Changing glass from transparent to translucent (not see through)

[Bill Edwards]

Is there anything which can be painted on one side (inside) of glass which will still allow light through but make it impossible to look through and identify things - specifically to avoid people looking into a workshop and deciding there are things worth breaking in for?
Shouldn't need much to make it all too blurry - grease would probably work but it needs to be something that won't rub off when touched.

Any suggestions?

 

[mike os]

Acid etch or window film

 

[macandmoss]

I used to have window film on my old garage window before I changed to a new window with bathroom glass , it worked great ,no-one could see in but still plenty of light ,it was the fogged effect not the tinted

 

[macandmoss]

a few window bars stop the local oppertunists , either inside or outside ,if it looks hard work most of them just move on , did go a little overkill this time ...lol

 

[JEZGUZ]

I've got translucent window film on my garage window, no way can you see in but allows enough light to come through, cheaper and easier (safer) than acid etch or media blasting.

 

[Screwdriver]

Do a search for opaque window film.

That's what you're looking for.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Ah, I should say - bars aren't an option, and I don't want anything that looks like it's to keep privacy - more for it to just be too hard to identify what's there without being hidden.

 

[grim_d]

Opaque would block light.

What you are looking for is frosted film.

It generally comes in different "grains", that is how noticable the frostings (?) are. There was a course and a fine when I was a signwriter. Thats cosmetic more than anything but IMO fine always looked better.

I would highly recommend getting some from one of the bigger names such as 3m, avery, oracal, metamark etc as cheaper ones may crack with thermal changes.

As it happens my living room window is frosted with the stuff as it looks directly onto the pavement. After 3 years there is about 1/4" shrinkage on 2 edges which is to be expected from a calendered vinyl but unlikely to see much through that.

I notice screwfix does a self cling version these days that might be worth a go?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fablon-window-film-frosted-675mm-x-1-5m/74393?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=GoogleLocal-_-Datafeed-_-Building and Joinery&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product Listing Ads-_-Sales Tracking-_-sales tracking url&gclid=Cj0KEQjw0rm-BRCn85bm8uS-zK0BEiQAHo4vrPM2aen0VOXo9vZ27Ipo4_Q-ylilV2LO93V4JP6qmzAaAmQq8P8HAQ

 

[exciton]

There are also the aerosol frosting sprays - not sure how much light that thay transmit compared to the films. I guess that might depend on how thick a coating you lay down....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Glass-Fro...ml-/161882240542?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

 

[Dieselman 63]

did go a little overkill this time ...lol

All you need now is some anti-climb paint smothered on the bars to 'complete the look'

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Net curtains

 

[wristpin]

Greenhouse shading. Liquid or powder, mix in bucket and slap it on . Couple of coats should do it.

 

[brewdexta]

Just forget to put the lid on the blender like I did

 

[pedrobedro]

Cobwebs keep my windows obscured Anyone over 4 years old would probably be too big to fit through them as well.

 

[octo0072000]

i don't have that problem no windows in my big shed

 

[Screwdriver]

Opaque would block light.

No it doesn't mean that, it merely means not transparent. Frosted glass is "opaqued" in the terminology used by the window film world. So for example, when a gang of Lithuanian money launderers turned the house next door into six double flats (!) and somehow persuaded the local council to allow them to stick new windows in overlooking my property, I made sure those windows would be permanently opaqued.

Another option would be those little strips of partially silvered tape, virtually invisible from the inside but looks like a mirror on the outside. Doesn't work at night when you have the lights on though.

 

[MoreWellie]

car window tint stuff? mirror version?

 

[octo0072000]

this any good

http://windowfilm.co.uk/buy-online/...n-500mm-x-1m?gclid=COO2mrXm_c4CFQqNGwodrEQKIg

 

[grim_d]

No it doesn't mean that, it merely means not transparent. Frosted glass is "opaqued" in the terminology used by the window film world...

... I made sure those windows would be permanently opaqued..

I'm not after an argument here, trying to have a dig or be an annoying pedant. Glossing over the word "opaqued" as I'm quite fond of made up words myself. The definition of opaque (in optics, light transmission) is not allowing light to pass through.

Frosted glass film is translucent. When I was a signwriter (window graphics, van decals etc) if I were to make a window opaque it would be to block light, rear van windows for example.

I understand if you Google opaque window film you will get a load of hits for frosting film because the word opaque is commonly misused.

 

[ChrisJ]

Opaque would block light.

What you are looking for is frosted film.

It generally comes in different "grains", that is how noticable the frostings (?) are. There was a course and a fine when I was a signwriter. Thats cosmetic more than anything but IMO fine always looked better.

I would highly recommend getting some from one of the bigger names such as 3m, avery, oracal, metamark etc as cheaper ones may crack with thermal changes.

As it happens my living room window is frosted with the stuff as it looks directly onto the pavement. After 3 years there is about 1/4" shrinkage on 2 edges which is to be expected from a calendered vinyl but unlikely to see much through that.

I notice screwfix does a self cling version these days that might be worth a go?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fablon-window-film-frosted-675mm-x-1-5m/74393?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=GoogleLocal-_-Datafeed-_-Building and Joinery&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product Listing Ads-_-Sales Tracking-_-sales tracking url&gclid=Cj0KEQjw0rm-BRCn85bm8uS-zK0BEiQAHo4vrPM2aen0VOXo9vZ27Ipo4_Q-ylilV2LO93V4JP6qmzAaAmQq8P8HAQ

use frosted film on my workshop windows, great stuff been up 4 years as good as new and cheap