How To Blackout Windows (10 Ways To Do It!)

Windows are one of the most popular parts of your home. They give you a good look into your neighborhood, let you have a lot of light let in, and also look stylish. Of course, sometimes, all that openness isn’t a good idea. For one reason or another, you might want to blackout your windows—at least, temporarily. Wondering how you can do this? Well, there are a couple of ways to block light from entering your home.

There are several methods that you can use to block all light and visibility out of your windows. The most common methods include:

You don’t get any more old school than this! Blackout curtains existed since World War II and are a tried-and-tested method that involves adding specialized curtains to eliminate light. Using them is simple: just add them the same way you would a normal pair of curtains. If you want to, you can jazz them up by adding blinds underneath or by doing a nice window treatment setup.

The cool thing about blackout curtains is that they are not just regular black curtains. You can find blackout curtains in almost every color of the rainbow. Some even have ritzy patterns that you can enjoy. If you are looking for a way to blackout your windows in a stylish manner that can easily be reversed, this is it.

Not a fan of the blackout curtains you’ve seen on the market? Not a problem. Modern manufacturers also make blackout curtain liners that you can attach to your current curtains. This keeps light out of your home without the aggravating side effect of cramping your style.

I’ll be honest. Painting over your windows is usually not a useful thing to do, especially if you’re trying to keep your home fashionable. However, it is incredibly useful if you are looking to permanently keep light (and eyes) out of your windows. The paint is opaque, cannot be easily removed, and also will block out most light.

With that said, this approach has a lot of drawbacks. Most cities only paint over windows if a building is condemned and abandoned. Moreover, most people associate painted windows with a run-down neighborhood. As a result, many HOAs will ban this practice outright. Some townships also disallow it for homes that are still inhabited.

Even if it is legal for you to do this, chances are that you still won’t want to do it. In most cases, painted over windows are a clear eyesore. This makes your home “that house” in the neighborhood, and that’s not a nice title to have. Unless you have a truly artistic touch to the paint that you have, you should skip this option.

Window clings are the new way to get blackout curtains, without actually having to sacrifice the curtains you currently have. Much like using foil, most people use window clings as a way to block out UV rays temporarily while reducing the impact that heat can have on your home’s temperature.

If you love the idea of having your windows painted over, but want to do it in a more aesthetically pleasing manner, then you might want to use a window cling. It’s possible to get a window cling that is geared towards UV protection, if you need to save some extra money. Since it’s not as visually displeasing as painting over your windows, this is also a fairly HOA-friendly way to get rid of light in your home.

Even if this item does not totally darken your space, it does provide adequate airflow. Furthermore, it is inexpensive and easy to install without the assistance of a professional.

Mesh fabric acts as a semi-blackout material when used between two blackout window treatments. In this position, the mesh brings fresh air to your space while also providing some shelter from the sun.

Fix the fabric pieces to a curtain rod after they’ve been cut out. If you only intend to use this item for a short time, secure the mesh using tape. Replace the adhesive with hooks and install it as an extra curtain for long-term use.

Instead of installing a blackout curtain, use a liner to minimize the amount of light in your room. If you wish to increase the darkness in the room, you can even attach the blackout lining to your existing curtain.

There are various advantages to using a thermal liner. For starters, it aids in the reduction of electricity expenses to a manageable level. Furthermore, this fantastic product keeps the space cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It also prevents practically all outside light from entering the building.

You might not be able to obtain blackout paper for windows in the stores. However, some cardboard sheets or corrugated boards are the finest options. You can use these alternatives by taping them on your window with painter’s tape.

These materials, like other window blackout solutions, protect your eyes from UV radiation and keep the cold out of your home.

Create a blackout room by sticking bits of velcro or cardboard to the edges of the glass if you already have a window film for day and night privacy.

Believe it or not, they are remarkably effective. When properly installed, typical blackout curtains will be able to block out anywhere from 95 to 99 percent of all light that enters your room.

It’s worth noting that no blackout curtains will ever be able to block out 100 percent of light, but that’s alright. Most people will never be able to distinguish the difference.

When compared to most other methods used to blackout windows, blackout curtains remain some of the most effective methods on the market.