Blocking out light in a new darkroom

[Atari1977]

I'm restarting my school's darkroom. The room I'm using was a darkroom years ago, then it moved, the new one was shut down, and now it's back in the original room. All the equipment is there, developing trays, a Beseler Dichro 45s, plenty of equipment. We even have a few bottles of liquid illford developer, though they're all about 7 years old now so I doubt they're still good. Anyway the big problem is that the revolving door from the old darkroom may not be put in for a while. The spot where it's going is currently completely exposed, just a door frame. So I was thinking of just putting up a double curtain system in order to block out the light in the mean time. What materials would be best for this job?

 

[tkamiya]

I'm using two layers of giant black trash bag available as "contractor's cleaning bag" from home centers in US. These are extremely durable and with two layers, sufficiently opaque. It's cheap, too. I just duct taped few pieces together to get to the size I needed.

 

[wildbill]

lots of threads on the subject:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

I would suggest two or three layers of the black plastic sold by gardening suppliers. Tape it across the top of the doorway and down both sides, preferably leaving an opening which can also be taped up. Then you just need to place something across the bottom to stop the light from sneaking in.

 

[Reinhold]

Blackout fabric is what you want.

100% opaque.
It drapes like fabric, not like a recycled garbage bag.
No static cling or sparks like plastic.
Easy to sweep to one side for entry/exit.


Visit your local JoAnn or Fabric Depot,
Ask for room darkening fabric, or...
http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=4d99d227-1543-4be0-b98b-b15f5956f690

Reinhold