I'm sorry to bother you all with a question like this, but after being back at the piano and putting in some disciplined practice time I've decided to reward myself with a new baby-grand to replace the itsy-bitsy little console piano I'm using noow (really it sounds like each string is being strangled!) . But my concern is that the only room I can fit in a baby grand (5'3 - I know I should go for the biggest I can get but this is really it) has a series of 3 french door-style windows along the western wall with centre pane windows in them - which gets afternoon light. I'm planning on placing the piano as far from the windows as possible and the temperature in the room is very well regulated, but the piano will still get some light shining on it throughout the afternoon - the back of the piano will be facing the windows.

My question is how bad will this be for the piano? Bad enough to discard the idea of getting the piano? I have thought of getting a folding screen to place in front of the 2 windows that would shine on the piano. The piano I'm planning on getting is the polished ebony finish, so I'm not too worried about sun-bleaching (so I'm told this is not a big factor with black pianos?)... but I don't want the sun to warm the piano and cause warping/tuning problems.

I'm not sure this is an appropriate question for this forum - if its not my apologies in advance! But any insight you might be able to give would be greatly appreciated (I'm really excited about getting a new piano! )

Oh - I've thought about big thick curtains but I'm not allowed to install anything on the walls

Black absorbs the most heat and light. Don't forget that.

Why don't you just put down your window blinds or curtains to block off the light in the afternoon.

But I don't think that it will be too big of an issue.

Where do you live? (My guess is Canada?)

I do live in Canada!

There aren't any coverings on these windows... which is why i'm thinking a screen maybe. I just did a google search on pianos and sunlight and now I'm horrified! It says all kinds of terrible things could happen like cracking and ruining the parts inside... perhaps I should reconsider

Thick window curtains will do the trick! Is this the only room where you can situate the piano?

I asked if you lived in Canada because of the sun. It won't be as intense as if you were living in southern Spain or the Bahamas. Honestly, how many sunny days are there in Canada? If it is anything like Wisconsin, you have more days with clouds than sun. Let's not forget the sun setting at 4:30pm in the winters.

All in all, if you decide to buy yourself a piano, make the tiny investment and put up window blinds (or curtains).

Some days it feels like we never get any, but in the summer we get lots! Thanks so much for your suggestion juufa - at first I thought that getting window stuff installed would be against my lease but its not, and I've found that mini blinds are actually quite inexpensive (after pricing new pianos I just evision lots of zeroes after everything now! )

So keep your fingers crossed for me - and hopefully soon I'll have a much better piano than the one I'm using!

Thanks again!