apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I used that Gila window film - http://www.gilafilms.com/ - on my sliding glass doors. I had thought about using contact paper, but I gathered that this stuff was more durable. On an area that big it was like an episode of I Love Lucy doing it myself with the spraying and trying to even out one huge sheet, but a smaller area would be a piece of cake. And it looks good once you work the bubbles out. I got the little kit and two huge rolls of the stuff at Home Depot and spent, maybe, $40. Just be sure to follow the instructions and get it good and wet. *Wink, wink.*

I've seen Debbie Travis use a removeable film where you spray the surface with soapy water and the film adheres once you squeegee. Have also seen it on Home to Go and Candice Olsen.

Signage companies also use a film (like contact paper) to simulate etched logos or otehr effects.

The cheapest option is to try some stick on sheets from IKEA - example

If you like the look then you may invest some more and get them etched permanently...

have fun

If you did that permanent thing you seek to do, in a rental, would you not have to have the windows re-glazed before leaving, or sacrifice enough of your security deposit for the landlord to have that done? And if those windows are the new kind, would he not seek to take it from your hide, since your security deposit would probably not even cover that cost?

Methinks the fake film stuff might be the best answer.

I used the frosted Contact film on the window in my husband's shower. I put it up over a year ago and it still looks great, even with him steaming the room up every day. It was cheap, effective and keeps the neighbors from eyeing his goodies.

I agree that the window film is the way to go. Check out this link http://www.livemodern.com/forums/dwell/dwelllabs/257264695434?b_start:int=0#541933761502 it talks about the same thing. The best idea from that thread was using clear shelf liner. Supper cheap, and looks good.

You are so funny with the epsom salts!
Now to cut the snowflake and tiny twee town stencils . . .

depending on the size of the window, you could get a new piece of glass which has been acid etched (not sand blasted), for a mikly, translucent effect. then just tack the new glass over the existing panes. When you move, you just remove the glass and you've restored the windows to the original condition.

I'd try either putting small nails into the frame (if it is wood) or just caulking the new glass around the edge to the frame. Leave a small air gap between the two so you don't get funky condensation marks adhering to the two pieces of glass.

In addition to acid etched (also known as Biselux I think), you can get two pieces of tempered glass laminated with a piece of white plastic for a more opaque effect.

Several of the design shows on HGTV including "Home to Go" and Debbie Travis have used an easily removable "frosted" film that is simply applied with water and a squeegie that comes with the kit. It can be used on mirrors and windows. Not sure if its carried locally in NY, but you should check stores like Home Depot.

Oops! I guess I should have read the top comments first. I see Patrick (too) has already suggested this.

And I wouldn't recommend contact paper unless you don't plan to clean off the gluey mess on the glass when you decide to remove it.

I thought I might do this to my sliding glass doors for privacy, but decided not to. I ordered the film and the kit for application if you're interested in taking it off my hands (and out of my closet)...

However, if you DID want to acid-etch, you can get etching paste in most art stores - hydroflouric acid? You brush it on and then wash it off.

Some commercial windows (at least the expensive ones) now may have some sort film on them that would prevent this - I haven't ever tried it on window glass.

It seems like you could make some sort of shutters with frosted glass panes that would attach to the window frame.

I've used the removable film described by p(too) and jimkk to do a frost-effect on glass-front cabinet doors. The kit is really easy to use and the final effect looks pretty good on a smaller surface. For larger surfaces, the challenge might be squeezing out all the air bubbles. (But large size sheets are available.) This is definitely a 2-person job, imo. The film and kits are readily accessible at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. and are stocked in the window department. I believe that the generic term used by these retailers is "privacy film".

If you only need a small quantity try a local sign shop that does vinyl graphics, ask if you can purchase "glass etch" vinyl from them.
It is usually available from 14" to 48" wide and up to 100 yards in length.
Talk nice to them and the may even show you how to "wet" apply the film.
You should also be able to get application spray from them or make your own.
Just ad 2 or 3 drops dishwashing liquid (non lemon based)to a quart of water and a couple of tablespoons of isopropyl alcohol if you have it.
If a sign shop is not an option try a sign supply business or a larger art supply house.
Note that the wet method is not for use with the light duty temporary vinys commonly found at paint or hardware stores.

