Asked on Dec 15, 2012

What to do with this window?

Amanda M
by Amanda M
This is my soon-to-be in-shower window. This was the bathtub area, and we desire a shower larger than a bathroom stall. Two major problems. (1) Privacy! Even with the trees, if someone is walking or driving up the hill just through them, you can see in. (2) Summer heat makes that bathroom feel like an oven. We do not have resources to totally replace it, and we don't want to mess with the outside part of it. Ideas we thought about was building a glass block casing that would slide into the existing casing and hope the "pocket" of air would help insulate during the summer. Not sure. Another idea that Mike had was to use foam insulation on the bottom 2 rows and we glass block the upper 2. I think the foam insulation would look tacky, especially come resale time many years down the road. Any advice or ideas to look into would be great. Other challenges: small budget, DIY preferred.
The old window.
  29 answers
  • Z Z on Dec 15, 2012
    My first thought was window film, but I can't find any that both reduce solar heat and add privacy. Hopefully there is something out there that does this and one of the HT professionals will know and be able to help you.
  • Joyce P Joyce P on Dec 15, 2012
    put up shutter blinds so you can open and close as needed...or spray frost on windows...allows light in but no one can see in...
  • Code and your safety require that any window less than 60" above your shower floor be tempered glass, so it would be a bad idea to continue to use the existing window. You may be able to get an insert window that is tempered and will fit inside your existing window jamb, but a wood jamb in a shower is asking for trouble. You would be best served buying a vinyl or fiberglass window. Marvin Integrity would be my choice. You may be able to get one with tempered and frosted privacy glass.
  • Amanda M Amanda M on Dec 15, 2012
    Thanks, Brian! I enjoy gaining advice and insight from those who are in-the-know. I will check those measurements and with the wood jamb. We are willing to invest in doing what is necessary to prevent moisture problems. Any other advice or knowledge you or others may be willing to share would be greatly appreciated. Will post as this project progresses, and it will be a slooooow progression.
  • My sister had a stained glass overlay put over her existing tub window. The artist used all frosted kinds of glass, no color. It is a really stunning design. It obscured the view and fit over the existing glass pane in her new house. Not sure how it was secured though.
  • Z Z on Dec 15, 2012
    Gosh Brian, I can't believe I didn't think about the glass and the slip factor in a shower. I guess since I grew up in a time when many bathrooms had wood framed windows above the tubs with showers, I never gave that part a thought. I don't ever remember our having to replace those windows so I never even thought about tempered glass. I knew storms doors required tempered or plexiglas since I worked in a hardware store that repaired doors and screens, but the bathroom window things never came up that I knew of. Glad you popped in. In that case, since you have to replace the existing window I'd go with glass block if you can fit that in your budget at all Amanda.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Dec 16, 2012
    In addition to there being a safety concern with the glass, what about what is going to be encouraged to grow inside the walls from all that moisture. If you cannot do anything else, eliminate the window completely. Seal up the wall to code for an outside wall and make sure you finish the inside to code. Otherwise skipping over this window problem might cost you your home later on! Just do not continue on ignoring you have a big elephant in the bathroom!
  • Nest Home Improvement Nest Home Improvement on Dec 16, 2012
    A cellular window blind would offer some insulation and privacy when you needed it.
  • Refresh Gene McDonald Refresh Gene McDonald on Dec 16, 2012
    Have you check your local acrylic plexglass fabricators...leave the window there and perhaps cover the window with new colorful frosted sheet n if they have a cnc they can engrave a design to fitvthe theme of your bathroom
  • Refresh Gene McDonald Refresh Gene McDonald on Dec 16, 2012
    A Corian white sheet can also be cut to fot into that window size on the inside..also engrave a tree scenery design on the backside of the corian...the natural daylight will higlight the design with the squares also..the inside of your corian will be hygenic n non pourous so bathroom conditions will not affect it
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Dec 16, 2012
    If this is "IN" the shower it should be replaced with a code approved version. It would be very easy to frame in the lower part and install a smaller window in the upper area. This new window can be tempered or even frosted as well. When I did window replacements in my remodel the shower windows got replaced with vinyl...while everywhere else in the house I used wood interiors. A smaller window with the lower sill set at about shoulder height provides ventilation, light and a view without compromising privacy. A basic vinyl window should not run more than 300 or so. In the long term this will prevent a lot of headaches with moisture on the existing lower sill.
  • Amanda M Amanda M on Dec 16, 2012
    Thank you, everyone!
  • Nancy J Goldwire Nancy J Goldwire on Dec 16, 2012
    Simple solution: Put an arbor/trellis outside the window, plant vines. You get privacy &, depending on the plants you chose, pretty flowers too. Such an easy fix.
