Blackout blinds can be an invaluable way to control the amount of light passing into a room, while also providing warmth and protection from UV rays.
Blackout blinds are particularly useful for children’s bedrooms, especially when trying to get children to bed during the summer when it’s still light outside.
Most kinds of blackout blinds can be created by selecting the right kind of fabrics, and by customizing existing blinds in a number of ways. While not always foolproof for completely restricting the amount of light passing through a window, blackout blinds can represent the next best thing.
1 – Choosing Fabrics
A single piece of blackout material is necessary to create the right kind of blackout effect. Typically made from fabric, these materials should be sensitive to heat, and treated to protect from the damage of ultra violet rays while still providing insulation during colder months. Special types of cloth can be picked up which can be added to the back of an existing blind using tape, or by being fed into an existing roller.
As with any type of blind, it is important to make sure that you have the right measurements before attempting to match up a blackout blind to an existing frame or blind.
2 – Perfect Fit Blinds
One option for creating a blackout effect is to perfectly fit a blind to a window or door frame. Using an exterior frame to completely cover a space, this approach can be used for most types of blinds, but is particularly useful for roller blinds, Roman blinds and vertical UVC blinds. Perfect fit blinds is recommended if you want to attach an interior frame to a window, and might be the best option for skylight windows that let in a lot of light.
3 – Customizing Existing Blinds
In terms of roller and Roman blinds, a blackout blind can be added to create a full blackout effect, or at least the next big thing to it. Fabric can be attached through a thin felt attachment. Some blinds may require you to remove their valance attachment before binding a second blind layer to them. Vertical and Venetian blinds need to make sure that slats are pointing up before attaching a blackout fabric.
4 – Getting the Most Out of Blackout Blinds
Blackout blinds are excellent for nurseries and children’s rooms, and can also be decorated with patterns, shapes and decals. Make sure that you maintain a thematic consistency with the rest of your interior design though, and try to match up the fabrics for blackout and main blinds.
5 – Remembering Safety
Blackout blinds are as much a safety hazard as any other type of blind, especially for children. Make sure that all cords are out of reach, and that blackout blinds are not installed near to furniture or fittings that can be climbed on by small children. Moreover, make sure that there aren’t any parts to a blackout blind that can be easily dragged down from the wall to create a crushing hazard.
About the author: Christina Appleworth looks at the different ways in which blackout blinds can be made. Visit web-blinds.com for blackout roller blinds and much more!
Credits: Photo courtesy of Peter Anderson.