Do small (½” to ¾” wide) or bigger light gaps between your roller blinds and the window frame keep you up at night? A quick fix to block the light coming in through gaps is to install the blinds above the window sill and measure it 3” to 4” wider than the window on each side.
Can’t create a perfect setting in your media room to enjoy watching a movie with your family? Looking for easy, effective, affordable ways to correct roller blind gaps? Here’re 10 pretty epic tricks to say goodbye to the frustrating gaps at the sides of your roller blinds.
Even minute openings in blinds can let in enough light to make it difficult to sleep and make it even harder to create a glare-free zone in your bedroom, study room, or home theater.
Leakage points can expose your furnishings in your room to UV rays and heat. The harsh UV rays may also cause health problems like skin cancer. You’ll need to fix them immediately for better UV protection.
There are several quick, practical solutions to eliminate a roller blind gap – from adding a light blocker or blackout liner to layering multiple window treatments.
Roller shades do produce such slits between fabric and frame edges. A cost-effective way is to purchase blackout roller shades with side tracks and sill channels.
Alternatively, just go with an outside mount and add 3 to 4 inches of dark-colored fabric to each width and height for better light coverage.
What are Roller Blinds?
Also referred to as “rollers” or “roll-ups”, roller blinds are budget-friendly roll-up fabric window covers. They are one of the best window treatments around.
Roller blinds come with:
- A variety of custom cut fabrics – synthetic and natural woven
- 100’s of size options – from 15 x 24” to 103 x 120” (width and height)
- Lots of light control options – from sheers to light filtering to room darkening or total blackout
- 2 roll-up styles – standard and reverse
- Various lift styles – cordless spring roller, continuous loop beaded chain, & motorized
- Affordability – you can buy a blackout roller shade for as low as $40!
Why Do Roller Shades Have Larger Light Gaps?
While inside-mounted window coverings produce light gaps or a glowing halo effect, roll-up blinds have significantly larger light gaps. Here are 3 reasons:
Roll-up Mechanism Causing Slits Between Edges
A roll-up window cover has a larger roller mechanism at its top, which causes slits between fabric edges and the frame.
Loose Fabric Construction
The nature of roller blinds’ fabric construction causes the largest light gaps.
Fabric Deductions
Deductions are made to leave at least ½” of space on each side of the blind for smoother, obstruction-free operation.
10 Quick DIY Corrections for Light Gaps on Your Roller Blinds
To harvest decorative and functional benefits of roller blinds, you’ll need to get the right size and ensure a perfect fit without leaving any small gaps.
If there are gaps, they will cause light and air to leak through, affecting their blackout and insulation functionalities.
There are several quick fixes for light gaps on roller blinds, depending on the specific cause of the gap. Here are some common DIY methods to correct roller blinds gaps.
1. Accurately Measure Your Window Frame to Ensure Edge-to-Edge Fit
It’s extremely important to accurately measure the width (w), height (h), and depth (d) of your window frame, so you can order a custom-cut fabric.
An incorrect measurement will lead to ill-fit, resulting in smaller or bigger light gaps. It should be noted that there are different measurement procedures for inside and outside mounts.
2. Go with Outside Mount ‘Rollers’ and Add 3 to 4” Extra Fabric
Installing rollers to the inside of your window’s frame will have more chances of creating small gaps.
A better and easier alternative is to hang the shades on the outside of your window frame (on the wall). It will completely cover the window opening, eliminating all light gaps.
However, there will be a soft glow of light around the window. To deal with this issue, increase the overlap of fabric on your windows by choosing 3 to 4 inches oversized (along both width and height) roller blinds.
3. Consider Pairing/Layering Multiple Window Covers
If you want to display your ornate window frame, you won’t like to mount your roll-up blinds exterior to your window frame. Don’t worry! An alternative is there! Pair or layer multiple window treatments on the same window frame to eliminate light gaps and ensure total darkness.
Popular layering options include adding a blackout curtain or drape on the top of sheers or solar roller shades. This will not only provide 100% light control, but it will dress your room even better, as endless fabric and design options are available.
For a classic touch, combine a roller shade with a Roman blind.
4. Buy Blackout Roller Blinds with Gap-filler Side Tracks
If you buy blackout roller blinds with side tracks, they’ll not only improve light control fun but also give a more contemporary, streamlined look to your decor.
Roll-ups with side and sill channels also totally eliminate light gaps. They are an ideal choice for night sleepers and night-shift workers to enjoy a good night’s or day’s sleep.
5. Adjust/Realign the Mounting Brackets
Misaligned mounting brackets can cause small gaps on your roller blinds. As a quick correction, you should loosen the screws that hold the brackets in place and carefully adjust or align the brackets up or down using a level tool, as needed.
