and fit the film at the same time - you probably do not have enough hands. The film works as expected - whichever side has the most light, is the side that can be seen into. Generally during the day, you can see out of a room, but people looking in will see a mirror effect. At night you get the mirror effect and cannot see out, but people outside can see in. Also at night this mirror effect inside the room can seem a bit odd - if you have big windows, you now have big mirrors: time to draw the curtains. Overall it does the job and with a bit of patience a good fit can be achieved.

Buy two lots for each window; one to trial and one for the permanent finish; it’s almost impossible to apply and that’s if you can peel it off the backing in the first place! The film almost shrinks back on itself - a bit like its static, as you’re offering it up to the window and once it inadvertently sticks to itself in any area, you cannot recover from it. As for when it’s on the window, you have zero chance of applying it bubble free! However, it does what it says it does.

I installed it in our bathroom window as it’s right next to the shower and I can’t put any blinds or anything there. It's alright but you have to be careful when handling it because it wrinkles very easily and it's really hard to fix. It’s easy to install if you follow the instructions, plenty of soapy water with a spray bottle and it’s pretty straight forward. I would try and cut it to the exact window measurements if I were to install it again because when I cut the edge on the window I cut some of the rubber of the actual window! If it’s spray with enough soapy water it’s quite easy to adjust. My only issue with it is that it turned the bathroom very dark, if you’re installing it in a dark room it’ll block most of the light so I’ll only use it in a room that gets lots of light.