  • RoseLee Broussard RoseLee Broussard on Dec 16, 2012
    any kind of frosted window cling
  • Nancy B Nancy B on Dec 16, 2012
    frosted window cling so you d still get some light
  • Sondra A Sondra A on Dec 16, 2012
    Since I love open windows and being able to look outside, I tend to go with Nancy and would put up plants, trellis, or structure that would add interest and privacy but would not block light. This would also help insulate against the sun. Another option is shutters. There are some nice plastic coated ones that would not woodrot and could be left open or shut.
  • Amanda M Amanda M on Dec 17, 2012
    Sorry. I didn't mention that this is a 2nd story window. After looking further into building codes, we will have to replace the window anyway. The current window jamb is wooden. An in-shower window requires vinyl.
  • Clay B Clay B on Dec 21, 2012
    Home Depot or Lowes, sell a cling material you can cut and apply to window (it's removable anytime). Note to others, most windows can be ordered with "Frosted" glass.
  • Amanda M Amanda M on Dec 21, 2012
    Update... We are scrapping the idea of building a shower here. Instead we are updating the tub, moving the closet wall, and building the 2-person shower beside the updated tub. The further we look into the window, the more of a pain it appears to become. Besides, we think having a tub plus the larger shower is even better than only a shower for resale value. Thanks, everyone, for your valuable input. It has helped us make a better, wiser decision for the space. Now I can just get a frosted window cling that doubles as a heat block. Bless you all!
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Dec 23, 2012
    Hi Amanda..glad you have come to some decision. My thought ..UNTIL you said it is a 2 story..was to get a bamboo blind and hang it outside..a few inches FROM the window, ie, off the eaves. The air cushion between the sun and the side of the house from the blind really results in deflecting the heat. I see so many people with the blind right up against the window tho, and that doesnt allow for an air cushion. However ....second story ..wind, etc, not such a good idea. We had to do this in a mobile home, that tin siding just got so hot, the blinds really cushioned a lot of heat.Keep us up tp date with progress!
  • Amanda M Amanda M on Dec 23, 2012
    Bernice H, you are correct. That air cushion would make a difference. I will have to remember that for my back deck when we are able to do it. My kitchen window looks onto the deck, and A LOT of summer heat comes in on that side of the house as well. At least with the master bath it's only in the mornings, but then the sun moves onto the southern walls where the master bedroom, kitchen, living room, and another bedroom windows are. Currently I am using white plantation blinds that came with the house and insulated curtains. It helps. This year I plan to add the heat blocking window film, but the bamboo screen idea would be great for the kitchen window since that will be easy to access, or maybe put a trellis with planting box there for growing beans or something? Thanks for the brilliant idea!
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Dec 24, 2012
    The full bath with a shower and tub IS the best idea. Even if the current owners are all shower folks, for resale a tub in the master is always desirable! It turned out well for you! As for privacy and light, have you looked in what we used to call Burmuda Shutters? I don't know if they even make them any more...they are hinged on the outside from the top and are held open with short poles. The good thing about them is that they can be opened at different levels.
  • Mary Bennett Mary Bennett on Oct 18, 2014
    @Amanda M, We bought an old home, & have a bathtub with a window also. I just bought a cheap, but pretty vinal shower curtain & hung it to cover the window when the shower is in use or the tub! I can still have the light I want when not in use, & it covers the entire wooden window seal if hung right on a curtain rod. A quick an easy fix even if temporary! You can cut the curtain to size. We have ceramic tile in the tub & shower area, so it was an easy fix for now until we decide what we want to do in the future.I bought mine at a dollar store too! I also painted the seal & frame with porch & floor paint to ensure it's sealed from the moisture.
  • Beth Turner Van Rhee Beth Turner Van Rhee on Oct 18, 2014
    Amanda, I know this post is from 2012, but was wondering if you have any pics that you could share. We were planning on getting rid of our tub in lieu of a walk in shower, but I really like the idea of keeping a tub and adding a larger shower instead. Any pics, thoughts, or ideas would be appreciated.
  • Deborah Durham Deborah Durham on Oct 18, 2014
    window might be best as a stain glass colorful display
  • Lou Camp Lou Camp on Aug 04, 2015
    Put a cut off plastic curtain over it and slide open when not in use
  • Bill Croley Bill Croley on Aug 04, 2015
    Good tint on the windows to keep out the heat and keep visibility down. Of course, at night you will see in so just install some kind of very sheer curtain with a pattern or shower curtain so it will dry easily.
  • Mary Bennett Mary Bennett on Aug 05, 2015
    @Amanda M, was just wondering what you did with the window? I see a lot of people had the same idea that I did about hanging a vinyl shower curtain over it. If you did or do be sure to use a water proof paint on the wood surrounding the window as the moisture can go through regular paint.
  • 62q10370829 62q10370829 on Nov 09, 2016
    Glass blocks