I have a red prius. I would like to block the sun/UV rays from my 2 garage windows. Can anyone advise on a good product to cover the windows with. Thanks
Then that creates a poser. I've been around long enough to see furniture fade and car upholstry and dashboards fade over the years. The fading is diffinately greater in the areas that are exposed directly to the sunlight coming throught the window(s). There are a number of inexpensive UV films that reduce heat, another aging factor, as well as UV light. They are easy to apply and still lets in light. We have replaced our windows, with argon filled, insulated, double paned windows throughout the house, including the garage. What a difference. Significant reduction in our heating and A/C bills. We also have white opaque curtains on our garage windows, but that mostly for privacy. Anyway, we have UV protection in our vehicles, our home and on our eyeglasses. Maybe it's all a scam but I go for the UV film for Mitchs' garage windows if they don't profess to already have UV protection, especially if any direct sunlight falls on the car during the day.
I've also experienced fade through plate glass. In fact I use plate glass as a contact frame for exposing circuit boards to short wave UV. It's true that ordinary glass cuts some of the UV, but if you want real protection, use one of the purpose made films or specialty glass. Tom
Well technically NOT REALLY!! You can go to your local Home Supply Depot Type Lowesesque store ... and you can buy a plastic film, well much like car window tint film, thats specifically designed to stop UV without adding color. I opted for the bronze colored film, it blocks IR and UV and slightly darkens the window. It was easy to put on, requires a spray soapy water bottle, a small squeegee, a razor blade and about 30 minutes of time, well depending on window size. I installed it years ago, still works, looks great, and the best part is was rather inexpensive!!! There, now you have a weekend project that you can feel good about when finished!!! Good Luck de Pat KK6PD
And, two tips. Make sure window is CLEAN and there's not alot of dust flying around in the air, and be sure to work all the air bubbles out starting at the center of the pane and working your way out to the edges. Actually, here's a third tip. If you end up with an air bubble that you can't seem to work out, use the corner tip of the razor blade to make a small puncture in the center of the bubble. You should then be able to work that bubble out through the puncture. Oh gosh! Tip #4, do it on a hot day or use a hair dryer o heat up the window first if it's cold, otherwise any air trapped between the film and the glass while it's cold will expand when it warm. I'm sure we've all seen those DIY jobs on cars that look like an aquarium. It really is easy. You just have to take your time and do it right.
Yep DW has done this before!!! Thats exactly the tips that I used, and thanks for adding them, and he's right, incorrectly done you get that bubble look, yeech, mine has been perfect for about 10 years now!! Thanks for the add!! 73 de Pat K6PD
Yea, twice. Ford Club Wagon full size window vans, 8 windows. Watch out for the gnats. Thanks for the reply. One last tip for Mitchs. In case they don't mention it in the instructions, I used brown wrapping paper to make a template since the van windows were not perfect rectangles. Either way be sure to leave a ~1/16" to 1/8" gap between film and frame when you cut out the film for expansion. It's not that noticable and it will prevent buckling due to any expansion of the film.
Re: UV Rays/ 12 mil room darkening thanks for the great advice. what do you think about the vinyl shades they sell at home depot that black out the window. they are labeled 12 mil room darkening and are 4 ply laminated vinyl and fiberglass. thanks
The only home window glass I have used that has really made a difference is that which is treated Low-E. There are window films out there that also work well, such as those from Huper Optik
Re: UV Rays/ 12 mil room darkening I personally would not go with anything that would shut out light so completely. You don't want to end up with a dark damp basement odor. You bring the car in when raining. You want the sunlight to prevent mold and mildew. You want a film to reduce the UV to avoid fading of colors. Our three garage windows are Low-E, double pane, argon filled, insulated vinyl windows. A good UV film will give you the same results, less the insulation of course. No fading and no mold, mildew or musty odors. My opinion only. Others may advise otherwise.
