The Best Heat Control Window Film | 2023
We looked at the top 11 Heat Control Window Films and dug through the reviews from 28 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Heat Control Window Films.
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Our Picks For The Top Heat Control Window Films
- The Best Heat Control Window Film
- 1. STATINT Advanced Anti UV Heat Control Window Film
- 2. Rabbitgoo Privacy Window Film, 35×157-Inch
- 3. CottonColors Heat Control Privacy Glass, 35×79-Inch
- 4. HIDBEA UV Window Film, 35-Inch x 8-Feet
- 5. KESPEN One Way Window Film, 35-Inch x 8-Feet
- 6. Best Home Fashion Non-Adhesive Window Film, 3×6.5-Feet
- 7. WochiTV One Way Window Film, 24×7-Feet
- 8. HIDBEA Heat Control Window Film, 35×98-Inch
- 9. Gila Privacy Black Window Film, 36×78-Inch
- 10. FILMGOO Heat Control Window Film, 18-Inch x 8-Feet
- 11. LEMON CLOUD Decorative Window Film, 35×157-Inch
Multiple Color OptionsWith this window film to block heat, you'll have a choice between black, blue, brown or silver.
Easiest to InstallWith seven size options and a water-based installation process, this heat control window film is the easiest to adhere to your windows.
Best for Cooler ClimatesWith this heat control window film, you won't just reduce your air conditioning bills, you'll also reduces wintertime heat loss.
Most UV BlockingIf you want some serious UV-ray blocking, choose this heat control window film, which eliminates 99 percent of all UV rays.
Why we recommend these heat control window films?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 11 Heat Control Window Films and also dug through the reviews from 28 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Heat Control Window Films.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
STATINT Advanced Anti UV Heat Control Window Film
Our Take
During the day, this unique window film to block heat creates a mirrored-effect, providing much needed privacy. It's able to block 80 percent of the sun's UV rays, keeping your home more comfortable. The roll is available in 10 different sizes, so you're sure to find one that meets your needs.
The Best Bang For Your Buck
Gila Privacy Black Window Film, 36×78-Inch
Our Take
This heat control window film blocks 99 percent of all UV rays, making it great for a room where excessive light isn't welcome. It also cuts 94 percent of all glare, so a movie room or office is perfect for this film. We like that static cling applies this window film, with no water necessary.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
Our Heat Control Window Film Findings
STATINT Advanced Anti UV Heat Control Window Film
What We Liked: During the day, this unique window film to block heat creates a mirrored-effect, providing much needed privacy. It’s able to block 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays, keeping your home more comfortable. The roll is available in 10 different sizes, so you’re sure to find one that meets your needs.
Gila Privacy Black Window Film, 36×78-Inch
What We Liked: This heat control window film blocks 99 percent of all UV rays, making it great for a room where excessive light isn’t welcome. It also cuts 94 percent of all glare, so a movie room or office is perfect for this film. We like that static cling applies this window film, with no water necessary.
Rabbitgoo Privacy Window Film, 35×157-Inch
What We Liked: You’ll get seven different size options with this heat control window film, which means it can work for a variety of window and door types. To install, just cut to size, leaving a little excess that you can cut off with a utility knife, and press into place. The stained glass design makes it perfect for bathrooms and other areas of your house that need a more decorative look.
HIDBEA UV Window Film, 35-Inch x 8-Feet
What We Liked: Choose from four colors with this heat control window film, which lightly tints the glass for a more subtle effect. The silver tint blocks only 71 percent of the sun’s rays, which will let plenty of light in while still cutting glare. To install, just apply water and press the film to the glass.
Our Expert Consultant
Home Improvement Expert
Vicki Liston writes, produces, and narrates “On The Fly…DIY,” an award-winning home improvement and DIY show of unique project tutorials for the casual DIY’er.
Home improvement and all things DIY have been Liston’s passion since she bought her first house in 2007 and she started making video blogs in 2014. She’s performed hundreds of DIY projects, from small ones to major, wall-smashing renovations and can teach you how to make a trendy DIY barn door for cheap. The proceeds earned from “On The Fly…DIY” are donated to no-kill animal shelters and rescue organizations. You can find her show on Prime Video.
Our Heat Control Window Film Buying Guide
Your windows do a great job of keeping the interior of your home comfortable. But no matter how well-sealed those windows are, most let at least a small amount of the great outdoors in. That means in the summertime those 90-degree temperatures battle it out with your home’s air conditioning. It also means that your utility bills are higher than they have to be for at least a few months out of the year.
