[JP]

I've done some searches and can't get any good leads on a real product that will work for what I'm looking for. However, something tells me a number of people on this forum have found something.


I have two normal size windows in my home theater. I have thick blinds on each window but light spill is significant during the day. If I can simply block out these two windows I will not have ANY light spilling into the room given the layout.


However, my one requirement is to have the option to also see through the windows when I'm not blocking out light. I would think they make some kind of shade that would allow me to do this but I can't find it.


I wouldn't want any solution like drapes, velcro, etc.. Any guidance is appreciated.


JP

 

[W00lly]

You could use this product and remove it when not using your room just a idea. pretty hard to get total light control without sealing off all the edges.

http://www.soundaway.com/Soundproofi...Doors_s/55.htm

 

[eskay]

With the Lutron QED series of shades, you can get side channels and sill angles to seal off the edges. Google "qed side channels" and download the first PDF link. Pricey, but probably a very good solution.

 

[rboster]

DIY solution is to buy foam rubber cut one inch larger than the inside of your window frame. Wrap the foam with black felt. Both can be found at Joanne's or other type material hobby store. When not in use you can remove them. This provides complete light control when placed behind your shade/curtain.

 

[usualsuspects]

The foam plug solution works well, and it does not have to be black velvet. Blackout cloth (white) works just as well at anything.

 

[ericeash]

put drywall over it!! also aluminum foil works great on the cheap.

 

[rboster]



Quote:
Originally Posted by usualsuspects /forum/post/12799738


The foam plug solution works well, and it does not have to be black velvet. Blackout cloth (white) works just as well at anything.

Yes, there are a lot of different solutions to wrapping the foam. But, one does have to wrap it in some material to reflect or absorb the light, since the form is porous

 

[JP]

I appreciate the responses but the foam plug was what I was hoping to avoid. The lutron shades are probably exactly what I want but I haven't called to find out about pricing yet. I have a feeling that I will suffer from sticker shock.


It would be great if they made a manual version of the Lutron shades that weren't so expensive. Anyone? Anyone?

 

[gremmy]

the simplest and cheapest solution is to thumbtack a double layer of backout cloth inside the window well..this looks like a shade from the outside and you can cover it with whatever from the inside.

 

[krboo]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gremmy /forum/post/12808400


the simplest and cheapest solution is to thumbtack a double layer of backout cloth inside the window well..this looks like a shade from the outside and you can cover it with whatever from the inside.

that's what I did. now mine is behind the screen, so you won't see it, so i didn't care how pretty it looked. see the link.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=977008

 

[whiskey alpha]

remove the window?

I use a heavy velvet wrap around curtain on mine. No light gets through it or around it.

 

[shawt831]

Lutron does make manually operated shades.

 

[Chuck1906]

There is a fabric Duvetyene (spelling?) that I use when i have to do on location video production shoots. If I have to shoot an interview or something in a room with open windows, I usually will pin a large section of that fabric to cover the window and it will instantly turn a bright room, dark! I even have some here at home and can make my bedroom dark in the middle of the afternoon with the sun facing the side of the house where my room is.


This material is probably not what you were posting about but I thought I would say that there is fabric out there that will block all light from coming in a window.

 

[nchen]

JP, check out North Solar Screen. They have some manual blackout shade systems for a few hundred bucks per window. I'm thinking about these for my window.


Norm

 

[Phil Olson]

Hunter-Douglas sells blackout shades that are totally light blocking, (silver centered accordian design). They come in a huge variety of colors including black.


They sell them at Home Depot and are reasonable as shades go. My wife liked them so much she put them around the house including the bedroom for light control, (high WAF

).

 

[MTBDOC]

x2 on the Hunter-Douglas at Home Depot. We installed them last week, and they are totally light-blocking. We got the double cellular style, which basically have two of the little honeycomb spaces across the width of the shade. They are mylar lined, and completely opaque. As an added bonus, I am SHOCKED at their heat insulating properties. Last weekend, I got up and opened them...MAJOR blast of cold from behind them. Glad to prevent the heat loss out of the room.


As far as the edges of them, if you measure properly, there is such a minimal amount of light coming through, it is inconsequential. I have toyed w/ something to 'seal' around the edges, but really it doesn't matter unless you stare directly at it. There is so little light around the edges.


My use of these is in a dedicated theater room in the center of the house (which someone else would likely use as a living room). My wife agreed to painting three walls flat gray, and the ceiling/front wall are charcoal. The shades flank the screen on either side, and they blend perfectly (as they are a charcoal color as well). Even though there is white trim in the room, the ceiling is high enough that it really isn't a distraction.


When I get the room finished I'll do a short thread on it w/ pictures. Still have to add most of the acoustic treatments, "install" the A7-900 when it gets here in a couple of weeks, bring the Berklines in, build the star ceiling, and then we'll be finished.

 

[rboster]

For some minimal light spill is not acceptable

I fall into that category, that's why I used the foam plug behind the light control shades.

 

[ockie]

I have Levecor (not expensive at all) cellular light blocking shades. They do a great job of insulating and they don't let ANY light in or out. The only thing you may want to do is either build a trim chanel or use some sort of blind channel so that you can block any light which may try to escape around the sides. Levecor is availible at Lowes hardware stores and they cut it free of charge to your dimensions, so you can get a super tight fit for your window.

 

[AustinWG]

I built frames for the inside of the windows out of 2x2s and L brackets, and stretched blackout fabric over it. I used latches on the inside of the windows and just screwed some handles to the outside of the frame. Then i put some thin foam around the edges to block out leaks. It took about 3 hrs to build, blocks out 100% of light and only cost $76. If you have any construction experience, they look very professional.

 

[streetdaddy]

I have the same problem. I am going to buy cheap black out shades from walmart and take them off the spring loaded roll. Then staple them onto the outer edge of my windows.

To improve the look from the outside i will put up some curtains inside the blackout shades.