I get a lot of enquiries about privacy film, but this one stuck with me — partly because of the job itself, and partly because the customer was genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve worked for.
She got in touch after spotting a new block of flats nearby that had been fitted with reflective glazing. She loved the mirror-like finish and wanted the same effect on her bay window at home. Living close to St George’s Hospital, the day-to-day foot traffic on her street is constant. People walking to and from the hospital pass right by the front of the house, and she’d simply had enough of feeling like she was on display in her own living room.
I can vouch for her on this, during the install I had many strange looks from people passing by, probably thinking – “my god i’ve never seen a tradesman who is so handsome” – Either that or they were wondering what on earth I was doing. Anyway, don’t let a lie get in the way of a good story.
The Solution — Silver 20 Solar Film
For this job I recommended Silver 20, a high-performance solar film with a reflective finish. During daylight hours it works as a one-way mirror — clear visibility from inside, a sleek reflective surface from the street. It’s the same effect you see on commercial glazing, but installed directly onto existing glass rather than requiring a full replacement.
Silver 20 sits at the darker end of the reflective film range, which made it the right call here. The customer wanted a strong mirror effect from the outside, and she wanted it to be obvious — not subtle. It also blocks a significant amount of solar heat and UV, so while she came to me for privacy, she’ll notice the front room is considerably cooler come summer.
Silver 20 is one of the more common films I install, it’s not my personal favourite, simply because of its difficulty to install perfectly. However, it’s cost effective for the customer, and offers some of the best heat rejection values because of its reflective nature.
The Installation
The property had a large bay window with multiple panes — exactly the kind of installation that makes a visual impact when it’s done right. I applied the film to each pane individually, making sure the edges were straight, light gaps were kept minimal, and the finish was consistent across the whole bay – standard procedures.
Here’s a video of the install:
The Result
She was delighted. By the time I’d packed up and cleaned down she was already joking about her “new windows” — which as a window film installer I’ll take every time. She was incredibly welcoming throughout, even offering me food, which doesn’t happen as often as you’d think.
Her review said it better than I could:
“George was a true professional. He responded promptly to all communication and did a great job. I’m so happy with my new windows. He was very tidy and respectful and I would highly recommend him.”
If you’re in Tooting Bec, Balham, Streatham, or anywhere across South London and you’re looking for privacy film that doesn’t compromise on natural light, I’d love to help