Before you invest in special windows, there’s a much more affordable option. Window film easily applies to the glass of your windows, providing privacy and blocking the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. But as Vicki Liston, writer, host, and producer of home improvement show “On The Fly…DIY,” points out, not all window films insulate your home against those scorching summers.
“Look for a film that advertises ‘UV,’ ‘heat control,’ or ‘solar control’ features, as they are specifically designed to keep the heat out,” Liston says. “Metallic film or ceramic film will provide the best heat-controlling results.”
While both metallic and ceramic film is effective, Liston has found that some consumers don’t like the mirrored look metallic film brings to their windows. Ceramic film is better in those cases. She also recommends ceramic film for those who live near seawater since salty air tends to gradually corrode metallic film.
Beyond all of those features, though, there’s the simple fact that different films provide a different look to your windows. You’ll have the option of simply shading your window or creating a decorative look. Stained glass is very popular in window films, so that could be something to give your room a little pizzazz.
In addition to cutting down glare and keeping your home better insulated, window films also protect your belongings. Instead of the sun shining in on your furniture day after day, your window film will block UV rays, keeping your upholstery and other items like new for as long as possible.
DWYM Fun Fact
Even if your home is well-insulated, heat loss is bound to be a problem. When you look at the surface area of each wall, pay close attention to how much real estate each window consumes. Single-pane windows have the most heat loss, although a tint can cut down on some of that. Most homes today have double-pane windows, which cut down on heating costs significantly when compared to their single-pane counterparts. A wood and vinyl frame is also an improvement over aluminum frames, and you can also buy windows that are energy-efficient, meaning they reduce the amount of solar radiation allowed to pass through the glass.
The Heat Control Window Film Tips and Advice
- Before you start shopping, it’s important to know the difference between the light-blocking properties of each type of film. This is essential because it determines how much of the outdoor heat your privacy film can keep out. You’ll get the most insulation from Gila Privacy Black Window Film, 36×78-Inch, which blocks 99 percent of all UV rays and 94 percent of glare. You’ll get 85-percent sunlight blocking with the CottonColors Heat Control Privacy Glass, 35×79-Inch.
- However, there can be a downside to all that sunlight reduction. As Liston points out, you’ll lose some natural light when your insulating film is too strong.
“A film with a total solar energy rejection number in the 70-percentile range will make your home feel much cooler while not inhibiting too much natural light,” Liston says. “UV rejection in the 90-percentile range is common and will minimize damaging rays and contribute to the heat reduction. If you want more natural light in your room, go with a film that denotes 60-70% light transmission. However, many people find a 49% light transmission to be a good compromise between allowing some natural light in while keeping the glare to a minimum.”
- If natural light is a priority for you, you might prefer HIDBEA UV Window Film, 35-Inch x 8-Feet in silver, which reduces sunlight only by up to 71 percent.
- CottonColors Heat Control Privacy Glass, 35×79-Inch also helps out in the wintertime, reducing heat loss from your home by 30 percent.
- One side benefit of privacy film is the actual privacy it provides. It’s important to note that some movements and shadows can still be seen, particularly with films that let in some natural light. Check to ensure your chosen film offers maximum privacy before choosing it for an area like a bathroom or bedroom.
- Installing your window film should be fairly easy, as long as you choose a film that doesn’t require glue or adhesive to install. Rabbitgoo Privacy Window Film, 35×157-Inch, CottonColors Heat Control Privacy Glass, 35×79-Inch and HIDBEA UV Window Film, 35-Inch x 8-Feet install using water. Gila Privacy Black Window Film, 36×78-Inch uses static cling, and static cling applications can be less durable than those that apply using water.
- The Rabbitgoo Privacy Window Film, 35×157-Inch comes in seven different sizes. With other privacy films, make sure you buy a size that’s larger than what you need so that you can cut it to fit during install.
- Technicalities aside, your choice will probably come down to how the film itself looks when installed. Rabbitgoo Privacy Window Film, 35×157-Inch and CottonColors Heat Control Privacy Glass, 35×79-Inch have a stained glass look that makes them more ideal for bathrooms and smaller windows. If you’re covering a large sliding glass door or you just want something less obvious, HIDBEA UV Window Film, 35-Inch x 8-Feet is a great option. It gives your window a subtle tint in black, blue, brown or silver, depending on the color you choose. Gila Privacy Black Window Film, 36×78-Inch tints your window in a shade of black to darken the room.
About The Author
Stephanie Faris is a novelist and professional writer. She lives in a beautiful one-acre home in the suburbs on the outskirts of Nashville. Her home and garden work has appeared on popular home sites. She's a true homebody and loves looking at new houses for sale for inspiration on her own home remodeling projects.
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