Darkroom Wall Cloth

kbrede · Dec 3, 2012

I'm starting to plan a utility room darkroom in the basement. I don't want to build a permanent structure, so I did some research and came up with: blackout cloth, commando cloth and Duvetyne.

This is one specific product that looks promising. If anyone has a better fabric choice, let me know. http://www.rosebrand.com/product34/...id=174&idx=22&tid=1&info=Masking+%26+Blackout

The ceiling of the room is unfinished. So my plan is to attach the cloth with Velcro onto the wooden supports above. I'm not sure yet how I'll anchor the cloth to the floor. I've thought of Velcro, or using weights of some kind. For the door I expect a flap fixed with Velcro would work.

If anyone sees a flaw in the plan or has some advice. I'm all ears.

Thanks,

djhopscotch · Dec 3, 2012

When i used a temp Darkroom with cloth walls i framed them out of pvc pipe, then attached the cloth to the pipe with velcro strips. Door was just 3 curtains that overlapped with the bottom of the "door" about half a foot longer to allow it to block light.

Herzeleid · Dec 3, 2012

I am using blackouts for my room, as curtains... It gets too bright in the summer mornings
It is a considerably heavy fabric, velcro might not carry it for long especially if you plan to cover a large area.
Even though it blocks light perfectly, it is not %100 light proof, but 2 or 3 layers of blackout would be 100% light proof IMO.
I believe it would be a good idea for portable solution, but extra layers would increase the cost.

bascom49 · Dec 3, 2012

When I was in college and moving around frequently, I build a darkroom with five eight by eight panels. I made the panels from 1x4 pine lumber, covered them with large sheets of cardboard painted back and fastened together with door hinges, three to a side. One panel had a simple door. When I needed to move it all I had to do was pull the hinge pins to disassemble it.

paul_c5x4 · Dec 4, 2012

kbrede said:
or has some advice. I'm all ears.

Velcro will work fine - It is what I use over the door and window in my darkroom. However, don't sew the stuff otherwise you'll end up with a nice neat row of holes to let the light in.

fran · Dec 4, 2012

What about one of those grow tents from ebay? They sell for ~120 or a small one. They are quite popular for erm, indoor growing of, err certain herbs I think......

Fran

wildbill · Dec 4, 2012

don't use devetyne. the flame retardant fibers come off in the form of dust that you don't want to breath or have to clean up. also look up "ultrabounce" at modern studio equipment. it's like white/black ripstop but opaque. black out "paper" is also used in the film industry to seal up windows/doors. if you're basement isn't too bright you may get away with plain old black ripstop nylon which is available at any fabric shop.

Jim Jones · Dec 5, 2012

I've used black plastic sheeting from farm and hardware stores. Probably more than one layer will be required. Thin strips of wood such as lath can hold it to an unfinished ceiling and wall. Heavier strips of wood can hold it tight against the floor.

pbromaghin · Dec 5, 2012

fran said:
What about one of those grow tents from ebay? They sell for ~120 or a small one. They are quite popular for erm, indoor growing of, err certain herbs I think......

Fran

...and quite legally here in Colorado.

Darkroom Wall Cloth

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