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[TeezNu]

I have window panes on my garage door.  I like being able to look/check outside if I want to, but I do not want anyone to be able to see inside my garage, so I bought some black fabric and secured it over the top of each window pane with some heavy duty packing tape.  Works great, cheap, and it looks finished from the outside.

it is so nice of you to want to mitigate the situation with your neighbors, but they should also consider the fact that security around your house also indirectly benefits the security at their house, too.

Good luck with finding a solution; I'd love to have neighbors like you!

[birkin baby]

    It  seems this is a good time for this teen to learn to solve some problems for  himself. A Google search would  offer myriad ways to block the light. I suggest tinfoil over windows (everyone in a college dorm does this), blackout curtains,a blackout roller shade, or a sleep mask. Seriously, you are very kind to try to fix his issue,but  safety matters....leave your light on.

[IamMrsG]

It might be worth checking into the installation of a motion detector light. You'll have happy neighbors and still feel secure without wasting energy to burn a bulb all night.

[KarenQVC]

@wismiss  I think the other 2 side lights will still cause enuf light to bother him.  I would solve the whole problem by asking him to get those cheap darkening roller shades for his window. 

[Snowhite714]

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@wismiss wrote:

My next door neighbor's son has complained that he cannot sleep when I leave my outside garage light on.  In an effort to be a good neighbor, I am wondering how I could "black out" the two sides of the glass that face his bedroom window.  Could I safely use the chalkboard contact paper on the outside?  I looked at a roll's description on line but it didn't say anything about whether it is fireproof or not.   If I painted the two panes with black paint, would that be safe?

Do you have any ideas to alleviate this problem?

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Maybe your neighbor could buy blackout shades for his window or maybe you'd consider a motion detector light for the garage area, then the light would only be on when something activates it and then it goes off.

[Libbylady]

We have the same issue with the 3 large carriage lights on each side of the garage doors of our neighbor directly across the street. 

We have blackout shades on our bedroom windows and lined drapes at each side of the windows.

In the summer our trees have finally grown tall and full enough to help block the light, but in the winter we cannot make our bedroom dark enough.  Our master bathroom is flooded with light all night.

I did mention this to my neighbor and they put in lower wattage bulbs (they had a total of 9 bulbs of 60 watts each).  It helped but has not solved the problem. 

This situation makes sleeping with open windows impossible.

I think you are very kind to try to help your neighbor.

Perhaps the motion sensor light would be the best compromise.  At least try  lower watt bulbs, or, depending on the style of your fixture, perhaps you could get the bulbs that only shine DOWN, not all around.

[kelsey17]

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@Libbylady wrote:

We have the same issue with the 3 large carriage lights on each side of the garage doors of our neighbor directly across the street. 

We have blackout shades on our bedroom windows and lined drapes at each side of the windows.

In the summer our trees have finally grown tall and full enough to help block the light, but in the winter we cannot make our bedroom dark enough.  Our master bathroom is flooded with light all night.

I did mention this to my neighbor and they put in lower wattage bulbs (they had a total of 9 bulbs of 60 watts each).  It helped but has not solved the problem. 

This situation makes sleeping with open windows impossible.

I think you are very kind to try to help your neighbor.

Perhaps the motion sensor light would be the best compromise.  At least try  lower watt bulbs, or, depending on the style of your fixture, perhaps you could get the bulbs that only shine DOWN, not all around.

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I so sympathize with  your situation...and i do feel the poster should try to correct the problem...wonder if the

light can be adjusted in a different direction...and maybe the wattage be lowered....or as one poster said...have an 

motion activated light installed there which can go off after a certain amt of time.....

[colliegirls]

Honestly, that is his problem, not yours.  He needs to get different window treatments on his window, if the light disturbs him.

[henderson]

I also agree with the poster who suggests your neighbor purchase black out drapes.  He could also wear eyeshades to sleep with.  I don't think this is your problem.

[ChynnaBlue]

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@CatLoverDogsToo wrote:

It occurs to me that the easiest and most sensible solution is for the parents of the boy to purchase and install light blocking draperies in his room. These can be found at any department store and on Amazon. They are not particularly costly.  I would not change the light on your garage area as I assume it is for safety.

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Yes to this. Your light is only one of many in the world and he's going to run into many more. He can't control everyone else's lights, but he can control his own room. If you want to be helpful AND keep control of your own lights, you might consider researching some blackout drapes for your neighbors and giving them several recommendations.