vicwhit

My window was that awful brown colour too, so I etched it, then painted it white. I've also managed to get paint on the glass, so will have to get a professional for any other paint jobs like that. Now realise I should have taped the glass before painting the frame. We live and learn!

High Carol,

As a professional window tinter here in Tasmania , I would like to mention to those who suggested as well as offering further info. to all ( and for those contemplating there use ) the use of decorative / opaque/ frosted window films ( as is , with many solar films) are NOT suitable for applications onto the highly textured side of the glass, as shown in your photo. ( nor are the liquid spray on or paint on tints)

As a general rule ,that type of glass normally has a less textured finish on the opposite side which is usually installed facing the outside which will also limit the type of film that could be used successfully for exterior applications .

Some may be fortunate enough to have had the glass installed back - to - front which would then be better suited for interior film applications .

If it's both cost effective and practical enough, one could have the glass reversed by carefully splitting the frame open by undoing the screws that hold the corners of the frames together and with the rubber gasket cleaned & re-installed around the glass edges then replace frame work to the opening window and the fixed panel may have pullout rubbers to allow re- glazing and reversing the glass .Then reinsert rubber edging whilst the glass sits in the frame.

This may not be possible in all cases as the glass could be broken in the process ,but with most aluminium framed glass ,one should be able to do this with out too much trouble or cost of getting in a glazier etc.

I've done plenty exterior applications to solve privacy issues using a good quality American made heavy duty frosted / opaque film that has a slight give or flexibility in conjunction with a hi- tack stick glue to form within the slight undulations ( or unevenness ) that is normally found on the opposite side of high textured glass and the results have been very successful and long lasting if the right film is chosen and suitable experienced window tinter used .

Using window films has the benefit that fabrics and blinds can be avoided in wet areas where mold problems can exist . It also offers a nice clean and uncluttered look if that what's required . Also the frames could be painted if carful to the prep work required and the correct paints used . Although , I've been informed that if the frames are already been powder coated that certain technical issues may arise and need to be understood before painting is even concidered .

But, if consideration is taken to using a decorative window film, then I would be inclined to change the glass to clear smooth glass and have a deco film applied on the inside that will also offer both improved looks and a much better life expectancy as well as improved privacy .

Another consideration to using new glass is that films can be scraped off at any time with razor blades and some glue removers whilst the glass is flat but going to be a major headache if the glass surface is uneven.!!!

Another issue that a lot of people often over look when ceiling heat lamps and extraction fans are used is the amount of light given off from those three to four down lights . Being so bright with upto a thousand watts of lighting in a confined and generally a brightly painted room , will make your bathroom light up like a light house making it that much easier to see in at night ; and in some cases just as bad during the day; therefore making the use of textured glass less private without the use of blockout or diffused fabric blinds or curtains etc.

To leave the glass as is , then concider a decorative opaque rollup blind that can offer both improved overall privacy for both day and night time use but also allows more light through compared to a blockout blind.

The coloured picture shown are a couple of examples of films that are not glued on but held on by static ( Like cling wrap ( supplied by "peels of London " ) and installed using soapy water which is then squeeged out leaving the film to cling to glass which can ( in therory in the short term ) be pulled off and re- positioned or replied else where if required ( long term application generally results in the plastics deterioration that breaks up in bits if one try's to remove it. ; but again ,flat smooth glass is required .

Another option is to do a paper cut design with suitable water proofed paper / cardboard or Laser cut metal or timber sheets that can simply sit in front of window frame and held in place with fly screen clips . The black an white picture is one of many that I've seen on the Houzz site using metal or wood laser cut screens that could be adapted in some way and painted that I like .

There's one design that I would like to make out very thick card and painted to suit a back window in a laundry door that can simply be held in place with Velcro dot patches .

I hope some of these ideas may be of interest. Gary.

Ps , I've noticed some of the pics upside down but show a plain frosted film that's been hand cut to offer some deco effect allowing some vision from inside out but still offering a good deal of privacy .

Another one showing the new style of zebra ROLLUP blinds I've used for a bathroom in a b& b accomodation .

Can supply these Australia wide c/o my mainland manufacture supplier offering the lowest prices around .

Maybe I'm missing something but this window looks like it is above the bath, not actually in the shower recess so won't be getting directly wet? A timber look white shutter style blind (they're actually plastic so not susceptible to water) would be my choice with window frame painted white.

Hi Genevieve, if you're talking about the window in the photo I posted, nope it's been there 28 years no water damage. Every bathroom in every house I've owned have had timber window frames. I wouldn't replace an opening window with glass blocks, you need more ventilation in bathrooms not less. It also looks like Carol's window is functional.

Hi aacoffey, I agree with you about the ventilation of the open window , but if there is proper ventilation on the ceiling like and exhaust fan that takes care of steam and odors :) a glass blocks window for me works just fine , the only thing that I don't really like about them is to have a large area covered with glass blocks , and give a free show to passerby when in the shower , that's a no-no in my book :)).

I also have a window like that in our shower - it may, but doesn't normally get wet from the shower. I have put in a thin venetian blind in white (made from plastic) very cheap, under $5. I am in process of making an puffy austrian blind to hang above the window, for a bit of colour I am making it from a shower curtain). It will be there for looks, I may never pull it down. The venetian gives privacy and blocks the light a certain amount.

I would also checkout the pic Venetian blind. Can buy off the shelf from spotlight are not expensive and look like a shutter without the cost. The also look ok, as spotlight have a few on display. I also have dark mortal sliding windows in bathroom and used a white timber Venetian but mine is not near the shower so doesn't get damp, but they look nice.

Make that white pvc venetians!