Looking to block peeping toms from eyeing your bathroom window? Maybe you’re trying to cut sunlight from a particular room or perhaps you like the idea of painting your windows.
Whatever the reason, blacking out your windows with paint is an entirely viable option—maybe better than blackout curtains, which have their own problems.
With that said, blacking out your windows leaves a lot of room for area. Painting your windows can be a messy undertaking, one that leaves plenty of room for error.
When done correctly, it can serve as an excellent way of blocking out sunlight. Here at Homebli, we’ll teach you how to blackout a window with paint the right way.
How to Blackout a Window with Paint
Part 1: Preparing Your Windows
For the best paint job, you need to prepare the windows beforehand. This includes cleaning them and preparing the edges of the window. You don’t want paint on the wooden areas, right?
1. Spray the windows with Windex or your preferred window cleaner, then wipe it down with a microfiber cloth.
Tip: Don’t use paper towels because they leave behind tiny white paper particles. This will also scrub away any dirt or grime that could prevent the paint from sticking to the windows and give it a nice, even surface.
2. Once the windows are clean, use painter’s tape to line the wooden outline. This will prevent the paint from painting the wooden areas. It’s easy to remove and there’s no such thing as too much painter’s tape.
Tip: When applying painter’s tape (View on Amazon), use a thin object to help guide the tape when lining it up, like a ruler.
Part 2: What Kind Of Paint Should You Use?
The last mistake you want to make is using any kind of paint. Generally speaking, most paint is okay, but some types are better than others. For this guide, let’s focus on two kinds: acrylic and latex.
First, ask yourself how permanent you want this project to be. Is it a window that experiences a lot of weather? Will it constantly be bombarded by the Earth’s natural cycles? Then acrylic paint is better than latex.
It’s incredibly durable against wear and tear, and near impossible to rub away. However, it can still come off by using a special solution, just in case you want to remove it later on down the road.
Do you want a type of paint that’s not quite as durable but will still be strong against weather and has the benefit of being a breeze to scrape off? Use latex-based paint. Either type is fine as long as you pick the darkest color, preferably black.
Part 3: Painting Your Windows
Now that you’ve chosen your paint, it’s time to get to work. You can start painting right away, but if you like being careful, consider painting around the edges before diving deep into the rest of the window. Try to paint on a day that isn’t humid as humidity can lengthen the time it takes for the windows to dry. When it does, a second coat of paint might be necessary, especially if you can still see through.
How to Remove Paint From Your Windows
If the day comes that you want to remove the paint from your window, know that it doesn’t take buying a new window. All you need is a razor blade and hot water mixed with dish soap or, alternatively, glass cleaner. It doesn’t matter if you used acrylic paint or latex-based paint—though latex paint is easier to scrape off.
1. Spray the window with hot water mixed with soap or window cleaner. And be generous.
2. For safety purposes, wear a pair of tough gloves.
3. Hold the razor blade flat against the window and at an angle. Slowly, but firmly, scrap away the paint. Always keep the razor blade flat against the window, otherwise you’ll scratch it.
Bottom Line
Blacking out your windows with paint is a great way to block light, shield your windows from nosy neighbors and, on occasion, adding a bit of color to your house. However, it’s an incredibly drastic measure compared to your other options and may end up being more trouble than it’s worth.
It pays to be cautious when considering this option; you might end up with results that are less than stellar. It might sound good on paper, but in execution? You might regret your decision.
Like any decision, you need to weigh the positives and negatives. As a positive, it might be a cheaper option than buying blackout curtains. If you get curtains, that means buying a wrap-around curtain rod. But what about the light at the top? You’ll have to consider a cornice board if you don’t want light coming in. All of that includes putting all kinds of nails into your walls. In other words, paint might be a cheaper option over everything curtains involve.
Unfortunately, it isn’t all positive. You might have noticed that removing the paint can be a tedious and annoying undertaking. Sure, latex-based paint makes it easier, but the help is minimal. You also have to be careful you don’t scratch your windows, which has a high likelihood, or worse: hurt yourself. Razor blades are called ‘razor’ for a reason.
Lastly, you have to consider the location itself. Are you renting the house and or apartment? The landlord might have a word or two about their tenants wanting to paint over windows. Maybe you own the place and place on selling down the road. Painted windows can turn potential buyers away.