In the "old days," window film was this Saran Wrap-type material that you applied directly to the window casing. This left a space between the window film and the glass that manufacturers claimed helped to keep heat in the house—much like the dead space between panes of glass in a double-paned window.
Except this space didn't help much. Not only that, but the window film itself was flimsy and thin.
Today's window film is thicker and better engineered to actually do what it's supposed to do: slow the heat loss and gain. And the window film is applied directly to the glass. This looks better and does a better job of controlling the energy loss.
So, yes, window film does work to some degree: better than the old window film, but certainly never as good as installing new replacement windows with double or triple panes.
When shopping for window film, make sure it is heat control window film. Otherwise, you may end up with a decorative window film that does nothing to help your heat gain/loss.
Shop Direct - Gila Heat Control Window Film
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