A Homeowner’s Guide to Bathroom Window Options
Feb 21, 2025Light and ventilation are big bathroom window benefits, but choosing the right window type and materials is key
A well-designed bathroom should be bright, inviting, fresh, and comfortable. To achieve this, you need the right combination of light and ventilation – both of which happen to be the biggest benefits of bathroom windows. But do bathrooms need windows? And can you have a window in your shower without sacrificing privacy or durability?
Whether you’re replacing an existing vinyl window in a shower or bathroom, or want to add a new one, use this guide to understand your options including the best bathroom window materials and styles.
Do Bathrooms Need Windows?
While building codes rarely require a window in a bathroom, what they do require is ventilation. This is one of two clear advantages to having a bathroom window:
Ventilation: Showers and bath generate a lot of humidity, which is why ventilation is required in bathrooms. Without a way for steam to escape, moisture can build up and create perfect conditions for mold and mildew growth. And as we all know, mildew isn’t the only odor that can accumulate in bathrooms…
Having a bathroom window you can open gives steam and odors an outlet, preventing damage to your walls and fixtures, and making sure your bathroom stays smelling fresh.
Natural Light: Many homeowners struggle with poor lighting in their bathrooms. In fact, a recent Houzz survey found that nearly a third of homeowners feel their bathroom lighting is inadequate, and 1 in 10 bathrooms have no natural light at all. A bathroom window brightens up the space, making it feel larger and more inviting.
What Materials are Best for Bathroom Window Installations?
Not all window frames and casings are bathroom-friendly. In fact, the interior of your bathroom window must function more like the exterior of any other window in your home in order to effectively handle the temperature and humidity fluctuations. Here’s are four things to keep in mind:
- Avoid Wood Windows: Wood may look great, but in a humid environment, it’s a recipe for disaster. Moisture causes wood to expand, contract, and eventually rot. It can also become a breeding ground for mold.
- Choose Vinyl Windows: A vinyl window in shower and bathroom installations is the ideal choice. Vinyl windows, like Improveit’s Performax54 line, resists warping, cracking, and fading, making them ideal for the moisture-rich bathroom environment. Unlike wood, vinyl requires minimal maintenance and won’t absorb water over time.
- Tempered or Privacy Glass: If your window is inside the shower, safety codes typically require tempered glass, which is stronger and shatters into small, dull pieces rather than sharp shards. Privacy glass options, such as frosted or textured glass, let in natural light while maintaining discretion.
- Acrylic Window Casings: At Improveit, we get requests for walk in shower with window integrations every day. For these situations where the window is inside the shower space, we take extra steps to ensure they’re as water-tight as the rest of our shower systems. In these instances, our installers use acrylic window casings that match your shower color and pattern, creating a watertight seal around the window and enhancing the look of your new shower.
Window Styles: What are the Best Windows for Bathrooms?
Not all window styles work well in bathrooms, especially if they’re inside a shower. The best types of bathroom windows balance ventilation, privacy, and ease of use. Most commonly, Improveit design consultants recommend the following:
Double-Hung Windows: The most common window style used throughout the house, double-hung windows have sashes that lift open and tilt in for easy cleaning.
Slider Windows: Sliding windows are another great choice and work well in small spaces or where horizontal space is available. These can be installed high on the wall for privacy.
Awning Windows: Awning windows are hinged at the top and open outward with a crank-style handle. Designed to be placed high on the wall, they’re ideal for maintaining privacy.
Picture Windows. A picture window lets in plenty of light but doesn’t open for ventilation. If your bathroom has an exhaust fan, you can add a picture window to brighten the space.
LEARN MORE: Replacement Window Styles
If you already have a window in your bathroom or shower, you have two options for working with that window during a bathroom remodel:
- Take the chance to upgrade and make sure to add a vinyl window in shower and bathroom environments. You’ll get the benefit of a water-tight installation and also have the chance to change the window style, shape, color, or size if you like!
- Keep your existing window and have your bathroom installer add a vinyl window trim kit around the edge to protect the window opening from moisture intrusion.
Can You Add a Bathroom WIndow if You Don't Have One?
If your bathroom doesn’t already have a window, you might be wondering: Can you have a window in your shower or bathroom? The answer is yes, under certain circumstances. Assuming your bathroom has an exterior wall, the Improveit team may be able to frame out and install a new window, depending on your home’s existing siding and framing.
Click here to schedule a consultation with Improveit to see if a new window can be added to your bathroom.
Make the Most of Your Bathroom Window Options
Whether you need to replace an existing window or want to add a brand new one, the right bathroom window can make a world of difference.
Improveit specializes in adding vinyl windows in shower and bathroom projects, and offering long-lasting, low-maintenance solutions that keep moisture out while letting fresh air and natural light in. And they’re all backed by a lifetime warranty!
And if your bathroom window update turns into an affordable bathroom remodel, we can help with that too!
Reach out today for a free, no-obligation quote to help you explore your options! Use the form below, or call 855-637-2999 to get started.
