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If you want to make your home cooler, the best heat control window films can significantly reduce the degree to which the sun warms your space. Top-rated films on Amazon can block up to 95% of UV rays (or higher!) by providing an extra layer of insulation to block out the sun, and many can also prevent glare. Heat control options also tend to act as privacy window films as well, shielding you from both the hot sun and the eyes of your neighbors, but unlike heat-blocking thermal curtains, they may also let in some light. Before you shop, consider what levels of heat control and privacy you'd like, and think about how much natural light you're willing to sacrifice in the name of cooling your space.

While it’s true that blocking the sun — both its light and heat — is the way that heat control films work, styles with a tint or frost can let in some natural light while providing some privacy and heat control. One-way privacy films shield you from sight during the day without interfering with your view out the windows, as well as blocking heat, though it's worth noting that the privacy features don't work after dark. Some window films are even decorative and can enhance your windows with an attractive pattern. Like blackout curtains, blackout window films will totally block the sun, but they’re often colored black and can get hot to the touch; look for options with a white exterior to truly keep things cool.

Most films either adhere by using either an adhesive or static cling. Both types are effective, but static cling films are easier to remove and reapply, and they don't leave behind any messy residue. However, they may peel in intense heat. Adhesive film is a more heavy-duty option and ideal for windows that see a lot of moisture or extreme temperatures, such as bathroom windows. When using adhesive film, keep in mind that removal and repositioning during installation can be difficult. Window film comes in a variety of sizes that can be cut to fit your windows, so try to choose the film closest to your window size to reduce the amount of trimming you’ll have to do.

Scroll on for my top picks for the best heat control window films to upgrade your windows, cool down your space, and save on energy costs. Oh, and pro tip — be sure to stock up on chemical window cleaners, cleaning cloths, and squeegees, too, since window films should be applied only to clean glass and are often smoothed with a squeegee during application.

This mirrored window film installs via adhesive to provide permanent heat control and protection. When applied, it film blocks up to 79% of total solar energy (and up to 99% of UV rays), so say goodbye to excessive heat in your sunniest rooms! The film even blocks glare up to 82%, making this film a true lifesaver for those who spend time in overly sunny homes.

In addition to heat control, the window film also provides daytime privacy without blocking your view of the outdoors. The film has a mirrored appearance when on the outside looking in, but you can still see through it from the indoors. Don't get too comfortable with that privacy, though — at night, if you have the lights on, people will be able to see inside.

This Gila window film comes in a roll that the manufacturer suggests is enough to cover three standard-sized windows, but you can cut it to fit virtually any window in your home.

According to a fan: "Awesome product! We have our entire sunroom windows covered with this stuff. So I knew exactly what it was about. Our entire sunroom is glass windows so this was our best choice for privacy. My favorite bonus is being able to watch the kids play in the yard and they have no idea they're being watched. It's very bright during the day.”

If you want a more decorative look, this Rabbitgoo window privacy film is a great option — and with over 55,000 reviews on Amazon and an overall rating of 4.6 stars, it’s clear that people really love it. The window film has a beautifully shimmery rainbow effect that adds style to your panes, while simultaneously giving you partial privacy to prevent passersby from peering inside. Best of all, it reduces glare, blocks 99% of UVB rays, and prevents 84% of UVA rays from entering your home. Amazon reviewers report that it does a great job of cooling down their spaces.

Application and removal should be super easy, since the film attaches via static cling and doesn't require the use of glues or adhesives. You can buy it in a variety of different sizes.

According to a fan: "Beautiful. Especially at night with the street lights coming in. Very easy installation. [...] And we find that it is sufficient privacy that we do not need the old curtains. We noticed an immediate effect on the heat reduced in the house upon installation.”

This frosted window film from Coavas gives your home a chic look while adding a layer of privacy — and blocking out heat, of course. According to the manufacturer, it provides heat insulation in the summer and heat preservation in the winter to help lower your energy costs. This static cling film blocks hot sunlight, including up to 96% of harmful UV rays. But that's not all it can do — the frosted tint prevents the neighbors from peering into your home, making it easy to enjoy some glare-free sunlight with the blinds or curtains wide open.

