Window treatments?

Sportera · Jul 11, 2007

I am now i setting up the darkrrom in the new house and need to black out a window. I used to use black plastic tacked around the window but I want something that I can remove daily to let light in.

Any ideas?

I thought of building a frame and covering it with material but unsure of how to mount it.

Thanks
Sam

Pinholemaster · Jul 11, 2007

Aluminum foil. Can be shaped easily to fit any window. Very thin but absolutely light tight.

winger · Jul 11, 2007

I think I saw plans somewhere to make a frame that's covered and can be hung over the window - easily removed. It was kinda like a picture frame with a solid covering, slightly bigger than the window's frame. I'm not sure where the plans were (though maybe linked from here), but maybe that's enough of a start to make something.

KWhitmore · Jul 11, 2007

I used heavy duty sticky velcro around my window with a double thickness black cotton material with a bit of stretch to it. I had a friend sew the velcro on the cloth for me and I used a staple gun to attach the sticky velcro to the window frame. I love the big ripping sound it makes when I peel it back.

Kathy

jstraw · Jul 11, 2007

winger said:
I think I saw plans somewhere to make a frame that's covered and can be hung over the window - easily removed. It was kinda like a picture frame with a solid covering, slightly bigger than the window's frame. I'm not sure where the plans were (though maybe linked from here), but maybe that's enough of a start to make something.

This sounds about like mine. I framed the window with 1x4, perpendicular to the wall surface so that there's a "box" around the window. I made the "lid" from a sheet of masonite (hdf) and 1x1 angle aluminum, pop-riveted to the board. I used caulk on the corber seams and rivet holes. The lid fits about like a tight shoe-box lid. It has two handles on its front so I can handle it with some ease. I have four pins that go through holes I drilled in the aluminum and into the wooden box and secures it perfectly in place.

I never take it down so I gave it an extra light seal of gaffers tape but that will only add about 10 seconds effort if I ever need to remove the cover.

pentaxuser · Jul 11, 2007

There's a lot to be said for darkroom blinds that can be raised and lowered. School darkrooms used to have such blinds and seemed to work well - at least at my school. Compared to permanent light excluders they are expensive, depending on window size but very versatile. Windows can even be left open and yet light tight and toning in daylight conditions has to be better than in artificial light.

If the darkroom is a permanent fixture and likely to be there for several years then the additional coast of blinds is probably quite small on a price per hour usage.

pentaxuser

Bill Mobbs · Jul 11, 2007

I have used removable panels of foam board covered with black plastic. I used foam pipe insulation along the edges to make them slightly over size. These can be pressed into window frames without any damage. easy to remove when work is done.

Bill

Nick Zentena · Jul 11, 2007

cardboard works If you know anybody with old heavy drapes. They can work. Combine the two and it's quick and easy to set up or remove.

Robert Hall · Jul 11, 2007

If you want them to look nice, try shutters with hinges on the sides, make them look nice in the wood shop and set them up to have overlaps and felt to baffle the light.

Flotsam · Jul 11, 2007

I use Black Foamcore, available at Art stores or sites. It is opaque and easy to cut to exact size and shape with a box cutter or razor blade. A little weather seal (I use felt) around the edges keeps the light from sneaking around the edges. Light, cheap and easy to put up and take down.

Sportera · Jul 12, 2007

all great ideas, thanks guys!

juan · Jul 12, 2007

My bathroom/darkroom window is recessed, so I made a frame of 1x1s that was slightly smaller than the recess. I covered it with blackout cloth from the fabric store - the stuff made to go behind drapes. I cut the fabric larger than the frame so that I could bunch it into the space between the frame and the recess. It blocks all light - even in the the brightest sun.
juan

resummerfield · Jul 12, 2007

Be careful with aluminum foil on the inside of the window, as heat build-up can be significant. I did this to a skylight and permanently damaged the thermo-pane glass. I think a better solution would be aluminum foil or similar on the outside of the window, perhaps in a plywood box that can be removed, or a solid hinged shutter. Then, on the inside, place a shutter or blind.

jeroldharter · Jul 14, 2007

I like JStraw's idea. Fairly simple to build, long lasting, durable, and dust free. I would not want to use curtains because they are dust magnets and would stir up dust every time they are put up/taken down.

Neoprene could be used to seal light leaks on the edges, also.

Colin Graham · Jul 14, 2007

I used a piece of 2" rigid foam insulation cut to the i.d. of the window though-bolted to a sheet of masonite 2" bigger on every side. The insulation sort of friction-fits into the window and the overlap of the masonite further seals out the light. I used oversized fender washers as not to crush or pull through the foam when tightening the bolts.

Before bolting together I wrapped the whole thing with fabric and spray adhesive to help with the light seal. Mine is for a 3'x5' window it's still quite manageable. I did also screw a handle to it to make it easier to remove and carry around. Stores out of sight behind a door, you could even hang it on a door.

Window treatments?

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