Privacy Window Film & One Way Mirror Security Films: Home & Office Reflective Film

Privacy Window Films
Residential & Commercial Privacy Films
One Way Mirror Films

What you need to know

Window films enhance privacy by reducing the transmission of visible light (making the glass darker) or by increasing the surface reflectivity (making the glass more mirror-like). If you are trying to create privacy, you have several options and physical limitations to consider. This page discusses privacy films for exterior & interior windows. Exterior windows are exposed to the outside of the building on one side. Interior windows separate rooms or areas within a building and are not exposed to the exterior.

Limitations: Window Films provide privacy only under certain lighting conditions.

We receive a large number of inquiries at Concord about how these films work. Generally speaking, window films do not provide privacy at night if interior lights are on.

Our first example pertains to exterior windows. We can see that the installed film is providing privacy during the daytime, when it is substantially brighter outside than it is on the inside. At night, this effect reverses (as in the example below and to the right). When interior lights are turned on at night, persons on the outside will be able to see right in. This is due to the laws of physics and no window film can overcome this. Because window films are transparent, any interior light which is turned on will be visible at night.

Many of our customers elect to install the films for daytime privacy and then consider a Venetian blind or a curtain for privacy at night. In addition, because privacy films reduce the transmission of visible light, it may be difficult for persons on the inside to see out at night. It is similar to wearing sunglasses and driving a car after sunset.

Our "Featured Films" are the ones which are the most popular choices for privacy applications. For those customers who prefer to select from a wider range of films, we list our entire privacy film lineup further down on this page. If you have any questions along the way, do not hesitate to contact one of our solar control specialists. We will provide you with expert advice and guidance every step of the way.

Example #1: Exterior Windows

During The Daytime
If you are outside, it is hard to see inside
If you are inside, it is easy to see outside

Same Windows - After Sunset
If you are outside, it is easy to see inside
If you are inside, it may be hard to see outside

Example #2: Interior Windows (such as office partitions).
Our second example is an interior situation where a one-way mirror effect is desired. There are two important elements which must be in place. First, we need to increase the surface reflectivity of the glass. This is easily accomplished by the application of Silver 15% film. Next (and just as important) you need to control the light ratio.
	Consider this conference room example: In this example (left) you are in an "observation room" looking into the brightly lit "conference room" on the other side of the glass partition. We have the lights turned off on our side of the glass, while the lights are bright in the conference room. We can easily see into the conference room, but they can't see us. They see only a mirror reflection of themselves. This effect works as long as we do not change the lighting conditions. If we were to turn on the lights (on our side of the glass) the people in the conference room would then be able to see us. The one-way effect works as long as it remains dark on our side and bright in the conference room. As soon as the light ratio changes, it stops working. This phenomenon is due to the laws of physics. No window film can overcome this. Click To Order Silver 15% For Interior One-Way Mirror Applications

Featured Films: The following films are our most popular choices for privacy applications.
	Concord Glare Cut Series For Daytime Privacy Glare Cut Films are available in 3 different shades: 35% Medium 20% Dark 05% Very Dark Darker films will provide more privacy, but Glare Cut 20% and 05% should not be applied to Double Pane Windows. Click To Order 35% For Double Pane Windows Click To Order 20% For Single Pane Windows Only Click To Order 05% For Single Pane Windows Only If you have double pane windows and would like to still use a dark film, use Dual Reflective 10%, which is compatible with double pane glass
Concord Silver Reflective Films For Daytime Privacy Silver Reflective Films have the added benefit of providing superb heat rejection in addition to daytime privacy. These films are among the most energy efficient that you can buy. One drawback of Silver Reflective is that your windows can appear very mirror like at night if your lights are on. Many customers install blinds or curtains to provide nighttime privacy and hide the reflectivity. Medium Silver 35% Blocks 65% Visible Light Blocks 65% Total Solar Energy Dark Silver 15% Blocks 85% Glare Blocks 72% Total Solar Energy
Delta Dual Reflective 10 For Daytime Privacy Delta Dual Reflective (DR) 10% is the darkest film we sell which is still approved for application to double pane glass. This film provides superb solar performance as well as daytime privacy along with an appealing architectural look. Delta Dual Reflective 25% Bocks 75% Glare Blocks 62% Total Solar Energy Delta Dual Reflective 10% Bocks 90% Glare Blocks 65% Total Solar Energy
Download Our Complete Specification Tables

