Best Side Tracks for Blackout Shades: Enhance Sleep and Privacy in Any Room
Side tracks or side blockers are essential for achieving true darkness with blackout shades. This guide highlights top-rated light-blocking side tracks designed to seal gaps on both sides of blinds, roller shades, and other window coverings. Each option focuses on easy installation, durable materials, and reliable light control, helping you create a consistent dark environment for sleep, video viewing, or nursery use. Read on to compare features, installation methods, and practical considerations for selecting the right track system for your window treatments.
| Product | Brand | Key Benefit | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bliwans Light Blocking Strips | Bliwans | Blocks side light leaks; easy trim | 58 |
| WINSMAR 100% Blackout PVC Strips (White) | WINSMAR | Two-sided light blocking; straightforward install | 58.5 |
| Miideayin U Channel Light Blocking Strips | Miideayin | Premium design; optional screws; strong adhesion | 58 |
| DRSART 100% Light Blocking Strips | DRSART | Cut-to-size; flexible for various window widths | 58.5 |
| Blindify Light Blockers Side Tracks | Blindify | Reduces leakage; durable PVC with 3M adhesive | 58 |
Bliwans Light Blocking Strips For Window Shades
Bliwans offers blackout L-shaped side tracks designed to seal the sides of blackout curtains, shades, and blinds. Made from light-absorbing PVC, these strips help eliminate side gaps and reduce light leakage in bedrooms, home theaters, or nurseries. The 58″ length is easily trimmed to fit most window widths, and the product cites compatibility with cellular shades, honeycomb blinds, roller shades, roman shades, and more. The installation can be accomplished with simple trimming, enabling a custom fit that enhances privacy and sleep quality without complex tools.
WINSMAR 100% Blackout Strips For Window Shades
WINSMAR’s two-piece, two-sided light blocking strips come in a 58.5-inch length and are designed to close light gaps on both sides of window coverings. The strips are trimmed at home with a hacksaw or hand saw to match window width. They emphasize the need for slightly smaller blocks than the window opening to prevent rubbing and leakage. Installation can be straightforward: position the L-shaped strips near the edges of the shade to maximize coverage, delivering substantial darkening for bedrooms or nurseries.
Miideayin U Channel Blackout Strips
Miideayin’s U-channel design targets light leaks from both sides of window coverings. The kit includes high-density adhesive strips, optional screws for a more permanent hold, and a thorough trimming process to fit 58″ tracks. The product highlights a complete blackout effect by sealing gaps near the edges of blinds or shades. The installation accommodates both peel-and-stick and screw-on methods, enabling reuse if you relocate or refurbish window treatments, and it’s particularly suitable for bedrooms seeking reliable darkness and privacy.
DRSART 100% Light Blocking Strips
DRSART offers cut-to-fit light blocking strips designed to seal the sides of blackout window blinds. The standard size is 58.5″ x 1.6″ x 0.9″, and the strips can be trimmed at home with a hacksaw. The product emphasizes full light blocking, making them suitable for offices, media rooms, bedrooms, and any space where darkness is required. This option is positioned as a practical, versatile solution for standard window widths and a range of shade types.
Blindify Side Track Blockers For Windows
Blindify’s blackout side tracks focus on reducing light leakage with durable PVC side blockers. The strips are widely used at 58 inches and can be trimmed to fit window widths. The product emphasizes a secure 3M adhesive for strong, reliable sticking, addressing common concerns about strips peeling away over time. This option is suitable for bedrooms, nurseries, or media rooms where consistent darkness and privacy are essential.
Buying Guide: Key Considerations For Selecting Side Tracks
- Light-blocking effectiveness: Look for L-shaped or U-channel designs that seal light from both sides of the shade, especially for sidelight leaks near the window frame.
- Fit and trim options: Most tracks come in standard lengths (about 58″ to 58.5″) and can be trimmed to fit your window. Confirm the width of your shade and whether the track can be cut safely with a hacksaw or similar tool.
- Adhesion vs. screws: Decide between adhesive-backed tracks for quick install or screw-on variants for a more permanent hold. Screws can improve durability over time but require tools and potential wall modification.
- Material quality: PVC is common for light-blocking strips due to its light-absorbing properties and durability. Consider tracks with velvet interiors or reinforced edges to reduce wear on fabric.
- Installation flexibility: Some products offer dual installation modes (peel-and-stick or screw-on), increasing reuse possibilities if you relocate or redesign your window treatments.
- Room usage: For bedrooms and nurseries, prioritize maximum blackout coverage and privacy. For living spaces or media rooms, balance darkness with ease of access and aesthetics.
- Compatibility: Ensure the track system is suitable for your shade type (cellular, roller, roman, or blinds) and that it can be installed on either the inside or outside of the window frame as needed.
Across these options, the primary aim is to minimize light intrusion from the sides of blackout shades, thereby enhancing privacy, improving sleep quality, and supporting comfortable daytime viewing. When selecting a set, consider the window width, mounting style, and whether you prefer a temporary or permanent installation. The reviewed products provide multiple approaches to achieve a consistent, dark environment without extensive modification to your window coverings.