Many people frost their windows to make their home more stylish and add to the decor. Others use frosted windows to add privacy to their home. Frosted windows are especially common in bathrooms.
Spraying “frosting” onto the windows makes them more opaque. This so-called frosting doesn’t let people from outside peek through your windows. At the same time, it still allows for natural light from the outside.
There are other advantages to frosting your windows besides privacy. For example, frosted windows don’t rust or corrode. They are easier to clean. “Frosting” also conserves energy, which allows you to cut your monthly energy bill.
The process of frosting glass is not difficult and you can definitely do it yourself. However, you must be very detail-oriented to get the application just right.
Here is a guide on how to frost glass in a few easy ways:
Using Window Film
Window film is perfect for beginners. If you don’t get it right the first time, you can easily remove the frosting and start over. Window film is non-adhesive; it works via static cling.
First, you need to clean your window. You can use baby shampoo, as it doesn’t leave any residue on the glass. To do that, fill a spray bottle with water and add 3 tablespoons of baby shampoo. Mix it, and your cleaning liquid is ready! Spray the liquid onto the window and use a squeegee to dry the windows after.
Pick the coolest part of the day to instal the window film. Spritz the glass a little bit before applying the film. After, use a squeegee again to remove all air bubbles.
Using Acrylic Glaze
Get a foam brush and dip one side of it in the acrylic glaze. Then, coat the window pane with acrylic glaze. Make sure to apply it in straight lines! Anything other than that will end up looking messy once the window dries. Let the first coat dry and proceed to apply the second coat.
Use a sponge soaked in water to wipe off the glaze. If that doesn’t work, use a squeegee to scrub it off.
Using Etching Cream
Be careful with this one, as etching cream gives a permanent frosting effect. You won’t be able to wipe it off.
You can find etching cream in hobby or craft stores. It is safe to follow the instructions on the package. Here are some tips:
Protect the window frame with painter’s tape. Use a bristled brush to apply the etching cream onto the glass. Then, let it sit for the amount of time specified in the instructions.
Once that’s done, rinse the cream with warm water. And there you have it, an etched glass window!
Using Contact Paper
All you need is clear contact paper, a utility knife, and a nylon pan scraper.
Cut off a piece of contact paper that is about half an inch wider than your window. That will give you enough wiggle room for a perfect fit.
Spray the glass panel with Windex. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the window. You can then place the contact paper on the glass and slide it into place. Once the Windex dries, you’ll have a panel of frosted glass!
Carefully remove the back paper from the sheet. Try not to crease the paper, as the creases will stay on the frosted glass.
Stick the contact sheet to the panel that you sprayed with Windex. If it’s slippery, that’s a good sign! Slide the sheet to the desired position.
Then, take a credit card or a scraper to push all the bubbles and Windex out to the edges of the window. Don’t use a metal scraper, as that will make holes in the paper. Once the bubbles are out, cut the excess paper off.
Using Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is perfect for DIY frosted glass. It’s a good beginners’ project, and it’s also the easiest to remove. All you need is 1/3 cup of Epsom salt and 1/2 cup of warm water. Mix the two and stir until the salt dissolves. Add 2 drops of dish soap and mix again.
Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and wipe the glass with it. If the surface you’re working with is vertical, there will likely be little drips of the solution at the bottom. Blot those with a lint-free cloth.
Soon, the water will evaporate and leave crystals of Epsom salt.
If you want to remove the frost in the future, simply wipe it with a dry cloth and wash it with water and vinegar. A glass cleaning spray will work just as well.
How to Frost Glass Using Your Own Design
Get a big sheet of paper and cover the area you’d like to frost with it. Attach the paper with removable tape. Then, sketch the design you’d like to install with a pencil or use your computer. Keep in mind that a very detailed design will be much more difficult to implement.
Remove the paper from the window and cut out your desired design with a razor knife. Make sure the outline stays intact, so you can put it back on the window. Also, make sure the image is inverted.
Before you put the design back, clean the glass with ammonia cleaner and a lint-free cloth to prevent smudges. Finally, use tape to attach the stencil to the window. Use enough tape to ensure the paper doesn’t slip, as that could completely ruin your work.
Spray the surface under the stencil with frosting spray. Remember, the closer you are, the thicker and darker the design will be. If you’re working with different colors, spray one at a time and let it dry before you move on to the next color.
Give the design some time to dry and proceed to remove the stencil.
Ending thoughts on how to frost glass
If you need some more privacy in your home, but don’t want to sacrifice natural sunlight, the solution is obvious: just frost your windows! Frosted glass is not only a solution for privacy though. You can have a frosted glass door or window in your home as part of the decor.
Before you get to frosting, you have a few methods to choose from. Research all of them and pick the one you prefer. Keep in mind that some methods are irreversible! For example, if you choose to use etching cream, you won’t get your clear glass back, so be extra careful.
If you’re looking for a simpler method that you can easily reverse, consider using Epsom salt. Chances are, you already have all the materials at home!
If you enjoyed reading this article about how to frost glass, you should read these as well: