Means of window “self-defense” from curious neighbors

A plastic window can be decorated with rich classic curtains, modern roller shutters or blinds, exotic Japanese curtains, unobtrusive string curtains or a combination of these accessories. However, modern windows are so good in themselves that many refuse any decorations. As practice shows, this is not always comfortable, especially if the windows overlook the façade of a neighboring house and actually allow its inhabitants to look into your home. The OKNA MEDIA portal will tell you what window solutions are available on the market to shield yourself from prying eyes.

Today there are many interesting solutions for window “self-defense” from nosy neighbors. However, when trying to protect yourself from prying eyes, you should not forget about aesthetics, because window accessories are a very interesting element of interior decor.

The effect of one-way visibility can also be achieved through decorative glass lamination, sandblasting or the use of a double-glazed window with a variable level of transparency.

Internal sun protection systems

The traditional solution for protecting privacy is roller shutters or blinds. Each of them has its pros and cons in terms of window “self-defense” from curious neighbors.

With blinds, you can freely regulate the amount of natural light entering the room. However, if we want them to reliably protect from outside views, the slats must be constantly lowered, so this solution will not suit everyone - for aesthetic reasons. If you are still a supporter of these “self-defense” systems from nosy neighbors, then you should know that in addition to aluminum blinds, wooden structures are also available. Wooden blinds can give a room a more cozy character.

A fabric roller shutter, made of dense material, will create an effective barrier to prying eyes, but will greatly darken the room. The darker and thicker the fabric, the less light will enter the interior. The choice of fabrics is now huge and everyone will find among them something that will match the style of the apartment and fulfill the range of requirements regarding the decor of a plastic window.

To protect your windows from a nosy neighbor, it’s worth noting Roman blinds. This is a type of roller shutter made from exclusive fabrics that are laid in horizontal folds when raised upward. Roman blinds are much more expensive than traditional fabric roller blinds, but they provide an interesting stylistic effect and can really create an interior mood in many interiors.

Roller blinds of the “day-night” type make it possible to control the light - a little reminiscent of the operation of horizontal blinds. They're made from a relatively thin fabric that diffuses strong sun while still leaving the space bright and clear, making them ideal for window "self-defense" against nosy neighbors in the kitchen or home office.

One of the solutions that will allow you to isolate yourself from neighbors’ views is pleated blinds. With their help, you can curtain the window from below, creating a kind of mini-blind to maintain the flow of light, and at the same time exclude the possibility of peeking. As a rule, effectively screening the window at the bottom is quite enough to hide your privacy from unwanted view from the outside. Like roller blinds, pleated blinds are made of polyester, which makes it easy to keep them clean. They can be made in various shapes, in the form of a trapezoid, a triangle or a semicircle, and are also suitable for roof windows, which makes them an indispensable means of window “self-defense” from curious neighbors in a private home.

Tulle

You can also seal the window from prying eyes using tulle. You don’t have to spoil your beautiful new curtains—those you don’t use anymore will do just fine. If they have rips, ties or other defects, simply cut the panels to fit the glass, avoiding any damage to the fabric.

Tulle “disguise” is best suited for balconies and loggias, since ordinary curtains in these rooms cause a lot of inconvenience.

Advantages	Flaws
• There is no additional cost if you use unnecessary curtains. • Looks aesthetically pleasing.	• Large-mesh tulle, like stained glass film, will not hide anything from prying eyes if a person comes close to the window.

Before applying the tulle to the window glass, you should dip it in a starch solution and then squeeze it out. The fabric will hold together due to the properties of starch.

Now you know how to win your right to privacy by spending a minimum of money and time. All of the proposed options are suitable for use in a rented apartment, since it is easy to return the window to its original appearance.

Solar Control Window Film

Solar control window film is a less common solution in terms of protection from nosy neighbors. To laminate window glass, a special reflective film is used, the so-called “Venetian mirror”, which provides one-way visibility.

In addition to effective window “self-defense” from nosy neighbors, reflective films are also important for controlling the temperature in a house or apartment. In summer, this kind of film allows less sunlight to pass through the glass surface, protecting the room from overheating. While maintaining privacy in winter, window films also protect against heat loss from the inside through the glass unit.

Aluminium foil

Foil, which everyone is used to using in the kitchen, can also be used to cover windows. If you place it with its shiny side facing the street, it will not only protect you from those who want to look into someone else’s apartment, but will also significantly reduce the heating of the air in the room during the warm season.

