I love the idea of your cupboards 'floating' between two windows. OK, thinking about the whole privacy issue, let's treat it a bit like a risk assessment... I gather we're talking about the side of the house, gap, fence, gap, neighbour's wall. Concentrating on the splashback window, it seems there are two issues, the neighbour looking in from their window and a random peeper. It seems to me the probablity of the neighour looking in is fairly high, more from useage, rather than deliberate spying. The consequence, lack of privacy. What controls can you put in place: solid wall (no window), screen along fence to minimise sight line (probably fairly easy, depends on fence), smart glass (expensive), blinds (aesthetics and practicality/cleaning issues). Residual risk/issues is a bit hard to quantify, as it really comes down to would you be comfortable in your own home with the lights on and the control/s in place. Moving on to the Random Peeper, which to my mind the likelihood is a lot lower. Consequence is the same as above, so IMO has a lower ranking. Controls: Barrier as in a fence or gate to reduce easy access (should be fairly straight forward), smart glass and blinds as above. Residual risk, as above. What do you think?

I think that they can be very good to let in natural light and give off a view, so if you have something nice to look at like greenery; then absolutely. If you'd be looking concrete or a busy street, then no. If you need something nice and bright you could put a patterned wallpaper or mural behind glass, maybe even with LED strip lighting.

Thank you for all of the suggestions. As we are currently getting renovations done elsewhere in the house it is hard for me to provide photos. The two exterior walls in the living room have floor to ceiling windows, whilst the dining room has three consecutive windows around 1m off the ground. One of the windows in the living room it is not possible to put blinds on as it is too close to another window (perpendicular from it). There are also a second set of glass doors onto the balcony which we do not wish to put blinds on. Therefore next to the front door there are four windows/glass doors, only one of which can be covered with blinds. So as you walk across the balcony and to the front door you have a substantial view into the house, even if a wall was built to separate the living areas from the entry. It is for this reason that we don't think a front entry way will work. We are not too fussed about the privacy as it is a raised Queenslander hidden front street view due to a number of large trees. However, we were concerned that having the kitchen in view from the front door could affect resale value (although it doesn't bother us). We enjoy having a large kitchen however could happily have a smaller one if it meant the space worked a lot better. We would like to keep the laundry in its current location if possible, to minimise renovations. The main reason we are concerned with the floor plan is, as I've said before, that we would like to have it open plan and we think that simply knocking down the wall separating the kitchen and dining room would not be the ideal way to go about this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Chris Just following up your request for further info between double glazing and/ or filming single glazing Etc Your more than welcome to call me direct here in Tassy for a more detailed info. that’s not possible via this comments section . But just to highlight a few things for all interested readers . Firstly , it’s important to understand the “ Technical” differences between both single & double glazing ( particularly the different types of additives/ manufacturing processes etc that’s goes into making glass that can make a difference to how they perform technically and the ability to do what you want it to do and then theirs the choice of aftermarket window films . Whether the choice of an aftermarket window film application is considered to either single or double glazing to solve one or more problems, one must understand the pros and cons as to the window film manufacturers guide lines and their recommendations as to what type of film should be used or avoided considering the different window components and the different types of glass that goes into making the final window product . Secondly ; and equally important ; one must understand the differences between radiant heat and convection heat . Unless the glass is specially treated at the glass manufacturers or has an added solar film coating applied ( such as suitable window film ) when compared to clear glass and whether as a single glazed or a double glazed unit ; will NOT stop all the direct RADIANT heat through the glazing . Double glazing , or even triple glazing , works on the same principle like a thermos flask ; to reduce / slow down the transfer of CONVECTION currents ( hot or cold air temperatures ) from one side to the other . Radiant heat and convection heat are two different things and requires different ways to solve the problems . Double glazing is designed to reduce “convection” air temperature from moving from one side to the other , of the window . Other additional manufacturing processes can improve both insulation and heat reduction abilities . You mentioned a ceramic film and the infra red ( heat component ) reduction. I was wondering why a ceramic film was mentioned compared to say either a semi or fully reflective film choice !!!! Don’t get confused with all the advertising thats on offer via sales reps pushing their product as being better than other film options unless you fully understand both the advantages and disadvantages. One must compare apples with apples when comparing any technical data as many companies don’t all stick to a common standard tech specs making it difficult for customers to compare and often confused . The two main considerations when choosing a film ; particularly when double glazing is installed ; is the :- total solar energy reduction ( SER) and secondly the amount of absorption of heat ( SEA ) into the glazing . These are the two main factors I look at when heat transmission is a problem for a customer . The SER is the amount of the overall reflected away from the glazing and the SEA is the amount that’s is absorbed into glazing ( glass ) as this will effect how much increase in the overall temperature of the glass Particularly the panel which is tinted in a double glazing application which is normally the room side . The main problem if the glass temperature increases , it will increase the chance of glass breaking due to thermal stress .( gets too hot it will eventually break ) . One also has to take into account the quality of the glass , particularly most being made in Asia now .where quality may be an issue compared to Australian made glass .!!! Basically You need high SER with the lower SEA as an ideal choice . From my experience with over 40 years in the window tinting industry here in Tasmania that the fully reflective film I often use ; particularly on double glazing ; is a number one choice ; then secondly the less reflective MEP films neutral based film either in the suggested medium grade as generally the two films the manufacturers suggest in their guide lines As single glazing goes , between the full reflective or secondly the darker neutral ( a cross between the medium neutral and full reflective films ) I’d be interested in see the data on the ceramic film choice for me to compare to out of interest . The three films I’ve mention are by no means the only choices but many other factors comes into play that need to be taken into consideration . Much more on the subject but hope this may offer some interest to discuss further . Protek window tinting & blinds (Tas)