Burning Question: Tub With A View?
This week we’re dying to get your pulse on windows in your shower or bath. Are they amazing thanks to all the soft light that they allow into your scrub space? Or are they awkward because even if they’re frosted or distorted you fear that your shape is still outlined for all to see as you get your clean on?
Do you have one and wish you didn’t? Or do you not have one and wish you did? We’re itching to hear what what you prefer. In fact, we whipped up this handy little poll to keep everything tabulated:
[poll id="8"]
And we always love to hear more about why you voted the way you did, so feel free to comment away with more deets.
Image courtesy of Sunset magazine (photo by Thomas J. Story)
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I love showers/bathtubs that feel like you’re outside!
I have found the real problem to be window treatments. I’ve only had a tub window, not a shower one. And I hate the plastic looking frosted glass the builder wanted to use, so I did clear glass. The roman shade I originally bought couldn’t stand up to the double whammy of bathroom humidity from the inside and Texas sun from the outside. I’ve since learned that an indoor/outdoor fabric or woven wood would be a better choice (thanks to Paula Grace).
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/customer-service-the-good-the-bad-and-the-why-are-you-in-business/
I find skylights are a healthy compromise…
I love the idea of a big window over the shower, but I do get worried people can see me nekkid! I think my solution would be to have a window at and above shoulder level – that way there is still plenty of light coming in, and the showerer could see outside but any peeping toms could only see a face!
I went to dinner at someone’s home once and their shower was full on see through. Plain glass facing the outside. It was facing the woods, but still. There’s no way I could have showered there!
Just had to add – the other day I had a shower at my friend’s place. Directly across from her apartment block is another block of apartments (inner Sydney = crowded!) and there was a man scrubbing away, oblivious to the fact I could see everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. Made me giggle! Was actually quite a nice start to the day! Haha.
My wish is to remove our small rectangular sliding window in the shower (supposed to be used for ventilation) and put in frosted glass blocks in its place. That way we will get light in an area that needs more natural light anyway. We have a vent in the room anyway, so we don’t need to be able to open the window and actually never do because it always sticks…
I think it depends on where you live! I could personally never do it because I live in a plan where people are always out!
When you live in an urban area and have a window in your tub or shower it can get weird. I have decorative privacy film that looks like stained glass on my window but showering silhouettes still show at night! Gives the guys at the Elks Club next door quite a view…
Thankfully, the master bathroom shower contains no windows :D
This is actually a huge problem in our home, as we only have one full bathroom (no ensuite) and there is a huge window in the TUB! The glass is frosted, but believe me, you can always see somebody showering and I hate it. I don’t know how the resolve this problem and avoid dealing with the moisture issues of a bathroom. Help! Anyone??
I would *love* a window in my shower {or even just in my current bathroom!}. We had one when I was growing up, but on the 3rd floor of a building with nothing behind us and some serious frosting there were no privacy issues.
Our guest/main floor bath has no windows and the only outside wall is the one the shower is on. I’ve thought many times about putting a smaller window up at the top of the wall to bring in more light. It would be a great way to start the day if the sun is shining!
When we moved into our home four years ago one of the first things my hubby did was cut up a shower curtain and place it in front of the frost glass window we have in our shower. It looks horrible, but the privacy feeling is so worth it. Of coarse, we live on the corner of a very busy road, and with no fence – well, all our neighbors and every car that drove by would get a show. Not our cup of tea. :)
If anyone has a suggestion of a way to cover up the window I would love to hear it.
I love the idea of a window in a bathroom… but it totally depends on where you live. If I had a huge plot of land, I’d love to have a beautiful window above my tub. However, right now our window practically stares into our neighbor’s backyard… so for us, digression (and smallish windows) is the name of the game.
I don’t mind the window in our shower (it is our only bathroom..tub/shower combo), but it is nightmare to keep clean. I have put up a window curtain made for this use, but that seems to funky pretty quick too.. that window has always been a challenge for me.
I think windows in bathrooms are a necessity, especially for small ones. Right now we have a tiny bathroom with no window and I think adding one would make it feel bigger.
I think it depends on the setup of your bathroom. We have a setup that promotes shower doors; there is a skylight above the tub/shower and so we installed shower doors on the tub so that it didn’t stifle the wonderful natural light that the skylight provides.
It’s also an energy saver; we are morning showerers and there’s only a week out of the whole year (week of December 21, of course) where it is dark enough in the morning that lights are needed. We almost never use the light fixture now!
We are lucky to have a large picture window sitting directly over our tub, which gives us unobstructed views of the woods that run at the back of our house. There are definitely no concerns about privacy – the woods are dense, so the only beings that might get flashed from time-to-time are the deer, foxes and other critters that come into our open backyard.
I’m totally for windows with some good blinds so you can get privacy while showering and light when you’re not – just like the Petersiks!
