Villas and flats here have generous glazing, and the west and south-west elevations get uncomfortably hot through the afternoon. People assume the answer is replacing the glass, which is the most expensive option and rarely the first one worth trying.
What solar film does and does not do
Applied film reflects and absorbs part of the solar energy before it enters the room, and a good one makes a genuine difference to afternoon heat.\n\nWhat it does not do is act as insulation, so it helps very little in winter and nothing at night.\n\nIt also darkens the glass to some degree — the films that reject most heat are the ones you notice most. So the honest trade is heat against daylight, and we would show samples against your actual window rather than quoting a specification.
Where film should not be used
Film on a sealed double glazed unit can raise the temperature of the inner pane enough to stress it, and on some units that risks thermal cracking.\n\nSo it is not a universal answer and we check what the glazing is before recommending it.\n\nOn single glazing it is straightforward. On a double glazed unit it depends on the unit, the orientation and how much of the pane is shaded, and where there is doubt we would rather advise external shading or a replacement unit than apply something that cracks your glass.
The cheaper thing to try first
Before any glass treatment, external shading does more for less: a deep enough overhang, a pergola, or planting that shades the elevation in the afternoon.\n\nStopping sunlight before it reaches the glass is far more effective than dealing with it afterwards.\n\nWe raise it even though it is not our work, because on a villa with a west elevation it frequently solves the problem for a fraction of what glazing would cost. Where shading is not possible, film is the sensible next step and replacement the last.
How the job works
- Tell us about the jobSend a few photos, rough sizes and what you need. Use WhatsApp or the form. For a repair, a short video of the door moving helps a lot.
- We call you back in about 2 minutesWe confirm what you need and a time to visit. Where we can, we give you a rough price on the call.
- We come and measureWe measure the opening and check the walls, floor and ceiling around it. Anything made to size is made to these measurements, so they must be right.
- You get a written priceIt lists each item, with GST as its own line. If anything about the job changes, we tell you before we go ahead.
- We fit itYou approve the price and pay the advance. Our own team fits the work, checks that every door and window opens and closes properly, and clears up. Most jobs are done in 3 to 4 days.