Then, you will need to retighten the screws to fix the brackets in their new position.
6. Fix the Bottom Bar
If the bottom bar of your roller-up window treatments is misaligned or bent, it can create a small gap.
Gently straighten the bar using your hands or pliers to ensure it is even and properly aligned with the rest of the blinds.
7. Add a Valance or Cornice
If the light gap is present at the top of the roller blinds, you can install a cornice or a valance above your blinds to cover that gap. This decorative addition not only conceals the gap but also enhances the appearance of the window treatment.
8. Replace or Repair Damaged Components
If the gap on your roller blinds is caused by broken or damaged components such as brackets, chains, cord loops, or motorized lift systems, it may be necessary to repair or replace them. Contact the manufacturer or a blinds repair service provider to obtain the correct replacement parts.
The method you choose to fix the gap on your roller window treatments will depend on the nature, cause, and your level of comfort with DIY repairs. If the issue seems more complex and you are unsure how to fix it, you should consult the manufacturer’s instructions or seek professional assistance from an expert.
9. Add Vinyl Light Gap Blockers
These are vinyl strips with a sticky backing that can easily adhere to your window treatment to cover any gaps. They can also be used to cover a gap between two blinds and give an extra touch of style to your roll-up window coverings.
Child-Safety Alert: If you have installed corded lifts on your roller window treatments, they could cause strangulation or choking hazards for young children and pets in your home. To fit this issue, you need to install child-safe control systems, such as cordless, motorized, or smart home integrated lift styles.
10. Use Light Blocking Strips
Owing to the nature of their fabric’s construction, roller blinds have the largest light gaps, especially when mounted inside. We recommend high quality light blocking strips as the perfect solution to fix gaps and ensure maximum light control.
A 5-Step Guide to Identifying and Correcting Roller Blind Gaps
Below is a step-by-step procedure to identify the nature of light gaps and apply fixes.
Step 1. Gather the Tools You’ll Need
You will need tools like a screwdriver and a steel measuring tape to identify and fix light gaps.
Step 2. Assess the Cause of the Gap
Determine the exact cause of small or big gaps on your roller blinds. It could be due to misaligned brackets, insufficient spring tension, a bent or misaligned bottom bar, or certain other factors.
Step 3. Check for Obstructions
Inspect the area around your blinds, including furniture, mounting hardware, or any objects that may be blocking the window covering from fully closing, opening, or adjusting.
Remove any obstructions that might be preventing the blinds from settling into the correct position.
Step 4. Make Corrections as Needed
After determining the cause of the light gap, you can make corrections to cover that gap.
Step 5. Test the Blinds Function
After making the necessary corrections, you should fully extend, lower, and adjust your roller blinds multiple times to ensure they operate smoothly without any small or big gaps. Make sure your roller blinds are aligned correctly and settle into the desired position without any irregularities or obstructions.
FAQs
How do you block the gap between blinds?
There are multiple effective ways to block or fill the gap between blinds, such as ensuring edge-to-edge fit, adding extra fabric, layering, and adding blackout liners or light-blocking strips. Among these options, layering offers an ultimate blackout effect. Layering a drapery on the top will effectively close the gap between roller blinds.
How do you adjust the width of roller blinds?
- Step 1: Measure the width of the window frame.
- Step 2: Unroll the fabric onto a flat surface.
- Step 3: Cut off excess fabric using sturdy scissors or a sharp cutting knife.
- Step 4: Cut the top roller tube 0.15” wider than the fabric using a small hacksaw.
- Step 5: Cut the bottom rail.
- Step 6: Reroll the fabric material, ensuring the patterns are on the outside.
- Step 7: Install your blinds and make corrections for light gaps, if needed.
How to block light gaps around blinds?
A simple ‘hack’ to block light gaps around blinds is to install instant light blocking strips on your windows. If you have inside mounted roller blinds, these simple strips will easily sit around the windows to block the light gaps. Another way to completely block light gaps around your window blinds is to hang them outside the window frame.
Should blinds have a gap?
Your blinds shouldn’t have a gap to ensure 100% light control and maintain their decorative appeal. Even the smallest gaps along the sides or between the edges will spoil both the look and functionality of blinds.
What if my roller blinds are too wide?
If your roller blinds are too wide for your window frame, you have two solutions.
- First, cut them to size, cutting off any excess fabric.
- Second, choose an outside mount for better light coverage and make your window look bigger.
Need More Help?
Still not sure which light-blocking solution to choose for your unique needs? Contact our customer care professionals to identify and correct light gaps on your existing or new roller blinds.
Use 24/7 live chat or give us a ring at (800) 863-6109 now. Also, you can order a free sample of an edge-to-edge fitting blackout roller.