Window Tint Inserts

Quote:

---

Originally posted by chrisva
I think it depends on where your home is. We had a professional install the 3M sSotchguard film on our home, because it is in a coastal area where hurricanes blow through occassionally. Besides the heat rejection and fade prevention, a huge benefit of the scotchguard film is that it is also hurricane-resistant and can take impacts up to 150 mph. With the Scotchguard film, we don't have to worry about boarding up the house in a hurricane warning situation. If we weren't in a coastal environement, we'd probably just have installed solar screens ourselves.

---

Is that because the screens would be blown off, and the film not? Or the film offers some broken glass shard protection? As cem-base pointed out, that's about it!!!!

We get some pretty good winds and storms here in Tornado Alley, Texas, and the screens have never been a problem (my home weather station has clocked winds over 70 mph...pretty close to mild hurricane status if I recall).....of course I don't expect much to be left of the screens (or the house) if a Twister hits.....I guess its more all or nothing with a tornado vs hurricane......


Operator:

3M only guarantess for one year? That alone would make me chose screens. I made mine about 7 years ago, and they're still going strong. The frames are a little faded, but last year I compared a piece of leftover screen-scrap, and it was hard to tell the difference.

[Edited by robnjr on 06-28-2005 at 12:18 PM]

hurricane-resistant and can take impacts up to 150 mph. With the Scotchguard film, we don't have to worry about boarding up the house in a hurricane warning situation.



yea the film can withstand a 150 mph impact

I'm taking bets here folks! My money says the hurricane beats that film every time


Please post again after the next storm and let us know how that film held up. Oh BTW- the glass cannot take a 150 mph impact---it will break and the film will tear. Try hitting it with a 10 mph hammer!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by ct2
Oh BTW- the glass cannot take a 150 mph impact---it will break and the film will tear. Try hitting it with a 10 mph hammer!

---

close ct2, the window will shatter yes, but the film wont tear.

the whole window may come down in one piece but not like shrapnel

I went to Home Depot's web site and could not find anything like this. Does it go by some other name?

-Larry

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Chilled out
I recently priced DIY solar screens at Home Depot. The price was good and building the screens to fit looked pretty straighg foreward. I like the look of them as they cover the entire window.

---

The solar screens are the way to go- I had a pro put them on and they work incredible. I was mad at myself for not doing it earlier.

The added benefit was that instead of having my blinds closed all the time, I could leave them open 24/7 and not have to open and close them all day depending on where the sun was. They block so much heat that the blinds don't make any difference. You still need them at night for lights-on privacy, though.

Another benefit is since they are outside, they keep the heat off of your windows (unlike tint) and window frame, reducing heat infiltration even more. If you have wood windows this can extend their life.

Try one window from a pair of windows that are in the sun. Put your hand in the sunlight from the non SS window and then move it to the SS window. You will feel the difference immediately.

It wouldn't suprise me if some locales in the hot areas (AZ, FL) start making them CODE!

Home depot sells the parts you need- frame, screen, spline, etc... If you have arched windows or lites, you will need a pro. Home depot carries Phifer SolaScreen.

[Edited by old yeller on 06-28-2005 at 02:36 PM]

Hmmm, I didn't see the screens either, just the frame materials. They were there last time I was in that section of my local store, but its been a while. I would just call your local Home Depot, as the website isn't always accurate or complete.

RN

Quote:

---

Originally posted by old yeller
The solar screens are the way to go- I had a pro put them on and they work incredible. I was mad at myself for not doing it earlier.

---

Exactly how I felt.....