How to Block Off a Window in a Shower

Bathroom windows provide useful ventilation and a free source of light.

Many shower rooms come with an external window to provide ventilation and reduce the growth of mold. The glass is often frosted to provide a measure of privacy, but some older homes or those without neighbors have plain glass. You might want to block a plain or frosted glass shower window if you feel it is too intrusive. There are several simple and practical ways of covering the window without resorting to building work.

Instructions

1. Hang a set of mini blinds over the window to hide the room from view when the shower or bathroom is in use and let in light when the room is empty. Consider buying plastic or metal slats as unprotected wood may warp from the moisture produced by the shower or bath. Good quality wood blinds should be waterproof. You may need to have the blinds custom fitted to match the size of the window.

2. Install external shutters to block the window from the outside. Like blinds, you can keep the shutters closed when the bathroom is in use or open them when the room is free. Shutters are often made of plastic or wood and are often installed by the manufacturer or dealer at extra cost.

3. Hang a smaller shower curtain over the window as a quick fix. The fabric of conventional curtains may not be suitable for use in your bathroom if the window is within reach of water from the shower. Although less elegant than blinds or shutters, a second shower curtain is affordable and easy to install.

References

• Blinds: What Window Coverings Work for Which Types of Windows