Blocking out the light at the window

[Nygge72]

Hi, I'm looking to see if anyone has a good tip on how to cover the windows at night (but easy to remove during the day) to completely block out light. I'm having trouble with this at the summer cottage. Since we have white walls inside and the sun rises so it shines in, it's like turning on a lamp in the room

Currently, I have roller blinds that we "tape" at the edges and put a sweater on top, but it's still not quite tight, so I'm thinking of making some kind of board that can fit inside the window frame, but I'm not sure how I would attach it.

So I was wondering if anyone has good/smart ideas how to solve this, and I would gratefully accept suggestions.

 

[Jonatan79]

Do you have real blackout blinds (roller)? Do they sit inside the window frame or outside? Paint the bedroom in a dark color.

 

[Nygge72]

Yes, they are real blackout roller blinds, and they are mounted outside to be as close to the window frame as possible. What we need is an addition to these blinds. There is indeed the possibility of putting up blackout curtains as well, but we prefer to avoid making more holes in the wall/ceiling since the cabin is very small and has many windows. Hence my idea of creating a type of small board that can be inserted into the window or can stand on the windowsill and seal against the frame. However, I'm not quite sure how to attach it in a good way in that case.

Either you can attach velcro to the frame/board, or alternatively, you should have something that locks the board in place.

 

[Tosse]

I have had masonite boards that I have placed inside the window recess when my wife has worked night shifts and wants to sleep during the day. It became pitch dark. Stored under the bed. A bit inconvenient compared to a roller blind, of course.

 

[Nygge72]

That's kind of what I'm thinking of doing. Did you attach them in any way, or how did you ensure that they stay in place and don't gap anywhere?

The masonite becomes 100% tight that way, right?

 

[Tosse]

I sawed the noggrannyt and leaned them against the window. They almost stuck on their own. Didn't attach them in any way. Thought it was very tight.

 

[Johan Gunverth]

Do as in Southern Europe and install real shutters on the outside to significantly reduce light and heat intake. In combination with your existing roller blind, it should become significantly darker. You can also keep the house cool and pleasant during summer.

 

[Nygge72]

Okay. However, I think I need to set something so I know they stay in place. But you can always try without first.

Shutters are not something I want to spend money on since this house is old and not a permanent residence, otherwise it would have been a good idea.

 

[Nygge72]

Came up with the idea that I could put a soft insulation strip inside the recess and lean the masonite against it. Then it doesn't need to be cut super straight as it will seal any gaps that might occur during cutting. Maybe not the most aesthetically pleasing to have a strip there, but definitely the most effective.

 

[NetNut]

I helped one of my neighbors who had the same problem; since he had a ventilation vent, it wasn’t possible to just place a board as it would fall due to the airflow. We solved this by attaching magnets to the board and a white-painted thin plate on the window. It stays in place well and is easy to remove during the day, and it’s not visible unless you stand very close.

 

[gasolgrill]

I have had the same problem. I solved it with small neodymium magnets that I attached to the wall and magnets with knobs that I clamp the roller blind with. It has worked perfectly for two years now.

 

[D09]

Picture of the windows/problem area?

 

[Nygge72]

Magnets, I haven't thought about. That was a good tip and will be checked.

 

[tommib]

We have a roller blind combined with thick blackout curtains that catch what comes from the side. Unfortunately, we needed double curtains because IKEA's light blackout curtains are not that effective. Therefore, we have a dark pair behind them.

There is a little light leakage at the top of the roller blind, but it's so minimal that it isn't a problem for us. If it were, I would place a piece of thick felt fabric against the top of the roller blind and fasten it with a strip against the wall.

 

[Nygge72]

We have tried that option before and partitioned off rooms. The problem is that we have had IKEA's blackout ones from before, and they are really dense, so dense that they even block ventilation between rooms. So it didn't work well. Also, I would prefer not to make more holes in the walls.