If you want to keep the existing window but make it private, put textured privacy glass in. You'll still get light coming through, but no one will be able to see in.

This is the elephant we are going to replace . We want to also have a bench (built in) .

I've seen pictures of a shower with a long window beside the shower. If the tub you are removing is 6' wide do a 5' shower with a long window along side it. (figures I cannot find a picture right now lol)

jck910. are you suggesting something similar to a side light on a door? then in addition to a transom above the shower that would help keep light in the space.

groveraxel, I love that picture. I do wonder tho if you can have existing windows frosted like those appear to be. hmmm?

whoops those are not frosted. lol

Our neighbor did something similar and had a tall, narrow glass block window running down one side of the shower.

I guess it resembled a sidelight only wider. grapefruit1_ar is suggesting similar.

I enjoy have as much light as possible. I will be talking this over with my husband because with the window we have in there getting closer up that is a ton of light gone from the space not sure I am up for such a huge sacrifice.

Janet, just have the glass replaced. I'll bet you'll find it isn't all that expensive. When someone threw a rock through my 100-year-old front window a couple years ago--broke my wavy glass and my heart--replacement for about 3 x 3' was $165. (Thank goodness they missed the leaded glass transom!)

Point is, you can get any kind of glass you like.

there was a dilemma recently about a woman with frosted glass in her shower window and the neighbor told them that they could be seen showering, through the glass. so, i guess it would depend how close your neighbors are....

Did you consider planting outside the window to create your privacy screen rather than blocking light at the window?

groveraxel, I would be upset about the window also growing up in my parents house we had stained glass windows and windows that where leaded also people would ring the bell trying to purchase them. nnigrt, my husband said the same thing that you could see thru them but my neighbors are across the street couple hundred feet. and yes ASV interiors we do actually have a small 20-25 ft. ornamental tree planted right outside of the window. descions, descions. I told my husband not to send the brick layer over yet I wasn't done thinking. lol ( our house is brick)

Could the top of the window be raised up to the ceiling? You could then have just a short window...that you could look out of while standing in the shower. Your head would be the only thing visible from the outside. You would still have natural light. The window would be above the shower sprayers.

grapefruit1,I would have to ask about that, tho it can't be ruled out that could be a solution my husband said to leave the bathroom as is with no changes or add the transom window and remove the tub and install the shower. I told him I would get back with him. the skylight does add some extra light which would then be above the new shower but being in the west part of the house would that be enough for the space?

here is our window. standard 8' ceiling. 12" from ceiling to top of glass. we had the old window removed (which was a vertical casement) and this one put in, the top right corner was in the same location for both. i think you can do it without raising the header for the window.

nnigrt, that is nice I am wondering if possibly we could add an octagon window on the side of the shower? thoughts?

Consider keeping a window there, but have the bottom sill be at shoulder height. You can usually see people moving around behind privacy glass, especially if it's darker outside than in.

I would change the window to a fixed transom that is using the same header as existing window. Just bring up the bottom. Search for standard sizes to help keep the cost down. Like others said. If the window bottom is at you shoulder height, not one will really see anything, Especially with landscaping to help.
Since you have another window , it would be easier to completely lose the large window if a transom idea is not good for you. I tried to do exactly what your husband wanted and we ended up keeping the existing window and installing a smaller tub, rather than a new gigantic shower.

sunnydrew,I think we may be going to use an awning window which is a double size. We are looking for a 6'x18" window to use. That way we will be able to open the windows for some fresh air as well.

It would be a shame to loose window, like the window covers or even replace glass and put in block glass

Textured glass is the way to go, lets light in but private!

cure design group, I was thinking along that line of textured glass but I have heard tho not experienced 2 different things. Just a little concerned about the possibility of me being wrong. I might actually see my neighbor. ( yikes) .Bottom line I would love to keep a window there. I like things light bright and airy no matter the time of year.

the trouble with glass like that is if you are standing right next to it in a shower people outside would ABSOLUTELY see you. no way around it. the only thing to do is keep the glass shoulder height and above and not care that they can see you obscurely.

nnigrt, I think I will stay safe and do a window above the shoulder the space does have a skylight in it so that should help. I just hate feeling like I am in a cave. So I am thinking travertine/: sand tiles for the shower certainly not dark colors especially since the bathroom is going to be like a beachy/spa like.

Have you considered installing solartubes in your bathroom? Your husband would get the privacy he craves and you would still have light coming in through the roof. We had them put in our bathroom (which was as dark as a cave), and now we don't even have to turn on the light switch during daylight hours. Added bonus is no wet or mildewed glass to have to clean!

dalerha, we do have a skylight so that helps. I would love to have a solar tube in our guest bath , but that is a different story.

I agree with the solar tubes - you can even get some models with lights in them to supplement lighting at night. There are several brands - I have two ready to install in my guest bath from Sun Tunnel and they are quite large. Better than a skylight which is often problematic and the glass is frosted. You could also have the transom window to accent as well.

Your elephant is much like mine! I've wanted to get rid of it for a long time too. Love the suggestions.

gissela 1, yes we are in the same boat so to speak. However it appears your windows are functional ( they open and close?) mine does nothing but look nice. I am currently looking at tiles now and my husband is looking at the actual shower itself as we are looking for a 5'x4'. so probably a special order. Luckily he is a GC and knows where to go to obtain one. My tub is like 13 years old and feels rather dated. Thing to go. Good luck to you.

If you want to know how much light you will get with a shoulder height widow, partially cover your existing window with black paper. That way you can play around with sizes and will have a good idea of light given by the replacement size you want.

