Are wondering how to make windows private at night so as to achieve maximum privacy in your house?
After a long busy day, we all wonder how can we make windows not see through so that we feel comfortable and safe as we relax in the evening at our homes.
Nothing scares me more than feeling like someone can see you through the window at night. That is why ensuring your windows are well covered is very important.
Personally, I have tried different nighttime privacy window treatments like window film, blackout curtains, and blinds among others. Some of these treatments work well during the day while others work both in the daytime and nighttime.
You too can increase this privacy at night by trying some of the methods I recommend in this article.
How To Make Windows Private At Night With Nighttime Privacy Window Treatments
You can make your windows private at night time and give yourself some more privacy by employing the use of things like:
1. Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains provide a high level of privacy because they block out light hence people from outside cannot see the inside.
They are also referred to as privacy curtains.
In addition to blocking out light, some privacy curtains block noise and sound that may pass through the windows.
The downside of these curtains is that they block light and make the room pitch dark, which does not work for some people.
The NICETOWN Room Darkening Curtains are the best rated. They come in different sizes and colors and guarantee 100% blackout and thermal insulation of a room.
While it might surprise some, there are a few different types of blackout curtains, and we’re going to look at the top three.
1. Black Yarn Is Woven Into The Curtain Fabric
Even though some manufacturers make blackout curtains specifically to block out light, those types of curtains can be expensive for people on a budget.
However, if you are on a budget or don’t want to block out light entirely from your bedroom or living room window, you could purchase a set of curtains with black yarn woven into the fabric.
In other words, you will be purchasing a set of black curtains and not blackout curtains!
Black curtains block out a significant amount of light from your windows while also helping you maintain your privacy at night.
Black curtains also help provide safety, mainly if you live alone in a high-traffic neighborhood or on the ground floor of an apartment building.
We’d recommend purchasing a set of solid black curtains without patterns and a thick weave; this is so that you can achieve maximum privacy at night.
If you find that you still lack the privacy you crave, it would be best to layer a set of black curtains.
This means you could use the first set of black curtains as a lining and add another set of curtains on top of it, resulting in more privacy at night.
2. Two-Pass Or Three-Pass
These types of blackout curtains are some of the most popular in the market because they are designed for privacy and to block out light.
A company called Rockland Industries invented the manufacturing process of applying blackout to curtains and other drapery materials!
Their process involves coating a layer of curtain fabric with foam, which is also called passes. There are different types of passes.
There is a two-pass blackout, meaning the curtain fabric becomes coated with two layers of foam.
The process is as follows. First, the manufacturers add a layer of black foam to the curtain material. Then, they add a second layer of foam on top of the black; this second layer is white.
There is also a three-pass blackout, and the manufacturing process is similar to the two-pass process. When it comes to the three-pass, the first layer is white foam.
It is followed by a second layer of black foam and then a third layer of white foam. The three-pass blackout curtain is the most popular type because many use it as a blackout lining and decorative curtain.
3. Rod Pockets
Curtains with rod pockets are another of the most common types of blackout curtains. Simply put, rod pockets are a pocket that is cleverly sewn into the tops of some curtains that conceal curtain rods.
Blackout curtains with rod pockets can help make your windows more private at night because these curtains fall in such a way that they don’t allow people to look inside your home.
These curtains are also often made with a fabric heavier than the average curtain, meaning they don’t move when there’s a gust of wind, helping you maintain maximum privacy.
Blackout curtains with rod pockets are also relatively easy to hang, especially if you live alone and don’t have someone to help you!
All you need to do is thread the curtain rod through the rod pocket and then hang the rod back up the way you usually would.
You don’t need any special tools, though you may need to stand on a ladder or stool to reach the curtain rod!
2. Shades And Blinds
Shades are very effective in that you can pull them down when privacy is needed and fold them up for lighting. So they come in handy at night.
They are available in a range of styles, fabrics, and colors; hence, they give you the flexibility to choose what works best for you.
Their main disadvantage is that they tend to wear and tear over extensive use.
Blinds are common in many home and office settings. Some people prefer blinds to curtains due to their effectiveness in providing privacy. Also, they are affordable and come in almost all colors.
You can have them installed either on the inside or outside of your window frame.
Blinds work by adjusting the slants to control the amount of light that gets into the house.
During the day the slants can be opened to allow light but for total privacy at night, the slants can be closed.
There’s a minor difference between the two. Shades consist of a single roll of fabric, while blinds consist of wooden slats held together firmly.
Both options offer maximum privacy, and you can choose from different shades and blinds, depending on your budget and preferences.
1. Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds are arguably one of the most popular types of blinds that people buy, thanks to the privacy it offers them and their aesthetic appeal.
These blinds are generally made from either metal or wood, and in some cases, they are made from plastic. The slats are suspended horizontally from what industry experts call ladder cords.
You can adjust the slats on these blinds to an angle of your choosing.
This means that if you want privacy during the day, you must simply tug on the adjusting cord to manipulate the slats so that they tilt at different angles.
Most Venetian blinds can tilt up to 180 degrees! One of the most impressive features of these blinds in recent years is they can be adjusted by pulling a cord.
Manufacturers have started to design them so that you can manipulate the blinds to suit your preferences, and the cordless designs make life easier for people with toddlers or pets.
If you have a disability or chronic illness, you could also invest in motorized Venetian blinds. You can connect them to Siri or Alexa and use your voice to control them!
In addition to helping you maintain privacy in your living room and bedrooms, you can also install Venetian blinds in your bathroom for even more privacy at night.
2. Vertical Blinds
While Venetian blinds are horizontal, vertical blinds are the opposite. These blinds consist of long pieces of fabric attached to a sliding track at the top of the window it is connected to.
