Reflective mirror type tint is very effective and cheap but ugly looking. You should see my thread on this that I just installed.

Different people have different requirements when come to tinting. Privacy, security and heat reduction are common. My house is gated and guarded so security is not a consideration.
If heat rejection is your main criteria look for one that is as dark as you can stand. One thing to consider is the size of your windows. Mine is literally a glass house with huge glass panels so I can go with film that has only 15% light transmission and still feel ok. If your windows are small, go for 20% or 30% light transmission film. The darker the film The better the heat rejection. Look for one with high TSER >70%. High infra red and UV rejection will better protect your curtains and valuable furniture or belonging near the windows

This post has been edited by blancpain4470: Mar 1 2021, 06:33 PM

Initially most of the condo management have this rules. End up I still see people install it.

Look for higher heat rejection. Before you decide the darkness. Please don't forget, the dark level will fade from time to time, is just the matter of time. Higher quality will last longer compare to lower. Same as our car tint.

Myself choose dark tea color, when new is just nice. Same like you, don't want too dark later whole house like haunted. After 10 year, feel like not dark enough.

Heat rejection is partly proportional to the visible light transmission (VLT), ceteris paribus. The darker the film The higher the TSER.

U mean ur condo does not really follow?

Seems like those reflective only got reflective one...

My condo facing afternoon sun lo...

Yup. More than 10 years. You will notice if you pass by certain condo, have a look.

Depends on your need. Reflective type, when night it become mirror if not mistaken. But higher heat rejection.

My unit also have 1 room facing evening sun. So end up that room tint fade faster than others.

Now I just use blackout curtain. Lazy to redo the tint as already install grille.

Only cheap films will fade fast. The decent ones will lose performance but not the color very fast. Moreover all films, whether mirror type or otherwise, will allow outside to see clearly what's inside at night when the inside is brighter. It is the reverse in day time.

Do agree cheaper one will fade faster. The word 'Fast' is quite subjective + the environment condition counted in as well.

Never tried premium quality, so can't compare.

The decent ones come with 5-7 yrs performance and product guarantee including discoloration, peeling, etc. The good ones or those you call premium are having 10 yrs warranty. It is expected that the films will expose to the sun.

The mirror type tinting... During night time, are we still able to view outside after install d tint?

What I know..
Only frosted tinted cannot see/view outside... Day or night 💪
Basically both ways...

Almost all tint films the darker side can see the brighter side but not vice versa. There is no film that allows both ways to see because of the metal deposits on the film.

Oh u mistaken what I wrote...
What I'm trying to say...
Frosted tinted... Both outside & inside cannot see... It's like some wall... Cannot view both way.. day or night... Just like u see shadow only....

It's not like normal tinted...

Frosted tint is just a privacy film. It usually has no heat reduction, IRR or UV rejection. You can’t see anything both ways so it is not suitable for Windows unless you want to block all views. People use those probably for interior meeting rooms, etc.

Those car tinting? Non reflective one?

Why inside can see outside?

I said the darker side can always see the lighter side. So you think about what happens in your car and you will know. Moreover that’s why the govt requires that windshield tint visible light transmission must be 70% for front and 30% foot back. In fact 30% for back is a little dangerous at night if the inside is darker than outside (like in country side) - You can’tsee outside.

I'm doing a glassroof for my porch with de skylight. Was offered to upgrade to IR Glass at Rm54psf compared to normal glass Rm40psf

From demo heat reduction is a lot. But price is quite steep, 35% more