Where in the bathroom is the window? What is beyond it that can see in? Is privacy a real issue or do you just feel weird about clear glass in a bathroom?

I'm a light freak and also prefer windows where I can see out. Otherwise I get claustrophobic. My policy is usually to get clear and then figure out a privacy solution. Unless you are right up against another home, could you add a window treatment that affords you privacy *and* fully unobscured glass?

I think I just feel weird about clear glass in a bathroom...I'm leaning toward the film, just because w/it and the clear glass, I have more options down the road.

You might want to double check that putting the film on the window doesn't void the window warranty. Sometimes the warranty states that doing so will void it.

Is the window over the tub or in the shower? Because if it's not on a wet wall, why not give it a simple window treatment? Then you'd have privacy if you think bathroom activities warrant, and the rest of the time keep it open and really light as you've said you like.

My daughter used to live in a ground floor flat in San Francisco that had a sidewalk running close to the building. The landlord covered the bottom half of the double-hung windows with a film that admitted light but blocked the view from either side. Totally claustrophobic experience!! You want to see out, but can't. Of course at night with lights on inside you want privacy (you can't see anything outside anyway). Close the window coverings. During the day it's hard to see in from outside. Leave 'em open.

I got privacy glass and regret it, really decreases the amount of light coming through. Used to do what Linelle described, wish I stayed with that.

The decision was made early in my build process before I knew I had to pay close attention to and research all details, and before I knew about GW.

I have a 52"x52" window right at the smack of splash zone. The original window was builder grade single pane aluminum window. I upgraded and got double pane vinyl window. Right outside of that window is a narrow walk way that is part of my backyard, and is framed by a 6' wood privacy fence. Beyond that is my neighbor's house. The standard obscure window comes with obscure glass in the inside pane and clear glass in the outside pane. But I wanted to have more privacy and so opted to have "double obscure". Meaning that both inside and outside panes are obscure glasses. I have to forgo having argon in between with double obscure (window guy said to have argon I must have a clear glass outside). The window ended up as a slightly less energy efficient window but I like the increased privacy. I have also considered triple obscure (three panes) but it seems that I am only increasing the cost without significantly increasing any degree of privacy

You should be careful putting a film over double pane window. I considered that too. But all films attached on window glass will void the warranty because it increases the risk of breakage. Something about heat being trapped in between the panes. Besides, I don't trust that the film will stay on for long. Not to mention that it is a pain to apply films to such large window. I am sure I will end up with bubbles everywhere

tsth, listen to mdln. Get a window treatment that opens and closes. Privacy when the situation warrants, pure light when you crave it. You truly can have it both ways.

What type of window treatment would you suggest? I am trying to keep the new look of the bathroom on the elegant side...what would you suggest?

We decided on the clear glass. Your replies make me really glad we did. Now on to some suggestions, if anyone has any? For a pretty simple look that still looks elegant?

Curtains, shade, shutter, stained glass panel hung in front of the window - wish I did any one of those.

I liked the idea of plantation shutters in a bathroom. If white, you could do a treated white that is moisture resistant.

tsth, yay for you choosing clear glass!!!

I'll defer to the others for possible window treatments. I'm hopeless.

You could loo into this type privacy glass.

tsth, I don't know how handy you are or if you'd even be interested in doing something like this. I'm getting a new entry door with a 3/4 lite and I need to figure something for privacy at night. I want something simple that's out of the way when I'm not using it. I'm thinking of using a roller blind. There are countless DIY blogs for taking an inexpensive roller blind (blackout or light permeable) to which you add the fabric of your choice. If you go to Pinterest and type in "roller blind" you'll see some really cute ones.

DIY roller blind

Millworkman you and I both posted about the same thing. She ignored it completely. Let's see if she looks at your link.

cpartist and millworkman,

Thanks for the links on the opaque glass systems. These would be great for my living room and bathroom.

cpartist, do you work for the company? Thanks, but it wasn't really what I was looking for. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Thanks for the post to you too, millworkman.

Thanks all! We'll see what I come up with. :-)

I appreciate the link on the switchable glass (from privacy to clear) that was posted by cpartist and millworkman. Thanks. We too have a window in our bathroom to decide on. I imagine that is a very pricey option though.

Glad you found a solution tsth5236. A window treatment, with the option of bright light when not needed is a very good solution too.

Carol

tsth5236,

I put film similar to what you showed in your first post in one of my bathroom windows - lower sash only, and also in a large window in a door to my pantry from my entry porch. It was put in several years ago, has held up fine, and no damage to the glass in either. Know that you can go that route in the future if you decide to. I didn't know it would void the guarantee on my double pane window in the bathroom, but there has been no issue at all. I'm in Maine where we can have 20 below temps and some in the 90's in the summer.

Has anyone used the Solyx Safety Film? Their web site says it replaces the need for tempered glass.

The reason I'm asking is that I'm remodeling the upstairs hall bathroom and live in a tough inspection township. When they came to look at the rough in, they said I need to replace the bottom pane of my double hung window, which is behind a toilet, with either tempered glass or 3M safely film. The window is within 60" from the side of the bathtub. (Of course, if you fell out of the tub you'd have to also clear the toilet somehow.) I can't find any specifications for the Solyx and I know the inspector is going to insist on verifying it's as good as the 3M.

Just a thought - and it may say more about me than anything else ----- but even with privacy glass, usually your profile is very apparent to anyone passing by at night with the light on in the room.

"cpartist, do you work for the company? Thanks, but it wasn't really what I was looking for. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Thanks for the post to you too, millworkman."

No, I'm a professional artist.