Has anyone tried frosting their beveled leaded glass door for privacy?

Janice
by Janice
My front entry and side lights are beautiful clear beveled leaded glass in a nice design only problem is, privacy, there is none. From outside one can clearly see into my house from the street. Thought about using glass etching/frosting creme but I am afraid it won't look good. The door also has a palladian window above the door and sidelights just like the door and sidelights.
  8 answers
  • Shoshana Shoshana on May 15, 2017

    Definitely an okay move. You can get frosted adhesive tape for easy application. It'll still look nice :)

  • David David on May 16, 2017

    You have a couple options, frosted contact paper, which is easy to remove at a later date, and spray glass frost, available at a craft store (be sure to mask carefully). I've used both. IMHO, the spray looks the best.

  • CJ CJ on May 17, 2017

    Just a thought, if you really love the beautiful glass on and around your door, you might consider hanging a drapery to cover your door at night. I have a friend who hung a decorative rod above their door because of privacy issues, anyone outside the door could see into their living and dining rooms. Their drape is hung on rings so they can easily slide it to the corner next to the door, out of the way in the daytime.

    If you prefer the etched glass, I recommend anything easy and removable such as the Contact version, at least for awhile to see if you truely like the look then you can go back with a permanent method later, if you choose.

    Best wishes with whatever you decide to do!

  • Mindy Mindy on May 17, 2017

    We used the vinyl type you use soapy water to apply, for a bathroom window. It was easy and looked nice. You may not want to do anything permanent, in case you don't like it. The curtain idea is interesting too.

  • Randy Jackson Randy Jackson on May 17, 2017

    Sand blast the glass using only enough air pressure to achieve the frosting appearance desired. DON'T use garden variety sand! Use silica sand or even better (but more expensive) glass beads as used in a bead blasting machine. The glass beads are uniform in both size and shape and will produce a very uniform appearance. Use masking tape to protect anything that is not to be frosted. This process also works well for creating decorative designs that look like they have been etched in the glass - here again use masking tape to protect whatever is not to be frosted/etched. Cover the entire glass with the tape, draw/transfer the desired design on the tape and cut out the design with an Exacto Knife. Use the same blasting procedure as doing the whole glass. BTW - ALWAYS use eye protection! This can be fun! Enjoy!

  • Gail Gail on May 17, 2017

    ARTSCAPE sells stained glass look and etched vinyl panels that stick on and are reusable in case you do not want permanent change. Some block all view and some cut down with a slight view. They look better than it sounds and are about $20.00.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 31, 2023

    Use Contact for glass or decals that don't need glue just water, so you could remove easily.