Bathroom Windows - Frosting/Tinting

Amber · Apr 23, 2007 9:58 am

G'day all, hope you all had a great weekend.

Just trying to think about what to do with the windows in the bathroom and ensuite. Because we didn't think about it at time of tender, we didn't upgrade the windows to 'frosted glass' so now of course, everybody can see in.

Personally I'm not that concerned because I could probably just get some blinds to put in or something but thought I'd go through the process anyway.

Is there an easy way that looks great and gives you some privacy in the bathroom until I sort out what sort of window coverings to put in there.

I figure that if the neighbours look they are going to be so scared off that they'll never look again!!

Cheers
Amber
http://www.ourdreamhouse.blogspot.com

perryr · Apr 23, 2007 11:53 am

I saw the item regarding the frosting of bathroom windows, and looked at whether we need to do the sme thing. We can to the conclusion that blinds would actually look better, and that during the day the open blinds would let more light in.

In answer to your question, there are self-adhesive window frosting available (I guess from bunnings etc). I'm not sure if these things are designed to be permanent or they are removable.

Here's one such product, I'm sure there are loads of them around.
http://www.ezytint.com.au/ezy_etch.php

Cheers
Perry

Amber · Apr 23, 2007 12:59 pm

Thanks Perry. I'm still leaning towards blinds, which just asks the next question 'what type of blinds can you put in a bathroom'.

I'd love to have timber blinds to be consistent but imagine that after a while the steam/moisture would do them damage.

Food for thought I guess.

sneakersss · Apr 23, 2007 1:08 pm

Hey Amber,

I'm having the same situation, too. Completely forgot about getting the bathroom/ensuite/toilet windows to have some kind of frosting/glazing. Doh! Now I wish I had thought about it.

I also want to put some kind of timber in our ones but the shutters. But the thought of the steam ruining it comes to mind as well.

I suppose that whatever dressing you put on those windows you could close it when you want to use the bathroom etc. But I'm thinking I'd like to have the blinds (or whatever) open during day time to make use of natural light as opposed to turning on the light switch.

Does anyone know if it's expensive to replace the panels of glass to somethign with like obscure glazing on it?

shooey · Apr 23, 2007 1:39 pm

We have stuck with clear glass in the new house too, our windows aren't that big, and I like having a bit more light in the bathroom when we aren't in it, so will use some sort of blind

You can buy fronsting in a can from Bunnings, if the window is small it can work ok, we did it in our current bathroom

We did get frosted glass side panels and in the front door and I think to upgrade it was a few hundred dollars

perryr · Apr 23, 2007 2:27 pm

Amber - it seems that you can buy PVC timber blinds (a bit of a contradiction!).

Might be just what you need.

Here's the first one I found:
http://www.3dayblinds.com.au/products_timber_pvc.shtml

Cheers
Perry

Perth_Euro · Apr 23, 2007 2:51 pm

this discussion is interesting.

Not 100% sure, but pretty sure that here in wa building laws/ council laws say the windows must be frosted if anybody can potentially see thru them from any direction.

Perth_Euro · Apr 23, 2007 2:54 pm

this discussion is interesting.

Not 100% sure, but pretty sure that here in wa building laws/ council laws say the windows must be frosted if anybody can potentially see thru them from any direction.

grime · Apr 23, 2007 8:18 pm

We got caught out on the bathroom, en suite, and toilet, with full length clear glass windows...(curses on those lovely window furnishings in the display homes hiding the obvious)
Not sure if our supervisor was on the level but when we contacted him about the smashed clear window in the bathroom asking if we could just pay the difference between original and frosted he stated that no we can't do that because they are different thickness or some such.
Now with timber Venetians you may find the odd problem with baby powder.Amazing stuff baby powder,it can float around and make a real mess which defies strenuous efforts to remove.
Something easy to maintain but stylish as well.
Glass bricks maybe if you can option before building?

Adrian B · Apr 23, 2007 9:26 pm

grime

Glass bricks maybe if you can option before building?

Good call, as long as it is sealed properly, and the grout is treated with waterproofing additives before the wall is contructed.

Oh, and then there is the cost, which I think can be a little high....

lrhodes1 · Apr 24, 2007 10:07 am

In NSW, for my builder at leasr, frosted windows in the bathrooms came standard. I think that Council's here demand it for privacy and to deter Peeping Toms!
Never realised there would be a price difference!

First_Timer_Ray · Apr 24, 2007 8:51 pm

I personally don't like the 2 options of the obscure glass our builder offers, and after seeing it I am determined that we will only get obscure glass in the WC as we probably won't have any window coverings on it. As for the bathroom, I too love the timber venetians and have thought about the moisture... but if there's a decent exhaust fan it shouldn't be too much of an issue... right?

I have seen some houses with the ensuite window facing the front of the house and I think I'd definitely want some sort of covering either on the glass or a big bush or something outside the window. I HATE the thought of people looking in - but it only bothers me at night. Or if I'm not clothed :lol:

perryr · Apr 24, 2007 10:18 pm

We had our colour selection appointment today, and the consultant made a point of mentioning that all windows have clear glass.

We've decided on blinds for the bathrooms etc. Personal choice. I think there are quite a few products around that can stand some moisture in the bathrrom. I guess over the coming months I'll need to investigate them!

Perry

GroovyOne · Feb 24, 2011 4:28 pm

This is an old thread........

I was wondering how you are all finding your chosen windows in your bathrooms, and how they are working for you???

I am trying to decide whether to put satinlite in our bathrooms or clear + blinds + plants outside.

Any tips/advice/feedback...???

kyton · Feb 24, 2011 6:23 pm

We only have frosted glass on one of our bathroom windows. The other two bathrooms with windows have plain glass as they form part of the facade - therefore have to match the other windows.

All our bathroom windows have timber composite Venetian blinds which are still in perfect order after 15mths of use.

GroovyOne · Feb 25, 2011 12:58 am

kyton

We only have frosted glass on one of our bathroom windows. The other two bathrooms with windows have plain glass as they form part of the facade - therefore have to match the other windows.

All our bathroom windows have timber composite Venetian blinds which are still in perfect order after 15mths of use.

Do you find your blinds on the windows at the front are always closed...?

kyton · Feb 25, 2011 7:24 am

No - not unless it is night. BUT I must clarify we are on a big block and the closest neighbors are on the side of the house that the frosted glass is. Our front yard would be around 45-50m deep to our fenceline then those two adjoining neighbors houses would be another 20m from that fenceline. So next to no prying eyes.

GroovyOne · Feb 25, 2011 5:05 pm

Interesting. I have worked out that once our fences are up, no one will be able to see into our bathroom. It is down the 'dead' side of the house. I'm still not sure what to do though.

I really like the idea of having clear glass and plants outside, but realistically am I going to shower with the blinds open anyway, even if no one can see in....? Something tells me that my instincts will have me close the blinds when showering...?

I don't know what to do!!

springtime · Feb 25, 2011 8:33 pm

Hi Amber,

We're building a two storey house & when the plans went into council, they said we had to put in one of the side rooms obscure glass, so our rep suggested we stick some obscure paper I believe you can get it from Bunnings etc on the windows. I believe you can get the plain paper, or the decorative one ( decorative would make the glass look coloured much like what you see in old buildings )

I Hope this helps.

deb17 · Feb 25, 2011 8:58 pm

We are having the PVC white wood look venetians in ours, we also forgot to upgrade to the frosted glass.