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Thursday, February 2, 2012

How to frost a window using contact paper

If you haven't discovered this product yet, there is transparent contact paper that is "sort of" transparent.  It isn't clear at all.  It's frosted.  I've used it for many, many years to frost windows.  The same roll has lasted for 14 years.  Frost windows over windows (you want to let the light in but don't want the neighbors to see in from your second story windows).  That was the case in my old house.  There was no need for an expensive custom shaped treatment.

Frost windows in doors (you want the light but need the privacy).  This is this case in my current house.  I have a door in my laundry room with a window in it.  We often change in there and don't want the neighbors to see, but want all the light we can get that a blind or window treatment would obscure.  The glass has etched in divided lights, and the contact paper still went on just fine.



You can also frost sidelights beside doors.  I see those alot at front doors, and those bunch sheers just look dated.  Again, you will get all the light with privacy and no need for odd small window treatments.

TIPS: 
- I spray a little diluted windex before I start to apply it to make the bubbles easier to smooth out. 
- I start with the top only, then slowly pull the paper off with one hand as I use my other hand to smooth out bubbles
- if the roll isn't wide enough, butt the factory edges together to get the best seam between pieces (you can sort of see the seam in my picture above on the far right (running through the second w in window)
- cut the contact paper to size before you apply it, but leave a little room for shifting (using a box cutter or exacto blade to cut any excess once the paper is down).

Here is what the product looks like (mine is Contact brand, but I saw a different brand at the dollar store the other day...can't guarantee it will give the same results)

Image 1

Here's a link:

Transparent Contact Paper

This doesn't seem to work as well at frosting cabinet glass.  Because the contents of the cabinets are so close to the glass you can still see everything inside.  Works great on windows since nothing is right up against it.

Hope that helps!

18 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Can this be applied to exterior windows such as a garage?

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    2. Yes you put it on the inside of the window in the garage not outside

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  2. This is great! I have bamboo blinds in all my windows, but at night with the lights on, you can straight in the house. I don't want curtains or liners. This should work perfectly.

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  3. Does this remove easily? We are in a rental

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  4. Do you know the width of the roll?

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    Replies
    1. I don't but there is one seam. You can sort of see it in the picture next to the o in to.

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  5. I was afraid the hot sun would melt it onto the window! Thats the only reason Im not trying it! Love this idea!

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  6. Do you know where I can purchase the contact paper you have. 8 need to do that for a door that it's on my dining room. dvaone11@gmail.com

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  8. Thanks for the tips! I need to do this on my bathroom window!

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  9. HI Dixie - I'd like to try this for some clear windows on my garage for security. If you put your face right up to the window can you still see easily through and make out items like bikes or tools etc? thanks for the advice.

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    Replies
    1. I would say no I can’t see in my laundry room from outside but it’s dark if the light was on probably. Hope that helps

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