Can I "split" tall street-facing windows for privacy? Is this a thing?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

My main living area is the 2nd floor, which has multiple large/tall casement windows in each room. With the curtains open, from the street, you can see directly through the entire main living space through to the large windows that look out over the backyard. My current setup takes care of the privacy issue, but I also cannot see out of any of the windows.

I am currently trying to set up a yoga/workout space in one of the spare rooms (above the garage). However, I MUST have a view to the outdoors while practicing, but somehow be shielded from passerby while upside down in compromising yoga positions, so that's something I've been taking into consideration as well.

I came across this window blinds photo today, and it kinda hit me all at once - this may be a perfect solution for my needs (letting in natural light and giving some view to the outdoors, whilst maintaining privacy from the street).

Can I do this with my windows (design-wise)? Or would this look dumb from the outside (or inside)? I can certainly fabricate inset frames at the tops of my existing windows, and then use window treatments for the space below for privacy.

I can't tell if this was a stroke of brilliance on my part, or if there's some obvious glaring issue I'm missing.

Thoughts (or alternate suggestions)? I've considered window film as well, but thought this might be a more elegant solution (and allow me to practice in the evenings when light is low, too).

EDIT: Googling has finally led me to discover window muntins, which are easily DIY-able! So I answered part of my question - yes, this is a thing. I'm still not sure if it would look terrible or okay, though.

My home:

Quick Paint job to visualize:

Inspiration photo:

Another inspiration photo showing a similar "split" at the top of the window (although this one doesn't have window treatments on the bottom portion):

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Comments (6)

kayozzy
3 years ago
Just get some top down blinds so you don't have to spend a fortune on exterior repairs and new windows.
J
Original Author
3 years ago
I considered those, but always think top down blinds look accidental, as rarely do people position them perfectly evenly across each window. And it seems that outfitting 10 large casement windows with top-down blinds would be far more expensive than adding muntins/mullions/grill separator at the top, and repurposing my existing window treatments to fit. I could be wrong, though!

What exterior repairs would be needed, or why would I need new windows? What steps am I missing?
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kayozzy
3 years ago
Your example photos show separate windows with one above the other, so I thought that's what you were trying to do. Your other idea sounds good.
SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
The Europeans do stuff like this all the time. They live cheek to jowl with each other for thousands of years. They have figured out how to keep things private while enjoying natural light and a view (when standing).

Top down (aka bottom up) blinds are perfect. Or you can do that silly frilly thing that Germans/Austrians/Swiss like to do. They hang a curtain rod in the MIDDLE of the window (half way up/down) and then put some frilly/lacy/tacky material across it (usually white and can be tatting...which is SUPER expensive).

It is the SAME IDEA but (IMHO) much uglier. The way to get things 'up' to the right level = pencil mark on the frame = premeasured for your convenience.

Or you can try to repurpose old stuff. But in a yoga studio...do you want new, fresh, clean and simple without distractions or do you want to bring in the 'old karma' of the repurposed stuff???

A well intended 'repurpose' can look very upsetting if done poorly. Besides...this gives you the perfect opportunity to refresh/update your home without spending $30K on new windows and new siding and new insulation for a retrofit with SHORTER windows.
J thanked SJ McCarthy
shadylady2u
3 years ago
Your first inspiration pic shows transom windows above the regular windows. The second pic is most likely a grill that's in the window, not added to the outside.

The "silly, frilly things" are cafe curtains, which are used here, too. They're not a german/austrian thing and they don't have to be frilly. They can be tailored or pleated or hung on rings and they're not super expensive. First I've ever heard of cafe's referred to like this.?? Anyway, it's another option to think about.
J
Original Author
3 years ago
Haha, I have the half-window curtain rod with cafe curtain in my bathroom for this same purpose, but only because no one will see it from the outside. I don't care for the look at all, but it does get the job done.

Can I "split" tall street-facing windows for privacy? Is this a thing?

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kayozzy

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Can I "split" tall street-facing windows for privacy? Is this a thing?

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kayozzy

JOriginal Author

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kayozzy

SJ McCarthy

shadylady2u

JOriginal Author

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