Backdrops and windows

[The Butcher]

I'm using a spare bedroom for my layout. The room has two windows at different heights because of the slanted ceiling at one end. My layout height will likely be around 50-52". With even a modest 12" tall backdrop, a lot of the natural light from the windows will be blocked. I'd really like to keep as much of the sunlight coming into the room as possible because the room gets used for other things and I don't want it to feel like a dungeon. Can I disguise the window area with scenery so that doesn't just look like a window? Any thoughts, ideas or things you've done in this situation?

[wp8thsub]

My layout room has two large windows (48" across).  I stopped the backdrop on one side, and started it again on the other.  I made no attempt to disguise the openings in any way.  With the layout finished around the windows, their presence doesn't bother me, and I didn't lose any natural light for any times I may want it.

DSC03135

by wp8thsub, on Flickr

 

[UNCLEBUTCH]

 Perhaps just a row of trees or brush, or maybe a low bank of dirt, would do.

[hardcoalcase]

I installed roll-up window shades from the local home improvement big box store, choice of color was limited so I opted for light gray, which, when in the down position, somewhat blends with the blue-fade-to-white sky I painted on the train room walls. 

On my previous layout, with the same color shade, I painted the wall sections adjoining the one window with a mix of light and medium grays to represent an overcast sky, and the shade really blended in well.  I may do the overcast thing in places on my current layout.

The shades help hide the window when you're in train-room mode, and are easy to raise to let the sunshine in.

I have read that you can paint the shade if you first apply a shellac coat, but never tried it.

Another option, Hobby Lobby sells large foam board panels, that could be installed over the windows with velcro strips, or loop-on-peg (or just propped-up), and painted to match your backdrop.  Not as convenient as a shade though.  

Jim

[mbinsewi]

I like the idea of the row of trees.  Maybe paint the window sill, or bottom of the sash a green that blends in with your backdrop colors, behind the trees.

Any type of shade, or temporary insert is going to block the natural light your trying to maintain.

Rob's idea works as well, just get used to it.  It's a window, and you want the light.

Mike.

[York1]

The Butcher

I'm using a spare bedroom for my layout....With even a modest 12" tall backdrop, a lot of the natural light from the windows will be blocked. I'd really like to keep as much of the sunlight coming into the room as possible because the room gets used for other things and I don't want it to feel like a dungeon.

 

I'm in the same boat.  I decided that I wanted the light more than I wanted a backdrop for the layout.  I wish things were different, but that's the situation I have.

[BroadwayLion]

In room of LION, a former classroom with big windows, I got some plastic ad boards from our local pepsi distributer (It helps that I used to drink 5 gallons of diet pepsi a week). They always have some lefover inserts that they haven't thrown out yet.

I got these for use as a modeling medium being easy to cut, shape and build into what ever is required. They work good at keeping the summer sun out.

Admittedly they do not look very railroady, but there is an Isle between the layout and the windows.

It is sort of the arm-pit of the railroad back ther, but I do need access to all of those tracks. Much of the layout is painted black rather than being scenicked. After all, how do you build fancy scenery in a subway tunnel?

Note the skill with whch the lion buiods his models from scraps found in the barn or in dumpsters. Well, it does work.

What the heck, since that is Coney Island station at the top of the layout, I could photograph and mount the coney Island backdrop and mount that on the boards.

 

ROAR