Window tint

[gjz30075]

I've got a normal, 18 x 7 foot garage door with windows going across. What I'd like to do is tint them in such a way that at night, with the lights on in the garage, I can see out but outside can't see in. I've tried the reflective type and works great during the day but reverses at night, ie, outside can see in (with lights on in the garage) but inside can't see out and only a reflection/mirror on the glass. Would simply a dark tint work?
Any suggestions?

 

[n8n]

Not really, you're fighting an uphill battle with this one.

 

[jim1987]

Why not flip the tint?

 

[gjz30075]

I've tried flipping the tint but there's only adhesive on one side; doesn't stick.

 

[jim1987]

I've tried flipping the tint but there's only adhesive on one side; doesn't stick.

There's two sides to a window...

 

[zkdiesel]

It's the area that lit vs the dark area that's the problem
Only way people won't see in your windows when it's dark outside and light inside is to pretty much make them non see through each way

 

[Streetbu]

How about 1 way mirror glass?

 

[gjz30075]

There's two sides to a window...

Hmm, although this tint is specified as indoor, there's a bit of an overhang that protects the garage door. Might work.

 

[jim1987]

Couldn't cost much to try it on one pane

 

[s10xtremist]

Putting the tint on the outside won't make any difference. The problem, as mentioned, is because there is more light on the inside than outside at night.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Putting the tint on the outside won't make any difference. The problem, as mentioned, is because there is more light on the inside than outside at night.

I'll agree, there's more light on the inside.

I tinted my garage windows with Limo tint but you can still see inside at night with the lights on. I left the blinds in place to prevent people from looking inside and the tint hides those ugly *** cheapo blinds.



What you need to do is add something like a flip down blind or window cover to prevent curious eyes. If you just want to distort their vision and not worried about somebody being able to tell if a light is on in the garage, you can use some stick on frosted window film.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Artscape...ve-Window-Film-01-0122/100616371?N=5yc1vZarc3

 

[Harley#356]

I went through the same thing. I did smoked tint at first, and you could still see in and out (you'd have to be up close against the window to see in, but you could still see in even during the daytime).

I flipped the glass, so the smoked tint was on the outside, and put mirror tint on the inside. Now during the day you can't see inside no matter what, even right against the window. From the inside during the day you can see out, but at night wiht the light on, it looks like a mirror. But from the outside, at night if the lights are on, you can still see in. But I'm not as worried as that as I am during the day someone peeking in, so that works.

 

[nehog]

I don't think this can be done. Vision always follows light so the area with the higher light level will be visible regardless of the type of tint. One way mirrors, and such, are always into a darker room.

 

[gjz30075]

You guys are right. I tried flipping the tint, ie, using it on the outside of the glass but, no change (same as before).

I do like the frosted window film idea.

Thanks all!

Greg Z

 

[tractordude]

I'd go with frosted vinyl.
When I first bought my house, I painted the window on the inside, the same color as the door. It worked for a few years, until I replaced the door.

 

[Kevin54]

There's no way that you will get tint to work the way you want it at night. About the only thing you can do is get blinds and have them pointing down, so you can see directly out, but someone at a distance won't be able to see in due to the angle. The other alternative is to have like mentioned above, a frosted pane, or you would need to have outside security lights. If you have outside security lights, and tinted glass, if the light is pointed in a certain direction against the tinted glass, the light will reflect back and stop someone from seeing in. But even with that, it would still hamper you seeing outside.

 

[jaye944]

wht about putting thoes decals that they have on cars, which cover the windows, the driver can see out but you can't see in very easily?

 

[Twisted Sid]

wht about putting thoes decals that they have on cars, which cover the windows, the driver can see out but you can't see in very easily?

you mean window tint?

 

[Kevin54]

wht about putting thoes decals that they have on cars, which cover the windows, the driver can see out but you can't see in very easily?

:dunno: you mean window tint?

It's not window tint. It's more like screen door screen that is painted. You see it mostly in pickup trucks and it will have either wilderness scenes or the American Flag.

THat may just work

 

[n8n]

wht about putting thoes decals that they have on cars, which cover the windows, the driver can see out but you can't see in very easily?

AKA "perforated window graphic film." That might actually work better than tint. I'd try it first before buying a lot...

 

[JakeKohl]

AKA "perforated window graphic film." That might actually work better than tint. I'd try it first before buying a lot...

I work with the stuff - it won't be any different.

There is nothing that will do what you want it to do...even a "one-way-mirror" has to have the blind side dark.

Blinds are your best solution.

 

[black00lightning]

We have 3 French doors that lead to a patio but we dont use any blinds or curtins so that we can enjoy the view during the day. We installed a dark black security film we purchased at Home Depot for privacy and at night we turn on two large (150w) floods that point at the French doors that in effect create a mirror surface. With the lights on, there is enough image reflections on the outside to make it very difficult to see inside. See almost have to press your nose to the doors to see inside but the outside lights would make anyone doing this very visible. It works for us.

 

[Zeke]

"Flip the tint." I busted a gut. Drive by any high rise office building at night and you know who is working late. Those buildings are as energy efficient fenestration wise as anything.

I use the frosted treatment and there's no way you can see inside. So much so that I leave a light on 24/7.

 

[bczygan]

Electronic privacy film for your window.

Switch it on and off at will.

http://www.glass-apps.com/applications/electric-privacy-glass/

 

[Zeke]

Electronic privacy film for your window.

Switch it on and off at will.

http://www.glass-apps.com/applications/electric-privacy-glass/

That's neat.

 

[dubber]

I would just use the white frosted film.

 

[n8n]

We have 3 French doors that lead to a patio but we dont use any blinds or curtins so that we can enjoy the view during the day. We installed a dark black security film we purchased at Home Depot for privacy and at night we turn on two large (150w) floods that point at the French doors that in effect create a mirror surface. With the lights on, there is enough image reflections on the outside to make it very difficult to see inside. See almost have to press your nose to the doors to see inside but the outside lights would make anyone doing this very visible. It works for us.

That may be a good solution. Is there a soffit over the garage doors on which you could install lights? Closer to the windows they are the less light you will need.

 

[JakeKohl]

We have 3 French doors that lead to a patio but we dont use any blinds or curtins so that we can enjoy the view during the day. We installed a dark black security film we purchased at Home Depot for privacy and at night we turn on two large (150w) floods that point at the French doors that in effect create a mirror surface. With the lights on, there is enough image reflections on the outside to make it very difficult to see inside. See almost have to press your nose to the doors to see inside but the outside lights would make anyone doing this very visible. It works for us.

I should have never said "never". Good thinking!

 

[aka Larry]

I would just use the white frosted film.

We have two windows on either side of the front door, and that's just what I used. It lets light in, but you can't see through it no matter the light conditions.

 

[SALIV8]

We have two windows on either side of the front door, and that's just what I used. It lets light in, but you can't see through it no matter the light conditions.

keep in mind OP that you also cannot see out of the frosted window treatment..