I have some kind of window film on several of my south facing windows. I bought some at Menard's. I haven't had any reason to take it off so I can't help you there. I'm satisfied with its performance. Comparing the cost of a roll of that to the ready made solar shades, it's a no brainer. Check the box, it might give removal directions.

Be aware that some of these tints void your window warranty if your windows are still under warranty. I think 3M gives a supplemental warranty if you use their films but it has to be professionally installed. There is a thread on the window forum about this.

Cpartist posted a link to a product that I am having installed on some of my windows, Smarttint. No experience with it yet but the guy building my windows was very impressed. These are going in three windows that will be in the bathroom and I did not want to deal with shades in the bathroom. We will see how they work out.

The Smarttint sounds great, but I have divided lite windows. I'd have a film professionally installed no matter what it was. Anyone have the 3M stuff put on?

I have three kinds of film on different windows: the mirror/reflective; the privacy film; and the opaque. They go on just using a spray bottle of water with a squirt of dish detergent. Mine have been on for three or four years. The just peel off.

tibbrix, i'm looking at a perfectly clear one, no mirror reflection, etc. Do you know whether those peel off? What brand are yours?

My parents put 3M film on their windows in the early 70s. They recently started to look a little deteriorated on some windows, but not all.

we put it on some windows in our old house for 10 years. One UV, one heat-reflecting. They still looked great after 10 years.

ok, wonderful. thanks very much.

I had film put on several windows a few years ago. After doing quite a bit of research I chose to use Huper Optik film.
https://huperoptikusa.com/

Can you get clear sun protection film? I used GILA, from Home Depot.

If/when I replace the GILA, I'll go with 3M. This is probably what you're looking for.

I'm assuming it's applied the same way - spray bottle with a squirt of dish liquid, spray the window start at the top, slowly peel the backing away while squeege-ing the film so that it's smooth. If it creases, just pull it back off and re-squeegee.

The ceramic film I used from Huper Optik was the best choice I found, because it had maximum protection and very little tinting and looks clear.

I had 3M Prestige Series, 70 or 60 applied to 250 panes in March of 2014. We have a south facing dining room & have no furniture or floor color change (walnut floors). Very happy with the product. It was installed professionally, has a lifetime warranty & each individual pane has $500 of insurance coverage. You have the option to purchase additional insurance coverage via 3M.

Removing the film will not damage the window. It is safe. It will leave adhesive on the glass which can be removed by wetting with soapy water and scraping with a wide stainless steel blade. Do not use a carbon blade or a narrow blade. It requires care so as not to scratch the glass. We remove film very often without issue.

Separately, UV film works great, but fading can occur due to other factors such as heat. A good film that reduces heat as well as blocking UV is recommended.

@LR Window Films would you recommend 3M Ceramic or Prestige on ocean-front east facing windows? We're looking only to block heat and preserve the view.

@LH CO/FL: You may also want to look into Solar Gard Panorama Hilite window film.

I had film put on my east window that gets intense sun. I also had a dark shade, this combination caused the glass to crack. I’ve since read that this is not uncommon due to the heat buildup. Lesson: do not use dark shades.