How To Protect A Window In The Shower

A window in the shower tin be a challenging bathroom design problem. Here is what we did with our window during a recent home renovation projection.

obscured glass window in the shower area of a bathroom surrounded by white tile

Years ago, when I graduated from college, my first apartment had a window in the shower area.

Some Options For a Window in the Shower

Consider using obscured drinking glass panes
Manage privacy issues with window film
Install a dimmer switch for your lights
Utilise a waterproof trim like Azek

It was the 90's and the apartment was probably built in the l's.

The bath was pocket-sized – and green. And we thought it was kind of a weird window placement. Just the window was high and nosotros also were on the second floor – and so privacy wasn't really a worry.

However, I was happy to move on to future showers without windows.

And so, when we remodeled our bathroom recently, I was kind of bellyaching that there was no way around window in the shower situation.

It just is not ideal.

Depending on the view that you have looking out – people continuing exterior will nigh likely have a similar view looking in.

And hanging upwardly a bullheaded or a shade is not really an selection because of moisture bug.

As you can see, our window – unfortunately – falls smack in the center of the shower.

Looking back, information technology all worked out. But at the fourth dimension, I had to notice a practical solution to this trouble.

I also learned a thing or ii along the fashion.

Know the Difference Betwixt Frosted Glass and Obscured Glass

As a total novice – my starting time proposition to my contractor was to put in some kind of frosted glass replacement panels.

It seemed logical.

However, the glass guy put me straight on that ane.

The Problem With Frosted Glass

The problem with frosted glass is if the frosted side gets wet – the drinking glass magically becomes quite transparent.

Y'all tin run across out and people can see in.

If the frosted side was inside – that would never piece of work.

If the frosted side was outside, you might be ok except during a rain shower.

Why Obscured Glass is a Better Option

The better pick, I learned – is something called obscured glass.

Obscured drinking glass has a kind of textured side that obscures the view.

Is it 100% opaque? No.

Simply information technology'due south the best choice that I found. I accept even read on some drinking glass manufacturer websites that you can cull the caste of obscurity.

I was not offered that option on my society – simply information technology might be something to look into.

You lot Will Have Privacy Concerns at Night

For me, the obscured drinking glass was a great pick for the shower but I yet had concerns.

During the twenty-four hour period – it is most impossible to see anything inside the bathroom from outside.

But at dark, when it'southward dark outside and the lights are blazing inside you really can run across someone standing right in front of the window.

Window Film Can Help

To solve this trouble I turned to Amazon.

Here I discovered something called window film. It comes in many unlike brands, patterns and obscurity levels. Call back of it equally a huge vinyl cling that covers your whole window.

Since the textured side of my window faced out and the smooth side in, applying a window film was an like shooting fish in a barrel option.

I purchased a brand that is applied with only soap and water. No adhesives, nothing gluey. So, if it didn't work out then it would be piece of cake to remove.

To get a better idea of what I chose y'all can wait here: Artscape Etched Leaf Decorative Window Film at Amazon.

It adds just some other level of privacy on tiptop of the window in the shower that is already obscured.

Another mutual sense tactic is to install a dimmer switch on your bathroom lights.

When you take a shower at night then you can dim the lights.

Not simply will you go a little more ambiance – but yous will proceeds some privacy too.

Order Tempered Glass

Whatever yous practise, remember to order tempered glass panels for your window in the shower area.

God forbid the window breaks while someone is in the shower, at least they won't be injure past shards of precipitous drinking glass. Tempered drinking glass yet shatters simply the edges of the pieces are smoother.

In fact, this is probably code in most areas.

Consider a Water Resistant Window Frame

If you lot are renovating the shower area itself, the window frame causes a problem also.

Apparently a woods frame is out of the question.

I really wasn't certain what options were available.

I asked my contractor and he created a solution by installing Azek trim around the inside of the window.

This composite trim will not rot from repeated exposure to moisture.

And if he installs it past angling it abroad from your window you lot volition eliminate the possibility of standing water on the window sill.

Caulk it upward and make it water tight – again a practiced carpenter that is skilled with Azek is priceless.

And there you have it – some practical suggestions for dealing with an awkward bathroom design dilemma.

Do You Have a Window in Your Shower?

How do you deal with privacy and wet bug?

My obscured drinking glass is shown to a higher place without the window film – merely to requite you and thought of what that blazon of window looks similar.

Leave a annotate below and tell united states about your situation.

Other Bathroom Decor Ideas

I opted for this free standing toilet newspaper holder instead of wall mounted – considering I did not want to put holes in the tile. Bonus: it's easy to modify the whorl as well.
I'm kind of a neutral person (if you lot oasis't guessed by now) but I chose to dress upward the cream tile in this shower with glass tile accents. It makes a precipitous dissimilarity, but I practice like information technology.
Also, a nice choice for bath walls is a tile wainscot. Bank check out the wainscoting done with subway tiles here.

More than Home Renovation Ideas

Well, nosotros are at it once again.

This time we are doing a consummate kitchen remodel.

If yous would like to follow forth with our kitchen renovation here are a few articles:

How to choose the right kitchen countertop cloth for your project.
How to decide on the all-time quartz kitchen countertop for your renovation.