How Do I Block My Neighbors Light?


You might be wondering how to block your neighbors light. Outdoor lighting is important especially during the night. If your neighbor installs a new light in their property and its casts a bright light that reaches inside your home, what would you do? How do you block the light so that it does not become a nuisance to you? Read the rest of the article below for helpful tips and ideas.

How do I block my neighbors light? There are different ways and materials to block your neighbors light so that it does not bother you. One way is to use tarps. It is an affordable material that you can use and it is thick enough t prevent the light from casting its brightness inside your house. Moreover, you can use curtains, cardboard, and aluminum foil.

Is light pollution considered a nuisance? What is light trespass? How do you block your neighbor’s light? What to do if your neighbor’s light is too bright? These are some of the questions that we will discuss in this article. Continue reading for more information.

How do I block my neighbors light
Image by Jan Lüddemann from Pixabay

What is Light Trespass?

Glaring lights that trespass to your property and are bothersome are called light trespass. Any lights that can distract and bother you can be considered as light trespass. An example of light trespass is the light that comes from our neighbor’s security lights. These lights can be too bright and give off a glare that enters your window preventing you from sleeping peacefully.

Is Light Pollution Considered a Nuisance?

Most areas of the U.S. consider light pollution as a nuisance. A nuisance refers to any type of conduct that can disturb or bother a neighbor. For instance, if your neighbor plays loud music in the middle of the night, it is considered a nuisance. Noise is a common nuisance that many people encounter in a neighborhood. Take note that not all cities have specific laws about light pollution. On the other hand, it does not mean that you do not have any legal remedy to the bothersome light from your neighbor’s porch. The good thing is that you could file a lawsuit using the common law nuisance grounds. We have also written this article that discusses what is considered light pollution. Check out the article for more information about the topic.

Can You Sue Your Neighbor for Light Harassment?

You can sue your neighbor for light harassment. While many states do not have specific laws on light pollution laws, light pollution is still considered a nuisance by U.S. courts and you can take legal action based on nuisance laws. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses how to make light dark sky compliant. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

How to Block Neighbors Light

Covering your windows using aluminum foil, curtains, cardboard, tarps, and window tint treatments are some of the ways that you can block your neighbor’s light. Moreover, you can also use pillows and even position your furniture in the window to block light. Let us learn more about these ways below.

Aluminum Foil

A material that you can use to block your neighbor’s light is aluminum foil. Placing it in your windows can block out light and it can also reduce your utility bills. Make sure to tape the aluminum foil to your window using painter’s tape to avoid any damage. Another benefit of using aluminum foil is that it can also reflect sunlight which makes the room cooler.

Window Tint Treatment

You can also use window tint treatment to block your neighbor’s light. The good thing about using this material on your window is that it is easy to apply and remove. Window films are thin and can cover a windowpane. Other benefits of using window tint treatment are that it blocks UV rays and also maintains the temperature inside the room.

Cardboard

Another material that you can use to prevent your neighbor’s light from entering your home through your window is cardboard. Tape the cardboard into your window using painter’s tape. It will effectively block the light and also keep the room warmer because the cardboard also works as an insulator.

Pillows

An easy and effective material to use to block your neighbor’s light is pillows. Strategically place the pillows on your window sill so that they block the light. Use large pillows that can stand up without falling over easily. Moreover, you can also place the pillows in shams to prevent them from getting dirty. Choose from a wide array of pillows that are available on the market. We have also shared this article titled, do LED lights reduce light pollution? Check out the article to learn more about the topic.

Cordless Blackout Window Shades

You can also use cordless blackout window shades. These are a type of window cover that is made of two colors which are black and silver. Place the silver part facing the window so that it blocks the light and prevents UV rays. Cordless blackout window shades are easy to clean and maintain. You can use soap and water to remove dirt and dust that gets stuck.

✅ Video – Setting Up a Tarp as a Light Block for Light Trespass

Eyes on the Sky shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses how to set up a tarp to block light trespass. You can easily set this up using a heavy-duty tarp, stakes, cord, and two poles. Watch the video for the instructions.

How to Deal with Light Pollution from the Neighbor?

There are different ways to deal with the light pollution that comes from your neighbor. First, see to it that you talk to your neighbor and alert them about the issue. They can transfer the light so that it does not bother you. If they do not listen, you can send them a demand letter, and finally, you can file a lawsuit. When it comes to nuisance in the neighborhood, noise is always the first thing that comes to mind. On the other hand, light pollution can also be bothersome and is considered a legal disturbance. Let us learn more below on the ways that you can do to deal with the light pollution that comes from your neighbor.

Talk to Your Neighbor About the Issue

The first thing that you need to do is to talk to your neighbor and alert them about the issue. Explain how the light from their porch or garden is bothering you. In most cases, your neighbor is not aware that the placement of the light is disturbing to you. You can also invite your neighbor to your house so that they can see how the lights affect you. Your neighbor might understand your issue and transfer the light to a place where it does not cause any nuisance to anyone. You can also suggest that they install shades to their lighting fixture to make sure that the light does not enter your property and cause a disturbance.

Send a Demand Letter

In case your neighbor does not agree to transfer the light or place a shield into the fixture, it is time to send a demand letter. Consult your attorney for a demand letter. In the demand letter, make sure to note the specific local statutes or housing association regulations that your neighbor is violating by the excessive lights that come from their property. Moreover, request that they act to stop causing a nuisance.

Mediation

Another way to deal with light pollution from your neighbor is mediation. A neutral third party would talk to you and your neighbor about the best solution to the problem that you are dealing with. A mediator might come up with ideas that you and your neighbor can agree with. For instance, it can be suggested that your neighbor can keep the lighting in place but make sure that the light is dimmed so that the light does not cause any nuisance.

File a Lawsuit

If all else fails, the last step that you can do is to file a lawsuit. Talk to your attorney to file a suit against your neighbor for the light nuisance. This is the last resort that you can do if your neighbor is not doing anything to stop their lights from being a nuisance.

How Can I Make My Fence Taller for Privacy?

You can make your fence taller for privacy purposes by adding trellis. You can use a fence topper that is specifically designed to be placed at the top of your fence. Choose from a wide array of products available on the market. Read this article to find out how to block your neighbors motion sensor. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to.

What Should I Do If My Neighbors Light is Too Bright?

If your neighbor’s light is too bright, keep your cool and talk to them about the issue. Nicely explain to them that their lights are being bothersome. You can suggest solutions or alternatives fix the problem.

What is the Law on Light Pollution?

One of the most common legislation for outdoor lighting is to install shielded light fixtures that give off light downward. Moreover, there are also laws that require using low-glare or low-wattage lighting. You can also check out this article that discusses if there are any lights that do not cause light pollution. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of this article that discusses how to block your neighbors light. There are different materials that you can use to block the excessive light from your neighbor’s lighting fixture. You can choose the best option that works for you. Thank you for reading!

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