I'm buying an 100 year old house with original windows. My inspector thinks the windows are in good shape but the glass is not tempered. There are a few windows that I'm worried about shattering and seriously hurting someone if they tripped and fell so my inspector recommended applying safety film. My issue is I can not find safety film - there is privacy film, decorative film, heat control film but if I want safety film I need to hire someone to do it. This is just a temporary fix until I need to get new windows so I don't want to put too much money into it. In your experience would the other films protect the glass at all? On the plus side, these windows have lasted 100 years without incident - I might just be a bit paranoid.Thanks in advance for your help
You used to be able to purchase mylar film at any glassiers which would serve to your purposes.... it would also give your glass longer life as the film would prevent the glass from flexing and stressing with wind, etc. However, settling of the house would not prevent fracturing the glass if it was severe enough, BUT at least the glass would not just break and fall down......
Safety film is always a professionally-fitted product: the manufacturers cannot guarantee the product will perform as designed if it's a DIY-fitted installation. Do you have children or vulnerable adults, or any pets which might run into the lower areas of glass? If so, then you have three choices to address your safety concerns: 1. Get rid of the people and pets; 2. Get safety film fitted; 3. Get the glass replaced with toughened/tempered glass. The other types of film will also provide a fair bit of protection as they'll still hold the broken glass together, but their performance as a safety film is not a product aim and there are no guarantees. If you want to do it ultra-cheaply then just apply clear sticky-backed plastic from any stationery store: it won't be as clear, it might discolour with age, and it might be an utter pig to eventually remove, and will likely end up with loads of trapped dust and air bubbles, but it will do the job.
If the windows have lasted 100 years that says a whole lot. If I were you I wouldn't think about it until a glass breaks. It must be a wonderful house if it has lasted that long. Enjoy! There is a product , however, that is a transparent roll plastic that you could apply. In hot sunny climates the people use a tinted shade but always transparent plastic roll to apply to their windows to cut the heat.
I am pretty big into home safety but I can't say I would personally install safety film. If you have kids around, you could just have the film installed in their bedroom. Otherwise, I don't know that it is worth messing with.
