Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - window in shower

My shower currently has a non-opening octogan shaped window in the shower stall which I would like to replace with a small double-hung window that opens. I am remodeling the bathroom and the wall is gutted at this point anyway. I am, though, concerned about any leakage around the window. Will it work ok to have a window like this? Does anyone have any advice on how best to make it work? Thanks.

Pete

Pete,

You don't mention what you have for walls, so I am assuming tile. Personally, any window within an area that gets wet is asking for trouble.

Best option is to install glass block and do so with a vent, if this is your intent.

http://dougaphs.smugmug.com/gallery/229281

Hope this helps!

I agree with Doug. The window would have to be 100% vinyl and caulk the bejesus out of it. Tile would have to be set in thinset and caulked also where they butt to the window. Then you still have to opaque the glass or hang a curtain over it. Go with the glass blocks. :)

Thanks for the advice. The interior walls will be tiled. The exterior sheathing is planking and will be OSB around the window area. At some point inthe past this had been a full sized window. I think what I will do at this point is reduce this window to a 22" by 22" all vinyl slider and install it well with weatherstripping, felt paper and then tile and caulk the hell out of as you described, and make a minimal sill and perhaps angle whatever sill there is back toward the shower ever so slightly. Fortunately it is up around chest height and on the end of the wall further away from the shower stream. At least it won't catch the full flow off the shower at any time.

If using glass block, wouldn't there be just as much chance of leakage around the block? I've never installed glass block, but wouldn't it have to be caulked in around the edges in way just as liable to leak? Seems to me if the inside of the window is treated as much like the outside is, then it should be okay.

thanks again for the help.

Pete

oh, and actually, because of the height of the window, the fact that it is on farther away end of the shower wall and faces out onto a yard that is pretty much private unless one really wanted to position oneself in just the right spots and during the winter when there was no growth, I think there wont be any privacy problem. Though I sure wouldn't want a full length window because of that.

I didn't really include enough information in my first post.

thanks

Pete