Blackout blinds solution - help needed

ConorC1

Ordered black out blinds during the winter and they were fitted and all seemed ok. However the company I dealt with failed to mentioned that there would be loads of light coming in either side of the blind and over the roll at the top of the window. With it being so bright in the mornings the room is crazy bright and wakes me up at times. Has anyone a solution here to darken the room. Ideally I don't want to have to stick something to the window every night and remove it again in the morning. I contacted the blind company and they basically said they supplied and fitted exactly what I ordered

cobham

Yes same problem. I was told I would need to enclose sides of blinds with fixed slats on window frame to cover this light.

.

10-10-20

That's the trade-off with blackout blinds on some windows if they can't be fitted tight. At the end of the day they don't promise that light can't enter around the sides.

Try look at roman blinds and have them fitted into the recess.

elperello

Do you have curtains as well as the blinds?

NIMAN

I have ones fitted into Velux windows and they do a decent job, but believe it or not, a little light still sneaked in. But just a little.

I have kids rooms, which suffer the same issue as the op. Hanging them up on curtain poles leaves the blackout blinds inches away from the window, and light is going to get in.

policarp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058298422/blackout-blinds-solution-help-needed

If it's essential for blackout,you might try roller shutters.

RichardAnd

For full blackout, you'll need something that completely covers the glass of the window. I have something like this in my bedroom:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FCOOL-Portable-300x145cm-Temporary-Apartment/dp/B0BRXDFVM1/ref%3Dsr_1_2_sspa?keywords=blackout+blinds+stick+on&qid=1685429012&sprefix=blacko%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

These will completely block out the light, with the caveat that the windows will need to remain closed.

gandalfio

Same issue here. We have blackout curtains over the blinds, but light still gets through.

Have Googled it extensively and can't find a solution that allows you to open the window whilst maintaining blackout. Surely someone somewhere has figured this out.

Make sure the blind is as close to the window as possible, when the blind rolls down it should be touching the frame or the handle of the window.

You can put a rail at the side to block the light there, example of a cheap one from amazon below. There are better available.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Easy-Shadow-self-adhesive-Klemmfix-individually-shortened/dp/B00W2DPL8Y?th=1

For light bleed at the top you can have the blind put in a cassette, again just an example of what it looks like below.

https://www.etsy.com/ie/listing/601146886/casette-for-roller-shade-blind-window?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_ie_en_ie_-home_and_living-curtains_and_window_treatments&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjwvdajBhBEEiwAeMh1U8f7cVyaQVsZj37N7bZngOkuuRVC3HPUKbC3YVpVe2gzgt822tnxKRoCoUkQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_13703308034_123455838639_530490401512_pla-304649336624_c__601146886enie_473551817&utm_custom2=13703308034&gclid=CjwKCAjwvdajBhBEEiwAeMh1U8f7cVyaQVsZj37N7bZngOkuuRVC3HPUKbC3YVpVe2gzgt822tnxKRoCoUkQAvD_BwE

These improvements should make the room a lot darker if not pitch black if installed properly.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120656421#Comment_120656421

The easiest solution for an adult is an eye mask.

I work nights and the only solution that works is something which mounts directly to the window frame or completely seals the window alcove. Blinds and curtains are useless. I used to use a blackout that velcroed to the window frame but it had to be put up everyday and it started to let light in on the creases from folding, in the end I went eye mask.

GreeBo

For my kids rooms I bought some of this, cut to size and put either side of the blind to act as a guide for the roller

https://www.diy.ie/departments/white-pvc-equal-u-shaped-channel-l-2-5m-w-21mm/3232637807654_BQ.prd

You stick it on its side with the opening facing the edge of the blind. You can also use it on the bottom but I just closed the blind beyond the window board instead.

For the top you could do similar with some wider L shape profile.

ConorC1

Thanks for the suggestions folks. I like the ideas of the side rails or u shaped channel. Simple, easy to fit and not too costly. Could always take them down then for half the year

spuddy

These are excellent, no light bleed, total darkness.

https://www.blocblinds.ie/window_blinds/blocout_info?source=nav

gandalfio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659987#Comment_120659987

You can't open the window though with those.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120661472#Comment_120661472

At the risk of seeming dumb, I can understand not being able to open one of those inward types but why can you not open an outward opening casement window?

gandalfio

If there's any wind it'll break the blind.

RainInSummer

We have the bloc blinds, really good at blocking light. They create such a tight seal though that pressure from wind/doors opening or closing will wreck them.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120661537#Comment_120661537

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120661687#Comment_120661687

Gotcha.

ec18

curtains?

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120661907#Comment_120661907

That's the answer.

Curtains with blackout lining plus blackout blinds.

As good as you will get and windows can be opened.

ec18

That's what our blinds fitter said if yiou want a full blackout you need shutters outside or to hang curtains

gandalfio

We have blackout curtains on top, still gaps of light getting through.

Kato74

1970`s style curtains with the fabric ran across the top of window.

Mr Q

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659987#Comment_120659987

I had one before and it was really good.

Except the two bottom corners which let in a small amount of light.

Great option if not concerned about opening the windows when the blind is down.

spuddy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120661687#Comment_120661687

Not a problem in our experience. It's rare enough though that we would have the blind fully down and the window open. Even with that, it only pulls the blind slightly towards the window pane, takes about 5 seconds to guide them back into the rail.

No solution is perfect, but compared to the black out blinds which we had professionally fitted in other rooms, the bloc blind actually does what you expect it to do.

Alun

In Germany, and some other countries, it's common to have what they call "rolladen" or rolling shutters. They're not pretty but very effective at keeping light out when you close them right down, and also enhance security. It's a bit difficult to explain what they are, so here's a video link with a bit of an explanation ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmitDnEtjjM

Cerco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120662571#Comment_120662571

I use magnets on the blackout bedroom curtains. Four on each side, bought in Lidl or Aldi a few months ago. They were sold unpacks of 6. The magnets lock onto the edges of the reveal (I think that is what is called??) ...the right angled edge between the wall and the widow recess. Perforated metal edging is used to get a clean edge on some or all windows. I think it is called angle bead or trim. It works well for me.

Supercell

We have Bloc Blinds too and there is light bleed at the edges due to the fact that the plastering isn't exactly straight, i'd imagine that's common enough. Bloc blinds have a dark sponge at the edge of their fittings which presumably is to alleviate this but its too small in our case. Have thought about getting some of that door seal sponge that you can get with a sticky back to add to it.

The windows behind the blinds get insanely hot in summer an i'm afraid as a result to totally seal up in case they crack so leaving as is. If we could have gotten outside shutters that didnt look industrial instead it would have been a better solution.

Supercell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120662943#Comment_120662943

We would love to buy those, looks ideal, looks like something similar here, but no pricing..

https://oknoplast.ie/roller-shutters/sol/#start

NIMAN

I had often thought of a large piece of plywood, perhaps hinged in the middle to ease storage when not in use.

It would sit on the window sill and extend perhaps 1 inch over the recess. Keep in place by 2 little keepers at the top.

Never got round to doing it though!

gandalfio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120691399#Comment_120691399

Yes but light still comes in where the curtain is hung on the track. We've pleated curtains, so less light than eyelet ones, but still some light coming in.