One-Way Mirror Window Film in 8 Tints

How one-way film works

The film carries a thin reflective layer. Whichever side of the glass is brighter sees a mirror, and the darker side sees through. On a bright day you look out at the street or the garden, while people outside see the sky and their own reflection. It also cuts glare on screens and takes some of the sun's heat off a room.

At night it reverses

This is the part to know before you buy. Once it is darker outside than inside and your lights are on, people outside can see into the room, and from inside you see your own reflection in the glass. Mirror film gives daytime privacy only. In a bedroom or bathroom, pair it with curtains or blinds for the evening, or choose our Matte White Frosted Window Film, which screens day and night.

The tints

Every tint has the same reflective layer, so on a bright day each one looks like a mirror from the street, colored by its tint. From inside, the view takes on the tint. Darker tints give stronger daytime privacy and more glare control, and let less light into the room. The maker rates them at about these levels of visible light coming through:

• Black: about 9%
• Tea brown and Dark blue: about 13%
• Gray: about 15%
• Blue: about 16%
• Silver: about 19%
• Gold: about 21%
• Green: about 23%

Silver comes in the two widest rolls only.

Sizes

Choose 17.7 or 21.7 in wide by 16.4 ft for ordinary windows, or 35.4, 45.3 or 59.8 in wide by 32.8 ft for large windows, glass doors and conservatories. One long roll covers several panes of the same width: a 21.7 in x 16.4 ft roll covers four panes about 20 in wide and 47 in tall. The calculator on this page counts the rolls for your panes.

Fitting it

The film goes on wet. Clean the glass well and spray it with water and a drop of dish soap. Peel the liner, spray the back of the film, lay it on the glass and slide it into place. Squeegee firmly from the center out to push out the water, trim along the frame with a sharp knife and squeegee again. A slight haze is normal for the first days and clears as the water dries. Do not clean the film for a week.

Glass it suits

Smooth, flat glass on the inside of the window. It is not made for car windows or textured glass. Dark reflective film warms the glass in strong sun, so on double-pane windows, Low-E glass or large panes facing the sun, check the window manufacturer's guidance first.