When this couple found their dream two-storey apartment in a converted warehouse, they thought they’d hit the jackpot. It was stunningly designed, walking distance from their children’s school, a stone’s throw from their offices, and surrounded by the vibrant energy of inner-city cafés and community life. It was perfect—almost.
The problem? One side of their apartment had a spectacularly awful view. Instead of gazing at city lights or lush greenery, they were met with the rusting remains of a derelict building—one that, to their dismay, had a heritage listing, meaning it wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon (or ever). Every time they walked up their beautiful timber and wrought-iron staircase, they were greeted by floor-to-ceiling windows of urban decay. The only window in their kitchen? Same story—rust, neglect, and an unchangeable eyesore.
The Clever Solution: Hide the View and Upgrade Comfort
Determined to reclaim their happiness (and their stunning apartment), they sought a way to block the depressing view—without shutting out natural light. Heavy curtains? Too dark and heavy. Blinds? Still reminded them of the nightmare beyond the glass.
Then, they discovered ecoGlaze with opaque acrylic.
Instead of replacing their windows (a no-go thanks to their own heritage listing), they installed secondary glazing that not only hid the rusted monstrosity but also gave them the benefits of double glazing.
Why ecoGlaze Was the Perfect Choice
By opting for opaque acrylic panels with their ecoGlaze installation, they:
- Completely masked the ugly view, transforming it into a soft, glowing feature wall.
- Flooded their home with beautiful, diffused natural light, making the stairwell, hall, and kitchen feel bright and inviting.
- Boosted insulation—keeping their apartment cosier in winter and cooler in summer.
- Cut their energy bills, since their heating and cooling systems didn’t have to work as hard.
- Preserved their home’s character, avoiding changes that could have jeopardised their heritage status.
- Saved a fortune, spending only a fraction of what full window replacements would have cost.
An Unexpected Bonus: Noise Reduction
Living in the heart of the city has its perks, but also its challenges—traffic, street noise, and late-night revellers. One unexpected delight of ecoGlaze? It significantly reduced outside noise. The once hollow echo of honking cars and clattering footsteps was now a muffled whisper, making their home feel more peaceful than ever.
From Eyesore to Elegant
Now, instead of cringing every time they climb the stairs, they admire the serene, soft glow filtering through their home. The kitchen, once a sad, uninspiring space, now feels bright, and beautifully lit. What was once a daily reminder of an ugly reality had been transformed into a design feature they loved.
And the best part? Their guests had no idea what was behind the frosted glow of their windows. It had become a talking point—a design feature that added warmth, sophistication, and an unexpected architectural twist to their urban oasis.
The Power of a Simple Yet Smart Solution
Sometimes, the best solutions aren’t about removing the problem—they’re about transforming it into something better. Instead of feeling trapped by their surroundings, this couple used innovation over frustration and turned their biggest home dilemma into one of its best features.
ecoGlaze® gave them exactly what they needed—an elegant disguise for an ugly view, energy efficiency, and a more peaceful home.
Got a view YOU’D rather NOT see?
You don’t have to live with it. Discover how ecoGlaze can turn your biggest eyesore into your favourite feature. Learn more here.
People Also Ask:
⇒ Where can I learn more about this from an industry expert?
ecoMaster has been working in the energy efficiency / retrofit arena for over 20 years. During that time we learnt an enormous amount about diagnosing issues, distinctions on various products as well as developing the best installation practices. We have done the research, so you don’t have to. All that information has now been condensed into a series of ecoMasterClasses. Click here to gain access.
⇒ Can secondary glazing improve my home’s comfort and energy efficiency?
Absolutely! Secondary glazing not only helps disguise ugly views but also boosts insulation, making homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. By reducing heat loss and minimising drafts, it cuts energy bills and enhances comfort—all at a fraction of the cost of full window replacements.
⇒ How do I hide an ugly view without blocking natural light?
If you’re dealing with an unpleasant view but don’t want to sacrifice natural light, secondary glazing with opaque acrylic panels is a perfect solution. It creates a soft, glowing effect that filters light beautifully while completely obscuring the view. Unlike heavy curtains or blinds, this method keeps your space bright and airy while enhancing privacy.
⇒ Why I shouldn’t install double glazing in my home!
While double glazing offers excellent insulation and noise reduction, it isn’t always the best choice—especially for existing homes. Replacing windows with double glazing can be extremely expensive, disruptive, and even impossible in heritage-listed properties. It also has a long payback period, meaning it can take decades to recover the cost through energy savings. A smarter, more affordable alternative is secondary glazing, like ecoGlaze®, which delivers the same insulation and noise reduction benefits without the high price tag or structural changes.
What’s Next?
We hope this article has helped you learn how to disguise an ugly view as well as improving your comfort and reducing your energy bills. This in turn will help you on your energy and thermal efficiency retrofit journey to make your home more comfortable all year round, and reduce your costs and carbon emissions.
Next, explore Single, Double Or Secondary Glazing, Which Is The Best? Let’s Look At The Numbers
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