Consider the fact that the foil is completely opaque. It does not let sunlight into the room, so it should only be used on old-style windows, covering the lower (high) glass and leaving the upper (small) glass transparent. However, even in this case, semi-darkness will reign in the room.

Advantages and disadvantages

Decorative window film

Decorative films not only protect the room from the sun and prying eyes from the outside, but can also help create an attractive and complete interior design. Double-glazed windows decorated with film in the form of plants, three-dimensional images, landscapes, and ornaments decorate plastic windows and at the same time reduce the possibility of viewing the interior of the apartment from the street.

These films are an ideal solution for people who do not want to decorate their windows with traditional accessories. They allow you to protect from prying eyes from the outside and at the same time act as an attractive element in the design of the premises. It’s not for nothing that decorative films are called “film curtains.”

An unlimited range of patterns allows you to make a standard plastic window truly individual and increase the possibility of window “self-defense” from curious neighbors.

Workflow Description

In order to tint the windows on the balcony, no special skills are required. It's quite simple:

clean the glass surface
paste the material
smooth to get rid of bubbles

Solar film for balconies is very sensitive to temperature and humidity levels. Therefore, it is better to carry out work when the temperature outside is from +10° to 30°C. The humidity level should also be in the green zone, that is, from 40 to 70%.

Stage 1. Material selection

Having decided on the type of tint, you will need to select the light transmittance. It is measured as a percentage:

The lower the value, the darker the glass you will get at the output. The width of the products may also vary, standard sizes:

from 0.50, 0.76 and up to 1 m.

Before purchasing, measure the windows on your balcony and choose the size of the film so that you have to cut off as little excess as possible, and ideally not cut it off at all.

Stage 2. Preparatory activities

To work you will need the following available tools:

scissors (sharp) or stationery knife
ruler
ruler
shampoo or liquid
spray
sponge
window scraper

The room or balcony where the tinting will take place must be cleaned in advance. Since even slight dust in the air can settle on the film and ruin the appearance of the window.

A soap solution is prepared in a spray bottle (1 teaspoon of soap or shampoo is enough).

The glass is washed thoroughly; for convenience, you can use a scraper with a silicone blade and window cleaner. The surface is wiped dry.

Double-glazed window with variable transparency level

Another solution from curious neighbors is glass with variable levels of transparency (smart windows), which perfectly ensures privacy. It features laminated, safety active glass that changes from opaque to transparent without causing a reduction in light transmission when needed. Using the switch, you can easily change the transparency of the double-glazed window, isolating yourself from curious neighbors at the required moment.

This glazing works great in offices, conference rooms and residential apartments. Variable transparency glass can be used in single glazing or in glass units with any other glass panel, such as low-e glass, bulletproof, fire-resistant or triplex. Due to its properties, it does not transmit 99% of UV rays.

A double-glazed window with a variable level of transparency (smart windows), however, is a very expensive solution, which developers have been trying for years to adapt to the financial capabilities of the average buyer. This niche is the most promising, since a double-glazed window with a variable level of transparency simultaneously provides a lot of advantages to the user, allowing them to most effectively solve pressing problems, and not least to ensure privacy

How to make glass opaque?

It depends on what degree of transparency, or rather non-transparency, you are interested in.

You can sand the glass with sandpaper using a grinding machine or even sand using a wooden board; the more scratches there are on the glass, the less transparent it will be. This can be said to be the first option using mechanical impact on glass.

Now about the coating, it can be covered with a film of varying degrees of transparency or even covering the entire glass with a plastic-based solution; it also comes with varying degrees of light penetration.

stained glass window

Stained glass windows can also be an effective solution for window “self-defense” from nosy neighbors. This artistic accent will also act as a sophisticated interior decor. And there may be several solutions. You can limit viewing of the room from the outside, but leave the possibility of viewing from the outside. It all depends on the chosen glazing.

You can create a fragmented stained glass window, alternating translucent and transparent elements, which will allow you to see what is happening outside the window, preventing prying eyes from penetrating inside. You can also create stained glass glazing to the required level - up to half the window or make it up to the eye level of the person standing behind the window. Stained glass can be integrated into the window frame, but also act as a cover for the window.

In any case, while trying to ensure privacy, you should not unduly restrict the access of natural light to the room. It is better to install a stained glass window in rooms where a strong flow of natural light is not required, such as a bathroom. If there are a large number of windows in a private house, you can alternate between stained glass and ordinary windows. This will add an unusual charm to the interior, beautifully protecting it from the prying eyes of neighbors. Of course, stained glass windows are not cheap: costs depend on the size and type of glass used.

