obscured window in bedroom ideas?

[frumpypigskin]

We have had planning permission granted for a new extension. This includes blocking up a window in a bedroom and creating a new window on an outside wall.

This will look out onto a bungalow roof and it has been stipulated that the window has to be obscured under the height of 1.7m.

My main question is whether there is a way around this without this bedroom looking like a bathroom, or dungeon? I thought we could perhaps use a feature window like this?

I have no idea whether this is feasible or suitable? or whether there are other options?

Where do I start? Is it worth going back to the council to ask them to reconsider? There is no way we could look into the bungalow from the angle of the bedroom.

Sorry for all the questions!

[wowfudge]

You could have that leaded glass encapsulated as double glazing with obscure glass behind it - meeting your planning condition - and clear glass in front - allowing the leaded design to show. A local glazing firm should be able to do it for you. The decorative glass in our windows (1930s house) has been encapsulated in upvc double glazing. All the benefits of double glazing with period character preserved.

For the obscure glass all window firms seem to use Pilkington products and there's a range of about 9 designs. Something like contora has a small pattern, not so noticeable as some of the other more 'bathroomy' designs.

[MillyMollyMama]

Can you add in a roof light by not having a loft above the new bedroom? This would add a lot of light and does not need planning permission.

Use obscure glass in the new window but you can minimise the look of this by having a blind that pulls up from the bottom.

[frumpypigskin]

Thank you! It is a 1930s house and the bedroom roof slants but the slant starts quite high up so we are hoping to have a window in the wall and a velux type window in the roof.

I think I would feel claustrophobic in a room without a main window at normal window height but really don't like the idea of a bedroom window looking like a bathroom window (if you see what I mean).

I will check out Pilkington.

Thanks

[ajandjjmum]

Could you apply a manifestation to make the glazing obscure - and perhaps use a design that will mean something or appeal to the person using the room?

[frumpypigskin]

ajandjjmum - do you mean putting film or something on the window? Do you know if this would get through regs?

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

If you add swanky shutters you won't notice that the glass behind is frosted so much ?!

I think it needs to be a permanent frosted glass not a stick on film ( which could be removed easily )

[frumpypigskin]

OnePlanOnHouzz - do you think frosted glass in a bedroom would be weird? I just can't think of a 'nice' or appealing way around this without it looking terrible which is why I thought of using an old stained glass window. Something that could look quite pretty and become a feature?

[ajandjjmum]

Yes - I meant film. Not sure on the Building Regs situation, but I think it would be approved, and to me, the beauty would be that you could change the design fairly easily when you got bored! I'm sure that if you used an interesting film - or combination of several - maybe with 5mm clear breaks within the design, you'd still get the feeling of movement and colour from outside, whilst complying (I think) with the planning requirements.

You could go for an abstract design, or think of something like a large tree, using different types of film to achieve the image, and maybe just the odd leaf missing, which would give you a hint of outdoor colour.

I think you need to try and make it a feature, rather than just something you have to do!

[HaveToWearHeels]

I have an obscured glass window in a bedroom in one of my BTL's. It is basically two panels, with the top one being an opening and clear and the bottom obscure, it looks fine. As you say in your original post the window only needs to be obscure up to 1.7m from the floor.

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

Best to chat with your local building regs people - as you could argue that some frosted glass is still quite see through ?! Personally I think stained glass would be lovely ! But unfortunately I don't make the rules ! Good luck with it !

[frumpypigskin]

Thank you!

[NorbertDentressangle]

This is one of many companies that do lovely window films.

We've got a simple star one on the lower half of one of our windows as the view isn't particularly nice. You still get all the light through and it looks lovely.