I had a similar situation in my bathroom. I put on a window film that was opaque- slightly patterned. But what made it work was getting a level or blind cut to size at the big box store- easy to install- about $35. Now you can't tell that there's a window film behind the blinds- you just don't notice that you have complete privacy plus the light.

I have a window in my only shower/tub in the house. The original 1966 glass was wavy but you could still see too much so I put this film on the window. It works great. Lots of light even though it is tinted and you can't see through it.
If you get it be sure to peel the backing off it so it adheres like it is supposed to. Mine has been up in the shower for over a year now and is still 'sticking' great.

Ok, so the photo won't attach in edit mode. Here it is.

It is tiled all around the window.

Janet, LOL, same big outdated boat, mine is 14 years old. I'd like to keep my windows for the light and they are functional. Love the look of the frosted glass but I would NEVER feel comfortable showering-don't even want the neighbors to see my shadow!

Laurie, thanks for the photo. I want sure if I should try to get another second tho smaller window added. Or adjust to losing a ton of light. I think I am going to just use lighter tiles, maybe mirrors and nice lighting to perhaps make the room feeling lighter. So much to consider.

I have the same problem in my 1999 Master bath that I am about to gut. I chose to keep my window because I didn't want to spent my remodeling money on putting in a shoulder height window. I didn't care for window films then saw that they have come a long way. I liked a sandblasted glass look that stopped at the shoulder and was clear from there up. I have a fence 4 feet from my window and no neighbors with second story windows that would be a problem. I always go for the most light you can get so I would keep the window you have. But if you really have neighbor's windows that look right at your window or a window that is open to a lot of people, I would go for the shoulder height window. I would say don't let your husband brick up your whole window-you will miss the light--even with your skylight. I love that I don't have to turn on lights in my bathroom during the day and sometimes not even with a quick trip at night if there's a full moon. I live in Houston and am a little worried about heat or cold radiating from my shower window so I may put in a double pained window. Groveraxle is right, they aren't terribly expensive plus they are energy efficient. As to the sidelight type window or another shaped window outside the shower--how big is your bathroom? Any window outside the shower is going to take up space you might not have. I would stick to the window in the shower so you don't lose that space. And last, others may not agree, but I would nix the glass blocks. I liked them too but they are out of date now and would age your bathroom at resale. Loved all the reply's to this post I got some good info--it seems we are all victims of the 90's architects! P.S. I am not a tub person so I will have a large shower and NO TUB!

Amazing, we are remodeling our masterbath with the same window above the tub only on the second floor. The window lets in so much light so I didn't even consider removing it. Instead I think obscure glass is the way to go [about $300 3x4 window} Also I was a window products installer and there are plenty of blinds and shades to cover that window that would really look good and give you privacy. Enjoy your new bath

Deborah, my husband wants to brick up all of the window except for the top 16/18 inches. I agree glass block is kind of dated. I also enjoy always having light in there night and day because of the skylight. Having another bathroom with a tub in it shouldn't hurt my retail value if I go to sell ,tho I don't have plans to. It is kind of refreshing to know I am not the only one with a horrible bathroom. I have gotten wonderful advice from posting this dilemma. Glad I did.

I don't see a problem changing out your current window for a wide one set higher. You will still get plenty of light, but increased privacy. Simply remove the current window, add some cripples or jack studs and a new rough sill. Then install whatever window you want. Of course you would need to redo the siding outside as there is a big hole in it where you took out the window.

Also, you do not need to have the glass sand-blasted or acid-etched to get a frosted look. There are films to cover regular glass that will give these effects. You can find some at home stores, and many others at online stores like wallpaperforwindows.com. Some of these use glue, but others use static cling which makes them easily removable.

After removing that behemoth of a tub & going with light beachy tiles for a shower, with a skylight & a waterproof light in the ceiling of the shower, a narrow shoulder height window where the current window is you will be so surprised at how much better your bathroom will look. Have fun with picking your tiles & accessories.

sandradclark, accessories are my favorite things to select. it seems to pull everything together and make the space. we do have 3 waterproof lights currently installed in the bathroom now. As far as the tub I just shake my head as to what we were thinking. total wasted space. and the step up well just ugh!

In my client's bath remodel we took out two windows and placed one that is higher up on the wall. It is battery operated by a remote for keeping the sun out in the western afternoon sun exposure. Light can stream through the glass panel and opens up the space.

Cathy. my window also faces the west. My husband has ordered a double awning style window with grids in them to match the rest of the house. So for me to get as much light as possible I will have to try other things like lighting, mirrors and materials in lighter colors. This should be fun.

Yea, the awnings are always a great idea. I'm also a Hunter Douglas Window treatment dealer and know that your energy can be saved up to 88% during most of the year. More than an awning because the Rays still come thru. They just diffuse the light, but not so that its directly going into the window. Replace your can bulbs with LED so that no heat comes off of them. Mirrors reflect a lot of light also. Just a thought.

Cathy, we replaced all of our bulbs a couple years ago. I find bulbs that appear yellow when lite really irritate me. Just seems fake. I think the awning windows will accomplish what we need. crossing my fingers.

I'm glad you did that. If you are not happy with the white or yellow light given off the LED's, there are different types you can use to get the affect you would like. Good luck, Janet.

Hi, we stayed at a hotel recently with a beautiful view of Hanalei Bay on Kauai. It had a privacy window between the bathroom & room. When you wanted privacy, you just flipped a switch & it turned opaque. Argon perhaps?

Good luck!

Whatever you do, keep the window at 60" or higher to avoid having to temper the glass. (More cost).