Glass Etched Front Door Side Window
We’ve been working hard this fall to get our house ready for the winter. When we moved into our home almost exactly one year ago, the outside was a sweet pea green…really, really ugly kind. The front garden, while well intentioned, was overgrown and something the jungle book could have been based out of, and the house itself was very outdated on the inside. This summer and fall we focused a lot on the outside and getting it repainted and one of the things I really wanted to do was to do something about the front door side windows. They looked straight into and through our house and provided us little to no privacy. So today I want to share with you how to solve that privacy issue just in time for those longer, darker days of winter and how to create a Glass Etched Front Door Side Window to enhance privacy and add a decorative element to your door!
For this project you will need:
Glass Etching Brush
Plastic Gloves
Stencil of choice, cut to size(s)
Stencil Adhesive
Paper Towels
How to:
Start by using paper towel and glass cleaner to clean off your glass surface. Viva Brand offers two types of every day towels that work like cloth to stand up to any cleaning job and for this project, you want your glass to be very clean.
After your window is clean, cut your stencil to the size of your window. I ended up using two stencils and cutting each to the size I needed so it was one continuous pattern.
Using stencil adhesive, I stuck my stencil to the window, then started to apply a thick layer of glass etching cream directly onto the glass with a brush. You will want to dab it on in thick globs, then even it over on top.
Once it’s even over top of the glass, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then using an old credit card or straight edge. Wipe off the etching cream and put it back in the bottle (yes, you can reuse it!).
After it’s been etched, immediately use a Viva Brand or Viva Vantage paper towel and some glass cleaner to clean off the remaining etching cream (if you leave any cream on, it will ruin your design).
Repeat this step for the whole window and then enjoy the new decorative aspect you’ve added to your house just in time for holiday guests to arrive and admire your craftiness!
Stay tuned for other updates on my house and see what we’re up to this winter for finally starting work on the inside!!
We did the same thing on our windows which were facing our neighbors . It is great.
Will the stencils adhesive come off when to clean or wash on windows?
Oh yes! Wipes right off. It is a very light adhesive to hold the stencil in place.
Gee, cutting all those stencils perfectly is a real JOB. Instead, just go on the Internet and type in “window film.” You can find all manner of gorgeous patterns. We have made our home into a Scottish Country Home…and in the living room, dining room and kitchen (all one big room) we covered the windows with a stained glass pattern – which is gorgeous and looks like real stained glass…and for all of it, it was less than $90. It took just a few hours to install and made our home lovely from inside out out. All we saw from these windows was our parking pad with cars and further out, the garbage can …so, we didn’t lose any view.
Hi Beth–I bought the stencils, didn’t hand cut 🙂 I cut one down to smaller size, which took about 5 minutes. Overall the project took about 1-2 hours and would cost under $35. Lots of options though. Your idea sounds nice, as well.
where did you find stencil
I tried the window film (the expensive kind) and it peeled off overnight – twice. Maybe because it was on a south facing window? I don’t know. Anyway I discovered the spray can of window frost, taped off the surrounding areas and loved the look I got. It took three light coats to get the level of translucency I wanted. I could not have been easier.
Looks great! Do you leave the stencil on or take it off before you clean the etching cream off the window?
You’d remove the stencil first, then clean off the etching cream quickly 🙂
Brilliant! So doing this.Hugs,,,,,,Kitty
I love this project. It’s perfect for my sidelights. Please tell me what stencil pattern this is or where I can find it – Thanks!
Hi Joanne,
There’s a link in the post to my stencil 🙂 Thanks for your kind words!
How do you get it off if you want change?
You don’t…sorry, this is a permanent treatment
I have looked all over this article and can’t find the link for the stencil. can you help me find it. I love it.
I cant find the link either. Sorry!
It’s hyperlinked in the supply list.