best way to black out a small window?

JennyW_2

here's my predicament.......

I'm female and home alone a lot and now the darker nights are here, I'm very wary at opening the door if the bell goes and it's dark outside.

Thing is I would happily walk to the front door and look through the spy hole before opening he door but because my front door has a glass window, I would rather be able to approach the door without anyone knowing I was in so that if I decided not to open the door, the person outside would be none the wiser - hope this makes sense.

Any ideas what I could use to black out the glass but still look respectable when viewing the door from outside. I just need something to allow me to approach the door without being seen.

LEJC

could you adapt a small roller blind to fill the panels so you could pull it down at night open them during the day

JennyW_2

LEJC wrote: »

could you adapt a small roller blind to fill the panels so you could pull it down at night open them during the day

thanks but it's quite small, from memory i'd say 17cm by 30cm so would be tricky to fit a blind, however the size is large enough to see movement during dark evenings when the lights are on in the home.

I was wondering about black plastic of some kind but not sure how that would look.

Melaniep101

As LEJC's suggestion, I would say a small roller blind or curtain. You could attach a small curtain using net curtain wire, should be fairly simple.

JennyW_2

this isn't the door or window, but the picture gives you an idea of sizing etc

http://www.screwfix.com/p/jeld-wen-sheff-croft-external-door-2032-x-813mm/96136

Missli

I have got a large pane of glass in my front door, and after being bothered once in the early hours, had a curtain pole up, with a single curtain that is easily swept aside, and looks fine (natural, neutral self patterned fabric).

I don't bother answering the door at night, as anyone I know would phone first.

fluffymuffy

Just get a chain fitted to your door. Then when someone comes to the door simply open it with the chain on and ask them what they want. If you find it's someone you know you can then open the door.

I don't think it's a good idea to pretend to be out. What if it's someone you don't know who needs to speak to you urgently (to tell you your car's on fire, etc.)? What if it's a burglar checking the house is empty before breaking in round the back?

I have a solid front door and tend to lean out an upstairs window if anyone knocks.

WestonDave

You can get a film that you stick on the window which makes it look like a mirror from outside but see through from inside. Friends of ours have it on their bathroom window because having moved their internal layout around the bathroom was on the front of the house but planners wouldn't allow frosted glass (spoiled the look of the front of an old house).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silver-Reflective-Solar-Control-Privacy/dp/B002QEZGFM - this is an example you might get it cheaper elsewhere and they do different sizes.

System

WestonDave wrote: »

You can get a film that you stick on the window which makes it look like a mirror from outside but see through from inside. Friends of ours have it on their bathroom window because having moved their internal layout around the bathroom was on the front of the house but planners wouldn't allow frosted glass (spoiled the look of the front of an old house).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silver-Reflective-Solar-Control-Privacy/dp/B002QEZGFM - this is an example you might get it cheaper elsewhere and they do different sizes.

But at night it will work the opposite way. Somebody outside (in the dark) will be able to see in with the bathroom light on.

JennyW_2

Missli wrote: »

I don't bother answering the door at night, as anyone I know would phone first.

yes this is what I'm thinking. Any neighbour who needs to get in touch has my mobile. I must admit though, if the bell goes about 9pm, it can be quite scary when alone

fluffymuffy wrote: »

Just get a chain fitted to your door. Then when someone comes to the door simply open it with the chain on and ask them what they want. If you find it's someone you know you can then open the door.

I do have a chain but in all honesty, the amount of programs I've seen when a chain is used and the person outside has been able to barge the door and dislodge the chain from the wall :eek: - or this could be my over-active imagination.

Missli

fluffymuffy wrote: »

Just get a chain fitted to your door. Then when someone comes to the door simply open it with the chain on and ask them what they want. If you find it's someone you know you can then open the door.

I don't think it's a good idea to pretend to be out. What if it's someone you don't know who needs to speak to you urgently (to tell you your car's on fire, etc.)? What if it's a burglar checking the house is empty before breaking in round the back?

I have a solid front door and tend to lean out an upstairs window if anyone knocks.

I have a chain, although rarely use. I never pretend to be out, as whats the point. I choose not to answer. The curtain gives privacy. Far better than me telling nuisance callers to fairy off. :D