"Humidity is definitely a factor. Bathrooms are tough environments, and even indoor installations aren't immune to moisture issues."
Totally agree with this. I've installed privacy glass in plenty of bathrooms, and moisture is always the sneaky villain. Honestly, frosted film is underrated—cheap, easy to replace, and you won't shed tears if it gets damaged. Privacy glass looks slick, sure, but it's like owning a fancy sports car: great until you hit your first pothole...
"Honestly, frosted film is underrated—cheap, easy to replace, and you won't shed tears if it gets damaged."
Seconding this. Had privacy glass in our bathroom for a year... looked great at first, but moisture got behind the seal eventually. Switched to frosted film after that—no regrets. Easy to install, cheap enough to swap out if it starts peeling, and honestly, who wants to stress about glass seals failing? Practical beats fancy every time for me.
Had a similar issue with privacy glass in our kitchen. Looked sleek at first, but after about 8 months, condensation started creeping in around the edges. Switched it out for frosted film—took maybe an hour tops: clean window, measure and cut film, spray water, smooth it out, done. Been a year now and still holding up fine... definitely less hassle overall.
Interesting you mention condensation—I was wondering if that was common or just bad luck. Good to hear the film's holding up, might give it a shot myself... seems easier and cheaper anyway.
I've dealt with condensation issues myself, and honestly, it's pretty common with privacy films—especially in bathrooms or kitchens where humidity spikes. A couple years ago, I put up some frosted film in our bathroom window for privacy. Installation was straightforward enough, and it definitely saved money compared to replacing the whole window. But yeah, condensation showed up pretty regularly after showers or on colder mornings. Nothing disastrous, but it meant wiping down the window more often to avoid mold buildup.
On the plus side, the film itself has held up nicely—no peeling or discoloration yet. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option that does the job, film is still worth considering. Just keep in mind you'll probably have to deal with a bit of extra moisture management...
Did you notice if running the exhaust fan longer helped at all? I had similar condensation issues at first, but leaving the fan on an extra 10 mins after showers made a noticeable difference...might be worth a try before switching to pricier options.
"leaving the fan on an extra 10 mins after showers made a noticeable difference"
Definitely agree with this. I was skeptical at first, but honestly, just running the fan a bit longer made a huge difference for me too. Privacy glass looks cool, sure...but why spend big bucks if a simple tweak does the trick?
I get the fan trick, and yeah, it definitely helps with moisture. But privacy glass isn't just about moisture control—it's also about, well...privacy. I live in a neighborhood where houses are pretty close together, and my bathroom window faces directly into my neighbor's kitchen. Awkward, right?
I tried the whole curtain thing first, but honestly, curtains in a bathroom just felt damp and gross after a while. So I bit the bullet and went for privacy glass. Not gonna lie, it wasn't exactly cheap, but it was worth it for me. Now I get natural light without feeling like I'm putting on a show every time I step out of the shower.
That said, if your main concern is moisture or fogging, yeah, the fan trick is probably enough. But if you're dealing with nosy neighbors or just want a cleaner look without curtains or blinds, privacy glass is a solid solution. Just depends on what your priorities are, really.
Privacy glass definitely helps with neighbors—I get that. But did you consider window films instead? They're cheaper, easy to install yourself, and still let in plenty of natural light. Curious if anyone's tried both and noticed a big difference...
"They're cheaper, easy to install yourself, and still let in plenty of natural light."
That's a fair point, and honestly, window films can be surprisingly effective. I installed some myself last summer—just the basic frosted kind from the hardware store. Installation was straightforward: clean the glass thoroughly, spray a bit of water mixed with dish soap, peel the backing, and smooth it out with a credit card or squeegee. Took maybe 20 minutes per window.
Privacy-wise, films do the job pretty well during the day, but at night, when lights are on inside, they're not quite as effective. Privacy glass tends to hold up better in those conditions, from what I've seen at a friend's place. Also, films can start peeling at the corners after a couple of years, especially if exposed to direct sunlight or humidity. Privacy glass might be pricier upfront, but it does seem more durable long-term.
So, films are definitely a solid budget-friendly option, but if you're looking for something that'll last without fuss, privacy glass might be worth the extra investment.