Removable privacy screen windows?

delmonta

Hi, I live in a Victorian terraced house. The bay window in the living room looks ok to the street. I'd like to be able to open the blinds and let light in without people seeing in. 

But I don't want it to be on all the time, so I'm hesitant to get that frosted adhesive plastic. 

Has anyone got any clever ideas? I was considering getting some frosted perspex cut to size, then maybe just using velcro sticky pads in the corners to attach it to the window. But that might look a bit awful

Thanks

goldfinches

I've seen houses where the bottom half of the bay was either frosted or filmed and the top sash panes left clear which seemed to work quite well especially where the pavement outside the house was slightly lower than the house level IYSWIM. This is the effect I mean.

Ebe_Scrooge

I'll probably get flamed for this - but that's what net curtains were invented for :-)  Might be an option?  Especially if you just put them up with those spring-loaded curtain rods so you can put them up and take them down in a matter of seconds.

grumbler

delmonta said:

I'd like to be able to open the blinds and let light in without people seeing in.

What sort of blinds are they? Venetian blinds can do to some degree what you want.

Mojisola

You can get bottom-up blinds so that you can pull them halfway up for privacy but still have the light through the top windows.

MaryNB

Ebe_Scrooge said:

I'll probably get flamed for this - but that's what net curtains were invented for :-)  Might be an option?  Especially if you just put them up with those spring-loaded curtain rods so you can put them up and take them down in a matter of seconds.

I agree. My front window is right up against the footpath and I got a voile panel for it. The previous owner had installed dark brown venetian blinds, still easy to see in and made the room very dark. I HATED them. Voile on a curtain wire was a no brainer. Very easy to install, remove and put back up again. 

delmonta

Thanks everyone. Yes I have Venetian blinds but to get enough light means everyone can see in. 

I like the idea of spring loaded rods with some sort of netting/voile on, that way I can take them off if I need

But does voile really obscure people seeing in when they are close to the window? Is there a certain type I should search for. 

And shouy I just buy some from a fabric shop and sew the loop on it? What's the best way to get the exact size

Thanks

grumbler

delmonta said:

But does voile really obscure people seeing in when they are close to the window?

It does - in the daytime, when it's darker inside. But so does any 'privacy' film unless it's frosted/obscure.

MaryNB

delmonta said:

Thanks everyone. Yes I have Venetian blinds but to get enough light means everyone can see in. 

I like the idea of spring loaded rods with some sort of netting/voile on, that way I can take them off if I need

But does voile really obscure people seeing in when they are close to the window? Is there a certain type I should search for. 

And shouy I just buy some from a fabric shop and sew the loop on it? What's the best way to get the exact size

Thanks

I'm right up against the footpath and someone would have to stop and stare in to really see anything, even then they wouldn't be able to see much more than the notebooks and other work stuff I have on desk that's right next to the window, and maybe an outline of an internal doorway or large table. Obviously it's not much use when it gets dark and I've got the light on. 

Voile is quite cheap, you can buy a single panel with a loop for about £6 and see what it looks like from the outside before deciding to do the whole window. I wouldn't bother buying fabric and sewing a loop on. I got a 150 cm wide panel for a 90 cm window. 

twopenny

My bedroom has my garden path running outside which the postman and anyone delivering leaflets shortcuts across. Also taller buildings opposite look straight in. As this was unpredictable I either had to keep the blinds closed and loose the lovely view or be exposed at unexpected times.

I got some cotton net curtain panels which I put up with expanding rods. With double glazed windows this has the effect of making them a mirror so if you look in even close you see yourself.

I was reluctant at first but I noticed someone has copied me.

It was great to get my privacy back and I can see out, others can't see in.

I draw the curtains anyway when it gets dark.

Just have to remember to turn the light off when I come out of the en suite shower though

[Deleted User]

 My neighbours have daylight roller blinds. Constantly pulled down but I've been in their house and there is plenty of light and you can see out, people walking past or approaching the house. Can't see in from the street.