Hey everyone, loving these ideas. For those who did big picture windows or lots of glass: how do you handle privacy at night? Like, big windows are awesome during the day, but at night when lights are on inside, it's easy for anyone outside to see in unless you have blinds or something.
I'm planning a big window in our master bedroom (overlooking a private backyard), but I'm thinking about nighttime. Maybe one of those reflective tints that makes it harder to see in? Or should I just plan on getting some sleek drapes or shades? I want to keep the clean look, so I'm a bit torn.
Privacy is definitely something to consider. For our big living room window, we went with a light filtering shade that we can pull down at night. It's almost invisible when retracted. During the day we leave it up since our backyard is pretty private. At night, down it comes if we have guests over or are watching TV, etc.
We did try a reflective tint on an earlier house of ours. During the day, it was great (like a one-way mirror, we could see out but people couldn't easily see in). But at night, that effect reverses once you have lights on inside – people can see in unless it's completely dark outside. So tint alone won’t solve nighttime privacy, unfortunately, unless you keep lights off 😂.
So yeah, I'd plan for some kind of window treatment for night time. Could be motorized shades, curtains, blinds – whatever fits your style. Since you want a clean look, perhaps floor-to-ceiling sheer curtains could add a soft look without feeling heavy, or roller shades as others have used.
In our bedroom, we opted for top-down bottom-up cellular shades. They are awesome because during the day we can lower them from the top, so the lower part of the window is covered (privacy from anyone walking by), but the top part is open to let light in. At night, we just close them fully. They also insulate pretty well. They’re not the most "modern glam" thing, but they come in pretty sleek designs and neutral colors.
For a modern coastal vibe, I’ve seen people use gauzy white curtains too, kind of breezy looking. We have those in our living room just for decor, since we mostly rely on the shades for actual privacy/light control.
This thread covers everything! Let me toss in something about maintenance which ties into design longevity. When choosing windows, think about maintenance and durability in our climate. For example, if you go with wood (some still do for the interior charm), remember our humidity and termites – you have to keep up with painting and pest control. Most folks here go vinyl, aluminum, or fiberglass for low maintenance.
Also, consider how easy it is to clean the glass. If you have a two-story home and lots of fixed windows, maybe plan for a service or get some that tilt in for cleaning. We installed an upstairs picture window that’s tricky to clean from outside (no balcony access). I end up hiring a window cleaner twice a year. Not a big deal, but something to think about during design – maybe combine it with an operable window for access if possible.
On a design note: those modern windows sure look great when they’re spotless. Invest in a good squeegee or hire pros occasionally, it makes a difference in how crisp your home looks, especially with big expansive glass.
Excellent point, User34. I'm in a coastal area (Indian Rocks Beach), and salt spray is our issue. We make it a habit to rinse our exterior windows every few weeks with fresh water from the hose to avoid salt crusting up. Our frames are vinyl so no rust worries, but the salt can dull the glass and corrode any metal parts if left too long.
We also specifically ordered windows with stainless steel hardware (locks, crank handles, screws) to prevent rust. Not all brands do that by default. If you’re near the coast, it's worth asking about. It might cost a bit more but saves headaches. Design-wise you don't see a difference, but years later your windows will still look and function like new if the guts aren’t rusting out.
For those inland folks, don't forget about our friend humidity. If you ever had old single-pane windows, you know they would sweat with condensation in humid summers. New double-pane windows (especially with Low-E coatings) almost eliminate that, but it's still wise to keep an eye on indoor humidity if you have a tight house with new windows. Maybe crack a window or use dehumidifiers if you see any condensation. Not much a design thing, more a living-with-new-windows tip.
In terms of style, one small thing I enjoyed adding: we put a little window seat in our bay window when we replaced it. The new bay had a slightly deeper sill, so we turned it into a cozy nook with cushions. It’s my wife’s favorite morning coffee spot now. So if you do bay or bow windows as mentioned above, think about how you can use that space!
I'm curious, has anyone done windows with those built-in blinds or shades between the glass? I saw some patio doors with built-in blinds at the home store, and a neighbor mentioned they got windows with integrated shades. Seems like a neat, clean look (no external blinds swinging around). But I wonder if they are reliable and worth it.
I have a patio door with built-in blinds (between the glass panes), and we love it for the door because the blinds don't clang around when we open/close it, and no dusting. For windows, I considered it but ultimately decided against it. A few reasons:
The integrated blinds add weight and complexity; some contractors told me there’s more that can go wrong (if those break, it's sealed inside the glass).
They also slightly reduce the clarity of the window because you're effectively adding another layer inside, though minor.
Design-wise, built-in blinds are pretty plain. If you like a decorative look (like fabric curtains or wood blinds), you can’t change the style – you're stuck with the built-in look.
That said, for a clean minimalist home, they do look neat and uncluttered. My neighbor who got them likes them because their style is very minimalistic and techy. They even have a remote control to tilt them inside the glass. So it's cool, but be ready for a possible repair hassle down the line.
Now that so many have shared experiences, I'm taking notes for my own project! Quick shout-out: thanks to whoever mentioned clerestory windows (User13) – I hadn't considered them and now I'm thinking of adding a strip of them in our bonus room which has a high ceiling. Could be a game changer for light.
Also, did anyone mention transoms (small windows above doors or other windows)? I love that look in coastal homes – like a row of little rectangles above your main windows or doors, letting more light in. I'm thinking of adding a transom above our front door when we replace it. It gives that classic coastal cottage feel, and also helps brighten the foyer.
Yes! We added a transom window above our new French doors leading to the patio. It's just a simple 12-inch tall, 5-foot wide fixed glass pane, but it makes the room feel taller and airier. And from the outside, it adds a nice architectural detail. We also did a couple of interior transoms (between rooms) in our renovation, though that's another topic.
For exterior transoms or clerestories, just remember to get impact glass for them too or include them in your shutter plan, since even small windows need protection here. Our transom came impact-rated, which was great.
One more thing on design: consider daylighting – placing windows so you get natural light throughout the day. We oriented one of our new windows to catch morning sun in the kitchen, which is lovely for breakfast time. Meanwhile, big west-facing windows are beautiful for sunset but can be brutal in late afternoon. So think about your home’s orientation when choosing where to enlarge or add windows. Sometimes adding a window on a north or east wall can give nice consistent light without as much heat.