Vinyl decorative film for bathroom window

Nature_Lover74

Hi.  Apologies if I'm repeating any previous posts on this matter but I can't find any clear-cut posts about it when I search the forum, so please bear with me!  

I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on using decorative vinyl film on windows, specifically in a bathroom, please.  We're hopefully looking to renovate a property we'd like to buy but I'm just looking to save money where possible (if we actually end up buying it, that is?!).  I was just thinking about the cost of getting a proper 'frosted/obscured' double-glazed window fitted, versus getting a 'regular' window and just using a vinyl decorative film instead.  If we used the film in a bathroom, would it cause any issues with the usual bathroom condensation, etc?  (We'd very likely get an extractor fan fitted in the bathroom and not rely on opening the windows after a shower; I don't know if this helps).  I'm really not very clued up on this kind of thing so your thoughts and/or actual experiences about this would be welcome.  Many thanks.  

NSG666

From your post it sounds like you are either replacing the complete window or replacing the glazing units in the existing frame? If either then just get the glass with a sandblasted finish.

I've just bought some film which I'm yet to fit but did get some samples. To fit the film you use soapy water to help it slide around but once in place the glue takes over. After a couple of weeks I removed the samples and they were stuck soundly although they did come off in one piece so I don't think you would have problems in a bathroom as wetting my samples didn't aid removal.

Nature_Lover74

Hi @NSG666; thanks for your reply.  Sorry, yes, I should have made that clear in my post; the windows in the property are fairly old (1980s, I think?) so we'd likely be looking to replace the whole window.  My thinking was that we'd save some money if we replaced with a 'normal' window but then used film instead, to achieve the 'obscured' look.  I'm not sure how much more money a window with an obscured finish is, against a regular window with plain glass, hence my question.  Good to know that you've had no issues with your samples of film; there's some really nice decorative ones out there!  Thank you again.   

NSG666

If you are wanting something fancy or special like a Leeds United window it will probably be cheaper with film but if you are just wanting an off the shelf privacy glass then get it as part of the unit. The only privacy glass I like is sandblasted/acid etched as it gives total privacy without blocking the light but it's all down to personal taste.

TELLIT01

You will save very little by using plain glass rather than frosted/obscured in the replacement window.  Film itself isn't cheap and will almost certainly wipe out any savings.  We have put film on our porch windows.  The instructions make the job seem far more complicated that it actually was.

Nature_Lover74

@NSG666 Thanks for your reply; it's really helpful.  I'm really not a very fussy person (although as a Liverpool fan I might not venture as far as a Leeds United window, ha!).  Many thanks for your input.    

Nature_Lover74

Hi @TELLIT01; many thanks for your comment.  You can tell I have no idea about these things...but you've now reassured me that getting an obscured window actually isn't much more expensive than a plain-glass window, so thank you for that. Just got the small matter of buying said property to contend with now!  Thank you for your help. 

Rosa_Damascena

TELLIT01 said:

You will save very little by using plain glass rather than frosted/obscured in the replacement window.  Film itself isn't cheap and will almost certainly wipe out any savings.  We have put film on our porch windows.  The instructions make the job seem far more complicated that it actually was.

I put some up when I converted the space within to an en-suite. It does the job and looks surprisingly good.

Nature_Lover74

Hi @Rosa_Damascena; thanks for your reply.  Good to hear you're pleased with the results of your decorative film!  It certainly has its uses, cheaper than replacing a window and there's some really nice patterns out there.  My husband's Aunty had some on part of her kitchen window (she was very overlooked by properties opposite) and it looked great and did the job.  Result!  Thank you for your comment.  

TELLIT01

We got it for our porch after our neighbour died.  Not as strange as it sounds - they had a key to our house and used to put the post in for us when we were away.  I was concerned that a build up of post, visible to anybody at the door, would be an obvious sign nobody was home.

Nature_Lover74

@TELLIT01; that's a really good reason to put the film on your porch and a good idea too.  You're right, sadly, you can't be too careful; a build-up of post is a sure sign that someone's away, as you say.  I'm sorry to hear your neighbour passed away, especially as they were kind enough to look after your post.  Good neighbours are a godsend. Thanks for your comment.