The window film attaches via static cling, which means installation is easy and you can adjust or remove the film any time you want. It's available in several different tints — Champagne, Pure, White, Silver, Blue, Black, and Black Gray — so you can pick the one that best matches your space.

According to a fan: "Added these to a few windows to reduce the amount of heat produced when the windows was in direct sunlight. These were easy to install and happy with the results. Especially like that these cling and not an adhesive Will hopefully make removal much easier.”

Blackout window films can be great for blocking heat, since they block sunlight entirely, but they can also get pretty hot to the touch since they’re typically made of black material. Not so with this blackout film from Window Whirl, which has a white exterior that reflects UV rays and doesn’t get as hot. The film, which still appears black from the inside, blocks 100% of sunlight, and users report that it’s very effective at keeping their homes cool and dark.

The blackout film is really only a good pick for you if you’re trying to achieve total darkness, but it’s a great cooling option for anyone who really wants to totally keep the sun from coming through the window. It applies to glass via static cling and comes in four different sizes.

According to a fan: “I work odd hours and needed something to help me get to sleep during the day that also didn’t get super hot. I tried some of the other window films and wasn’t satisfied but decided to give Window Whirl a try after seeing this white-sided film and reading a couple reviews. [...] Easy Peasy. No razor needed. I just used scissors and cut it to the size of my windows. After that, all I did was spray the solution and squeegee a little bit and *just like that* my room is completely dark. If Window Whirl reads this, thank you!”

If you want to cool off your home in style, this window film from DKTIE is designed to look like stained glass, while simultaneously blocking out 96% of UV rays. The design is available in seven different color combinations so you can really match it to your space, and it attaches to the window via renter-friendly static cling. The design provides significant privacy while still letting in some light as well, striking that important balance between heat control, light, privacy, and style.

According to a fan: “Beautiful! Very easy to install and remove. Quite durable, I was surprised. Cuts down the light pretty well but not completely which is nice. Gives us privacy from neighbors but allows light in. Keeps heat in and cold out, could feel it working while I was installing it. My husband and I picked the blue one to go with more of our decor.”

Add a dark tint to your window that blocks out sunlight and heat with this window film from Gila. Unlike blackout window film, it lets some light in, but it does keep out up to 58% of solar energy and up to 99% of UV rays, which also makes your home way cooler. It also decreases glare by up to 93%.

Amazon reviewers report that this window film gives you significant but not total privacy as well, and that it’s definitely more private by day than by night, so keep that in mind if you want more than partial privacy. It uses static cling to stick to your window, and while it only comes in one size, you can cut it to fit any pane.

According to a fan: “Absolutely love. We have a sliding deck door in our kitchen eating area that has no privacy from the neighbors. These worked better than I expected. [...] It takes some adjusting to because it will often times be very dark and you think it's about to rain but the reflection feature that allows privacy from outdoors is worth it for us. I like that i can still look out on the deck and all my flowers. Also it certainly reduces the heat coming in from direct sunlight. We are in DC and it can get hot fast.”

If you want a cooler, more private living space but you still want to let in a lot of natural light, this window film from VELIMAX is here to help. It makes any windows look like they’re made of rain glass, giving you partial privacy, and attaches via static cling. It also decreases the amount of UV rays that make their way through the window by up to 97%, which is pretty impressive given that they still let in some real daylight. Choose from a bunch of different sizes, each of which can be cut to fit your specific window.

According to a fan: “I wanted something to blur my bathroom windows. This product does exactly that. In addition, it blocks out the sun and heat. The windows are on the west facing side of the house so it gets the direct sunlight in the afternoon/evening. Since I’ve installed it, I cannot feel the heat coming through into the house any longer.”

This article was originally published on June 21, 2020