How to frost glass

Frosting glass is a great way to achieve an increased level of privacy in your home without sacrificing all your natural light. It also produces a nice visual effect, making it both functional and decorative.

If you’re looking to frost your glass DIY-style, there are various methods to choose from, such as sandblasting, acid etching, spray paint and more, each varying in difficulty level, cost and result.

It’s important to evaluate your own skills and the kind of look you want to achieve when deciding which method to use. If you’re uncomfortable carrying out the work yourself, you can always hire an expert to do it for you.

Let’s explore the topic in a bit more detail, including the benefits of frosting glass and how to do it using various techniques.

How to frost glass windows

Here’s how to make frosted glass using two different techniques, the first being the easiest and the second a bit more advanced:

Frosted glass spray paint

Materials required

• Frosted glass spray paint
• Painter’s tape
• Paper towels
• Glass cleaner

Step one: Preparation

Before starting, ensure your workspace is well-ventilated if you plan on doing the project indoors. This ensures you don’t breathe in the fumes and it also helps with the drying process.

It’s a good idea to do it in the garage with the door open, or in your driveway if the weather permits. Gather all your materials and lay down some newspaper or a drop cloth if necessary.

Step two: Clean the glass

Make sure the glass is completely clean before spraying. Take your glass cleaner or some rubbing alcohol and apply it to the surface. Next, use your paper towels or a lint-free cloth to wipe it, removing all residue and dust particles.

Step three: Masking

Use painter’s tape to carefully mask the areas you don’t want frost spray getting on, such as the frames and edges. You might also want to create a pattern by covering certain areas of the glass.

Press down on the tape firmly so no paint can seep underneath it.

Step four: Spraying

Now, it’s time to spray the glass. Follow the manufacturer’s specific directions, as there may be slight differences in the process depending on the product.

Typically, you need to shake the paint can thoroughly to mix up the contents. Then, holding the can about 8 to 12 inches from the surface, spray with smooth, even strokes.

Apply thin coats to avoid drips and unevenness. Also, don’t switch between vertical and horizontal strokes. Maintain the same direction and distance throughout, overlapping each stroke slightly to cover the whole surface.

Step five: Drying and finishing touches

Let the first cost dry as per the manufacturer’s instructions, which is usually about 10 minutes.

If you want to make the frosting more opaque (letting less light through) apply another thin coat, and continue until you achieve your desired result.

Once all coats have dried, remove the painter’s tape. You can now clean up your workspace and enjoy your newly frosted glass!

If you think this method is a bit beyond your DIY skills, you can always connect with a local tradesperson by entering your postcode into the search box below.

Adhesive frost films

Materials required

• Adhesive frosted film roll
• Scissors
• Paper towels
• Glass cleaner
• Ruler
• Spray bottle with water

Step one: Clean the glass

Make sure the glass is clean by removing any dust, grease or fingerprints with your glass cleaner and paper towels or lint-free cloth.

Without a clean surface, the frost film won’t stick properly, so this step is crucial.

Step two: Measure and cut

Use your ruler or a tape measure to figure out the dimensions of the glass where the film will be applied.

Unroll the adhesive frosted film and mark these measurements with a pencil, leaving an additional inch on all sides for a bit of wiggle room.

Now, carefully cut the film to size using a pair of scissors.

Step three: Wet the glass

To prepare the glass, spray some water on it using your spray bottle. This will help you slide the film around and position it more accurately.

Step four: Apply the film

Gently peel off the backing of the frosted film and align it to the glass starting with the top left corner.

Using both hands, slowly apply it to the entire surface, making your way from top to bottom, smoothing it out as you go.

Step five: Smooth out the bubbles and trim

Using a credit card or a squeegee, remove any leftover bubbles by pressing firmly from the centre of the film outwards towards the edges.

This is difficult to do perfectly, which is why it’s often better to call in an expert.

How to temporarily frost glass windows

There are many reasons why you might want to frost your glass temporarily. Perhaps it’s a rental property and you can’t make permanent changes.

Or, maybe you want to test the look, minimise glare during summer or even just have some fun with a DIY project – whatever the reason, here’s how to temporarily frost glass:

Materials required

• Epsom salts
• Warm water
• A mixing bowl
• A spoon
• A sponge

Step one: Prepare solution

Take your mixing bowl and combine 1 cup of epsom salts with 3 cups of warm water. Stir until the salts are almost completely dissolved.

The solution should be saturated, so it’s OK if there are undissolved epsom salts left at the bottom of the container.

You can also add a few drops of clear washing up liquid at this stage, which isn’t essential, but can help with adherence and make the frosted effect last longer.

Step two: Clean the glass

Thoroughly clean the glass surface using glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol and wiping the surface with paper towels or a lint-free cloth.

Step three: Apply the solution

Soak a sponge in the water and epsom salts solution, ensuring the sponge is saturated, but not dripping excessively.

Working in smooth, even strokes, apply the solution to the glass. As the solution dries, the epsom salts will crystallise on the surface, leaving a cool, frosty pattern on the glass.

Step four: Let it dry and adjust

After the first layer dries, you can apply more layers to enhance the effect.

Enter your postcode in the search box below to connect with Checkatrade-approved experts in your area.

The easiest way to frost your glass

Call a professional to do the job for you. They’ll achieve a top finish for you, and best of all, you won’t need to struggle with your DIY skills!

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