BDF NC20 Window Film Premium High Performance Heat Control Nichrome 20, Medium Dark (36in X 7ft) by Buydecorativefilm

Update 3/2017: Eventually, the bubbles were gone but I didn't know when. So, it doesn't look like raining anymore. I still can't recommend it unless you can live with a rainy window for at least a few weeks.It has been a week now but there are still tiny bubbles under the film. In comparison, for the other popular brand, even bigger bubbles are gone within a day or two. The first films of that brand I put up years ago are still holding up well and bubble free! I took the remaining film from those years out of the garage and applied to windows recently and they are as great as years ago - bubble free. This old film and the new film I brought were applied on the windows on the same side of the house. It's a side by side comparison, though the bay windows are not exactly parallel.I am pretty sure the bubbles are not due to my poor skills. It is pretty easy to squeeze out the bubbles with the tools supplied. They all look bubble free after installation. But soon tiny bubbles appear, spreading out evening all over. And they won't go away. It doesn't happen on the other brand. Even bigger bubbles due to poor skill eventually disappear for the other brand. I also used different soapy solutions - a branded application solution, organic Castile liquid soap diluted, a clear environmental dish washing liquid (not for dishwasher).I choose this brand because reflective films are not allowed by my HOC. (I will challenge them because solar roofs are allowed now.) The other popular brand only has static cling version, which is normally thicker and not as transparent as thinner adhesive versions.So you'd like to put on Window Films at home or on auto?Adhesive vs static clingAdhesive is not that difficult. For static, you can take it out and reapply if something goes wrong. But static is usually thicker and less clear. So the choice is adhesive if the view is important - driver side windows, windows with a view. You can also easily take out adhesive films with any usable steamer (turning water into steam), but the film cannot be reused.Tint colorSome heat reduction films that claim to preserve the view have a hint of bronze tint in it. It's not bad at all but blue skies don't look that blue anymore. Most films are anti-glare and things look a lot better in sunlight, except for the skies. My fav is a reflective privacy that has a little bluish tint that enhances the sky color. This BDF is about neutral so the blue sky doesn't look as good.Anti-glare, reflective, privacy, heat controlIt's the same thing for see through types! Films work by rejecting, say, 80% of light passing through. So the area feels a lot cooler under sunlight. And since 80% of light is reflected, so in daytime, the reflection at the outside is a lot stronger than what you can see inside. The heat insulation property of plastic films is a lot better than glass, but they are too thin to change anything. Unfortunately, only manufacturers specify the VLT (visible light transmission) on auto films so you can tell what is legal in your state. It's a bit hard to match the VLT on homes.BubblesI can assure you that it's not difficult at all to get a bubble free installation. So don't settle for brands that actually create bubbles after the film is applied.* Steps for rectangular windows1. Cut outline of filmI would align the top of the window frame with a straight edge of the film. For the other 3 sides, leave half to one inch of margin, which will cover window frames that are not exactly "square".2. Clean windowCleaning the outside too will help to spot dirt but not necessary for high windows. One of the best cleaner to clean water deposit and stains is bartender's friend, liquid form. The acid is strong for organic types, and present in a very light concentration in plants. But you should not let it absorb through skin for repeated use. Calium salt of the acid is not soluble in water. Rinse off acid or wipe with wet towel. Clean with a soapy solution. I tried castile liquid soap and a clear dish washing liquid (for hand wash), both works well. Cut off excess caulk. Scrape out residue that stick to the glass. Squeegee the glass and you have a good idea how clean the glass is.3 Peel off filmI would use a flat clean surface such as a vinyl floor. Peel off the corner, separating the film layer and the protective layer, using the two tape method. Painter's tapes are good. Spray soapy solution at the corner so the two surface won't stick back together. Spray soapy solution on the film layer and lay the film flat with the film layer on the flat surface. Spray soapy solution all over the protective layer on top. Start peeling off the protective layer on top, spraying soapy solution between the two layers.4 Wet window glass with soapy solutionAlso, make sure the adhesive side of the film has plenty of soapy solution left.5 Place film on glassNow the film is flat on the ground or flat surface with adhesive side up with plenty of soapy solution. You just need to lift it up and walk slowly to the window very slowly. If the film touches itself on the adhesive side, that's the end of its useful life. You can handle very large films this way with just a pair of hands. But you may want to tape some weight to the non-adhesive side of the bottom edge. Pick a windless day if you do it outdoors on an auto. Align the top edge of the window with the corresponding edge of the cut film. Squeeegee the film onto the glass using the tool supplied - not the rubbery edge that is for cleaning glass. Any harder plastic edge will do. Make a big T first. That is, squeegee the top edge of the film and then from top to bottom starting from the middle. Then squeegee the rest of the film so no big bubbles appear. It's OK to have some small ones at the edges if the film is forgiving.6 Trim the excess filmAfter enough squeegee, the film should not be able to slide on glass anymore. To trim the excess film, squeegee all the way to the window edge, applying a little pressure so the film is almost folded at the edge. Insert the cutting tool between the window frame and the edge of the squeegee and cut, using the window frame edge as a guiding ruler. Repeat on the other two sides.* Windows with curvesYou can use the same method as rectangular windows as long as you can find one straight edge to align. But it is easier to make a template using butcher paper.1. Cut several pieces of paper that cover all the edges of the window.2. For each piece of paper, stick it on the window using painter's tape. Punch small holes on paper for the tape to stick to glass.3. Use finger nail to trace the edge of window.4. Repeat for another piece of paper covering another part of the edges. Tape paper to the other papers already there.5. If the window glass is not fully covered by paper, add more piece of paper and tape them to the papers already there.6. Using the window frame as a guide, cut off the template with tool.7. Take out the template8. Put the paper template on film and cut along the outline.9. Put the film on glass using the same procedure as rectangular window above.10. Just slide the film into position and squeegee.Construction paper and the like may do. Butcher paper is cheap. The paper has to be sturdy enough to hold up in one piece with all the taping, and maintain its shape. The paper has to be soft enough, so when the window edge is traced with finger-nails, the outline is sharp. And the paper should be easy to be cut off on glass using the window frame as a guide.*Auto filmsAuto films are tricky. You have to watch one take videos to appreciate it. The easiest way is to make a template using butcher paper (or construction paper and the like) first. I don't leave any top margins for the scrollable windows. Nobody can see it if the windows are up, lol. I don't leave any margins at the sides. If done right there will be no visible gap. I'll leave a little margin on the bottom to avoid any damage due to daily scrolling of the windows. Holding up so far. So I have 3 sides to align and there will be no difficulty at all. After squeegee, I then push the little bit of film margin into the bottom of the window with the help of my fingernails and a little flat screwdriver. There's no trimming at all. The alternative is leaving enough margins on all sides. Just trim the film on the window after squeegee and insert the excess into the window frame. It's not easy to insert the excess into the sides, and open the window a little to trim the top edge.

