The front door in my new house has two rows of glass panels at the top. The bottom row is right at eye level. This allows you to see who is at the door, but also allows anyone at the front door to see directly into the living room and kitchen. Obviously, this isn't ideal.

I'm hoping to find some options for one way glass, or glass treatments/films. But it seems like all the one way glass/film options I'm seeing are daytime only, since they rely on the light level on the outside being brighter than the light level on the inside.

Does an option exist for a new/different style of mirroring where I could see out of the glass panels but nobody could see in, regardless of light levels? (Basically mirrored one way glass that still functions at night.)

If not, how would you suggest addressing this? Just frost all the glass and install a peephole? (I'd like to avoid internet-reliant camera systems like Ring.) Install a small retractable window shade?

I can tell you from experience the one way films you get from home depot are junk. They work to a point but like you said rely on one side being brighter than the other. At night it has the opposite effect. Someone could see in and you cant see out.

I think your going to be extremely limited on a replacement glass option and you will loose the energy efficiency of that window as its most likely a double pain sealed unit.

You might just have to get some privacy film and the peephole.

If you can afford it I would replace the door with a good steel one without windows and just a peephole.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
If you can afford it I would replace the door with a good steel one without windows and just a peephole.

It's already steel, and I'd like to try to preserve the light while also having privacy.

I don't think there is anything out there that will work at night, when it is lighter inside that outside.

I agree that fogged, along with stained or leaded glass, are your best options to keep the light and the privacy.


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quote:

Originally posted by gpbst3:
I can tell you from experience the one way films you get from home depot are junk.

Yeah, I'm not looking to go cheap. I'm willing to pay for the good stuff, even full replacement glass, if it gets me what I'm after.

As ZSMICHAEL said, given the current events in the general United States minimizing windows on a front door might be a prudent direction.
We have a steel door with a center window that I detest because even though it is distorted glass someone on the outside can clearly see you when it is brighter on the inside.
It's on my list-

quote:

Originally posted by Rinehart:
As ZSMICHAEL said, given the current events in the general United States minimizing windows on a front door might be a prudent direction.

Well, there's a 4 foot tall window a few feet to the right, so...

On another topic...is that dead bolt a knob? If so, you may want to change that out to a internal keyed option.

One break of that top little window and I can reach in and unlock your front door.

Frost them

Also, we put up a security door/screen. It's bright white.

Because of the small mesh size you cannot see in during the day (the sun make it too bright on the outside) and with an LED porch light installed, nearly impossible to see in at night.

quote:

One break of that top little window and I can reach in and unlock your front door.

quote:

Well, there's a 4 foot tall window a few feet to the right, so...

Although I understand the desire to have high quality locks which will operate for many years, I've never understood the security aspect as far as the average home is concerned.

With very few exceptions most homes are simply not that secure. If the local meth head wants in he's getting in.

Venetian blind? Curtain?

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:

quote:

One break of that top little window and I can reach in and unlock your front door.

quote:

Well, there's a 4 foot tall window a few feet to the right, so...

Although I understand the desire to have high quality locks which will operate for many years, I've never understood the security aspect as far as the average home is concerned.

With very few exceptions most homes are simply not that secure. If the local meth head wants in he's getting in.

Which makes more noise?

Breaking a 4 ft window...or breaking a 4" x 6"???

And either way...the locking deadbolt (inside) makes sense. Hard to carry a TV (or other large items) out a window.

We hide the key close to front door but hard to find. That way we can unlock in an emergency...but if anyone breaks in, the front door aint opening easily for them to steal larger items.

Magnetic window blind.

We had Solar Guard tint installed on a triple sliding door facing west on the patio, it cut the light and heat big time. You cannot see in during the day but you can see out, at night you can't see things looking in as easily as you could without the tint. In those small windows it would make it impossible to see in during the day and difficult at night.

However since you have a 4 foot tall window right next to it they can look through I'm not sure how big an issue seeing through the door is, regarding security.

http://www.tintcenter.com/film...rgard/sg_dr_truevue/


We used the TrueVue 30, you could go 15, but it's probably too dark...

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

However since you have a 4 foot tall window right next to it they can look through I'm not sure how big an issue seeing through the door is, regarding security.

The large windows around the house have blinds. These small panes of glass in the door are the only things uncovered in the house.

That idea about people being able to see inside the house thru windows is a good observation-

Around our neighborhood (South of Cranberry PA) there are a number of Macmansions in the area. Even my wife has noticed that they NEVER shut the blinds or curtains in any rooms regardless of time of day. (Consider heat transfer in summer from sun). It's like they WANT to advertise what's inside the house...
We have a large double-pane front window (would have to be boarded up when the zombies come) and we generally keep the blinds closed (unless the Aussie hears something and sticks her head around the blind).
It's one thing if your window(s) face a back/side yard or you are in an isolated community.
I know folks who have a house in the middle of acreage. Keeping blinds/curtains open 24 hr there I could understand-
But all of these houses are in very busy pedestrian foot traffic areas with a road 25 feet or so away.
Kind of baffles me.

Just black them out ,( or white them out)

And get a camera and be done with it.

Six inch screws in the door frame instead of the standard 2 in.

And add another hinge

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Well, there's a 4 foot tall window a few feet to the right, so...

Well, you're the one that mentioned that window earlier, LOL

Nonetheless, the SolarGuard 30% tint will do the trick, they won't be able to see in during the day, and it will reduce any night time visibility.

Or, at night, turn off the lights when the door bell or video goes off, strap on night vision and body armor, grab your M16 and belly craw to the window, peer out to assess the situation

Extremely bright porch or outside light that you can turn on from a position out of view of the front door, or on a motion sensor. Then add one way film or replace with one way glass.