Tips for Measuring Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains can effectively keep light out of a room, making sleeping better and also helping to lower utility bills. Follow the simple tips below to ensure that you measure for each part of your blackout curtains correctly.

Tip #1 - Top of Window

Make sure the rod for the blackout curtains is above the top of the window to block as much light as possible. You should ideally extend at least 4 inches up onto the window frame to keep out the light with the blackout curtains.

Tip #2 - Length

Measure from where you’ll be positioning the rod for the blackout curtains to the very bottom of the window frame. This will ensure that no light can enter underneath the curtains. The greater the area you cover with the curtains, the less heat you’ll lose through the window at night.

Tip #3 - Sides

The rod for the blackout curtains needs to extend beyond the window by between 2 and 3 inches on either side. Many blackout curtains have magnetic strips on the side to hold them in place against the window frames and block the light. If yours will have these, discover where on the curtain they are and allow room to install a magnetic strip on the window frame for the seal to be made. Ideally, the strip on the frame should be invisible when the curtains are pulled back and open.