Above are Electric Blackout Roller Blinds fitted behind Roman Blinds
Click this link to see video of these blinds working

Total Blackout Blinds installed in London. Virtually 100% Blackout

On this page I have tried to show the potential issues with “Blackout” and how they can be solved. All of the photos I have used on this page are screenshots from videos of Blinds installed by Inspiring Your Home.
Please do explore this page, I have tried to provide as much information as possible,  if you click on a Photo or link you will be taken to our YouTube channel where a video of a working Blackout Blind can be more helpful than all of my words. Below are a few examples of what is possible ……….

How to get Total Darkness in a Bedroom ?

Firstly  “Gaps = Light”  so “Blackout” fabric is not going to exclude all light from your room if there are gaps at the edges, and Venetian or Vertical Blinds can never provide Full or Total Blackout. The best way to get Total Darkness in a bedroom and exclude the maximum amount of light is a Roller Blind in Blackout Fabric, fitted inside a Headrail or Headbox (to eliminate gaps around the roller and brackets) and with the fabric dropping within the Side Rails or Side Channels (to exclude light at the edges) and with a Bottom Rail for the Bottom pocket of the blind to drop into. In the trade this is described as A Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blind, by Fully Cassetting the Roller Blind you can exclude 99%+ of all light.

What is Lightwash ?

Blackout Roman Blinds always allow Lightwash at the edges – click for the video

The above client did not want a Total Blackout treatment, they are happier with a Dimout effect (when they wake up they know if its Day or Night). We have overlapped the blind by several cms on either side and the dark paint colour helps to reduce the lightwash. I have included this photo to demonstrate Lightwash.

Roman Blinds can offer a softer, more Designer look, however are not really suitable for side channels with their action of pleating as they rise, they also always have gaps at the edge because of the headrail pushing them away from the wall

We obtain the best Blackout with Roman Blinds by adding Dress Curtains and a Pelmet, these fulfill the same function as the headrail and side rails but are softer. When carefully installed with the outside edges of the curtains tucked in inside the pelmet we can also achieve Virtually 100% Full Blackout with Roman Blinds.

How to make Room Darker during the day ?

When you need more Blackout than your existing blinds can give – Click for Video

This client had Roman Blinds allowing too much light (very close to frame edges), fortunately there was enough room in the window recess for a pair of Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blinds to be installed.

At its simplest Blackout is achieved with a Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blind. The Roller Blind itself is fitted inside a Headrail and there are then Side Rails and a Bottom Rail

Total Blackout Nursery Blind

Or

How to make Baby’s Room blackout ?

Do some children sleep better in a darkened room? Complete darkness with a Total Blackout Roller Blind for Nursery – click for video

When we say Total Blackout we are not saying 100% Blackout, because the fabric moves up and down there may be a glimmer of light at an edge, we believe these blinds offer 99%+ Blackout. (The majority of clients would describe this as Complete Blackout)

How to Reduce Glare on computer or TV screen ?

Is screen glare from the windows a problem? No glare with Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blinds – Click for Video

If you have two windows near each other glare and lightwash can be more of an issue with extra edges. With Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blinds the problem is overcome.

Another popular option is a Fully Cassetted Blackout Pleated Blind which may fit more neatly onto modern aluminium windows. as well as darkness the Pleated Blind can offer better insulation properties (with the blanket of air inside)

Do Blackout Blinds help with Insulation ?

Insulating blackout pleated blinds – Click for Video

As well as darkness a Blackout Pleated Blind can offer better insulation properties (trapping a blanket of air inside the fabric), with Side Channels as well draughts are virtually eliminated.

Why do we claim Virtually Total and not 100% Total Blackout? because of possible glimmers of light at the edges where the fabric is fitted into the side channels. For the majority of people these blinds would be regarded as Total Blackout, but we have been doing this for a long time, and twice in forty years I have met a client who is prepared to scream “That’s Not Blackout” as they point their finger at the tiniest glimmer of light that is only visible because 99% + of all light has been excluded.

My Blinds are not Blackout enough can I make my room darker ?

Probably. We are frequently told “I’ve got Blackout Blinds/Curtains but they don’t stop the light, can you help ?”  Your Curtain Maker or Blind Supplier has probably used Blackout fabric or lining, but they haven’t followed the golden rule “Gaps = Light” (“Blackout” Curtains hung on a pole are a prime example). Can we help – probably – it depends on the shape of the recess and how items are installed. We can try to install one of our Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blinds behind your existing window treatment and this should solve the problem (on this page are several photos showing Blackout Roman Blinds or Blackout Curtains where we have been able to do this). If you are having an issue with Blackout do contact us to arrange a site visit so we can see what we can achieve for you.
The following photos show installations where we added more than just the most basic Blackout Roller Blind

Fully Cassetted Total Blackout Roller Blind clearly showing the frame details in close up near the end of the video – click for video

Above we have a Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blind softened by the addition of curtains – useful Video here – towards the end our fitter went closer and you get to see a close up of exactly what the side rails, bottom rail and Headrail look like.