This is pretty much the CHEAPEST solution there is to frost your windows.

Ace Hardware. Contact paper. $4 for a roll of 18" by 3'. Decent frost shape. Nothing fancy but definitely does the trick.

I called around in manhattan. only ONE ace hardware in the UES carries them. They also have a bunch of other designs, FYI.

I used the spray frost on my front door some time ago and it worked pretty well. I was there for two years and it didn't peel. And I think you could get it off with a razor -- you know the scrapy kind that you'd for paint on glass. I wouldn't rule out the spray. Maybe try a sample size. For $5 a can, it's a possibility.

I was so glad to see your question because I too am a renter and have been looking for a similar permanent solution. In May, I used an old film production trick and sprayed the outside of the windows with dulling spray. It still looks great 3 months later and took about 15 minutes to do. The dulling spray wipes off with window cleaner so this is really a temporary solution - once it starts raining in Los Angeles again (October or November) I will find myself looking straight into my neighbors living room so I am hoping to have something more permanent in place by then. If you live where it doesn't rain a lot, dulling spray (found at your local art store) makes a great temporary solution.

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate your responses. I'm going to try the kit or contact paper. Used to use frosted plastic from the late, great Industrial Plastics but want to go with something like this, a little more integrated into the room.

You can buy a spray can at paint and hardware stores that does a great job but don't use it in an enclosed space - it gets on *everything* in the room - but the fumes make you ok with that.

Please check our website: www.signlanguagestudio.com and look at the "Window Frosting" page. This offers a very affordable, lasting but removable solution for you.

Linda and Mary

HOW DO I REMOVE FROSTING OFF A MIRROR,ITS ALREADY CHIPPING

Cheap, removable, looks fantastic:
Get a small bottle of "Matte Medium" from an art supply store. Apply to glass with narrow paint roller (i got cheap plastic ones from the paint store.) Voila!

When you're tired of it, scrape it off with a razor.

I made stencils before I applied mine, so the stenciled shapes are clear glass, with the background "frosted." Still looks great after eight years.

I know this advice is too late to help you, but perhaps it will inspire someone else.

Can I etch an exterior glass front door using a stencil and etching cream?

You can buy DARTSFILMZ.TV frosted film from online shop: http://www.dartsfilmz.co.uk. There are different kinds of matte - from white till pink. More info abour this product: http://www.decofilms.co.uk

ooops, wrong link: http://www.decofilms.tv

What is the name of the product from Ikea?

My bathroom has two big windows that front onto an air shaft. I want the light AND the privacy. So I purchased privacy film that looks like natural frost. One sheet -- about $10 -- I cut in two and each just adheres to the lower window pane via static electicity. No residue. I put them up over a year ago--- no problem. Love this solution.

Hello Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan

I am Marc from myhomeadvise.com. I recently viewed your website - apartmenttherapy.com and was very much impressed by it. With your permission, I wish to Link a useful webpage of your website from my Home Portal myhomeadvise.com. myhomeadvise is a comprehensive website full of informative articles which provide free guidance & tips on Home buying, Home selling, Buying home important instructions and many other Home related topics.

To place your link on my website (for FREE) simply navigate to a Relevant Article-page of http://www.myhomeadvise.com where it is most suitable to place your link. Now on this article-page simply click on the "Add a Link" button (from the navigation-bar at the Top) and follow the simple instructions (you just have to fill a small form).

OR - Just reply back to this email with your desired Title, description and URL. Please also mention on which article page of myhomeadvise you want your link, which will help you in getting targeted traffic.

The form asks you for details about the Link you are adding.

Your link gets displayed in
1 - the "Links to other Useful websites" Box on the same article-page.
2 - In myhomeadvise.com Search Results with your keywords.
3 - Monthly most popular partner websites list
4 - Weekly most popular partner websites list
5 - A whole webpage dedicated to your website only.


You are free to post any Anchor text, Summary, Description and Keywords of your liking. Your website's listing will also be visible in the "searching results" of myhomeadvise. So the keywords you fill inside the "keywords field" in your listing are important for my visitors to find your site in myhomeadvise. My website would start linking your website in few hours from your response.

