“even the ‘high transparency’ types still gave everything a weird bluish tint.”
That blue tint is exactly what bugged me—felt like living in an aquarium. I tried a sample patch on my kitchen window, and the family started joking about “smurf sunlight.” I’m with you: for now, rooftop panels just make more sense if you actually want to keep your view. Maybe in a few years they’ll crack the code.
“smurf sunlight.”
That’s a perfect way to describe it. I did a test install for a client last year with those tinted panels and, honestly, it made their living room feel like a fish tank. Here’s what I’m wondering: has anyone tried layering the film behind existing glass or using it just on out-of-sight windows, like in the garage? Wonder if that might cut down on the weird color indoors while still generating some power.
has anyone tried layering the film behind existing glass or using it just on out-of-sight windows, like in the garage?
I’ve wondered about that too. I haven’t tried layering yet, but I did put a few panels on my basement windows just to see if it would help with the “blue glow” issue. It definitely toned things down inside, but the power output dropped a bit—maybe 10–15%. Not a huge deal for out-of-the-way spots. Honestly, I think your idea makes sense if you’re not looking to light up the whole house with that smurf vibe.
That’s interesting about the blue glow—my partner actually complained about our living room looking like a fish tank when I first put the film up. I ended up moving most of it to the laundry room windows where nobody really notices, and honestly, I’m with you: losing a bit of output isn’t a big deal in those “who cares” spots.
I haven’t tried layering behind glass, but I did experiment with putting a second piece on the inside of an old storm window. The power drop was more than I expected (closer to 20%), but it did help with glare and weird reflections. Not sure if it’s worth it unless you’re just trying to avoid that neon look everywhere.
One thing I’m still not clear on is how these films hold up over time, especially in places that get cold or humid. My basement gets pretty damp in spring, and I’ve noticed a bit of peeling at the edges. Has anyone had issues with longevity or stuff like condensation getting trapped? I’m kind of torn between wanting to slap these things on every window and worrying they’ll look rough after a year or two.
Also, has anyone figured out if it’s possible to wire up just one window for something small, like a mini fridge or router? Or does it all have to feed into your main panel? Curious if there’s an easy way to do it without getting into complicated wiring...
- About that "fish tank" blue glow—totally get the complaint, but I actually kinda like the vibe in certain rooms. Makes the place feel less bland, especially in winter when everything outside is gray. Different strokes, I guess.
- On layering: I tried doubling up on a north-facing window and had a similar power drop (maybe not quite 20% but close). Honestly, I’m not convinced it’s worth it unless you’re desperate to cut glare or want to hide the tech from outside. The extra cost and hassle don’t really pay off for me.
- For longevity, here’s where I’ll push back a bit. You mentioned:
My basement gets pretty damp in spring, and I’ve noticed a bit of peeling at the edges.
In my experience, edge sealing is everything. If you use a silicone bead or even some clear weatherproof tape, you’ll get way less peeling and condensation. I’ve got panels up for almost three years now (one in a bathroom window, high humidity), and they’re still holding tight. The trick is prepping the glass—super clean, no residue, and let it dry out before applying anything.
- Re: wiring up just one window for a small device—definitely possible, but you’ll need a micro-inverter or a DC-DC converter depending on what you’re running. I wired one window straight to a USB power bank for my router backup. Didn’t touch the main panel at all. It’s a bit of a hack job (wires tucked behind curtains), but it works for low-draw stuff. For anything bigger than a router or charging station, though, it gets dicey unless you’re comfortable with basic electrical work.
- One downside I haven’t seen mentioned: cleaning. Dust and condensation are one thing, but if you ever want to swap out the film or move it, expect some sticky residue and maybe even a bit of glass etching if it’s been there through temperature swings.
Kind of funny how these things seem super high-tech but end up needing old-school fixes like caulk and tape... Anyway, I’d say don’t sweat the “who cares” windows—just make sure you prep and seal them well, and they’ll last longer than you think.
- That blue glow is weirdly comforting when it’s dark and dreary out. I get why it bugs some folks, but for me it’s like having a permanent aquarium vibe in the living room.
- I tried the double-layer hack too. Honestly, not worth it for my south-facing kitchen window—power drop was pretty noticeable, and it just made the room feel dim. Maybe good for bedrooms if you want privacy, but not for anything you’re hoping to power up.
- Edge sealing is crucial. I skipped it once (lazy, figured it’d be fine) and the film started peeling after the first humid week. Silicone caulk seems to work best—tape got gross after a few months.
- Cleaning is a pain, especially if you have hard water. I found a little rubbing alcohol helps with sticky spots, but you have to be gentle or you risk scratching the glass.
- Powering a fridge with window panels seems like a stretch unless you’re living somewhere super sunny year-round. Router backup, sure. Fridge? I’m skeptical unless tech improves a lot.
I get where you’re coming from about the fridge—seems like a tall order for window panels right now. But I’ve seen setups where folks use a combo of regular rooftop solar plus window film for smaller stuff, and that actually works out okay. The blue glow’s not my thing, though. Makes my living room feel like a fish tank... but hey, to each their own. Edge sealing with silicone is spot-on—tape just turns nasty after a few months, especially if your windows sweat in the summer.
Makes my living room feel like a fish tank... but hey, to each their own.
That blue glow is wild, isn’t it? I tried one of those films last year and my dog wouldn’t go near the window for weeks. As for powering a fridge—yeah, not quite there yet unless you want to live on yogurt and light beer. Rooftop panels still do the heavy lifting at my place. Silicone’s the only way to seal—learned that the hard way after scraping tape goo off the glass all summer.
That blue tint is a bit much for me too—reminds me of my college days with the weird lava lamp light. But I wouldn’t write off the window films entirely. I swapped to a frosted style last winter, and while it doesn’t power anything major, it does cut down on heat loss. If you’re set on getting more solar, layering them with sheer curtains can help tone down the glow. As for sealing, I tried weatherstripping instead of silicone once... let’s just say, never again.
Yeah, that blue tint is a bit much for me too—makes the whole room feel like an aquarium. I tried those mirrored films once and honestly, the glare was worse than the heat. Did the frosted film actually help with drafts? My old windows get super chilly in January, so I’m always looking for something that works but doesn’t make the place look like a spaceship. Also, totally with you on weatherstripping vs silicone... I thought I’d save time, but it just peeled right off after a month.