9 Easy Ways to Blackout a Window

Apart from improving your health, sunlight from an open window offers a great deal of ambiance to your living space. But when the light that comes in becomes excess, this could make you feel uncomfortable.

Let’s say you work at night and rest in the morning; you will have to reduce the brightness in your room. After all, excess light disturbs sound sleep. For this reason, you should know how to blackout a window.

But how can you perform this task? Luckily, you can use various window treatments that can keep the light from your home. Besides, they do a great job of offering complete darkness.

Different Ways on How to Blackout A Window

1. Install an Awning

Many people do not know how to blackout a window. Well, if you fall into this category, consider getting an awning. But first, let’s talk about this tool.

An awning consists of sheets made from canvas that you hang outside your exterior window. This prevents natural light from reaching the doorway and window space of the building. This way, it promises complete darkness, especially in rooms.

Does your building face the direction of a sunrise? If yes, a well-placed awning should control the brightness levels in the building. But the spot at which the rays touch the window shows how great the canopy should work.

Imagine your window stays above a hill or another building, and the sunlight come from a higher angle. Instead of slapping on window tint, a lengthy overhanging awning will reduce the brightness in the building.

2. Get a Mesh Liner

Even if this item does not keep your room dark completely, it offers a reasonable amount of airflow. Besides, it does not cost much, and you can install it without any professional help.

When you use mesh fabric, it works as a semi-blackout material, especially between two blackout window covers. In this position, the mesh provides healthy air to your room and offers some protection from annoying sunlight.

Do want to know how to blackout a window with this item? Start by fixing blackout curtains and cut the mesh liner into the right pieces. You should also ensure that the mesh liner fits the height of the window.

As for the width, go for a size that best suits your needs. For instance, if you want more airflow, a full mesh should do. But this also means extra light in the space. To get the right fit, you will have to balance both elements.

After cutting out the fabric, fix the pieces to a curtain rod. But if you want to use this item for a short period, secure the mesh with pieces of tape. For permanent use, swap the adhesive for hooks and install as an additional curtain.

3. Cover Your Window in Aluminum Foil

If you want an option that keeps the light out and cuts your energy bills, try covering the window glass with aluminum foil. To apply this material, use painter’s tape to stick it to the window, particularly if you want to avoid any damage on the glass. Since it is cheap and easy to use, aluminum foil comes as one of the best window blackout solutions.

4. Place Privacy Film on the Windows

Another perfect example of how to block out light from bedroom window or any other room involves the use of privacy film.

Companies build this material with plastic so that you can cut and attach to your window. This product does not plunge your space into total darkness, but it reduces the natural lighting to an acceptable level.

5. Treat Your Window with Film

Do you need the best way to blackout windows for sleeping? Some window tint or film serves as the ideal choice. Compared to other ideas, it is easy to use.

Window film also has a thin profile that can cover an entire window pane. Thanks to this quality, it can darken any space without any fuss. Overall, such rooms you use it will enjoy privacy, protection from UV rays, and extreme temperatures.

6. Blackout Shades

Unlike regular curtains, roller and roman shades can completely block out any light that disturbs your sleep. Since most stores stock these products, you can get this item with ease.

If you want to save cash, you get a DIY blackout curtains. For this project, you will need a fabric that keeps out light. However, the retail variants look better than the homemade ones.

7. Install Cordless Blackout Window Shades

These types of blackout window cover consist of two colors – silver one end and black on the outer part. The silver part faces the window and offers shelter from UV rays while the cordless look keeps your room clutter-free.

To clean the surface does not require much work. Just soak a rag in water and wipe gently. As for ease of use, the spring system helps the shade open and close quickly.

8. Black Out the Light with Curtain Liners

Rather than install a blackout curtain, you should use a liner to reduce the light in your space. You might even fix the blackout liner to your current curtain, especially if you want to enhance the darkness in the room.

Liner does not necessarily use dark-colored surfaces. Instead, they use their thick fabrics to block any excess outdoor natural and artificial lighting.

Choosing a thermal liner has several benefits. For one, it helps cut down power bills to a reasonable rate. Besides, this incredible product cools the room in the summer and makes it warms in the winter. Also, it keeps out almost all of the outdoor light from entering the building.

9. Cover the Glass with Cardboard

In the stores, you might not find some blackout paper for windows. But some sheets of cardboard or corrugated board stands as the best alternatives. You can use these options by placing them with painter’s tape on your window.

Like most window blackout solutions, these materials shield your eyes from UV rays and keep out the cold from your home. If you already have a window film for day and night privacy, create a blackout room by taping bits of velcro or cardboard to the edges of the glass.

Wrap Up

Sunlight makes our rooms look bright and makes you healthy. But when it becomes too much, the light can disturb your sleep pattern and make you feel uncomfortable. Apart from using window blinds, you can try different items to solve this problem.

These options include awnings, aluminum foil, privacy film, window tint, and blackout shades. Are you thinking of how to how to blackout windows temporary? Then, tape some mesh wire to your curtain rods. But if you prefer other methods, try cardboard or curtain liners.

Most of these materials offer insulation, which means less utility bills. Besides, you can get them at your local store and install them without any help.