Spend some time at the Gila site and look around. They
have at least two types of film, one that will result
in a darker window than the others, and even reasonbly
good, not great, photos showing what the diffs look
like.
Also read carefully - Some reflect a lot of heat,
others reflect UV, and they don't necessarily do both.

http://www.gilafilms.com/

As someone else mentioned, there are also glass
considerations to take into account: That's pretty
well spelled out on their site, too. I do think you
can find what you need, though; just be sure to read it
carefully.
I used the darker heat resistant film (highest heat
resistance) for my back porch windows (4 facing west)
and the living room windows. Personally I don't think
it's bad to look thru, and I love not having to see the
windows reflected in the TV before sundown or every
time a car passes by at night.
The only downside I've noticed is that if I open the
back porch windows (standard sash windows) and the two
films line up as in when they're fully opened, it not
only does darken it to look like it's story out, but it
also almost turns them into a dark mirror -
irritating - but I don't think that's your issue.
Do be sure it's compatible with the glass you have
though. It goes on easy and works well - I love it.

HTH,

Pop


"The Other Funk" wrote in
message news:HPKGe.12080$QX2.10175@trndny01...
While I do searches of this newsgroup and Goggle, I
thought I would ask for
options here.
Not a home question but rather a small business. I
have large windows in the
front of my store approximately 15 x 11 that receives
the morning sun which
overwhelms the AC. I can't upgrade the AC and the
landlord won't.
Considering the costs, I really can't blame him, he
really is a nice guy.
Add in the summer commercial electric rates, I have
to do something.
So I am considering installing Gila window film . I
am considering the light
gray or the light neutral. My questions a
1. How much visible light will it block? Numbers and
opinions are welcome.
There is an ordinance about how much of the windows
can be blocked. Plus, I
want people on the outside to see that customers are
sitting in the store. I
really don't have a great concern about seeing out .
I have a competitor
right across the street, de-emphasizing him is not a
bad thing..
2. My signage could use a bit more contrast so is the
color noticeable from
the outside? Especially the gray. I realize that this
is contradictory to
number 1 but that is the way it is.
3. Right now there is no awning on front of the store
which will change the
amount the amount of light coming in the window. I
wonder how dark the film
will look in shadow.
The awning isn't planned for the immediate future.
Long story and completely
out of my control.
Anything else I should know or is there another
solution?
TIA
Bob - real email is bob (at) moondoggiecoffee.com