Verification: a4dcc4e340d77499
top of page

Projects › Commercial Projects › Historic Ghent

Historic Ghent Apartment Renovation: Decorative Privacy Window Film in Norfolk, VA

Historic Multifamily Renovation · Ghent, Norfolk, VA · 82 units · Status: Installation in progress

Courtyard of the historic brick apartment building in Ghent, Norfolk, VA during renovation

The courtyard entrance of the historic Ghent apartment building during the renovation. This exterior view shows the building, not the interior film work.

More about our work in Norfolk: window tinting in Norfolk · all service areas

Project Overview

Commonwealth Window Tinting is installing MaxPro Films decorative frosted privacy film on the glass-paneled apartment doors of a historic 82-unit apartment building in the Ghent neighborhood of Norfolk. The building is being renovated, and the film's job is simple: give residents privacy at their doors while still letting light through the glass.

  • Project: Historic Ghent 82-unit apartment renovation

  • Location: Ghent, Norfolk, Virginia

  • General contractor: Ringenburg General Contractors

  • Project type: Historic multifamily renovation

  • Film: MaxPro Films decorative frosted privacy film

  • Application: Glass-paneled apartment doors with six window panes

  • Primary objective: Privacy

  • Status: Installation in progress

Historic Multifamily Renovation in Norfolk

Ghent is one of Norfolk's historic neighborhoods, known for its older brick apartment buildings. This property is a multi-story brick building with a central courtyard, and it is being renovated for residents. The photos below show the building and renovation setting; they were taken outside and do not show the frosted film itself.

Rear facade and fire escapes of the historic Ghent apartment building in Norfolk

The rear of the building with its original exterior fire escapes.

Privacy Requirements for Glass-Paneled Apartment Doors

The apartment doors in this building have six glass window panes. Clear glass in a unit door means anyone in the stairwell or hallway can see into the apartment. Replacing the doors or the glass would be expensive and would change the character of the original doors. Frosted window film solves the privacy problem while keeping the doors themselves.

MaxPro Decorative Frosted Window Film

We are using MaxPro Films decorative frosted privacy film. Once applied, the panes turn translucent: light still passes through, but shapes and faces on the other side are obscured. Each pane is cut to fit and applied to the glass, so the doors keep their original frames and look.

Installation Coordination With Ringenburg General Contractors

Commonwealth Window Tinting is working in coordination with Ringenburg General Contractors, the general contractor on the renovation. On an active renovation, film installation has to fit around the other trades, so our work is scheduled with the general contractor as areas of the building become ready.

Original Project Photography

These photos were taken on site at the building and during the frosted film installation on the apartment doors.

Commonwealth Window Tinting installer applying frosted privacy film to a glass-paneled apartment door

Our installer applying frosted film to a six-pane apartment door from the stairwell side.

Apartment door panes partly covered with frosted privacy film during installation

Mid-installation: the top panes are frosted while the bottom panes are still clear.

Installation Progress

Status: Installation in progress. The frosted film is being installed as the renovation moves through the building. This page will be updated with completed-installation photos when the work is finished.

Decorative Privacy Film for Multifamily Properties

Apartment buildings, condos and student housing often have glass in unit doors, sidelights and common areas where residents need privacy but managers do not want to lose natural light. Frosted and decorative films handle that without replacing doors or glass. See our decorative and privacy window film options, our commercial window tinting services, or more commercial projects.

Request a Commercial Window Film Quote

Managing a multifamily property, renovation or commercial building that needs privacy film? Tell us about the project and we'll recommend film options and put together a quote. General contractors are welcome to send plans or door and window counts.

bottom of page