As you can see, the methods of window “self-defense” from curious neighbors have something in common with sun protection systems, which allows you to “kill two birds with one stone” by purchasing one product.

An elegant way to close a window from prying eyes without blocking daylight

Do the windows of your private house or cottage go straight into the neighbor's yard or onto a thoroughfare? Everything would be fine, but anyone can see in full view everything that happens in your home... Especially if the windows are large or there are many of them. Agree, it’s not very comfortable, right? By the way, such a situation can arise in an apartment.

However, you don’t want to close yourself with curtains or blinds all the time, especially in winter, when the days are so short. How to hide from prying eyes, but at the same time not close yourself off from daylight and sun? This problem can be solved, for example, with the help of such a decorative, but at the same time light-transmitting coating.

You will need:

transparent matte self-adhesive paper;
paper or ready-made stencil;
spray bottle;
water;
dishwashing liquid;
water distiller;
paper towels or newspaper;
ruler and pen;
stationery knife;
patience

First of all, you need to decide on a pattern. You can make a stencil yourself or buy a ready-made one. Perhaps the most exhausting part of all this work is marking and cutting. It is better to immediately calculate approximately how many figures you may need. Did you count? Be patient and start tracing and cutting!

When the figures are ready, you need to prepare the window: wash and dry it well. We also prepare a special composition in a spray bottle: water and a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent. And let's start gluing! All the action takes place from the inside of the window, that is, in the room, and not on the street.

We wet the surface of the glass well with the composition from the spray bottle, this is necessary so that we have the opportunity to move the patterns from the film. We glue our “sticker” onto the wet surface and place it as needed. To smooth and get rid of bubbles, use water distiller, blot excess liquid with newspaper or paper towel.

After the liquid dries, the drawing will become motionless. If you do need to move it or put it away, use a hair dryer. If necessary, you can also trim the edges of a glued sticker using a stationery knife, but do this carefully so as not to scratch the glass. Those air bubbles that you did not notice can simply be carefully pierced with a needle. The bubbles are especially visible at night.

It is best to devote more than one day to gluing, but as much as possible. This way you won’t get too exhausted and will be able to control all stages of work, the same bubbles. And this is what the finished result looks like. During the day, the sun will also decorate your walls with a pattern from the window!

Bamboo and pleated blinds

Manufacturers pamper consumers with several options for bamboo blinds. They are both horizontal and vertical. A small rotation angle makes it possible to illuminate the room, but not completely. Since they are made in a variety of colors, they can organically blend into any interior.

This is the most budget option, but their disadvantage is the ability to attract dust. You need to care for bamboo blinds in the same way as any surface in the room: periodically give them a wet cleaning.

Pleated blinds: a tribute to fashion

The classic design of strips of fabric connected by a lifting mechanism, in this version is complemented by a day-night function, which allows you to make the shading more or less dense. This design is made from two types of fabric, one of which is translucent.

The model is attractive due to its versatility of use, and its external resemblance to horizontal blinds inspires consumer confidence. They can be used to decorate a bedroom or a nursery.

Indoor flowers for the south side

Flower growers are closely familiar with another way to create partial shade - using plants for the balcony that grow well in the sun. Any indoor flowers will not work; you need to choose varieties specially bred for the south side. Since you need to create vertical gardening, you should focus on hanging, climbing, long-shooting or lush plants.

If you need to darken a certain area, ordinary potted flowers will do.

To create a dense curtain of leaves or stems, you can make shelves, or better yet, build a bookcase with sparse cells of different sizes. As they grow, the flowers will increase in volume, covering the glass with a green mass of foliage and creating pleasant partial shade. It will turn out to be a kind of summer garden.

Here are a few heat-resistant balcony crops:

hibiscus;
solandra;
passionflower;
lobelia;
pentas, etc.

Among the heat-tolerant crops there are small flowering plants, flowers with large buds, large flat leaves, and climbing stems. But all of them need constant watering and spraying, so during departure they need to be removed from the shelves and placed in the shade.

Positive qualities of window tint film highlighted by most users

In addition to the practical side of using solar films on windows in an apartment, one can also highlight the aesthetic component. This includes the ability to choose the optimal color of glass, which will be an excellent addition to the exterior and interior. Thanks to a large selection of shades (from silver to soft purple, blue or gold), you can choose the best option that matches the color of the roof or walls of the building.

According to reviews, sun-protection films for windows have the advantage of being able to protect expensive curtains from fading, because even high-quality textiles can lose color under constant sunlight. Thanks to the wide temperature range (from -40 to +80 °C) at which it is permissible to use the film, both textiles and furniture will have their original appearance for a long period.

