How to Install Frosted Bathroom Window Film for Privacy

Shortly after we got moved into our new fixer upper, I walked into our bathroom to take a quick shower and…..realized that if I could see out of my bathroom window and into the front yard, people could definitely see into the bathroom. That’s DEFINITELY now how that’s supposed to work.

There were no blinds, no curtains, no frosted window film, no etched glass…just a nice clean…very see-through window.

Adding Frosted Window Film in the Bathroom: Before

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I hadn’t noticed the fact that our bathroom window had no privacy until we were living there, but it was definitely something we needed to fix…and ASAP.

Luckily, there is another SUPER small bathroom at the other end of the house that has a shower. During the first week we were living here, we had 7 adults living here (Logan’s family was here to help with the move and celebrate Christmas). That little bathroom really got a workout!

I was sooooo looking forward to adding some bathroom privacy to our window so I could take start taking showers in there.

We had a few options for adding privacy to the bathroom window. We could have installed blinds, curtains, or even replaced the window with something like an etched glass that was made just for bathrooms. They even make a window frosting spray we could have used.

We decided to go with adding a frosted window film for bathroom privacy. It was definitely the most budget-friendly option.

I was thoroughly overwhelmed by all of the options. There were so many unique designs and patterns to choose from, who knew!?

Even after all looking at all of the fun patterns, I chose this plain frosted window film. Call me boring, but I was worried the designs would clash with the decor, or I would grow tired of them.

We had never added a frosted window film to anything before, but it didn’t seem too hard. We also grabbed this tool kit to help with the application.

Installing Frosted Bathroom Window Film: Tips for the Application Process

You definitely need two people to put on the frosted window film.

Really the only part where two people are definitely necessary is when you are peeling the backing off of the frosted window film. One person needs to be holding the film and one person needs to be spraying the application spray onto the film.

Work slowly to avoid frustration.

Grab your patience pants for this one and work slowly when applying the frosted window film. Luckily the roll comes fairly large because you may or may not need to start over once (or even twice). This leads me to my next point…

Read (and follow) the included instructions.

This seems obvious, I know. But when we first unpacked the frosted window film, I thought….how hard can this be. You just cut it down to size and stick it on the window.

The instructions had a whole other way of applying the film and lots of helpful tips on how to get nice, straight edges and avoid bubbles under the frosted window film.

Step 1. Clean window

Generously spray the window with the application solution from the tool kit. If needed use a razor blade to remove any stubborn dirt, grime, or paint. Use special care when cleaning the corners of the window.

Once clean, rewet the window then squeegee downward. Wipe off any accumulated dirt from the window gasket with a soft cloth.

If possible clean the outside of the window as well for better clarity.

Tip: If possible, apply the window film to a cool shaded window when the glass temperature is between 45 and 90 degrees. For best results, do not apply in direct sunlight or freezing weather.

Step 2. Measure and cut film

Carefully measure your window with a tape measure. Then unroll the window film on a clean, flat surface. We use our cutting mat.

Next cut the film at least an inch larger than the glass on all four sides. We used our rotary cutter to trim the film and it worked great. The excess will be trimmed off later after the film is applied.

Be sure you’re working in a clean and dust-free area to avoid something getting stuck to the window film.

Step 3. Separate clear liner from the film at the corner

Take one corner of the film and attach two small pieces of Scotch tape to each side, one on the film and one on the liner, leaving about 1 inch hanging over the corner to grab.

Have one person grab one side and the other person grab the other side. Quickly pull the two tape pieces apart to begin separating the clear liner away from the film.

Just separate it an inch or two, for now, you’ll completely separate the clear liner away from the film in Step 5. Keep the pieces of tape on the corner to help in Step 5.

Step 4. Wet window and film

Lightly spray the Application Solution onto the inside surface of the window and both sides of the film. This helps reduce the chance of the film curling up and avoids any static electricity.

This is another time that it helps to have two people. One can hold the film on the edges while the other one sprays the solution on the film.

