Blocking Light From Doorways in a Home Studio
Home studios can be used for photography, art-related pastimes, musical activities and many other pursuits that can be adversely effected by unmanaged light from outside the room. A number of products are marketed to entirely or partially block light incursion through doorways. They range from curtains that can be hung in moments to heavy shutters that require professional installation. Does this Spark an idea?
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Blackout Curtains
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Blackout curtains were first used to disguise the location of towns and cities from the pilots of enemy bomber aircraft during World War II. The curtains are always black on one side, often black on both sides, and block 100 percent of light from being transmitted. They are manufactured so that even the seams cannot transmit light. This material is commonly only available as a bespoke finished product from specialist manufacturers. Blackout curtains work equally well on interior or exterior doors.
Acoustical Curtain
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A relatively new advent on the market is acoustical curtain produced for non-commercial use. Acoustical curtain is a multi-stratum drapery constructed primarily to absorb sound, but its face layers -- black on at least one surface of the sandwich -- and wool core also make it very effective at blocking light and reflecting the thermal energy of the sun. Once again, the product is commonly available only through companies that manufacture finished curtains to order. Acoustical curtains can be used on inside and outside doors.
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Wall-Mounted Awnings Over Exterior Doors
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Exterior awnings are useful if the object is to block direct light from exterior doorways, but not to block all ambient light from entering. Fabric awnings can be both static and retractable; they tend to be the least expensive awning option, and are available in myriad prefabricated sizes from home improvement warehouses. Metal awnings are very rigid, making them valuable for protecting doors -- and windows -- from wind-borne debris as well as light. Euro shutters are similar to louvered blinds, but are typically made of timber slats set in a rigid frame; installed at the correct angle they provide the light-blocking benefits of an awning while allowing for almost unrestricted view. Note that any exterior fitting may interrupt the free action of a door that opens outward, which is the conventional way to hang an exterior door.
Shutters
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Although conventionally used on windows, shutters of the correct size also work perfectly well to block light through doorways. Typically products manufactured for hurricane protection and security are particularly resistant to light incursion. Shutters are available in roller and panel -- sometimes called Bahama -- formats; the former can be fitted so that operation is carried out from inside the home so that the door can be closed and locked first.
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References
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