If I wasn’t renting the damn place I wouldn’t be complaining, I’d be replacing the glass with concrete. They’re in front of a patio door, in the bedroom, so everyone can watch me fuck and sleep, and hear it too, since the glass is shit at keeping out sound.
Those Turks were way too easy on Marcantonio.
dogbutler, your name is ridiculously apt.
Hey Nava, I came in here to mention Persianas. Those are the best really. I’ve never seen them outside of spain, however.
For those who don’t know, they are like blinds that are on the outside of the window. But the slats are made of vertical planks of wood or metal that fit into each other once closed. The result is a perfectly blocked window. They are awesome.
Feh. I much prefer curtains. In places I don’t care about opacity (e.g. the living room), I use sheer curtains so people can’t see in but there’s still light. In my bedroom, I have opaque curtains with sheer inner curtains, so I can choose between darkness, light-with-privacy, and light.
Have you seen those blinds that come between two panes of glass?
I haven’t used them - anyone know what problems they might have?
Blind porn?
Have you tried asking the landlord if he’d mind if you replaced them? Maybe he’d pay part or all of it. Even if he didn’t, they really don’t cost that much and if you don’t have a standard width the store can trim them neatly for you.
They are what I have on my front door. They raise/lower/tilt all while encased in safety glass. I have had them for about a year without problems.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=209213-424-209213&lpage=none
One word: Sliding panels … okay, two words.
I, too, am sick of blinds and curtains. I had a thought, surely there must be something in between these two ideas? I thought of a sliding panel and then I started looking around and found such a thing existed! Unfortunately, I have only found them online and they were way too expensive so I am hoping to find the parts to be able to make my own or at least find some cheaper versions.
Might I humble suggest frosting the glass. There is a very easy to use product available that comes in a spray can. It is quite simply to use and to remove if you tire of it (wipe down with nail polish remover, voila).
It is quite simple to purchase some 1/4" painters tape, make your own design on the window, then spray with the frosting and remove the tape. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination. (They make a zillion stencils these days or you could easily create your own!)
I did this in my bathroom where I really wanted the light but also needed privacy - looks really cool, lets in lots of light and provides tons of privacy.
When we bought this old house from the little old lady who had lived here for 42 yrs, every window in the house was covered. First with that horrid mac tac patterned stuff, then with those little blinds that were so popular 10 - 15 yrs ago (whoever was selling them on this street hit the jackpot when they came to this house!), and, as if that were not enough, heavy black out curtains over the top. Apparently she thought the neighbours had xray vision.
The very first days were spent ripping these things down and letting in the light. Under the mac tac were beautiful heavy glass windows with a half inch bevel (at the front door and surrounding windows). All of the windows were that old and beautiful wavy glass, how wonderful. It totally transformed the house to suddenly let in the day light, it was remarkable to see the difference it made.
Another vote for frosted-glass-in-a-can, especially if your view basically consists of a parking lot, garbage cans or your neighbor’s central A/C compressor. Pretty good product and very economical; I was able to coat four sash panes from one can. Putting down a nice, even coat is tricky, and you may need to do a bit of practice before tackling a pane (or just resign yourself to a re-do if necessary).
The end result is very effective for privacy, even for bathroom windows.