Blackout Cellular Shades

10 years ago

I ordered a set of blackout cellular shades for my bedroom but I'm a bit disappointed that the light still filters through the side. I understand that a quarter inch has to be deducted from my original measurements so the bracket would fit in the window frame but I did not expect that the gap would still allow the light to go through. It's almost too bright than I was expectIng. This is as bad as the paper shade that I had in these windows for years. Is this normal?

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Patricia Colwell Consulting

10 years ago

The shade still has to be able to move the sales person should have sold you a shade that is larger than the window with an out side mount but now the best solution is to get some drapes and hang them outside the window and close off the openings where the light come through and just close them completely at night

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Comments (9)

christini24
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi Patricia,

Unfortunately the 'design consultant' did not mention or suggest an outside mount. I would probably consider it coz I really need a complete blackout. I work shifts hence the need for a blackout window covering.

Drape shopping next I guess
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baileysr
10 years ago
Or, just get new blinds, they have good blackout blinds at Home Depot that will cost you perhaps less than the drapes that you don't even want anyway.
smileythecat
10 years ago
I was a installer and people use to complain about this all the time, out side brackets would work better but the light would still bleed in from the sides, but it wouldn't look like a laser. You need that clearance to get the shade up and down of course. How about lining the sides of the glass with a black duct tape, about a inch wide, to cover that gap. Do a neat job and you might not notice it.
Snaggy
10 years ago
They will always let i some light ...I have out side brackets
Sharon
10 years ago
Blackout curtains are the best bet for more complete light blocking. Overstock carries many in different styles for reasonable cost.
Jennifer Dube
10 years ago
The light is coming through at the top and bottom, not just the sides.

The best sleep I ever had was in hotel rooms with both blackout shades AND blackout drapes. As a shift worker, your sleep is very important so don't skimp here.
Elle
10 years ago
I agree that you will need curtains.
christini24
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks all for the suggestions! Right now the quickest and cheapest fix is to use a black duct tape around the window. It really helped cut down the amount of light that goes in. I currently do not want to spend money again for a window treatment after spending a few hundred dollars on this top-down bottom-up shades. Thanks again.