Bookcases

[Hunchback Jack]

I haven't but I try to keep the room fairly dark - no direct sunlight and minimize even indirect light as much as I can.

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

Same here. I keep the blinds closed most of the time.

[Brian861]

I'm sure this has been discussed here before - but for those with barristers or with Ikea Billy Bookcases with glass doors, if you're in a room with lots of natural light are you still concerned about sun damage through the glass? Has anyone applied the UV film to the glass for piece of mind?

**Edit**
Looking through this thread and I've found that not only have I asked this before, but there was a considerable discussion about it. I, apparently - have the memory of a goldfish. Please ignore me.

I have two and I purchased UV window film to put on the glass.

I've thought about doing this as well but haven't. The room mine are in gets lots of natural light but not direct sunlight.

[SystemCrashOverRide]

For anyone curious what the hell I've been doing for the last few years if I still haven't gotten around to applying the UV film... I taped up some wrapping paper to the inside of the glass to keep the light out.


Someday I'll have a proper room to act as a library. Someday.

[Garrell]

Just UV film the windows in the room

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

Or put the books in the basement where you grow your magic mushrooms.

[SystemCrashOverRide]

Just UV film the windows in the room

Easier said than done. I'm in an apartment with massive windows (like 11'x9') in more than one room that hold book cases.

[Randall Flagg]

Just UV film the windows in the room

Easier said than done. I'm in an apartment with massive windows (like 11'x9') in more than one room that hold book cases.

Very easy for a professional. Expensive though.

[SystemCrashOverRide]

Just UV film the windows in the room

Easier said than done. I'm in an apartment with massive windows (like 11'x9') in more than one room that hold book cases.

Very easy for a professional. Expensive though.

You bring up an interesting point - I hadn't considered a professional install... that said, it's just an apartment that I rent, and I may move on. So it doesn't seem ideal financially. UV protecting the windows of the bookcase doors however, is a much smaller job.

[Munnecom]

I’ve never been able to find conclusive answers via Google, but perhaps you lot know.

How harmful is indirect sunlight, exactly? In other words, how much UV radiation is still “in it”? The room my books are in has daylight all day long (window facing SW), but depending on the position of the sun, a neighbour’s window can reflect a spotlight-like beam directly into the room and on my books. I’ve been closing the curtain in front of that window in the early afternoon to keep out that light, but sometimes I forget or an overcast day suddenly turns sunny and catches me off-guard.

How diligent do I have to be? Will putting UV film on the window completely solve the issue?

[Br!an]

I’ve never been able to find conclusive answers via Google, but perhaps you lot know.

How harmful is indirect sunlight, exactly? In other words, how much UV radiation is still “in it”? The room my books are in has daylight all day long (window facing SW), but depending on the position of the sun, a neighbour’s window can reflect a spotlight-like beam directly into the room and on my books. I’ve been closing the curtain in front of that window in the early afternoon to keep out that light, but sometimes I forget or an overcast day suddenly turns sunny and catches me off-guard.

How diligent do I have to be? Will putting UV film on the window completely solve the issue?

The less sun the better. Direct sunlight is the worst and will cause damage quickly. Indirect sunlight will still cause damage. It will just be less damage or take longer. Minor amounts of indirect sunlight will probably not cause noticeable damage for a long time depending on the material. Some material is very sensitive to UV light.

Brodart covers offer some protection. Dustjackets with Brodart covers will probably be fine in indirect light.

There are different grades of UV film. They filter lesser or greater amounts of UV light. It's best to buy one that "blocks" UV light. Those offer 99% or better UV protection.

UV light, visible light, humidity and chemicals can all fade materials, so UV film alone will not "completely" solve the issue. It is usually the primary factor in a typical home though.