Closing in a bathroom window (that faces into the house).

Question

My house is very strange. At some point, our family room was a porch of some kind and it was closed in during the 60s. The original owners decided to keep the bathroom window facing into our family room.

We've covered it up with a large canvas for some time, but now we are ready to take out the window and close it off for good. The window is in the shower.

What is the best material to use? Anyone else have a window in their house to another room? Or is my house the only strange one.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

I would frame it out using tile backer board, tile it and install some marble or granite shelves and use it to hold shampoos and other shower accessories. Seeing windows in baths that have sense been sealed off because of an addition is very common. Not a big deal to do. The big trick is to properly water proof the cavity using proper materials so no water can get behind the tile and backer board. There are paintable products that create a rubber like seal over the tile board that the tile can be easily set upon. This will prevent leaks into the wall cavity should the grout crack or leak. And of course be sure to seal the tile and grout once the project is dry.

AvonelleRed · Answer

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com gave you the best idea you'll probably get for this opening. It's very smart, and accomplishes not only closing off the window area, but giving you extra storage in the shower.

I also want to say thank you to Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com because I've see how generous they have been on this site with their time and knowledge.

Jeanette S · Answer

Woodbridge has the perfect solution. If you can't match either of those tiles, you can always use white in this accent area!

Shirley Kalinosky · Answer

Yes, thanks to Woodbridge. They always have up-to-date and affordable solutions to our problems.

Darla · Answer

I think Woodbridge has the best solution. You might also think of using opaque glass blocks if they will fit.

Sharon Reynolds · Answer

im totally digging the glass block idea, I love it...and use the glass block as accent, u know in some kind of cool pattern u like and then tile off the rest...it brings in much needed light in a small weird space....

MicKat Ken · Answer

Maintaining the bonus of the light coming in from the window, but using glass in some sort of way that adds privacy (framed in glass block, textured, leaded...) AND the addition of water friendly shelves would be a beautiful thing. And then, there is no issue matching tile.

Liliana Wells · Answer

Woodbridge has a nice solution for you. I also like the idea of glass blocks to let light in and for privacy. If at some point you are going to retile the whole bathroom and take the existing tiles down, then you can decide on a more uniform look. I hope you post pictures of what you decide to do.

Liz Feeser-Regan · Answer

That is not an attractive window but they do have nicer looking windows, I for one like having a window in my bathroom.

Anna [DirectionsNotIncluded] · Answer

Thanks, everyone. We are definitely going to close it off completely. This bathroom will eventually be remodeled so we might leave the shelves out and just leave the nook as is.

Kareng · Answer

We flipped a house a few years ago with a window above the tub. We replaced the glass with plastic 'glass' blocks and trimmed it out in white plastic 'wood' trim so we could add a shower. It worked beautifully. Everything was waterproof, we had light coming in to the room, and the neighbors did not get a show--we tried it out at different times of day and varying light! Good luck with your project--

Nancy Jenkins · Answer

My window is facing neighbours, would love to take it away but then no venting, so pull shower curtain around and blind down is only way to have shower. Ceiling to high to put vent.

Louise Fulton · Answer

The glass block is a good idea or you could turn it into a nice cubby hole to hold shampoo's and body washes, even maybe a hook for hubby's soap.

Susie · Answer

I, too, have a window from the bathroom into another room. In our case from the bathroom into the office. Originally I put a piece of water glass (looks like rippling water) that was cut to size. But when we re-did our office and gave it a complete upgrade and re-did the bathroom tile I replaced the water glass with glass block. The block were a bit smaller than the window opening so when I did the bathroom tile I angled the side and top tiles in towards the glass block.From the office side we framed the new surface to fit. Looks great and allows additional light into the bathroom and into the office (skylight in the bath). Win, win!

Grace Gleason · Answer

In Seattle, I actually lived in an apartment building that had been a hotel built in the 1920s I think. It had a stained glass window in the bathroom wall that faced the hall. Couldn't see through it, but it always made me laugh. Find something besides glass block so you won't be on display every time you shower. :D

Marlin Kittrell · Answer

we also have a window from bathroom to dining room or family room really cause that is where the family congregates,,, and i need to close off the window.

Nancy Jenkins · Answer

It is older window and it has crack on outer window. Either get new window that is one way see out only, or replace broken pane. Still both expensive.I do have a blind. Window looks over to vacant house.

Kimberly Lovitt · Answer

We have the same issue with the same thing in our new house but my husband's putting in block windows with the vent.  Just an idea.

Closing in a bathroom window (that faces into the house).

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Closing in a bathroom window (that faces into the house).

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