A Complete List Of All Concord Privacy Films
Silver Reflective	Neutral Residential	Dual Reflective	Sputtered Neutral	Sputtered Copper	Concord Ceramic
10 Year Warranty	10 Year Warranty	Lifetime Warranty	Lifetime Warranty	10 Year Warranty	Lifetime Warranty
Compares To: 3M P-Series Llumar Silver All Other Silvers	Our Most Popular !! Compares To 3M NEARL FILMS Llumar N-Series	Compares To: 3M Night Vision CP/Vista Sun-Tek Symphony	Compares To 3M Night Vision CP/Vista Sun-Tek Infinity	Compares To 3M Night Vision CP/Vista Sun-Tek Infinity Brz	Compares To: 3M Prestive Huper Optik / V-Kool Sun-Tek Ultra Vision
** TSE = Total Solar Energy Silver 35% Blocks 65% Glare Blocks 65% TSE Blocks 98%+ UV Silver 15% Blocks 85% Glare Blocks 72% TSE Blocks 98%+ UV	TSE = Total Solar Energy Res Neutral 35% Blocks 65% Glare Blocks 53% TSE Blocks 98%+ UV Res Neutral 20% Blocks 80% Glare Blocks 58% TSE Blocks 98%+ UV ** Do Not Apply to Double Pane Glass	** TSE = Total Solar Energy Dual Reflective 25% Blocks 75% Glare Blocks 62% TSE Blocks 98%+ UV Dual Reflective 10% Blocks 90% Glare Blocks 75% TSE Blocks 98%+ UV	TSE = Total Solar Energy Sput Neutral 35% Blocks 65% Glare Blocks 55% TSE Blocks 98%+ UV Sput Neutral 20% Blocks 80% Glare Blocks 66% TSE Blocks 98%+ UV ** Do Not Apply to Double Pane Glass	** TSE = Total Solar Energy Sput Copper 35% Blocks 65% Glare Blocks 66% TSE Blocks 98%+ UV Sput Copper 20% Blocks 80% Glare Blocks 78% TSE Blocks 98%+ UV	Ceramic Films are very light and therefore not useful for privacy applications

What are the differences in each of these films?

Silver Reflective
These films have the higest levels of surface reflectivity and are very effecitve for privacy under the right lighting conditions. They are very popular and effective for daytime privacy. At night, if interior lights are turned on, people outside can see in while people inside see themselves. If nighttime privacy is a concern, the films are often used in conjunction with venitian blinds or curtains. Each of the films in the Silver Series is approved for application to double pane glass. 15% is the darkest Silver Film and 68% is the lighest. For privacy applications, the darker the better. In addition to privacy, thses films are very effective heat blockers and will help pay for themselves in terms of energy savings.

Neutral Residential Series
These films may be considered for daytime privacy provided the interior light levels are not excessively bright. They are very popular for residential use (particularly the 35%) when customers prefer not to reduce the amount of light coming in their windows. The Neutral 35% is approved for application to both single and double pane glass. The darker Neutral 20% is only approved for single pane windows.

Dual Reflective Films
While most solar control films have the same level of reflectivity on both the inside and outsie, Dual Reflective films have a higher amount of reflectivity on the outside than they do on the inside. This makes them well suited for privacy applications. In particular, the Dual Reflective 25% and the darker Dual Reflective 10% are very popular and effective films for privacy. All of the Dual Reflecive Series films are approved for both single and double pane windows. In addition, they offer very good heat control.

Sputtered Neutral Films
These films contain no dyed layers and derive their color and appearance from the metal alloys contained within their construction. The primary benefit is durability and longevity. Sputtered films are considered to be among the most durable products in the solar control industry. For privacy, the Sputtered Neutral 35% and the darker 20% are the most popular choices. The 35% is safe for single and double pane glass while the 20% should not be applied to double pane windows.

Sputtered Copper Films
These films are very similar in performance to the Silver Reflective Films. Due to their high surface reflectivity, they are very effective for daytime privacy applications along the same lines as the silver films. They do not provide privacy at night. They have a shiny copper appearance, very similar to a new penny. Being a sputtered construction, they also have the benefit of increased longevity and durability.

Ceramic Films:

Because Ceramic Films are very light, they are generally not considered for privacy applications. The darkest Ceramic Film is the Ceramic Pearl 5885. With a relatively high light transmission of 58%, it does not provide much privacy.