How to Block Light Gaps Around Blinds

How to Block Light Gaps Around Blinds

If you have window treatments, you might have noticed that even when they are lowered and closed some light peeks in through on the side gaps. If you enjoy a darker room or even if the sun hits that gap just right, these gaps can be a nuisance. Luckily, there are a couple of different ways to tackle light gaps, and Bloomin’ Blinds is here to share.

Why do light gaps happen with window treatments?

blinds with light gap

Photo by Nong Vang on Unsplash

Light can filter around window treatments because blinds and shades need to be slightly smaller than the window frame to easily slide up and down without rubbing. Custom ordered treatments help minimize gaps more than stock options available in stores.

Whether you are looking to modify your current window treatments or are looking for new treatments that reduce light gap, here are some tips to help you get there.

How to Get Rid of Current Gaps Around Blinds & Window Treatments

If you like your current window treatments but need some solutions to help block that pesky gap light, there are a couple of tactics you can utilize.

Layer Drapery or Curtains Over

Layer Drapery & Curtains Over Window Blinds

By layering drapery over your current window treatments, you can block the edges while maintaining your current treatment functionality. This is a strong option for those that want to pull the curtains into the design of the room or add to their current aesthetic. Additionally, if you incorporate blackout curtains as part of your layering, you can pull them across your blinds for further light blockage.

Add Vinyl Light Gap Blockers

Light blocking strips (or Light Blockers) are an adhesive vinyl strip that can be attached to your window frame and will obstruct those pesky gaps. These are typically used in tandem with blackout window treatments but can be used to simply reduce the light coming in from the sides.

Light blockers work best with the following types of window treatments:

  • Roller Shades
  • Plain Fold Roman Shades
  • Flat Fold Roman Shades
  • Hobbled Roman Shades
  • Flat Woven Wood Shades
  • Pleated Shades

You can purchase Light Blockers in most home and home improvement stores, including Walmart and Home Depot, or you can even purchase them online through Amazon.

How to Prevent Light Gaps When Adding New Window Treatments

If you are ready to start from scratch and upgrade your windows, here are some tips on how you can best eliminate the pesky light gap in the future.

Choose a Style with Reduced Gaps

Even though mounting a window treatment in a window frame will require some space between the treatment and the frame, there are certain styles of treatments that fit more snuggly and can reduce the size of gaps. Cellular Shades and Roller Shades are good options for those looking for a more fitted window treatment style.

Additionally, if you enjoy a darker room or more light blockage, certain blind styles are better for blocking light than others, like wide-slated blinds or S-wave blinds. When paired with a Light Blocker strip, you can more thoroughly avoid light gaps.

Choose a Blackout Fabric

If you prefer a darker room, choosing a heavier or blackout material could help you achieve what you are wanting. Many types of window shades are available in blackout options, including:

  • Blackout cellular shades
  • Blackout roller shades
  • Roman blinds with a blackout liner
  • And more…

Finding the right blackout window treatment for your home is easy, especially because so many shades can be customized to accommodate your functionality and aesthetic needs.

Choose an Outside Mounted Treatment

outside mounted roller shade

One way to avoid light gap is to completely remove the gap from your windows. Installing an outside mounted window treatment allows the blind or shade to hang above and around your window, rather than in the window frame. This will eliminate the gap between the frame and your window treatment and allow coverage over the entirety of the window.

Learn more about blind installation near you or check out options for shutters and shades from the Bloomin’ Blinds blog!

Kevin Stuart About the Author: Kevin Stuart, Bloomin’ Blinds
Kevin has been a part of the Bloomin’ Blinds team since 2004. He is an expert in window covering repairs and has been known to finish even the hardest repair in 12 minutes and 26 seconds (the fastest Bloomin’ Blinds repair time yet). Kevin loves puzzles and values fixing things and bringing smiles to the faces of his clients.

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