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Russ
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| Joined: | Sat Mar 25th, 2006 |
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Posted: Tue Sep 23rd, 2008 23:50 |
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Despite having my windows blocked with blackout curtains and wearing my NOIRs inside, I have noticed that many of my symptoms, especially nerve type pain in my right eye and right side of my face, seem to be worse during the day than at night. This tells me that there must be enough light of some form (UV, infrared, etc.) that is getting into my apartment and aggravating things. I seem to be extremely light sensitive so it may be that I need better blockage than others.
With the blackout curtains I currently have (purchased from this website: http://www.blackoutcurtains.com/), I have achieved a near perfect blackout of visible light, but I notice that if I stand within a couple feet of the window and face the curtains, it bothers my right eye (even with NOIRs on), so something is getting thru...either UV or the heat that it absorbs and re-emits...something.
Many members have reported using aluminum foil to block the light in windows. I know that this achieves a complete blackout of visible light, but does anyone know if aluminum foil would be better than the blackout curtains in terms of blocking UV and IR and the amount of heat it re-emits inside?
I also came across this window film product (http://www.protectionseattle.com/residential.html) which is claimed to reject 99.9% of UV light, up to 98% of the infrared spectrum, and up to 79% of total solar heat. They let in most of the visible light but can be combined with a black matte blackout film that supposedly blocks 100% of visible light. I know that the MP.com FAQ says that window films are not sufficient for our needs but I thought that perhaps this product was something different/better than what was being referenced in the FAQ. Do these window films not really block the amount of light they claim or is there some other problem with them? Would aluminum foil block as much UV and infrared light as these window films?
Also thougt about combining the solar refection window film with an additional layer of aluminum foil to make sure all visible light is blocked, but the person I spoke to at the window film company thought that too much heat would be trapped between the foil and the film and could cause the window glass to expand and eventually break. Not sure if that's a valid concern or not.
Well, would really appreciate any thoughts on these options, especially in how blackout curtains, aluminum foil, and something like these solar reflection window films would compare in terms of how much IR and UV they each would block. If aluminum foil is a near 100% blocker in terms of UV and IR then I would likely just go with that.
Thanks!
Russ
Last edited on Wed Sep 24th, 2008 00:01 by Russ
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Lyme, MCS, ADD, optic nerve inflammation | Phase 1: Jul '06 | Phase 3: Jul '07 | 25D: 5 ng/ml (Oct '09)
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coolbeans
Health Professional
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Posted: Wed Sep 24th, 2008 12:20 |
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Russ,
My windows are covered with multipe layers of blinds and blankets, quilts, duvet covers . . . This has worked for me but you obviously need some serious protection to help your situation.
I don't have any advice to offer other than to report that I once read onsite that one member who used aluminum foil was dismayed to find the window cracked shortly afterwards. The affected window was exposed to direct sun and this MPer hypothised the intense exposure combined with reflected rays caused enough heat it resulted in the windowpane failure. I have not seen anyone else who used the foil report this problem. But to be forewarned may be of help to you.
Jan
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RA FM allergy asthma GERD MCS FBD IBS lichensclerosus 125D59 Ph1Jun06 ModPh2Aug06 Ph2Jan07 Ph3Jun07 tramadol diazepam NoIRs lite exp r/t work cover up 25D4
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Knochen
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| Joined: | Thu Feb 23rd, 2006 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 380 |
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Posted: Wed Sep 24th, 2008 18:02 |
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Aluminum foil is the best if you can get it put up. Adding a curtain behind that will help insulate from any heat IR retransmission. Your best bet is to stay some distance from the windows that might be leaking IR.
I wouldn't bother with the window film. Frankly, I don't trust the specs they give on those kinds of products, and the downside to you is too high if they are fibbing about what their product can do. There are cheaper and easier ways to go.
You can put a piece of white paper between the foil and the glass and it will not only help with the heat retention, but it will make your windows look more normal from the outside.
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Reiter's Syndrome 25+ yrs, fatigue, joints, muscles, migraine, brainfog| 25D 6 ng/ml |Benicar May06|Ph1 June06|Ph 2 Sept06|Ph 3 Jan 07|NoIRs K-Cream Zinc Oxide cream - Always covered!
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Toni D
Member
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Posted: Wed Sep 24th, 2008 20:37 |
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After three years, I'm in the process of redoing my windows now. Originally I used a combination of heavy duty black garbage bags and Redi-shades for the back windows and rear sliders. I used blackout [white] cloth and Redi-shades for the front of my home. The Redi-shades have cracked, split, etc. In lieu of replacing them, I took down the blackout cloth and cut and affixed it to fit the panes, all nice and neat . I'm even thinking of taking down the garbage bags, but nothing is really wrong with its application yet.
Additionally, I've taken drawings of my grands and taped them to the blackout cloth, so as to create a picture window effect ...real cute conversational piece for visitors.
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DX sarcoid-1970 glaucoma high BP asthma allergies| Meds-Lasix Xopenex Nevanac Cardizem Nizoral Cream| NoIRs No D/sun | 08/05 1,25D=38 07/07 25D=4| BeniQ6H 09/27/05| ModPh2 07/06; Ph 2 09/07|
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natalie17
Member
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Posted: Thu Sep 25th, 2008 03:06 |
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Hi Russ,
I use thick black plastic (bought by the roll from the hardware store) on my windows, kept in place with black electrical tape. No hint of natural light gets in. Curtains etc of the top help with the heat problem, in my case.