I am pleasantly surprised with the installation of this product. I covered a huge skylight by myself in under an hour start to finish and it looks professional! Make sure you use a razor blade over the whole window before you start and if doing it alone I recommend laying out the portion that you're using before taking off the backing and entirely spray it in water with a drop of dish washing soap before you pick it up. Then when you place it on the window smooth it from he top down inside out. I also really like the color. I was debating between the medium and dark for the longest time and the medium dark isn't too dark and not too light! Im not sure how it stands up again sun yet but I'm very pleased so far.

Great instructions, went on easily when following instructions. Did have some bubbles after it set for overnight - was able to remove the bubbles, then they reappeared the 2nd morning - I gave up. The window is a decorative window in a front door and has enough texture to it that it doesn't show any small bubbles. If I had a solid window I would have worked the bubbles out. It has definitely reduced the amount of heat transferred through the window which was our goal. Excellent product - recommend.

Do NOT buy if have double pane windows!! While I like the product - I found out AFTER the fact that it is NOT the product for double pane house windows. Now I have to buy the correct product and reapply it. I truly believe that the packaging or the specs on the product should state this fact. When I wrote the company they said they don't do that.

Rec'd package promptly and properly packed and protected. I tried to install it myself and had difficulty. I ended up pulling it off and discarding. I think it would have gone up and looked nice if I had a 2nd person helping. It's probably not nice to only give 3 stars but hard to give more since I had to dispose. In fairness the Instructions did recommend a 2nd person to help.