How do I cover window?

tricky99

I have a full length window at front of my house and I need to pull down blinds every time I am in it!!!! I hate netted curtains - is there any other option for a modern house to prevent people seeing in but allowing the light.
Any recommendations?

Cedrus

Wooden Venetians, no use at night but they work OK during the day. Get pale ones though, the darker wood ones strip the light.
Also, last time I was buying, did a comparison between wide slats and narrow slats but I can't remember which was better.

Addle

Cedrus wrote: »

Wooden Venetians, no use at night but they work OK during the day.

Why don't they work at night?

Cedrus

Addle wrote: »

Why don't they work at night?

With a light inside, people outside can see straight through them.

However, they'd probably have to be standing outside trying to see in, in years of winter evening dog walking, I've never seen anything but tellys in neighbours front rooms

J82

tricky99 wrote: »

I have a full length window at front of my house and I need to pull down blinds every time I am in it!!!! I hate netted curtains - is there any other option for a modern house to prevent people seeing in but allowing the light.
Any recommendations?

There is a reflective film you can get to apply to windows. You see it a lot on commercial buildings but it is possible to get it for residential buildings as well. Allows those inside to see out but not those outside to see in. ..during the day at least. I doubt it works at night.

Might be worth your time researching it. Would be interested if you find out more in terms of cost etc.

HTH.

J82

tricky99 wrote: »

I have a full length window at front of my house and I need to pull down blinds every time I am in it!!!! I hate netted curtains - is there any other option for a modern house to prevent people seeing in but allowing the light.
Any recommendations?

There is a reflective film you can get to apply to windows. You see it a lot on commercial buildings but it is possible to get it for residential buildings as well. Allows those inside to see out but not those outside to see in. ..during the day at least. I doubt it works at night.

Might be worth your time researching it. Would be interested if you find out more in terms of cost etc.

HTH.

J82

tricky99 wrote: »

I have a full length window at front of my house and I need to pull down blinds every time I am in it!!!! I hate netted curtains - is there any other option for a modern house to prevent people seeing in but allowing the light.
Any recommendations?

There is a reflective film you can get to apply to windows. You see it a lot on commercial buildings but it is possible to get it for residential buildings as well. Allows those inside to see out but not those outside to see in. ..during the day at least. I doubt it works at night.

Might be worth your time researching it. Would be interested if you find out more in terms of cost etc.

HTH.

Addle

Cedrus wrote: »

With a light inside, people outside can see straight through them.

Can they not just be closed?
Or am I thinking of a different type of blind?

I didn't think choosing window coverings would cause me so much trouble. It's the hardest decision out of anything I've had to choose for my gaff.

athtrasna

Addle wrote: »

Can they not just be closed?
Or am I thinking of a different type of blind?

I didn't think choosing window coverings would cause me so much trouble. It's the hardest decision out of anything I've had to choose for my gaff.

With the slats in one direction you can see through them at night but not in the other direction, it's pretty easy to work it out. I've had them for years and you can't see in!

Cedrus

Addle wrote: »

Can they not just be closed?
Or am I thinking of a different type of blind?

athtrasna wrote: »

With the slats in one direction you can see through them at night but not in the other direction, it's pretty easy to work it out. I've had them for years and you can't see in!

Of course but OP doesn't want to do that "I need to pull down blinds every time I am in it!!!.

Rancid

tricky99 wrote: »

I have a full length window at front of my house and I need to pull down blinds every time I am in it!!!! I hate netted curtains - is there any other option for a modern house to prevent people seeing in but allowing the light.
Any recommendations?

Ikea do a range of curtain "panels" that might solve your problem.

http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/products/60259261/
That particular one would let a lot of light in but obscure the view from outside.

The panels run on a sliding track and are a pretty easy diy job to install.

MisseyB

How about bottom-up blinds?

http://www.bottomupblinds.co.uk/

Spanish Eyes

Daytime privacy with one way mirrored windows. Is this what you are thinking of?

http://windowfilm.ie/portfolio/mirror-privacy-window-film/

tricky99

Thanks for all the tips. I like the ikea panels - I wonder if they let in the light. Are the wooden venetians more for traditional build. Window is hugh too -2m *2 at least - I wonder how that would work.

2 stroke

Presuming that you have roller blinds on all your front windows, one large venetian blind would look rediculous. I'd recomend vertical blinds in the same fabric as your rollers.

Rancid

tricky99 wrote: »

Thanks for all the tips. I like the ikea panels - I wonder if they let in the light...

The Ikea panels let in diffused light, depending on the pattern on the particular panel you choose. Some let in more than others, the ones with the more open pattern.

You'll be able to see out through the lighter parts of the panels, but it's almost impossible to see IN through them from outside.
Worth a trip to Ikea to actually check out those panels, I think they always have them on display in the Textile section.

I have them between a porch and dining room which only has borrowed light and they form an excellent "screen" and still leave the room bright.

sbsquarepants

athtrasna wrote: »

With the slats in one direction you can see through them at night but not in the other direction, it's pretty easy to work it out. I've had them for years and you can't see in!

I've had them for the past 5 or 6 years too. They work perfectly at night - you just need to close them in the proper direction!