Blackout curtains to block sunlight out - easiest, no skill solution

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Aluminum foil completely blocks out the sunlight. The connections need to be taped with aluminum foil tape that hvac professionals use, it's sold in Home Depot and Lowes and on Amazon. However, to make the aluminum foil not shine and disturb your neighbors outside, you should put a layer of paper tape first. So to make my blackout window, I got these three things: 

1. Blue Hawk 30-in x 2-ft Paper Packing Paper 

2. 3M Foil Tape 3381 General Purpose HVAC Tape 1.88-in x 150-ft

3. Kingsford Heavy Duty Non Stick Grill Foil

I taped the white packing papers first to the window frame. Then taped the aluminum foil. While, when you eventually take them off, it will probably partially peel off the paint from the window, or may stick hard to the surfaces if left long term - but there is no easy black out solution that won't damage anything. I found this is the easiest and requires almost no skills. 

When the window is covered in aluminum foil and aluminum foil tape, what I found is that little drafts make the aluminum foil pop and make annoying little sounds. So I imagine you may need to place a curtain on top of the aluminum foil to prevent air movement and the subsequent noise from the aluminum moving. 

Good luck

 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Leave it to NOC shift staff to think up great solutions!

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

Eh, I just use a manta sleep mask. Best one I’ve tried, and it doesn’t make my neighbors think I’m running some kind of marijuana grow or drug lab behind my foiled out windows.

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Specializes in ER.

Sleep masks are great if you cannot black out room entirely. You sleep much deeper in total darkness. 

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