If I lived out in the woods, I would LOVE to have big windows in the bathroom! It’s so peaceful! Unfortunately, we’re in the ‘burbs now, so having frosted glass is a must.
Our house came with a vinyl replacement window in the bathroom. We used a privacy film on the bottom portion (IKEA used to have a window film that had blocks for distortion and was frosted). The problem, we learned, is that when you have a vinyl window in a shower, you’re not really supposed to let it get wet. Go figure.
Long story short, we inherited wall damage waiting to happen in our 60-year-old home. After we had lived there three years, the wall was buckling and the tile was starting to come loose. We had the bathroom redone, including replacing that nasty leaky vinyl window with a lovely glass-block window. I LOVE having the sunlight streaming through the window when I’m taking a shower. Ours even has a tiny screened window vent, perfect for letting out a little steam. The window makes the small bathroom so much brighter.
We have a window in our first floor bath/shower area that has glass brick. When we moved in, it was a real window and we changed it to glass brick to prevent problems with a rotting window frame. Now it’s fine–I really like the light it lets in as well as the air. Our upstairs bathroom doesn’t have a window but we plan to add a solar tube when we update it next year.
We just got a new window in our 2nd floor bathroom and decided to go un-frosted. I like being able to look out and get some natural light in there. We’re on the 2nd floor, so no one can see in!
The best shower I ever took was on a trip to Costa Rica, where our secluded jungle bungalow had a corner shower with 2 sides that were just screens. Watching hummingbirds and butterflies and listening to tropical birds totally made up for the lack of hot water.
That being said, we live in a condo in the city now, so a shower with a view would be a little creepy. But I dream of living somewhere that we can gaze out into the sunny mountains during my morning routine.
We have 2 large windows in our bath and the blinds are always shut. We have lots of neighbors, so hence the dilemma-especially at night. It might be different if we were more excluded-then again,the woods would probably freak me out, too. I love the light from the windows-just never get to really use it. I wish the windows were smaller and up high to allow natural light AND privacy. Maybe if they were glass blocks?
I think I would LOVE one with open windows. But the property would have to be secluded. Very secluded.
We had a window in our shower when we first moved into our house, but it was just a normal double-hung window. It faced into our relatively private backyard, but I still worried that neighbors might be able to see in. But the real problem was keeping the wood frame from getting moldy with all the bathroom moisture. We closed it off when we re-did our bathroom, and though I miss the light, I don’t miss the privacy or health concerns!
While there is no way I’d want a window in my shower, I love an outdoor shower in the right setting
I work for a homebuilder and love when our models show large windows and the bathrooms are flooded with natural light. I am such a private person though, I’m not sure I could actually shower/bathe in front of it unless it was frosted or had privacy glass.
Great question!
As in many of the 1950s Milwaukee starter homes, we have a shower window. It’s frosted, so no one can see in during the day, but at night it’s probably a little bit sketchy. The winner in my mind is our friends have a neighbor whose shower window happens to shine directly into their dining room. And you can see all the goings-on through the frosted glass…at breakfast, lunch and dinner. What’s for dessert? Yikes!
I love having natural light in the bathroom, and like the idea of it being in the shower/tub area. However, we have a big window over our tub now but no fogged glass, just blinds.The frustrating part is that side of the house is the one side that directly faces another house, so we have to keep the blinds closed. So, what’s the point? I now rather have a small window up high, or a skylight, and have that wall space to decorate. I LOVE the shower with the huge window with a view that you included in your blog post!
We have small windows (literally 1′x1′)in our master bath that are up near our ceiling so no one can actually see in. We have 9 foot ceilings and it’s on the second floor. There’s one in our shower and one on the opposite end of the wall above the vanity. They are nice and I would consider something like this again. I think it just depends on the location and if there’s a way people could possibly see in. I dofinitely don’t like the thought of people peeping in my bathroom!
NO WAY would I want a window in my shower area – not cool! I don’t mind windows in the bathroom (I have a small one) to let natural light in – but not where I shower! I mean – seriously? When I shower, I am not looking out the window enjoying the view. I’m in and out, quick as a bunny.
I worked in the Swiss Alps one summer and had a window in the shower. I thought it was a little strange at first but got used to it as I realized how beautiful the view of the Alps was. I wouldn’t want one in my own home though – we don’t have the same view here.
i like the light that a window lets in, and i especially liked at my last apartment that the window was in the shower. we backed up to steep hill with dense woods, so there was no fear of peeping toms, and it was really nice to get a hot steamy shower going and open the window for a shot of cool air.
At my last house, I used to have a glass door on my shower. The worst thing about it was keeping it clean. If I didn’t wash it every day, it had water and soap spots. It also collected all kinds of nasty shower gunk around the edges. Never again!
