Sunlight on a baby grand

[2223]

I have a 4'11' Kimball baby grand. I would like to move it to a room where it would get some sun. Just about one third of the surface of the piano would get sun in the afternoon.

My concern is the black ebony finish fading from the sun light and the temperature change effects on the sound board.


I am trying to avoid the obvious of shades, curtains or tinted glass. I had the windows put in to enjoy the daylight.

My question is if the amount of sunlight the piano would receive too much to consider placing it in the room? Would a cover of some kind protect the piano from the sun rays and heat? Are there any other solutions besides blocking the windows?



Thanks for any advice, comments.

[silverwoodpianos]

? Are there any other solutions besides blocking the windows?

Another room. No amount of heat or sunlight is going to  benefit a musical instrument of any kind.

[steinwaymichigan]

Choose a room that has relatively constant temperature and humidity. Direct sunlight is not an ideal for your baby grand.

[rachfan]

Normally I would say that direct sunlight is to be avoided for any piano, as it will fade the finish or worse, and even play havoc with the tuning. If sunlight can enter the open lid and fall on the soundboard, over time that could make the board too dry and enable cracks to develop there. Generally speaking, sunlight is a danger to pianos, not a benefit.  However, a 4'11" Kimball, made by the original Kimball Piano Co. (not the present owner, Kimball USA) was intended, quite frankly, more as furniture than a quality musical instrument.  So you're not protecting a sizable investment there.  If you enjoy playing it, then you should probably try to protect it from direct sunlight (and heating elements) to extend its life; however, if you don't play the piano, then it would be a decision you would make based on your own wishes.    

[keys60]

I think any piano is a homeowners investment regardless of its quality. All pianos should be treated with equal care. Keep it out of the sunlight as much as possible. A small investment to one person may be a huge investment to another.

[steinwaymichigan]

I agree with keys60. It is indeed an investment so no matter where you use it for, a tender loving care to your baby grand would make it more valuable for the future. If not for you then maybe for your future generations.

[2223]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

I have blocked the sunlight with a cloth material that blocks the suns direct rays but lets in the light. This material was permenantly fitted to fit the window frames. With this material and the uv protection in the windows I think this will be sufficient. I am happy with the amount of lighting that the room now gets.

The piano is played regularly by me and my children. The value of the piano in enhanced by these experiences.

[pianosearch]

The recent poster mentioned a material that they used to block the UV while letting the light through...  Can you help with what the material was?

[fleah]

would keeping the top closed and putting a cloth (attractive cloth) over the piano work, in anyone's opinion?

[pianorebuilder]

would keeping the top closed and putting a cloth (attractive cloth) over the piano work, in anyone's opinion?

Please realize that  it is not only the UV damage that you are trying to avoid, but also the heat.  The piano will be never stay in tune.   The cabinet (and soundboard) will heat up in the day, then cool off at night.  Expansion and contraction all the time = no stability.   The cloth will definitely help with the UV though.

[silverwoodpianos]

would keeping the top closed and putting a cloth (attractive cloth) over the piano work, in anyone's opinion?

After refinishing an instrument for a client, it was placed in a floor to ceiling window. I cautioned her about the UV and heat; I was informed that the windows had that film coating to repel UV rays.
The heat exchange cracked the new finish across the top board.