Black out window curtains

Does anyone have any experiences using this product? .https://blackoutez.com/Blackout-EZ-Window-Covers?zenid=26996c7adb7422264b8ad44ee4670f58 Appears to be a good way to block out window light.

I use them. They work well though small amounts of light can slip in around the velcro. You still may need to do some double masking. The fabric itself is totally light tight. Overall it looks a bit cleaner than taped up plastic so I like it. Plus when I'm not using it I roll up the fabric partially and use a clothes pin to hold it in place.

You can go to your local fabric store (Joann is a national chain) and get the cloth made to be sewn to the back side of drapes. Some people call this blackout cloth. It’s light tight and can be easily cut and sewn to fit your individual needs.

Remember the light travels in a straight line (unless it bounces from a diffuse reflective surface) So what you need for truly light trapping on windows is TWO light blocking things, not just one. That then forces any light to bounce between two black matte surfaces before it ever emerges, and at a much lower intensity due to the matte nature of the 'reflecting' surface' Think of the 'light trap' darkroom maze 'doors' seen in public darkrooms.

I made one panel inset into the window opening, and a second panel which is larger than the window opening and covers the interior surface and overlaps opening in the the wall. Works well enough for me to have mid-day darkroom sessions in my second bedroom when I lived in an apartment.

I got blackout material from Jo'Anns and using stapled Velcro, inside the window frame, and with some trial and error, got a very good fit.

I did allow another one and a half inches of extra material as an all-around border, to the Velcro, as a baffle and that helped a lot!

To make sure that no direct light, should time of misadventure loosen the light seal and i no catch it soon enough, I used an inexpensive white blinds, as another 'baffle' layer.

It's been at least 5 years and no leaks so far.

Tip; Use a stable table of sheet plywood or heavy exterior foam isolation to lay out the material, for marking and cutting, and if you machine sew, remember the 'rubber' side of the material, once pierced by even a small needle, will allow hundreds of stitches to become pinhole lights, when blocking out sun and sky!

I used good quality, fabric backed Gaffer's tape to seal sewn seams, and that did the trick, but using a good fabric glue to apply strips of blackout fabric to those seams, will work as well, just be certain to glue fabric to fabric, no the rubber sides.

Cheers.

Gaffer's tape is your best friend.

eli griggs said:

I got blackout material from Jo'Anns ,,,,, remember the 'rubber' side of the material, once pierced by even a small needle, will allow hundreds of stitches to become pinhole lights,
Cheers.

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So this is rubberized fabric? Burke and James used to sell a product like that, great stuff. Instant darkroom or overlap for a light trap door. (I had a 1 gal E6 batch line in the kitchen at one time.) A yard of that stuff makes a great waterproof view camera dark cloth.
Thanks!

fwnative54 said:

Does anyone have any experiences using this product? .https://blackoutez.com/Blackout-EZ-Window-Covers?zenid=26996c7adb7422264b8ad44ee4670f58 Appears to be a good way to block out window light.

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I placed an order the other day after reading this. I've been using a wood luan panel which works well. I also purchased some light gray blackout cloth at Joan's in the past. I use it now as a backdrop for still life and items that I'm going to sell.

Ordered these and put them up today. They were very easy to install and work really well. Will have to use some gaffers tape on some areas. I put them around the entire window frame rather than directly on the window, this made for an easier installation as well as better light proofing.

fwnative54 said:

Ordered these and put them up today. They were very easy to install and work really well. Will have to use some gaffers tape on some areas. I put them around the entire window frame rather than directly on the window, this made for an easier installation as well as better light proofing.

Click to expand...

Isn't is just the most satisfied feeling, knowing you have bettered your darkroom space, once and for all!

My Darkroom, when running, is my very own "Fortress of Solitude"!

IMO.