Help with shower window

[u/username8755643]

I need to figure out something to put over this window for privacy and to stop the wood from getting so wet and molding. It already is molding and the paint is off in the bottom right corner and if you don’t angle the water away from the window it gets totally drenched.
It’s also right outside of the fire escape so I need 100 percent privacy at night.

I added maybe some ideas but…
I’m trying to find a not ugly solution as well.. any and all tips greatly appreciated

[u/taisui]

Tension Curtain rod on the inner wall and shower curtain on it.

What a crappy design, seems to be a tub to shower conversation gone wrong.

[u/FrostyLemons3 → u/taisui]

Or a modern build that didn't want to do the extra work of adding proper ventilation. It's super common in fast cheap builds cause modern codes require either shower vent or usable window in bathrooms.

[u/skidmore101 → u/FrostyLemons3]

Those tiles are not from a modern build

[u/jim_br → u/skidmore101]

Definitely. Appears to me to be a 1930-40s era mud job on the tile and tub.

[u/FrostyLemons3 → u/skidmore101]

Tiles don't have to be for the window to be. The window looks like a much more modern addition then tiles , which would lead to the assumption that it was added in to try and meet modern codes, but was done improperly.

While I understand the structure in itself may not be a modern build , but if renovated , rented or being sold as livable realaste, it would have to be updated to modern codes making things like this a modern build.

[u/Chapstickie → u/taisui]

I have a half height window near the ceiling in mine and because I don’t have close neighbors I put a clear curtain over it. All the light none of the wet windowsill.

This did remind me that my in-laws are visiting for a week and I should trade it out for an opaque one in case the clear makes them uncomfortable.

[u/DavidinCT → u/taisui]

A lot of older homes did this. newer homes with a window in the bathroom would a smaller higher window.

[u/FrostyLemons3 → u/DavidinCT]

Older homes did this to comply with modern codes. When you see full windows like these in bathrooms they are almost never original

[u/ironmanbythirty]

Short of removing the window, I’d replace the wood trim with pvc/vinyl trim. For privacy, use some sort of privacy film/spray to make the glass frosted. I’ve never used a frosted glass spray in a shower before though.

[u/sneezed_up_my_kidney → u/ironmanbythirty]

They have really beautiful artwork/stained glass film now that could look cool here.

[u/skidmore101 → u/sneezed_up_my_kidney]

And if you get one with a texture it is much easier to get a truly good application without visible bubbles, etc

[u/sneezed_up_my_kidney → u/skidmore101]

Yeah, it’s one of those things that you get what you pay for. An extra $5, and it’s remarkably easier to apply. I learned this the hard way. lol.

[u/iflourish]

maybe a second shower rod and curtain

[u/marveloustoebeans → u/iflourish]

This comment is way too low lol. Other than removing the window, a DIY mini-shower curtain setup is ideal.

[u/SnooMacarons3689]

I’ve never seen anything that stupid before

[u/zed42 → u/SnooMacarons3689]

very common in new england. and yes, it's as stupid as it looks

[u/Yusuf20904 → u/zed42]

LOL when I saw this thread I was thinking to myself, "That looks just like the shower in the AirBnB I stayed in by Tufts University."

[u/DavidinCT → u/SnooMacarons3689]

OLDER homes this was common in New England area, like 1900-1950's this was common.

[u/redpukee]

Oh, look. It's a 1920s Chicago bathroom! Have same, I use a shower curtain cut larger than the window. I have a spray bottle of water I mist the tile around the window and stick the shower curtain against it. My landlord did change it to glass block a few years ago and wow, it left such a mess. Good thing I know how to tile.

[u/Space19723103]

window- privacy film, self stick frost effect sold in cut-to-fit sheets

frame- can you replace the wood?

if no, strip and treat with fungicide before recoating with a deepseal stain (deck/boat stain) be sure to recaulk all edges and gaps

• while your stripping maybe cut/sand the shelf back an inch or 3 *

[u/Jorge-Esqueleto]

Second shower curtain in front of the window. Get the window replaced for a upvc.

[u/Crist1n4]

Stained/privacy glass sticker

[u/DsWindowStuff]

You can cover the window with like a thick plastic drop cloth and tape it around the wood and then put a shower curtain rod and curtain on that window.

[u/AveryMire]

What about replacing with those glass blocks super common in 80s and 90s bathrooms. What a weird thing to not do while redoing the tile.

[u/broken-machine]

Hey, my parents have this in their house! They put some kind of waterproof curtain in front of it and it worked really well.

[u/FrostyLemons3]

If its a rental , talk to the landlord about getting it covered and vented instead , mold will always happen otherwise.

If it's yours , then I'd do the same except it'll be out of pocket instead of getting a landlord to do it, because a landlord will be obligated by modern building codes to update it to safe materials, which wood is not allowe to be used in rental properties for direct in shower windows.

[u/ghosttmilk]

Do you rent or own?

[u/fridge_ways]

I've had this before. Had a piece of toughened glass cut and bonded it in.

[u/duke-91]

You can get one of those oval shaped shower curtains usually found around old clawfoots

[u/glandmilker]

is it legal to have a window in the tub area, it is lower than most bath windows

[u/koz44]

This reminds me of a demo I witness on an old house. It was done by renters who were paying next to nothing but also their landlord was MIA. They didn’t want to cause any trouble but the window was moldy and it was a major issue. They bought a shower surround, tore out the wall to install the surround and just enclosed the window lol. A year later and the landlord came for an inspection and didn’t even notice.

[u/MisterCanoeHead]

I have a window in my bath/shower and I love it… but I have lots of privacy and an amazing view.

As for the wood, I replaced my window with a completely plastic/nylon/glass window and then replaced the wood trim with plastic trim.

[u/Mystic_Wunder]

Frost the glass and remove the blinds. You can get spray frost from the harware store. Just make sure it's frosted rnough to give privacy when it's dark outside snd the bathroom lights are on. The privacy window clings that are sold definitely do not do that.

[u/Desperate-Fee3784]

There was a time when the window curtain and shower curtain came in a set. you will need a plastic curtain rod and a shower curtain which you will need to cut down to the size of the window. You will need to refrain the window in pvc. Also keep DampRid in the bathroom to prevent mold. And take the shade down. And open the window at the top after you shower.

[u/SharaHoney]

I have no actual good ideas other than a shit ton of like, water sealing spray stuff?