blocking light through curtain gaps

ByteZine

I'm thinking of ways to block light coming through curtain gaps
that is
via the wall-rail gap for the curtain
and round the sides and bottom.

the curtain is 'blackout'.

Any thoughts on how to block the light-gaps around curtains ?
e.g.
put adhesive trunking underneath the rail (but none seem deep enough i.e. about 40mm)
anything else i might put under/along the rail to block out the rail gap ?

Also tried draught-proof insulation down the sides, with very limited success (5mm depth)

always_sunny

velcro-velcro

ST1991

Fix the curtain pole higher than than window (this is what we do, apparently also an interior designer tip to make the room look bigger..?!) That might help.

If it is light from the top, you could get one of those curtain skirt-looking-things. don't know the correct terminology.

Or... get a black-out roller blind fitted inside the window too? Then roll it up during the day to let in light.

mpet

In our bedroom we have a roller blind as well as curtains. This blocks out light perfectly and is also good if you have lightweight curtains that let light through.

Grenage

Generally you have the curtain rail above and wider than the opening, so that the curtains will cover all of the opening. The velcro idea would work, if the curtains aren't wide enough, but it's not uncommon for adhesive velcro to come off with the paint, if you need to remove the curtains.

ByteZine

thanks for the replies so far.

yes i was thinking velcro.
i see there are 'official' velcro curtains, but i guess diy is an option too.

john lewis are the only ones i know that have a 'flush' rail.
i have this in one room. not great looking (meant for caravans ?) and the way the curtains hang on the special rails it seems to let light through. maybe thats my best option tho.

i might try with an adhesive trunking rod to reduce the gap. dunno.
or maybe some sort of shelf-type rail cover thing as someone mentioned

you would think 'flush' rails or light-blocking rails would be the norm now.

questionss

We use a plain black out roller blind right against the window and then blackout curtains - we still get some light through but it's a lot better

ByteZine

i suppose another thing that may help :
curtain rail brackets with less of a gap.

d0nkeyk0ng

Look at curtain pelmets as well.

ByteZine

thats the word