Is there such thing as good one way windows/ film? Neighbour's building work is leaving us overlooked

[LookingThroughTheTrees]

They will be able to see straight into one bedroom and the kitchen (they’re uphill from us - on a flat street, it wouldn’t have been a problem).

Has anyone found a solution?

You can buy the film by the roll on Amazon.

You'll also need a spray bottle and a squeegee type thing to apply it- I used the rubbery bit of the ice scraper from the car

Horizontal blinds ?

Our kitchen window faces the street, which is about 18" higher than our house. With blinds down and exactly level, so you can see out, no one can see in (unless they put their head on the pavement).

Temporary solution during building works or will you be permanently overlooked?

I have used this company in the past for window film and been very pleased.

www.purlfrost.com

@BruceAndNosh

Temporary solution during building works or will you be permanently overlooked?

I had forgotten I had written this!

Permanent solution, I think. They've done everything 'by the book', but they had two options - one affecting us, one not... The one they chose was to remove the trees (theirs) between the houses and have put garden doors onto the side overlooking us with a veranda (all legal), but because their garden is higher than ours (built on a hill), we feel very open. Technically, we also see into theirs, but looking up is not like looking down and when they’re outside, they sit with their back to the house facing us.

I want a solution that is not just shutting curtains. Their garden is concrete, ours is leafy - they’re now getting the pleasure that we aren’t.

I looked at the film, but wasn’t sure how much light it blocked. I also wondered what else was out there (some sort of blind? That can be opened fully if no one is there?)

I have zebra (day night) blinds and really happy with them. Our kitchen window faces the street so we can have them up, down but ajar, or down and closed. Total adaptable privacy

Bump

@WhereDoesThisToiletGo

I have zebra (day night) blinds and really happy with them. Our kitchen window faces the street so we can have them up, down but ajar, or down and closed. Total adaptable privacy

Saw this after I updated - I haven’t heard of them before

Hi looking through the trees

I have an almost identical situation with neighbours behind who have massively Over developed their plot and are also now trying to build an extension as well as their home office by my fence with gazebo next to it

They’ve taken our privacy as we are also a metre lower and so unfortunately I’m going to have to plant trees where I never really needed to just to regain my privacy

However, On my front windows during the summer I use a uv filtering film that also stops people being able to see in during the day ( I have an eye condition that needs me to block strong uv light)

It’s highly effective and easy to fit, I purchased it from Amazon and it’s so effective I’ve had people stood the other side of the window who are completely unaware I’m by the window

Over developed plot is exactly the way to describe it.

I have planted a couple of trees, but our garden is so much smaller on that side (had it not been, it might not feel so bad).

I sort of resent having worked on a lovely garden for them to sit and look at, while I have to block by view of it if they are there and I want privacy inside.

In our case they’ve really shot themselves in the foot, from 2.30 onward the sun comes in to our front window hence the film

sadly this means that my trees arriving next week will stand in the way quite legally of any sun in their garden as I’ve made sure it won’t constitute a high hedge

I have a very anxious autistic dd who has become quite worried by her lack of privacy so need to protect her

I have the mirrored film and it doesn’t block any light out.

@Tomnooktoldmeto

In our case they’ve really shot themselves in the foot, from 2.30 onward the sun comes in to our front window hence the film

sadly this means that my trees arriving next week will stand in the way quite legally of any sun in their garden as I’ve made sure it won’t constitute a high hedge

I have a very anxious autistic dd who has become quite worried by her lack of privacy so need to protect her

Which trees have you bought?

I empathise with your daughter

We've just bought shadow blinds, we live on a main road and now that I work from home wanted more light and privacy. They were pricey but I love them.

I have a sweetambar a lilac, 5 photinia, buddleia and a mallow. I already have a dwarf cherry

I got some mirror film on one window as my neighbours put in a patio next to a 4ft fence and so could see straight into my living room while using it. It is a little bit darker and I found it noticeable over winter.

The benefit of mirror film is it reflects back brightly in summer and puts people off looking towards the window. It doesn't work so well if you have another window opposite the one you want to put film on.

I have a couple of windows I want to protect thanks to a ds with streaking tendencies but hate the look of the mirror film from the outside.

@Notthisnotthat

We've just bought shadow blinds, we live on a main road and now that I work from home wanted more light and privacy. They were pricey but I love them.

Do you have a link please? Google is bringing up all kinds of things.

OP if you go for the reflective kind, be aware of the impact on car drivers before choosing it, see where sun might hit etc.

What did you go for in the end OP? Considering this myself at the moment.