Should I Use Film to Add Privacy to my Bathroom Windows?

Many modern homes today now feature large windows in the bathroom. It's not uncommon to find a 5 foot by 5 foot window directly over the bath tub. While enjoying the sunset views from your bathtub may sound quite enjoyable if you live in the country, far from society, for many homeowners living in crowded subdivisions, this may not sound so pleasant. At the same time, regardless of where you live, these windows also allow in copious amounts of natural light which can brighten and liven up a bathroom. Without a doubt, windows in bathrooms are a tricky subject.

What sort of options do you have to add privacy to your bathroom windows? One of the most common solutions is to add blinds to a window. The advantage of blinds is that when you want to see out of your window, it's still easy to do by simply opening the blinds. Cheap self-installed blinds can be integrated into a bathroom relatively affordably.

Why might someone avoid blinds? For one, have you ever forgotten your blinds were open after getting out of the shower, and then had to sneak around the bathroom, avoiding the window, to try to close the blinds? Opening and closing blinds can tend to be a little bit of a hassle. Additionally, when you want complete privacy, and the blinds are fully closed, much of the natural light coming into the bathroom is cut off.

Curtains can be another option to add privacy to a bathroom window. Curtains share many of the same benefits and disadvantages of blinds. They are usually adjustable, and the amount of natural light permitted, as well as the amount of privacy is largely dependent on the thickness and materials of the curtains.

What about privacy window films? Window films are a sleek and clean way to add privacy to a bathroom window. There is no clunky hardware that needs to be installed. There are no pesky curtains hanging in the way that may collect dust. When we talk about using window films in our bathroom, there are two primary ways that we can establish privacy, and each has their own merits and disadvantages.

The first film we might consider is a one-way reflective privacy film. Reflective privacy films offer excellent daytime privacy, while still allowing you to see out your window. This is an excellent option if you especially prize the view from your bathroom window.

There are disadvantages, however, in that the privacy established by a reflective film is only effective during the daytime. Have you ever watched an interrogation in a movie, where observers sit behind a one-way mirror, and when the lights come on in the observation room, those being interrogated can see right in? This is very similar with one-way privacy films. When it's dark outside, and light inside, you can see right in. Because of this, it's usually essential that reflective privacy films are paired with blinds or curtains to still maintain privacy at night. Additionally, it's important to remember that a reflective film will cut some of the natural light, making the room feel just a little bit darker.

The second film we would consider to add privacy to a bathroom window is a frosted or patterned decorative film. The amount of privacy added will vary from film to film. It's important to get samples of the film from your installer before committing, so that you can see exactly how much privacy the film is going to offer. Some frosted films will completely mask off the view, while some will simply obscure or distort it. Typically, the amount of privacy will also increase as an object gets further from the glass. If a person were to lean up against a frosted window, they would be fully visible from the other side. But as they move just one or two feet from the glass, their image will disappear or turn into a faint blur.

Why might someone choose a frosted or patterned privacy film over blinds, or other options? These films can create privacy in all light conditions. Even at night, most decorative films will offer significant, if not total, privacy. There's no need to worry about if the blinds are open or closed before coming out of the shower. Decorative films also come in a vast variety of patterns and appearances that will allow you to add your own personal taste to the design of your bathroom. Once installed, they are a sleek and modern solution that requires minimal maintenance, and the filmed windows oftentimes require less cleaning than plain glass. Decorative films also will preserve high levels of natural light that is often times comparable to before the film was installed.

Privacy window films are a simple and cost-effective method of adding privacy to your bathroom windows. Film can be added to most windows in 1-2 hours, and will usually last 10 or more years. If you would like to add privacy to your windows in a simple, sleek, and modern application, that provides high levels of privacy at all times of day while maintaining natural light, then privacy window films may be a good choice for you.

If you're located in the Front Range of Colorado, consider contacting us at Alpenglow Window Films to help you to select and install the correct privacy film solution for your bathroom.

720-815-5767