We have a window in our shower at our primary residence and I love it. I love hot showers so I can crack the window open and the steam escapes and doesn’t build up and cause mildew…
We just built a new large shower stall in our lakehouse and I SO totally miss the light from the window! (Might have to shower in the tub which DOES have a window next to it!) – plumber suggested putting a shower head in the tub, too, just in case… good idea!
We replaced the regular window in our shower with glass block right after moving in and I totally love it. Yes, you can see silhouettes when you’re showering at night, but hopefully putting up a back yard fence this summer will give us some more privacy. We have a little vent opening in the window if we want to take in some fresh air – which has come in handy when painting and remodeling the rest of the bathroom. Since the window is mounted right into the wall we don’t have to deal with any window sills, etc. which makes it a cinch to clean. And my favorite feature: the diffused light streaming through the window, especially in the evening, is spectacular. Love the window — wouldn’t have it any other way.
I LOVE showers, tubs, and baths with TONS of natural light. More windows, please, especially if they are in the shower/tub area.
Don’t be so hung up on who’s watching you, just love who you are!
I live out in the middle of nowhere. Like, 3 miles down a dirt road, with 2 other houses on it. So a window in the bathroom would be AMAZING. Unfortunately, it’s an older home that doesn’t have a window of any kind in the bathroom. Which makes me very very sad. I’d love to have natural light in the bathroom. Ahh well, such is life!
We are lucky enough to have two bathrooms in our 1950s ranch. One bathroom has a window which overlooks the backyard. It’s semi-private. My husband likes the blind down on the window and I prefer it up, so we’re constantly raising or lowering the blind. The other bathroom doesn’t have a window and I hate it. I really want natural light in there. I’ve thought about installing a solar tube. I’d love to know whether anyone has any experience with solar tubes — are they great or not worth the money/effort?
We have a good sized window in our one and only shower, and unfortunately it faces the neighbor and gives a pretty good view of… well, you get the picture, haha! Anyways, right now there are vinyl blinds over it, plus a clear shower curtain (I like to open the blinds and let the light stream in during the day – it really opens up the space!) to save the wood frame from extensive water damage, but showering in between two curtains feels very odd indeed. Anyways, we love the light from the window but it’s very inconvenient for quite a few reasons currently, so our future plan is to take the window and frame out and replace it all with glass blocks – privacy, no wooden frame to rot, no 2nd protective shower curtain, and plenty of light – we won’t even have to open/close the blinds anymore! It’s a win-win! Although the fact that it’s on the 2nd story might make that project a bit difficult… :)
The house I grew up in had a window in the shower/bath combo. It was up high though, so when you stood up, the window only showed from like your shoulders up. So I was ok with that. There weren’t any neighbors that could see in anyway though.
But yes, I am very paranoid about windows in bathrooms. My current home has a nice big window in the bathroom and even though it isn’t in the shower or anything, I make sure those blinds are closed at night!! :)
Living in DC, a lot of our buildings are pretty old and a lot have windows in the shower. I found that a clear piece of contact paper over the glass provided enough privacy without making any permanent change (great if you are a renter, like I was). It really looks like frosted glass! I still felt a little self consious, but I blush if I catch a glimpse of my reflection getting out of the shower!
In our master bath we have a seperate garden tub and shower. The garden tub has a large window above it – but we have woods behind our house, and we have blinds up that are white and lightweight and I love the light it lets in to the bathroom.
My parents live down the Cape and use their outdoor shower exclusively in the summer. My mom has recorded her “last” shower of each year since they’ve lived there. Once, it was way into November! I love visiting them so I can shower outside. There’s nothing like it. It’s made of stockade fencing, so no one sees you but the birds.
We have a large frosted glass block window in our (only) bathroom. I HATE it! My husband makes fun of me because I don’t want my neighbors to see my shadows, and I refuse to shower with the lights on, day or night. We’re moving into our “forever” home in a few weeks, and one of my favorite things about the new place is that I will be able to see when I shave my legs. LOL
My mother has a window in her small bathroom, but it doesn’t offer a view of the shower. It’s actually above the toilet and is frosted, but high enough that even if it was clear you would only be able to see shoulders and up on an adult.
We have a similar small window (frosted) in our bath.
I like the idea of a picture window above the bathtub if the property is sufficiently secluded. Otherwise, windows are nice for the natural light they afford. I like a previous commenters suggestion of skylights if all you want is the light and not a view (or the risk of someone else’s view.)
I’ve never been able to relax in a bathroom that has huge frosted mirrors – I always feel like I’m on display even if I’m certain no one can see me. I even draw the shower curtain when I’m in the bathtub, but that’s more to avoid looking at how much I need to clean my bathroom. In fact, my favorite bathroom would have a small private room for the bathtub full of soft light, candles, a book holder and a dead bolt to keep the kids out.
No way. Baths face the street. And I can’t tell you how many houses I’ve seen with them that have serious rot problems around the window area.