The Challenge
When Glenn and his wife moved into their three bed semi detached new build home in Basingstoke, they loved the bright, open feel created by their modern windows. The house was filled with natural light from morning to evening, which made the space feel fresh and welcoming.
Then the summer of 2026 arrived together with its heatwaves.
The same glazing that made the home feel spacious also allowed intense radiant heat to pour in. The kitchen and rear bedrooms overheated every morning, and the front of the house followed in the afternoon. Even with blinds closed and windows opened at the right times, the heat kept building.
Glenn summed it up simply “Once it is in, it is really hard to get out.”
Cooking became uncomfortable. Sleeping became difficult. A portable air conditioning unit helped a little but was expensive to run and could not keep up. Glenn realised that the problem was not inside the home. The problem was the heat entering through the glass. “You are kind of fighting a losing battle if you cannot stop it coming in.”
The Vision
Glenn wanted protection without changing the appearance of the glazing. He had seen other films that darkened the glass or created a reflective privacy effect, and he knew that would not suit his modern new build.
“I did not want our windows to look like they have that privacy effect or be overly reflective.”
He wanted clarity, performance and longevity. After researching seven or eight companies, Glenn kept returning to one product. 3M Prestige 70 exterior. The engineering, the clarity and the reputation stood out immediately.
3m Prestige 70 exterior in particular offered the perfect balance. It was virtually invisible once installed yet capable of removing a significant amount of radiant heat.
“From everything we read, it was one of the best out there.”
This matched exactly what Glenn was looking for. A solution that protected the home without announcing itself on the glass.
Our Solution
We recommended 3M Prestige 70 Exterior, one of the clearest films in the Prestige Exterior range. It is engineered to reject infrared radiant heat before it passes through the glazing. It maintains the natural appearance of the glass and is almost undetectable once applied.
When Glenn tested a sample on his window, the decision became obvious.
“It allowed a lot of the natural light in, which was what we wanted.”
3M Prestige 70 Exterior delivers:
- Significant reduction in radiant heat
- Lower overall solar gain
- A virtually invisible finish
- No mirrored or tinted appearance
- A 10 year 3M warranty matched with WindowTreat’s workmanship commitment
- A 20 year expected life expectancy
It was the right solution for a modern home that needed protection without visual compromise.
The Installation
The installation took place over two days, which created a rare opportunity for Glenn to experience the difference between filmed and unfilmed windows during a thirty degree heatwave.
The rear of the house was completed first. The kitchen, diner and two back bedrooms were protected while the front windows remained untreated. The next day brought intense sun and high temperatures. Glenn walked through the house and immediately felt the contrast.
“The kitchen, which is normally very hot by that point, had managed to stay much cooler.”
The difference was clear. The film was working.
He also appreciated seeing the quality of the installation work which matched WindowTreat’s workmanship committment.
“The commitment from WindowTreat gave me confidence I was going to get a job well done.”
The Result
Once the full installation was complete, the home felt transformed. The radiant heat that had made the mornings and afternoons uncomfortable was dramatically reduced. Cooking became easier. Even on hot days, the kitchen stayed manageable. Nights were more comfortable because the house no longer accumulated the same level of heat during the day.
“You really do notice the few degrees difference. It takes the edge off.”
The windows looked completely natural. Visitors could not tell anything had been applied. The home kept its bright, open feel while gaining a layer of protection that made a meaningful difference.
Glenn described the improvement as a few degrees of reduction in perceived temperature. It made the home feel comfortable again. Enough to justify the investment without hesitation.
“I absolutely would recommend WindowTreat.”
Invisible Protection With Lasting Comfort
3M Prestige 70 Exterior gave Glenn exactly what he needed. A cooler home during extreme heatwaves. A natural appearance with no reflective or tinted look. Long term performance backed by 3M and WindowTreat. A solution that works quietly and invisibly while delivering comfort every day.
A modern home deserves modern protection. 3M Prestige 70 Exterior delivered it.
Supporting Links
Heatwaves, Solar Gain and Smarter Cooling Strategies – WindowTreat
Best Solar Control Films for Modern Glazing: 3M Prestige Exterior Compared – WindowTreat
Understanding Solar Heat Gain: My Professional Guide to a Home with Heavy Glazing – WindowTreat
WindowTreat 3M Prestige 70 External Window Film Installation | Videos & Movies on Vimeo
