BiggerPockets

There were several recent threads created discussing normal bathroom shower issues with tile and windows in them, in one I had briefly discussed some work I recently did in a remodel and figured I would start my own thread with a picture and discussion with what I did and maybe give others an idea or two to use on their own project.
The shower had several issues, including loose tile and rotted awning window. While I completely HATE windows in showers, sometimes they are a necessity and this bathroom was no different, without the window, you couldnt see your hand in front of your face on a bright sunny day and nothing beats natural light.
Windows should be used for lighting only though, ventilation should always be done via exhaust fan, opening a shower window just creates more moisture/steam etc and creates additional problems. Glass block is one option to fix this issue and while I dont mind it in basement windows, not a huge fan of the look in showers. With that I ended up designing and building my own custom window.

First I had a friend who owns a glass company build thermopane frosted glass to my dimensions, I then routed and built a complete frame out of PVC trim, if you notice, I made the inside ledge very slim so less water lays on it and people have no room to be storing bottles and other junk on it.

The entire shower was gutted and then covered in schluter kerdi membrane, this is the first I ever used this product http://www.kerdi-line.com/ and while it is expensive, its abilities are amazing, no tile backer needed, just regular drywall, then thinset the membrane directly to it. It is also adhered directly via a special caulk/glue to the window frame so even if water got behind the tiles, its all still water tight. If you look over their site, the possibilities are only limited to your own imagination and abilities.
I took the picture at night because the window is so bright and lets in so much light the pictures werent turning out, lol.

Sort of off subject but worth a mention, in this same bath we had hot water baseboard heat and decided to take it a step farther so we put a new cast iron tub back in, but before installation we added a heating element on the exterior wall behind the tub which turns what would be cold tub in the winter to a toasty heater, works great.

Nice work.

Is the glass tempered? In my area it is a requirement in a shower as it is easy to slip in a tub. Also, with a non-opening window like that, I'm required to have a bath fan. I agree about windows in showers, they're the worst. I mentioned in the other thread how I put in a glass block window, but that's usually in a cheap house (10-50K). What is on the inside of the window frame (between the glass and the tile)?

Is this in a flip or a high end rental? What was the total cost?

I like both your pics. However, also "concerned" about David's cost and curious.

I have mostly low end rentals and so far either used glass block, or, when I was lazy and it wasn't a major job, left the window and put up a shower curtain on the wall side of the tub. Not really an option for a tenant who has a decent paycheck, though.
But glass block versus a vinyl window, I was always wondering why glass block? One could gt a vinyl window, one pane (I think they call it picture window or something like that) with privacy glass. With both, window and glass block the inside has to be trimmed out somehow, which would likely happen with some PVC. So there isn't much of a difference in terms of water sitting anywhere, but the glass block is way more work to put in, I think.

Side note: Glenn, don't you need a GFCI outlet near the sink?

Originally posted by Uwe K.:
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Side note: Glenn, don't you need a GFCI outlet near the sink?

Since Glenn already admitted this was changed, my point is only informational. It is possible that normal looking duplex receptacles are fed from the "slave" terminals of a remote GFCI. It is also possible to use a GFCI breaker (although those are expensive) when a normal looking duplex receptacle is desired.

I recently closed on a duplex (2BR, 1BA, 1152 sq. ft. each) that needs some work done in each of the bathrooms. Similar to what David has, the bathrooms have windows in the shower/tub surround. Has anyone found a good solution to this? I am considering having glass block windows installed (after removing the rotted double hung windows) and finishing the tub surround with Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) panels over green sheetrock.

Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated!!