Fitted black out curtains now have light coming in over the top of the curtains

richardc1983

We fitted a pair of blackout linings to our curtains and the way these fitted to the curtain hooks meant we had to have the curtains hooked to the windows on the lowest part of the tape that runs along th etop of the curtains.

Meaning there is a gap at the top of the curtain near the ceiling so we have light coming in now and defeating the purpose of having blackout curtains!

Any ideas on how to resolve this easily?

Thanks.

WestonDave

Wooden pelmet?

(I'm gradually going around the house ripping them out!)

richardc1983

WestonDave wrote: »

Wooden pelmet?

(I'm gradually going around the house ripping them out!)

I know they are really ugly though aernt they?

I would only need a small one but have no idea how I would go about fitting or getting one made!

WestonDave

The ones I'm removing appear to consist of a plank of wood along the top with similar down the ends, and then a shaped piece of hardboard to form the front. They then screw into the batten on the wall that the curtain rail is fixed to.

What size do you need and whereabouts in the country are you - I might still have one in the loft that might do!

richardc1983

Its approx 7 foot long and then at the sides about 1.5ft on each side as its a bay window. Im in Leeds.

Thank you.

WestonDave

The 7ft I could probably have done but not the returns for the bay, and posting from the west country would be prohibitive!

I think you can buy a secondary curtain rail that allows for a fabric pelmet, but then you've got to get them made to match the curtains.

Just had a quick look at the blackout linings we've got on our kids room curtains - cheapo liners from Shaw - they just hang from the same curtain hooks as the original curtains and whilst they tend to hang a bit below the old style running rail it doesn't affect where the curtain sits in relation to the window. I'm sure the ones we had in our room also used to hang from the lower hole on the curtain rail slider (newer swish rail) while the proper curtain was fixed onto a funny arrow hook on the back of the slider. http://www.fittingservices.com/products.php?product=Swish-G%252d4-Sologlyde-Curtain-Gliders
This also seems to keep the curtains higher.

richardc1983

I am thinking of getting someone in to make a wooden plinth type thing that goes in front of the curtains.

The hooks is similar to what we have as we bought liners that hook onto the existing hooks however our hooks are squared whereas in the link they appear to have a curve on the top clip bit.

Thanks for your help.... just need to find someone who will make this wood!

roddydogs

Whatever you do its virtually impossible to get 100% light tight, unless you go to silly lengths.

tanith

I've found that blackout blinds hung right above the window work better ...

richardc1983

tanith wrote: »

I've found that blackout blinds hung right above the window work better ...

Thers no space above the window, the window runs to the ceiling and the curtain rail is installed just ahead of it.