The second

choice lasts longer and does more, but costs about the same per square

foot. Long-term insulating window films apply easily with soapy water

and a squeegee to standard single-, storm-, or thermal-pane windows and

lasts for an average of 10 years. In addition to reducing harsh glare,

these films also reduce UV damage and retain heat. Many people like these

films because they improve comfort and reduce utility bills year-round.

For best results,

these films should be applied to all windows of a room or living area.

Insulating window films are available in several colors and in sizes such

as 36 inches by 15 inches and 48 inches x 15 inches to cover more windows,

including patio doors.

During the

winter, direct sunlight includes damaging UV rays, which cause more damage

than most people realize. Two types of UV rays cause fading and damage

to wood floors and furniture, carpets, upholstery, painted surfaces and

curtains.

UV-B is the

type of ray most people know because it causes sunburns and fast bleaching

of dyed materials. UV-A is just beginning to be taken more seriously because

long-term exposure may contribute to melanoma, skin aging and permanent

deterioration of household furnishings.

Most modern

residential windows block about 90 percent of the UV-B rays, but virtually

none of the UV-A rays. Basically, whatever the sunlight hits, the UV rays

hurt. Because they do not realize the damage UV rays cause, homeowners

may make the mistake of opening the window treatments curtains, shades,

blinds and shutters to let in the most sunlight possible.

A great solution

to this dilemma is to apply one of the lighter insulating window films,

which reduce up to 99 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays, to provide greater

protection while maintaining a clear view outside. Depending upon your

winter utility bills, one of the most important values of insulating window

films is their ability to retain heat.

For this benefit,

there are three distinct types of window films: permanent interior, seasonal

exterior and seasonal heat-shrink. Growing in popularity due to their

year-round benefits and long-term value, permanent heat control insulating

films, such as those by GILA, apply to the inside surface of the window

to reduce glare, UV rays and heat loss.

According to

John Pinkerton of GILA Window Films, "The primary type of heat this

film retains is your radiant body heat. The chill you feel sitting next

to a window is your radiant body heat leaving your body and heading toward

a cold window or wall. Due to special coatings similar to those used in

expensive low-e windows, these optically clear heat control films help

improve personal comfort by reflecting a high percentage of that body

heat back inside the room. If you've ever found yourself in an argument

about who's too hot or too cold in a room, and there's a wrestling match

to control the thermostat, heat control insulating films can make a big

difference."

The second

type of insulating film is a clear, usually quite thick, exterior film

which is attached with brads or a staple gun around the outside perimeter

of a window frame to reduce drafts and create a seasonal "dual-pane"

insulating barrier to help slow down heat loss during the winter. Remember,

heat always transfers to cold, not the other way around.

When your mother

said, "Don't let the heat out," she was right. The final type

of insulating film has been used for years as a seasonal stop-gap to reduce

drafts. Shrink-to-fit or heat-shrink films, such as those by Frost King,

are very inexpensive and apply with a hair dryer to the inside of windows.

Although not optically clear, these films are certainly cheaper than replacing

old windows, and they can be removed when the weather warms up.

Applying window

film to all the windows of a home is good investment of a weekend. If

two people work together, the project will take less than half the time

and be more than twice as easy. All you need are basic household tools:

scissors, utility knife, ruler, good instructions and (of course) a little

patience.

Window films

are quite affordable, and payback is relatively quick. Static-cling and

long-term heat control films cost less than a dollar per square foot.

Exterior films are priced based on their thickness, from four to twelve

mils, but costing less than two dollars a square foot. Shrink-wrap films

are the cheapest, at between five and ten dollars for a box or roll.

Learn more

about insulating window films at www.gilafilms.com , where you can

also request free samples. For more information about these and household

products that save energy and money, visit www.homedepot.com/energy .

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