Clear glass in bathroom window?

[shiny76]

My builder has installed clear glass in the bathroom window he has fitted. He claims he thought thats "what i'd want". I suspect he's screwed up ordering them and is trying to convince me to keep them. Another builder has suggested it's against building regs.

Now setting aside the fact I feel he should replace them with obscured/frosted glass as I believe he's made a mistake on the order. Is clear glass in bathrooms against building regs? - the bathroom window faces out on to the street, which is a pretty busy road, hence the desire for privacy/discretion.

 

[noseall]

Your so-called builder is bonkers.

It is nowt to do with reg's but more to do with privacy and decency.

There are differing levels of obscurity as the patterns on offer provide a greater or lesser degree of obscurity. There are glass brochures to choose from.

We either install or suggest the customer installs something similar to any existing obscure glazing or go for a a high obscure glass for a bathroom.

 

[noseall]

There are instances (reg's) where a window overlooking a neighbour must be obscure glass or it should be situated high enough to no be seen out of.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Unless its stipulated in the approved planning drawings or by Permitted Development Rules there are no Regulations for this. Did the builder order from a drawing or what? If you didn't specifically ask that the builder install obscure glass then why should he pay for it to be changed? OK he probably should have checked but if it wasn't on the drawing then he won't need to change it. Of course he may be happy to do it as a goodwill gesture, or if you really can't stand to bear the cost of a new glazed unit (which won't be much anyway) film can look ok.

 

[Nige F]

My builder has installed clear glass in the bathroom window he has fitted. He claims he thought thats "what i'd want". .

Tell him thought thought he had a car - but he only had the horn . This is either a wind up or you`ve got an unbelievable "builder" - A much more believable and near true excuse would be lack of delivery / incorrect manufacture of part by the glaziers

 

[joinerjohn]

You could always buy some of that Fablon type stuff that makes clear glass obscure and fit that in the inside glass. Probably cost no more than a couple of quid.
As for the builder, don't make him any tea for a week!!

That'll teach him.

 

[seasickstevie]

Presumably he took the old window out.

What glass was in that?

If it was obscured, then he can't claim 'that's what you wanted'.

 

[shiny76]

Thanks for the advice guys! Good to know.

Pretty sure he just screwed up on the ordering. I've got clear glass for a bathroom (part of extension - so not replacement) and obscured glass for a bedroom (that used to be a bathroom)!

Now if I can ever actually get to speak to him again...
...
...

 

[nick60]

I specified clear glass in my bathroom windows even though they are at the front of the house. Two reasons for this ....

1. I hate not being able to see outside, especially in winter when the windows are always closed

2. I hate the look of some of that swirly obscure glass

It was always my intention to fit some semi-obscure film in the bottom half of each window which is what I did. Works well - provides perfectly adequate privacy whilst allowing me to see the sky and treetops! Get it on ebay, not expensive and still intact and looking good two years after installation

 

[noseall]

1. I hate not being able to see outside, especially in winter when the windows are always closed

Look out of a different window. Surely the need to look outside can wait 'till after washing, like via the bedroom for instance.

2. I hate the look of some of that swirly obscure glass

You can buy sandblasted glass and it looks classy, i.e. no swirly patterns.

It is true to say that windows are there to be looked out of or into. But their other function is to admit light and air.

 

[nick60]

1. I hate not being able to see outside, especially in winter when the windows are always closed

Look out of a different window. Surely the need to look outside can wait 'till after washing, like via the bedroom for instance.

True, but in my house the upstairs front windows have the best views. There are 4 of them, two are bathrooms, one is inaccessible as it's over a stairwell and one is in a spare bedroom. Without my 'half obscure' bathroom window I'd probably never see the view

2. I hate the look of some of that swirly obscure glass

You can buy sandblasted glass and it looks classy, i.e. no swirly patterns.

Agreed. If I was buying an obscure glazed window that's what I'd choose. I chose window film that gives the sand-blasted look

It is true to say that windows are there to be looked out of or into. But their other function is to admit light and air.

Agreed also, and I reckon my solution is good on the light admittance as well.

Noseall - you were kind enough to reply to me yesterday on the building thread about my drains

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1726487#1726487

I've posted another picture and a new query - would appreciate your advice, thanks!