In exchange, I would love if you also link my website back. You can link to ANY webpage/article of the website you like.
Here is the information you will need to link back to myhomeadvise.com

Title: Buying first home
Description: A guide for first-time home buyers
URL : http://www.myhomeadvise.com/home-buying/home-buying-things-to-keep-in-mind



If you wish, I can also host your articles on my website getting you even more traffic or you can also use any of my articles on your website with proper reference and credit (let me know if you are interested in something like that.)

I hope visitors coming towards after reading articles from my website must be quite beneficial for your website. Feel free to let me know any questions, comments and feedback about my website.
Waiting for your reply.


Thanking You
Marc Sylvester
www.myhomeadvise.com

I read a few of the reviews and met some opsistion with regard to spraying it on. This is a cobersome not neended task requires much unnesisary waist of time tapeing off the window seals, sides and boarders. Only to spray eatch widow causing to much sprayover.Asside from being to much work if you do chose to take it off later it's been likend to using a Razor Blade to remove the Paint like material properly from the window = ALOT OF WORK.

I read a few of the reviews and met some opposition with regard to spraying it on. This is a cumbersome not needed task requires much unnecessary waist of time taping off the window seals, sides and boarders. Only to spray etch widow causing to much spray-over Aside from being to much work if you do chose to take it off later it's been likened to using a Razor Blade to remove the Paint like material properly from the window = ALOT OF WORK.

We want something easy....

But lets address the option of film (or contact paper (:-0) first.... Its tricky to put it up and is not had for some to set up and have it look good. But there are several steps involved in these that are a bit cumbersome when working with a window like mine. There are six small square window pains in that window. So cutting this custom size film is a nightmare because each window is unique in size due to the fact Spanish Cottages use hardened paddy to press the glass into place.... Woks out to = NO FUN & TOHARD TO TAK OFF LATER!

My Widow as you will see it a old styled window in our Spanish Cottage built in 1929. The Window is in the shower and not small... Therefore this glass needed to stop being the morning hello and give us some more privacy.

We chose the alternate, EPSOME SALT AND BEER!
TRY THIS ADEA IT WORKS FOR THE DAYS WHER THERE IS NO RAIN... & Hey I'm California, I've got the best months coming, although admittedly when Mother Nature comes to bring a rainy day to us.... We will need to seek a different type of solution.

Nonetheless the simple work tools you will need consists of:
Epsom salt
Beer
An applicator
And the rest of the beers to kick back and drink while you get great frosted windows!
Who's Laughing now? I have perfect frosted widows in my bathroom from stuff I always keep in my house & the wonderful advice & help from this wonderful person online!

Check it out try it let it dry for a day and give that person props after 24 hour when you realize how well it worked.
Mind you – I did not use the food coloring, or any of the stencils… But I am sure it would turn out GREAT if I had!

Voted Best Idea on The Web if you ask me!
http://www.budget101.com/recipes/id82.htm!

THANK YOU! BUDGET101.COM!
?
SAM HOFFMAN

I am doing a glass mosaic of a Northern Woodpecker in flight
with blues in the back ground. I would be happier if I could
mute some of this glass. It is for a shower.
Will send photo if you tell me how.
Rachel rhrh3@cox.net

Try this website to frost glass.
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_kitchen_bath_other/article/0,,HGTV_3748_1380895,00.html

Check out the window cling and the decorative window films at http://www.thesunshieldpros.us
They have a very large selection of designs that are well organized. The main difference between their window cling and decorative window film is that the window cling can be re-used after removing from the window, the decorative window film cannot. However, both are easily removed from the window.

We recently bought a home that the previous owners had put the temporary etching on the mirrors and a couple of the windows. I have tried soap and water, windex...plain water...alcohol and it will remove it, but, it comes off in chunks and sticks to the mirror and windows in tiny pieces.(specs all over the place) Would you have any suggestions of how to remove it easier?

I tried the Matt Medium method and it turned out really well. I used it on a small window in the half bath. I used makeup sponges to give a nice texture, instead of brush stroke.

Don't get the gel or spray.

cheers!

I found a large selection of contact paper for glass windows at www.designyourwall.com.