Currently, most people are surprised to find windows in the shower. However, windows are becoming an essential construction feature for multiple reasons. For instance, they provide a natural source of warmth and light, create a mirage of a vast layer of shower dimensions, and offer a get-out route for moisture within the air and odors, preventing mildew and mold in your bathroom.
If you have a window in the shower, you can gain privacy by using vinyl window film, frosted window spray, window film, interior shutters, ceiling-hung shower curtains, and replacing the window with a glass block. Whatever method you use, ensure the window allows circulation to prevent mold.
Despite these, shower windows can also provide a glimpse for individuals outside into your most secret place. Luckily, you can maintain brightness and add privacy to the bathroom using window replacements and inventive cover-up ideas discussed here.
How to Get Privacy with a Window in the Shower
A shower with some incredible privacy is always everyone’s dream. However, though useful, some traditional shower windows will compromise your privacy depending on the placement of the toilet and shower.
Fortunately, we’ve gathered some creative and window alternative ideas to enhance privacy with a window in your shower while catering to the useful benefits of a window in the shower:
1. Installing Shutters or Shades to Mask a Window in View of the Shower
Window treatments are the quickest and simplest way of adding privacy to your shower. The most suitable choices include the mounted over-the-window, polyester window shades or shutters that may entail horizontal rails and vertical stiles made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl, or faux wood furnished within the window frame itself.
- Shutters: provide a higher level of privacy control and light supply. It is composed of a tilt bar that shifts the slats up and down, modifying the angle which allows the light to penetrate.
- Shades: have a lift cord hanging from the top rod, which allows you to pull up or lower to add visibility and light to enhance privacy. In addition, shade requires laths that allow little heat to escape, providing a more insulating, energy-saving option than shutters.
When using any option, avoid wood shutters or bamboo shades in showers. They can form or wrap mold or mildew with adequate exposure to moisture. Additionally, avoid curtains mostly made of mold-liable materials such as cotton.
2. Frosting the Window Glass
The frosted glass has an appealing bumpy effect on one side to enhance privacy by blurring images watched through the window. You can choose any of the following window frosting methods depending on how long you plan the enhance the effect:
- Spray paint: a suitable semi-permanent effect that you can pick up from a frosted glass spray paint, such as Rust-oleum Frosted Glass Spray Paint that dries up, forming a decorative coating. You’ll require to clean the glass above, protect the window’s frame using painter’s tape, apply a thin coat of spray paint on the pane, and allow enough time to dry as per the manufacturer’s prescription. Later, remove the paint using a glass scraper. Spray paints will cope with the exposure of a few water drops, but a large amount of water may eventually lead to the wearing away of the coating.
- Static window cling film: this is a suitable temporary option, a suitable removable alternative to traditional adhesive window films available in a frosted design. To use it, wipe down the window using a soft cloth soaked with a glass cleaner. Then, vaporize the pane using a pane solution of 12 drops of water and a few drops of liquid dish wash. Later, apply a film inducing a squeegee to eliminate possible air bubbles. Always ensure your windows are spotlessly clean before applying the glass cover. Also, some static window clings may fall occasionally but can be easily reapplied.
- Etching: glass-etching creams such as Armour Etching Cream are a permanent solution for frosting the window in your shower by removing a layer of glass and leaving behind a frosted finish. You’ll need to tape off the window frame, apply some cream to the pane using a bristle brush, allow it to bide as per the product’s instructions, and rinse the cream using warm water.
Choose the method that best suits your needs.
3. Treating Shower Windows with Waterproof Elements
You can suitably use any 100% waterproof window treatment material in your shower. There are multiple options to choose from, including vinyl roller blinds, PVC shutters, cellular honeycomb shades, and plastic mini blinds that insulate your shower window.
Each shower window treatment material must be attached to the wall, which involves drilling into the tile (which is an extra cost). All screw holes should be carefully sealed to prevent water entry to the wall through the screw.
4. Tinting the Window Using a Window Film
Tinting windows with a darker color using an after-sale film will also enhance privacy. These superficial, self-adhesive coatings are made up of polyethylene terephthalate and are available in multiple types and colors.
These include weather-resistant security film, heat-absorbing solar films, and silver copper. However, some possible types of films will likely damage your glass. Therefore, always ensure that the window manufacturer’s warranty safeguards window film application.
To apply the window film, cut the film using a utility knife depending on the size of the shower window, eliminate the adhesive backing, and adhere the film to the window pane from the top downwards. Allow the pane to pickle completely, taking between 4 to 8 days.
You can shower during this time, but always ensure you use an exhaust fan to speed up curing and maintain suitable humidity levels. Not to forget, do not attempt to clean the film unless it’s completely cured.
5. Replacing the Window with Glass Blocks
Suppose you have one layer of glass window in your shower (i.e., a single-pane window). In that case, you can consider replacing it using a network of glass blocks, which are thick, solid, or hollow pieces that mask images by doubling the window’s insulation.
Glass blocks will add a luxury feature to your shower and can be personalized to bring attractive effects such as pebbles and cracks. However, they are quite costly, ranging from $400 to $1,000 per window, and installing them on your own can be challenging.
You’ll require an expert to cut blocks into sizes, remove the existing panes, and place the blocks into the wall. Then, the mortar will be required to sustain the structural integrity of the blocks and steel rods.
Where rods lack, the weight exerted by the upper rows of blocks may contribute to the breakage of the lower ones. Lastly, your expert will clinch the upgraded shower window using a waterproof caulk to prevent the edges from rotting.
Always remember that you cannot open glass blocks as you can open traditional windows. Also, poorly ventilated bathrooms will easily lead to mold and mildew problems.
Thus, you can install an exhaust fan and use it after every shower to prevent the build-up and accumulation of mildew and mold.
Summary
Shower windows are useful features for ventilation in your bathroom to prevent mildew and mold. However, they can lead to the loss of your privacy. Fortunately, there are ways to enhance privacy in your shower windows with creative ideas or replacing the glass window.
These may include installing shutters or shades, frosting the shower window, treating windows with waterproof elements, tinting a window film, and replacing single-pane windows with glass blocks.
Choose the suitable method of enhancing the privacy of your shower window when considering other essential factors.