Yes, that was a major concern I had when deciding whether to display my cards. Ultimately I chose to accept the risk and do the display. I wasn't looking at my cards on a regular basis, and I needed to see them in order to really enjoy them and make the hobby worthwhile.

So, I did what I could to mitigate the risk. The room where I have the cabinet has two windows that get indirect sunlight. I bought some UV-blocking film that supposedly filters out 98% of UV light and installed it on both windows. I also installed the same film on the cabinet glass. So, in theory, the indirect sunlight is getting double-blocked on its way to the cards. I have blackout curtains that I usually keep down over the windows also. The lights in that particular room are only on for maybe an hour a day on average, and they are all LEDs, which emit less UV. The LED strands inside the cabinet are only on very rarely, and usually only for a couple minutes at a time.

So with all of this, I'm hoping that I'm as protected as reasonably possible.

While everyone would like to show off their collection, my big concern about displaying items is the possible damage that UV rays can cause. You were the only one in this thread that specifically mentioned that as part of your design and you seemed to have done everything possible to minimize the effect. Good job.

I chose a different approach to display my collection
 

I chose a different approach to display my collection. With over a decade to go in the last millennium, I purchased a somewhat large, very heavy and sturdy 5-drawer blueprint case from SAFCO Engineer Supply Company. Expensive, and its space could not be totally useful, but I was adamant even in 1989 about preventing UV light from damaging, and destroying, my collection.

Several years ago, I began converting it to a card collection display. I drilled out the heavy metal flaps used to keep blueprints flat. Then, I got some superior, thick Crescent matte art cardboard and carefully cut them to fit the viewing area of each of the 5 shelves. I bought good cotton batting to glue down on the cardboard. I made each triple thick. Then, I over-layed each mat with midnight blue velvet, or purple crushed velvet. Each pad had an additional pad in the back to prevent graded card holders from sliding back too far; in retrospect this was unnecessary but my German overengineering trait in me willed out.

I could not be happier with the result. ANY TIME I wish to see my collection, I just pull out a given drawer. For most of the 1,440 minutes in a day, ultra violet light will never touch it. Even then, the hobby room has a covering blocking the small window that allows daylight in, as I prefer to use the room's fluorescent light.

Furthermore, I personally do not want to see my collection every time I enter the hobby room, as familiarity breeds contempt, but displaying them in the open breeds irreversible UV ray damage. When I want to treat myself, I admire them. I do not have the same feeling for my model car collection. The sun's rays won't hit them either because of my blocking the window.

I guess each of us collectors has his own whims, fears, and preferences. Guys, your displays are all sensational.

I've shown a pair of photos of my collection in the case on here a couple of times; I won't dig them up unless someone wants to see it.

Cheers.:D ---Brian Powell

My display rooms are in the basement. There is very little sunlight in my MLB and none in my NFL room. I’ve been displayed autographed baseballs, memorabilia, cards, etc for over ten years and haven’t noticed anything fading. I do have to run dehumidifiers from April-Oct but that’s about it.