How wide can Blinds go ?

How wide can you make a Fully Cassetted Total Blackout Roller Blind – we can go up to 3m usually, possibly wider on occasion – click for video

Above is a very wide Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blind installed in front of an equally wide Sheer Privacy Blind. How wide can we make a Blackout Roller Blind with Side Channels – just over 3m as standard – possibly wider on occasion – but there is a possible issue.
We get our Blackout Fabric up to 3m wide, and the full mechanism and headrail can add 3-5cm to this. However if your window is under 2.5m in height we may be able to turn the fabric and therefore make a wider blind. However the wider we make your blind the thicker the barrel has to be not to sag in the middle (we cannot support the centre of a roller blind). The biggest barrel we have used was 150mm/15cm/6″ in diameter – quite chunky – and you need to have the space to conceal it

What Blinds are best for keeping out Light ?

When you want to cover all options, a Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blind with Privacy Blind and Blackout Curtains with Pelmet – click for video

The photo above shows what might be useful in Central London. Firstly there is a Sheer Roller Blind for Privacy with a view. Then there is a Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blind. Then you soften everything with Blackout Curtains with Pelmet. This combination, as well as blocking virtually 100% of all light will also provide excellent acoustic insulation by deadening any sound from outside.

Do Venetian Blinds Block Out Light ?

Simple answer – No. Some people think a Wooden Venetian Blind will be Blackout because the slats are solid, however since they never close fully this is not the case. Wood Blinds are very good at excluding glare and can be angled to give a view whilst shading direct glare, however to acheive Full Blackout you would require a Blackout Roller Blind with Full Cassette (Side Channels, Headrail, Bottom Rail) fitted behind your existing Wood Venetian Blind

Wood Blinds are elegant, but let in light, for extra darkness a Blackout Roller Blind can be installed behind – click for video

Wooden Blinds are lovely, but have quite specific uses, often best for privacy and glare control in a dining room or conference room. In bedrooms the major issue is they don’t close fully and will always let in light. (Boring Technical Reason – There is a tape or cord ladder holding the slats. When you tilt the slats this tape or cord prevents full closure, and there is “the pyramiding effect” the top slats tilt best and each subsequent slat tilts a little less, on a long drop this is quite noticeable. Also a white blind or shutter will reflect more lumens than a dark wood blind or shutter).

Do Plantation Shutters Block Light ?

Insulating Blackout Pleated Blinds fitted within Shutter Frame to provide Insulation, Darkness and Privacy – click for video

Do Plantation Shutters Block Light, yes, if you get them from experts. One of the most comprehensive and elegant solutions for many windows remains White Wooden Plantation Shutters with Full Blackout Pleated Blinds mounted behind the louvres within the wooden frame. White wooden shutters give privacy with insulation and are very good at dealing with glare. They are not designed for Total Blackout and the wood to wood closure of the white louvres always leaves a small gap – you can’t see through but light will find its way. Adding the Full Blackout Pleated Blinds solves this issue and the shutter frame frames the blinds. Best installed as one comprehensive set (with deeper frames to accomodate the blinds) it has been possible on aoccasion to add Blackout Pleated Blinds behind the shutters but this depends on the shape of the windows and is never quite as perfect as an integral set of White Wooden Shutters with Full Blackout Pleated Blinds.

Properly installed Plantation Shutters will Block Light, Block Noise, Keep Heat In, Insulate and Give Privacy.

Best Blackout Solution for Nursery or Bedroom ?

Total Blackout Blinds for Childs Bedroom – click for video

So here are just a pair of Fully Cassetted Blackout Roller Blinds offering Total Blackout for this childs bedroom. This treatment is simple, it doesn’t block any light entering the room, and if the room is quite small it makes it appear larger not smaller. For many clients this is sufficient, but only you know what you would like as your Perfect Blackout Solution

We do install Blackout Vertical Blinds, however we cannot make these anywhere near 100% Blackout, too many edges, and most of the edges are in the middle of the Blind and move with it as you draw it. Adding a pelmet will help at the top and the 185 degree rotation does minimise light wash where the louvres overlap. Vertical blinds have their uses where privacy during the day might be a concern or indeed direct sunlight wants to be controlled. Measured carefully and installed well they do offer some Blackout Qualities but there will always be some light wash.

We install all types of Blinds (Roller, Roman, Pleated, Vertical etc) but the real trick for “Total” Blackout is the gaps.
All of the above Blinds can be made with Blackout fabric or Blackout lining, however we achieve the best Blackout with Roller Blinds followed by Pleated, each of these can be easily fitted with side channels,

If you would like us to provide a Total Blackout Solution for you, please do just ask

You can get in touch by emailing us at info@inspiringyourhome.co.uk or feel free to give us a call on 0203 893 7777.

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