Step 5. Remove clear liner

Peel apart the two pieces of tape in the corner to release the liner from the corner. As you begin to slowly pull away from the liner, spray the smooth side of the film with the Application Solution until the clear liner is completely removed and the smooth side is fully saturated. Try to keep the film from touching itself and handle it very carefully to prevent creasing.

Step 6. Apply the film to glass

Hold the film so that the smooth side is facing the window and apply it to the glass. use your hands to smooth the film out and position it so that the excess 1-inch is overlapping the window on all four sides. Press the film onto the glass.

Step 7. Smooth film

Spray the entire surface of the film facing you with the Application Solution. Wrap the low-lint cloth around the squeegee and lightly squeegee the film starting from the center and moving toward the top and bottom to set it into place.

Begin smoothing the film starting from the top of the window. Squeegee from the center to the right side and work toward, but leave about a 2″ perimeter around the edge unsqueegeed. Repeat the process on the left side.

If bubbles appear, carefully push them toward the edge of the film. The hard card squeegee from the tool kit works great for this.

Step 8. Trim film

The Edging Tool that comes in the application kit has a small slit along the edge. Place a utility knife with a new blade into the small slit and line up the knife with the top corner of the edge of the window.

Slowly and firmly, pull the knife and Edging Tool down along the edge of the window to trim the film.

Reposition the knife and tools to get the corners as necessary. Gently pull the trimmed film away from the window.

Repeat the process on all four edges.

Note: The Edging Tool will leave a1/16″ gap between the film and the edge of the window, this gap is essential for the proper thermal expansion of the glass.

Step 9. Squeegee dry

Rewet the film and squeegee from the center to the right side, working from the top down.

Repeat the process for the left side. Press firmly to remove all water so that the film can cure clearly.

If air bubbles are present, squeegee them out with the hard card from the kit. Any remaining small water bubbles will evaporate as the film cures.

Correcting mistakes:

• If you notice imperfections like air bubbles or debris between the film and the glass, you can correct them at this point.
• First, try squeegeeing any air bubbles out with the hard card.
• If the squeegeeing isn’t working, you can simply peel the affected area of the film away from the glass. Use the tip of your utility knife or squeegee to remove any debris or bubbles.
• Re-spray the film and the glass with the Solution and reapply to the glass.

The film will fully “cure” over the next 7 to 10 days. Dry, sunny weather will speed up the curing time. Any remaining small bubbles should disappear during this time.

It took us about 30-40 minutes to apply the frosted window film and after we were done… TA DA!

P.S. Aren’t those cute cotton stems adorable? You can make them for just $2. Check out the full tutorial here.

Cleaning and care for the bathroom window privacy film

For best results, use the Application Solution to clean the film going forward. You can wipe it clean with a rubber squeegee or a low-lint cloth.

If you are using an ammonia-based glass cleaner, don’t allow it to stay on the film for more than 2 minutes.

Removing the frosted window film

If for some reason you need to remove the bathroom window privacy film in the future, it’s really easy! All you do is simply peel it off of the glass starting at one corner.

If the film has been there for many years or it isn’t peeling off the glass easily, you can grab some of the Film Removal Solution to help with the removal.

I love that the bathroom still gets a lot of natural light coming in through the window, but our neighbors can’t see into the bathroom anymore, which is kind of a no-brainer, right?

Amazing how simple (and inexpensive) it was to add privacy to our bathroom window with the frosted bathroom window film!

How to Install Frosted Bathroom Window Film for Privacy

Yield: 1

Active Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

If you're looking for a way to add privacy to your bathroom window, consider installing a frosted window film. You'll love that you can still have natural light in your bathroom, but the privacy that you need.

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Materials

• Privacy frosted film

Tools

• Window film complete installation tool kit
• Utility knife
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Low-lint cloth
• Tape measure
• Scotch tape
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Clean window
2. Measure and cut film
3. Separate clean liner from the film at the corner
4. Wet window and film
5. Remove clear liner
6. Apply film to glass
7. Smooth film
8. Trim film
9. Squeegee dry