Decorative Window Film Review

I purchased a DIY decorative window film for my sliding glass door. This is my review and experience with it.

Years ago, I had installed a tinted window film to reduce the affect of the sun's rays. It served it's purpose and did a pretty decent job. Although on very bright sunny days, I still had to close the curtain to make the space more comfortable.

Spring forward to me getting a new computer desk and deciding to have it face the window instead of the wall. I wanted to see something more decorative, other than a tinted view of my neighbor's shed. I wanted something that was colorful.

I decided on the one with the grapevine design. (This is the view from below my desk.)

I love that I now have colors to look at. I can glance to the other glass panel to see what the weather and the birds are doing. So far, when the sun is bright, it gets scattered a bit and works as long as I don't look directly at the brightest spots.

I am happy with my purchase.

Installation Supplies:

The brand that I purchased is by Gila, and they recommend buying a separate installation kit. It comes with a liquid solution that gets applied to both sides of the film, and the glass that you are applying the film to. It also includes a spreader, cutter for spreading out the bubbles, and to do a final cut of the film around the edges.

I didn't go with an installation kit and instead did some searches on YouTube. I found out I could use distilled water with a couple of drops of dish detergent mixed in. (I didn't have distilled water on hand, and instead used some of my purchased drinking water.) As for the spreader, I used a 12 inch plastic ruler that has smooth edges and is see through. Here is a link for one if you need a ruler. https://amzn.to/3BGdr4d

I also used a utility knife and scissors.

Trim first:

I purchased the 3' by 6.5' size for the window film. The sliding door was two to three inches smaller than the film. Gila recommends cutting off excess film, leaving only around an inch of extra film before applying it to the window, glass. It is quite awkward to apply the film, so I do recommend trimming the film as well. I laid it down on my lightly carpeted floor to do the trimming.

Apply tape and separate top corners from backing:

The window film comes with an attached adhesive layer to keep the film from sticking to itself. This layer will need to be removed before applying the film to the glass. Gila recommends applying tape to the two upper corners on both outer sides of these corners. This is a big help to separate the film from its' backing. See diagram.

The upper ends of the tape are to be kept separated. The holder will then pull the two pieces of tape apart and watch for the film to separate from the backing. Separate a small section, then repeat on the other corner.

Spray on solution:

Spray on solution; either from kit or homemade mix of distilled water and a couple drops of dish detergent. I sprayed the top side of the film, the part that was facing up once I removed the backing. I kept spraying it in sections as I continued pulling the backing from the film.

While that was sitting, I sprayed the glass window that it was to get applied to. Then as best I could, I sprayed that back of the film that had been laying on the carpet, and then carried it to the sprayed window. You need to keep the film away from sticking to itself.

Apply the prepared film to the window:

I placed the smooth side of the film to the prepared window. It is quite slippery, which it is meant to be, so that you can slide it into position. I sprayed on more solution as needed. Since my desk was already in place, I had to work around and under it to get things in place. Oh well.

Once I got the film straightened out on the glass, I used the plastic ruler to squeegee the film to the glass, working from center areas out toward the edges. The goal is to work the bubbles out from under the film. Don't worry if the film starts to come down when you first doing this. I just pulled the film out and sprayed more solution on wherever it was needed.

Final trim:

After I got the bubbles all worked out, I did a final trim with the utility knife and scissors. The utility knife didn't always cut through the film, so I pulled it away from the glass, and used the scissors. I then applied more solution when needed and squeegeed again with the ruler.

Voila! I got it done. It took me longer than I thought, but would have went better had I decided to decorate my window before building my desk!

Anyway, I got it done and I am pleased with how it turned out.

Smaller windows should be a lot easier and also when nothing is as close as five inches in front of it; i.e. my desk. {grin}

Amazon did not show the grapevine scene that I purchased. If you want the grapevine scene, you can check with Menards. You can also peruse other designs on Amazon by visiting the link below.

If you're looking for an inspiring way to add more color to your life, and you're okay with DIY, I recommend a decorative window film.

Gila Glass Scenes Spiral Mosaic Decorative Window Film on Amazon.

Hope you enjoyed this project and that you learned some helpful tips.

Cheryl Paton

As an Amazon affiliate, Cheryl Paton earns income from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to the purchasers.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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