You can manipulate these blinds with a long cord.
An interesting feature of these blinds is that weights connect them. The weights help ensure that each piece of fabric is evenly distributed along the track, whether open to let light in or closed to maintain privacy at night.
At first glance, you might think that vertical blinds won’t offer you privacy at night.
However, we’re here to tell you that you are mistaken! The chain connecting the strips of fabric at the bottom allows you to control the amount of privacy the blinds give.
All you need to do is tug on the cord, and you can let as much or as little light in as you want.
3. Roller Shades
Roller shades are exactly what they sound like! They are rolls of fabric that are suspended at the top of the window, and you can roll them down whenever necessary.
Unlike blinds, roller shades do not usually have a cord that needs to be pulled to open or close the shades.
One of the best things about roller shades is that they go well with any type of room! You can choose them based on colors, patterns, and textures to match the room that they are in.
Another great feature of roller shades is that you can customize them. This means that you can buy roller shades with blackout lining, allowing you to maintain privacy at night.
They are easy to use, thanks to their high functionality and accessibility.
If you find that roller shades aren’t enough to make your windows private at night, you can layer them under a set of curtains, and use both or alternate between the two during the day and at night.
4. Roman Shades
While roller shades simply roll back up into a log shape at the top of your window, Roman shades add a little more aesthetic appeal to your rooms.
These types of shades, when drawn open, fold into gentle layers that add another level of beauty to a room.
The inventors of Roman shades were inspired by the Romans and their architecture, and they strived to create a product that was both functional and beautiful.
Just like roller shades, you can use Roman shades with a set of curtains to block out light and make your windows more private at night.
If you live on a busy street and want to filter out the sound of traffic, we’d recommend investing in a set of Roman shades with blackout lining.
Blackout lining often contains insulation that helps trap heat and filter out excessive noise simultaneously.
Roman shares come in a variety of styles, so if you want to kill two birds with one stone by making your home both beautiful and private, you can!
3. Privacy Window Films
Some years ago, the only solution to window privacy was the use of curtains, shades, and blinds. But these methods are quickly becoming unpopular.
There are other options to keep your windows private such as using different types of window treatments like frosted window films.
Privacy window films are available in a variety of features and designs.
The type of window film to use depends on the level of privacy one wants to achieve. Hence, it is important to consider the different features so as to choose one that will give one the desired privacy.
Let’s now discuss the types of window films in detail and give you a few examples to choose from.
1. Frosted Privacy Window Film
If you are looking for something that can block the view while allowing light into the house, go for the frosted privacy window films.
This type of privacy film does not block out light completely as curtains would.
But the most important thing is that it does not let people on the outside see inside your house.
Frosted window films for nighttime privacy are available in different styles and colors allowing you to choose the best for different rooms. They are also available in whiteout and blackout frosted film as well as traditional frosted films.
Frosted window films can also be used for bathroom privacy. If you do not want to use tampered glass or incur the cost of blinds and curtains, frosted window film is the go-to solution.
Wondering which frosted window film to choose? Try the Coavas Frosted Window film which is quite popular for use both at home and office. It blocks about 96% of harmful UV rays but allows light to pass through. Also, it is easy to install and remove without leaving any residue behind.
In addition, Coavas frosted window film is easy to clean by simple wiping and it is not affected by condensation and moisture.
2. Blackout Or Opaque Window Films
Blackout window films are designed to block out 100% of light as well as make the windows opaque so that no one can see through.
The windows appear completely dark from outside no matter the time of day. Thus, you can rest assured of maximum window privacy at night.
A major drawback of black-out window films is that they make the room pitch dark even during the day. They are however great for afternoon naps and blocking morning light especially for people with young kids.
This Window Whirl Store 100% blackout film is quite popular as it darkens the room and it is very easy to install. Furthermore, it does not leave any adhesive residue on the window when removed.
3. Sun Control Window Films
Another wonderful option for making your windows more private at night is a solar control window film. While they help keep the harsh rays of the sun out of your house at night, sun control window films also help prevent people from looking in.
Sun control film is perfect for those of you that live in a crowded area, on the ground floor of a house or apartment, or if you simply want to restrict the amount of light entering your home! They also restrict the amount of heat coming in, making it perfect for the summer months.
However, it is important to acknowledge that even though sun control film offers you a ton of privacy, it can also cause the outside of your home to have a reflective appearance to it. This means that your house could end up looking quite shiny.
It would be best to use a curtain and sun control film for maximum privacy at night.
See also: What to put on windows to keep the heat out
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. The privacy of a reflective window film is determined by lighting. If the inside is brighter than the outside (night time when the lights inside are on) you will be able to see through the window from the outside.
2. How to make windows private without curtains?
For 24-hour privacy without the use of curtains, you can use translucent one-way frosted glass film which allows light in but blocks the detailed view through the window.
You can as well use opaque window films that block light and visibility.
3. Is there a one-way window film that works at night?
Yes, the translucent one-way frosted glass film allows light to pass through but you cannot see through it at night.
4. How do I make my windows private without losing the light?
You can use sheer or cotton curtains or roller shades during the day. These screens offer you privacy but still allow light to come into your home. If you want to maintain privacy at night, you can use sheer curtains during the day and blackout curtains or blinds at night.
Conclusion
This article on how to make windows private at night has provided some good ways you can achieve privacy in your home.
Other than curtains, blinds, and shades, you can use window films like frosted films to keep your house protected from the outside eyes.
However, most window films that are meant to offer total privacy tend to block light. So if the lighting is important to you, get privacy window films that allow light in while giving you the privacy you need.