If you take into account the fact that the coating protects the windows from the sun, which causes an increase in the temperature in the room, you will be able to save a little on the electricity that is spent on air conditioning. There is also the possibility of purchasing a device of lower power and operating it in energy-saving mode. The cost savings will be especially noticeable if you apply the film in an apartment or cottage with large windows or in a spacious retail or office space.

The tint film allows you to avoid possible overheating of the room in hot weather.

Most users consider the possibility of simple, self-installation to be another important advantage of solar glass film. The material can be applied to already installed windows. There is no need to remove glass, unscrew frames or purchase special tools. All that needs to be done before work is to thoroughly wash the windows with soapy water, removing excess moisture with a slime, and let them dry thoroughly. The entire installation process is unlikely to take more than a few hours. If you don’t have confidence in your own abilities, it is better to invite a specialist to do the work, which will avoid damage to the material.

Available means

Often, owners of apartments and dachas whose windows are oriented to the south do not bother themselves with what they consider to be unnecessary work and expenses on purchasing curtains, blinds or film, but use improvised materials to shade the windows.

The most common raw material for improvised “light filters” is newspapers, which are attached to windows using buttons, staplers or tape.

Another common option is to use aluminum foil. Baking foil is the most popular material at hand in the fight against the blinding Sun.

Foil is also often used to cover thin roll insulation materials: “Penofol”, “Izolon” and the like. Moreover, the effect of using these materials exceeds all expectations. Due to the fact that the foil almost completely reflects the sun's rays, the polyethylene foam backing acts as a “thermos” and prevents the penetration of ultrasonic radiation (thermal) into the apartment.

Thus, foil, despite the unpresentable appearance that a window covered with it acquires, copes with its tasks in the best way, on a par with reflective “mirror” film.

Wallpaper remaining after renovation can be successfully used to shade windows from excess sunlight. From them you can literally make original blinds in 20-30 minutes, which can last the entire summer season, and in the fall, as unnecessary, are mercilessly thrown away.

You can make accordion blinds by folding a strip of wallpaper 30-50 mm wide and attaching a wooden weight strip at the bottom to allow you to straighten the improvised blinds.

Method 1. Tinting balcony windows on your own

Tinting balcony glass is not a complicated process. Each person is able to tint a balcony with their own hands.

We recommend: The use of bellows expansion joints in heating networks and heat supply

Using the right tool and accurately following the recommendations, you can achieve a result that is not much different from the work done by specialists.

For successful pasting you will need the following tools:

Stationery knife
Spray
Rubber spatula
Lint-free towel
Degreaser

Balcony tinting should be carried out at temperatures no higher than 35 degrees. It is not advisable to apply the sticker at temperatures below 10 degrees. The air humidity in the room should be between 25 and 70%.

Before starting work, you should clean the window from dirt and dust. To do this, we recommend using detergents. You can add ammonia to the solution. Apply the solution to get rid of dirt and dust. Allows you to remove grease stains on the window.

Then you should prepare the required piece of film by measuring the required dimensions of the window around the perimeter. To the resulting size you need to add 0.5 cm on each side. The allowance will be removed later. For successful gluing you will need a spray solution. Add 5-6 drops of detergent to 1.5 liters of water.

The prepared solution is sprayed using a spray bottle over the entire surface of the window. Excess moisture must be removed using a rubber spatula. The prepared piece of film is removed from the base. The part being removed may curl or wrinkle. To avoid kinks, folding, removal should be done with an assistant.

The removed part is glued to the window from top to bottom. Any bubbles that arise are removed with a spatula. Try to avoid horizontal folds. You should carefully ensure that the film adheres tightly to the surface of the window. If bubbles appear, if you cannot get rid of them with a spatula, you should pierce the bubble with a thin needle. After this, use a spatula to expel the remaining air from the edges to the hole.

After the sticker is completely applied, you should cut off the excess around the perimeter. The work should be carried out carefully, slowly, so that gaps do not form between the frame and the film. The resulting gaps can spoil the entire appearance of the work done.

If you follow the recommendations, you should get perfect window tinting, and all questions about how to cover a balcony with film will disappear. Manufacturers guarantee preservation of properties regardless of external or internal application to the window surface. But we recommend that you carry out the gluing work from the side of the room. Internal adhesive will protect the film from external weather conditions, and its service life will be longer.

