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Blackout Shades

Blackout Shades are great for media rooms and bedrooms, eliminating nearly all sunlight from entering your room, while lending the look of sleek custom shades. They are available with an assortment of lifts and can be customized with an optional decorative valance. These blinds absorb UV rays, keep homes cooler throughout the day and help to lower air conditioning costs. Watch your favorite movies during the late morning or afternoon without squinting. Relax and unwind from a hard day’s work while the sun is setting. Available MOTORIZED!

Measuring Tips ⟶

Measuring Tips

  1. Use a steel tape measure for the best accuracy.

  2. Round each measurement to the nearest 1/8”.

  3. Always record width (left to right) first, and then height (top to bottom).

1. Choose Inside or Outside Mount

An inside mount fits inside the window casing. An outside mount hangs above the window or on the wall surrounding the window. We recommend an inside mount whenever possible.

Choose an inside mount to:

  • Give your window a clean, simple look
  • Highlight attractive window moldings
  • Free up the wall space that would be used when installing an outside mount

Choose an outside mount to:

  • Minimize light gaps and offer more privacy
  • Make your window appear larger
  • Hide windows that are crooked or unattractive
  • Clear obstructions in the window casing (like cranks) that would interfere with an inside mount

2a. Measure your Window (Inside Mount)

Mounting Depth

Now that you’ve selected your blind or shade, you have to make sure the window frame is deep enough to fit your product.

• Find your product’s mounting depth in the “Measure and Install Specs” tab on the information page for the product.

• Measure the depth of the frame from the wall to the window glass.
• If the window frame is too shallow to accommodate your product, select an Outside Mount.

Width

• Start your measurement at the depth where you plan to mount your window treatment.

• Measure the exact window opening at the top only.

• Round to the nearest 1/8”.

Height

• Start your measurement at the depth where you plan to mount your window treatment.

• Measure the exact window opening at three places: left, right and center.

• Record the tallest height.

Please note:

Light Gaps: Inside mounted roller shades will have an approximate 1” vertical light gap between the edge of the fabric and the window casing on the side with the cord loop, and a 1⁄2” light gap on the other side. This is because the fabric must be cut narrower than the operating mechanism at the top.

If this is not acceptable, consider:

  • Adding drapery panels to cover the light gaps

  • Choosing an outside mounted roller shade with at least 2 1⁄2” overlap on each side

  • Selecting a different product, such as Honeycomb Shades, which have smaller light gaps of up to 1⁄4” on each side

    Squareness: Don’t be surprised if your windows aren’t symmetrical – many aren’t. However, If your 3 width or height measurements vary by more than 1⁄2”, the product may not operate properly, and the light gaps may be greater than expected. Consider an Outside Mount in this case.

2b. Measure your Window (Outside Mount)

Since an outside mount covers more than just the window frame, there are a few additions you will need to make to your measurements. We will make the product to the exact dimensions that you specify.

Width

• Measure the width of the window opening.

• Add an overlap of 3” on each side of the window (6” total) to allow for more privacy and light blockage.

Height

• Measure the height of the window opening.

• For the top: add a minimum of 2 1/2″ in height to your measurements for the mounting brackets.

• For the bottom: measure to the window sill.

Please note:

Molding or Trim: We recommend mounting your window treatment above the molding. If you do plan to mount on the molding or trim, be sure the surface you’re mounting on is flat.

If you have no window sill and would like to cover the trim evenly on the bottom, add an equal amount of overlap to the bottom measurement as you do for the top.

Child Safety:

Window covering cords can be a strangulation hazard for young children and pets. Please review our Child Safety information (http://www.blinds.com/control/infopage? page=kidfriendly_blinds.html) to learn about products that are safer for kids.