2 DIY Ways To Make Your Glass Shower Enclosure More Private
There are many great benefits when installing a glass shower enclosure. There is less biofilm and bacteria to clean off since there is no need for a shower curtain. The enclosures are made with tempered safety glass, so they are quite durable. They can make a small bathroom look a lot larger and add value to your home if you ever need to sell.
One potential downside, however, is that you may feel like you don't have a lot of privacy—especially if you have limited space and need to share the bathroom at the same time as others, or if you have lots of windows. Thankfully, there are two ways you can make your shower enclosure more private.
Clean the Glass First
You can add privacy to your glass shower by either frosting the glass or applying a film. Before you choose a method though, you need to give your glass a thorough cleaning. The DIY methods won't work as well if there is lint, soap, or grime leftover on the glass. Use a glass cleaner that's recommended by your glass manufacturer and wipe the debris off with a clean lint-free microfiber rag.
Giving the Enclosure a Frosted Look
Frosted glass takes a little bit more work than film, but it can look very beautiful and is great if you have a knack for creative work.
Cover any hinges with painter's tape if you have good ventilation, or remove the door from the hinges to an area with good ventilation. Use painter's tape to mask off any areas that you don't want to overspray. Tape down any stencils if you want a decorative design.
Purchase a frosting spray can from a home improvement store. Read the instructions and apply a thin, even coat on the glass. It's best to do a thin coat first as you can always add a second coat after the first one dries. Some products will spray a frosted looking paint while others will require you to scrub in a glass-etching cream to actually roughen up the glass. The spray-on products are better for the first time so that you can remove the product if you aren't happy with it.
Once everything is dry, carefully peel off the tape and replace the door back on its hinges. If you aren't happy with the coats, there are some solvents that can remove the frosted paint. Some people like to scrape excess frost with a razor, but if you do this, just be careful not to scrape too hard and damage your glass.
Placing a Privacy Film on the Enclosure
Privacy films for glass showers are very similar to those that are placed on windows. However, you need to look for privacy films that are certified for shower doors as they are more waterproof.
Once your shower doors are clean, saturate your glass doors with a spray bottle of water and apply the film. The water underneath the film will help the material adhere to the glass and it will eventually evaporate.
You may need to have another person help you hold the film up. As you lay down the film, use a squeegee to remove any air bubbles in the film. If there is any leftover film, carefully use a razor blade to trim it.
Let the film adequately dry before you clean it. Some films only need a day or two to dry while others may need a few weeks.
Check the film instructions for cleaning directions. Alcohol-based cleaners are usually alright, but it's a good idea to check.
If you are having trouble with either of these DIY routes, talk with your glass manufacturer to see if they offer glass etching for privacy.