Kinds

The modern market of film coverings for windows offers the buyer a wide range of similar products. Among the traditional options, a picky client can buy a coating with a special effect. For example, the film can be:

athermal;
reflective;
anti-vandal;
booking;
perforated;
architectural;
heat-saving;
heat reflective;
stained glass;
combined.

In this case, the film can be matte opaque or glossy traditional. Today it is available in several varieties for windows. Coatings can be options for film protection of glass sheets of double-glazed windows or have several functions.

In addition to being functional, the film can be purely decorative. This coating is called stained glass. This is a self-adhesive decorative film with a transparent base and a pattern. Its purpose is to partially decorate windows, as well as to decorate the glass of interior doors. Essentially, this is a colorful coating that covers the glass, decorating it. The themes of such films are often geometric shapes, lines, and floral motifs. Less often, it imitates the translucent texture of stone and silk textiles.

In some cases, it serves as a curtain and is presented more as a decorative element, indicating that it belongs to a certain style. Stained glass film can have a simple pattern and cover only the lower part of the windows. It is used more often on windows whose frame consists of 6-12 small glasses. The fragments are filled flush with film, while the lines of the overall pattern may not coincide.

Sometimes the coating imitates frosted glass with a transparent pattern. In other cases, the print depicts window openings divided into many small windows. This film is used in different rooms of the home, including bathroom glass curtains and bay windows. It does not interfere with the opening of windows and can imitate different patterns carved on glass, including python skin.

Products with a functional focus are divided into several varieties. These include sun-protection and energy-saving coatings. Each type has its own categories. Products differ in the type of fastening. Some options are fixed from the inside of the home, others must be fixed from the street. The former are often distinguished by a wide range of colors, the latter are characterized by a reinforced coating of the top layer, which protects the surface from negative environmental factors.

Sometimes the film is glued to the glass during its production process. At the same time, any type of film coating undergoes certification. It indicates its compliance with sanitary and epidemiological standards. Interior and exterior coatings differ in characteristics and resistance to external factors. These are products that are safe for human health, do not emit toxic substances and are not susceptible to the appearance and spread of microorganisms.

Sun protection

This category includes solar control coatings to reduce the light flux that enters the room through glass. Depending on the type, they may have one-way visibility of the glass sheet after installation of the film. The coverings are designed in such a way that what is happening in the room cannot be seen from the street. Even the outlines will not be visible, the room will not be completely visible. However, anyone inside the room will see everything that happens outside.

Foil

The budget type is foil film materials based on polyethylene in rolls. Such coatings are used in hot weather, fixing them to the glass from the inside. Unlike the bulk of varieties, they do not have a sticky backing. Fixation is carried out using tape.

After the heat subsides, they are removed. There is no tight fastening, and it is problematic to see through them.

Mirror

An alternative to them are mirrored counterparts with tinting. They are used for plastic windows. The quality and performance characteristics of this film are quite high. It is characterized by strength and durability. If properly applied to the glass unit, it will last for several years.

Due to aluminum and tin oxide in the composition of the layers, the roll film reflects visible light outward, as well as infrared radiation. Compared to its budget counterpart, it is distinguished by its aesthetic appeal. The architectural variety protects the glass from mechanical damage. It involves pasting on the outside. At the same time, its light reflective abilities are no less than its classical counterpart.

Tinting

The main difference between these varieties and their mirror counterparts is the fact that instead of reflecting visible light and infrared radiation, they absorb them. However, the effectiveness of films in this category depends on the degree of toning. The film can be dense or completely transparent: the efficiency coefficient varies from 15 to 60%. At the same time, the film differs in appearance: the less tinting, the lighter and brighter it conveys the image of what is happening.

The disadvantage of tinting coatings is that they cut off most of the visible light flux. This factor especially manifests itself negatively in cloudy and rainy weather, making the room dull and gloomy.

Lack of illumination of the space inside the house (apartment) can provoke depression. Therefore, the use of such film must be approached thoroughly. For example, it is not advisable to glue it if the windows face the north or west.

Thermal insulation

The principle of operation of such a film differs from its sunscreen analogues. All coatings in the line are aimed at minimizing heat loss in a particular room. In fact, they can be called an alternative to energy-saving double-glazed windows. Their purchase will save your budget, and installation will cost less than replacing glazing. Such coatings do not change quality indicators under the influence of temperature changes.

A fairly high percentage of rays are reflected inward. The daylight braking level does not exceed 30%. This is a thin multilayer material characterized by transparency. To increase heat-reflecting and energy-saving properties, alloys of silver, chromium, and nickel are used in the production of such films. Energy-saving film can be combined, having the protective function of preserving glass.

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