I agree with Knochen though - aliminium foil would be the cheapest and easiest (and best for you as the black plastic seems to abosrb some heat into the room). I just didn't recognise this option early on and had already gotten started on the black plastic.. also I am always cold so the warmth from the sunshine on the plastic brings me some relief.
Good luck
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CFS/ME from June05| Ph1-July07| Ph2-Feb08 | Natalie's Story | ABCofMP
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Russ
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| Joined: | Sat Mar 25th, 2006 |
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Posted: Fri Sep 26th, 2008 16:12 |
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Thanks a ton everybody. I think I'll give the aluminum foil a try.
- Russ
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Lyme, MCS, ADD, optic nerve inflammation | Phase 1: Jul '06 | Phase 3: Jul '07 | 25D: 5 ng/ml (Oct '09)
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patrickburke
Support Team
| Joined: | Mon Jul 12th, 2004 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
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Posted: Fri Sep 26th, 2008 17:07 |
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Hi Russ,
Sorry to hear that you are still so light sensitive.
Here's a reminder of what I did when I was in your position. I used aluminium faced laminate. This has 3 advantages over simple aluminium foil. Firstly the aluminium on it is thicker, and secondly it is backed up by a thin layer of wood which is an excellent insulator and should hopefully make sure that less heat/IR gets inside. Thirdly it looks nicer from the outside as it is perfectly smooth, maybe the smoothness would make it a better reflector too? I also fitted horizontal aluminium venetian blinds over the laminate and turned them concave side outwards in an attempt to try and reflect away more radiation a bit like a parabolic dish lol. They also looked nice from the inside and I left them up even after I took down the laminate last year. This setup worked pretty well.
The bad news is that sadly there simply was no substitute for the night. I know that air conditioning would have helped too as it certainly did at work.
I guess foil would be a lot cheaper though .
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John McDonald
Support Team
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Posted: Fri Sep 26th, 2008 20:02 |
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From a physics point of view it would be hard to beat aluminum foil or any metal foil. There isn't any spectrum of UV, visible or infrared light that will penetrate a metal foil. It takes really energetic light such as x-rays or cosmic rays to get through the foil and those are just as likely to pass through you as well.
I was never that light sensitive but some i recall were and they had to cover the LEDs on their clocks. Ugh!
-john
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RA 125D38, MP 9/05 Ph2 12/05 Ph3 09/06, Oct07 2510, NoIRs lite exp r/t work covered up
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HeatherK
Member
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Posted: Mon Oct 20th, 2008 02:12 |
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I have had our windows covered with drapery liner blackout fabric. It is actually white with the black out protection in between. It is very effective. Some windows we totally covered, stapling it right around the window frames on windows that we do not open at night. The windows we want to open , I applied the fabric right to the glass with a narrow double sided tape I found at a dollar store. I then cut a small viewing rectangle on the back door and two other windows, then placed a large flap over it , attached above with the tape. It is all still in good shape after one year. I did wonder how the tape would last through all 4 seasons here in Canada , especially after a very cold winter last year, but its fine so far. I have really appreciated turning out lights and being in total darkness when needed. We have no family at home, just the two of us , so that is a plus too.
Heather in New Brunswick.
Last edited on Mon Oct 20th, 2008 02:16 by HeatherK
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CFS for 5 yrs+ /started MP Sept20/07;( 25-D=24ng/ml, 1,25=47.5pg/ml.).. Dec/07(25-D= 14.4 ) Started Phase Two Mar 4/08; Dec 09(25D= 6); In blackout home/ wearing NoIRs/ Presumed celiac, wheat,dairy free.
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Dr Trevor Marshall
Foundation Staff
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Posted: Sat Oct 25th, 2008 11:55 |
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A company which sells blackout curtains (apparently) is having a 50% off sale:
http://www.decorinnovation.com/shop/index.php?show_aux_page=73
Some discussion about these curtains is here:
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/872956/
I know nothing about them. But I was surprised to find that Linens n Things was selling blackout curtains last time I visited their (closing) store. Maybe the MP is causing a resurgence of interest in Blackout Curtains (LOLOL)
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Juanita
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| Joined: | Thu May 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Alberta Canada |
| Posts: | 529 |
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Posted: Sat Oct 25th, 2008 19:47 |
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Wouldn't that be lovely? Oh, what a peaceful world this would be... once we all killed off our heaviest load of bacteria.
We bought car window tinting and applied it to all windows with water instead of pulling off the sheeting to allow the glue to work. Then bought heavy cotton navy blue curtains from Ikea. All in all, pretty inexpensive and it's dark in those rooms. Even mid day, you can barely see your feet. In other rooms we hung ivory Ikea curtains (same brand as the blue) and it's dark, just not as with the navy blue.
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MCS, CFS, FM, CS, DH, stroke neuro, seizures, skin ca, IBS, eczema, irregular heartbeat| NoIR avoid light and D/ On MP 27 months
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