Best Window Shades With Side Tracks for Superior Light Blocking
Choosing the right window shades with side tracks can dramatically improve room darkness, privacy, and comfort. This guide highlights five top options that install along the sides of blinds and shades to block light leaks. Each product features a durable PVC construction and an easy installation process, designed to reduce side light gaps and enhance rest spaces, home theaters, and nurseries.
| Product | Brand | Length | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Blocking Strips for Window Shades and Blinds | Bliwans Store | 58″ (2 pcs) | White |
| 100% Blackout PVC Light Blocking Strip (L-Shaped) | WINSMAR | 58.5″ (2 pcs) | White |
| ZSTARR PVC Light Blockers Side Tracks | ZSTARR Store | 58″ (2 pcs) | White |
| 100% Light Blocking Strips Blackout L-Shaped PVC | DRSART | 58.5″ (2 pcs) | White |
| Blackout PVC Light Blocking Strips for Side Tracks | Unspecified | 58″ (2 pcs) | White |
Light Blocking Strips For Window Shades And Blinds
The Light Blocking Strips from Bliwans Store are designed as PVC, L-shaped side blockers that install along the sides of curtains and blinds. They are intended to seal light gaps on the edges of blackout curtains and sunshades, making them suitable for bedrooms, home theaters, and nurseries. These strips help reduce side leakage, supporting privacy and improved sleep quality in rooms where darkness is essential.
Key benefits include blocking light from both sides of the window and working with various shades, including cellular, honeycomb, roller, and roman styles. The PVC construction is aimed at absorbing stray light and minimizing leakage, offering a practical solution for achieving a darker environment without replacing existing window coverings.
100% Blackout PVC Light Blocking Strip (58.5″)
WINSMAR light blocking strips are designed to be trimmed to fit window sizes, with a standard size of 58.5″ by 1.6″ by 0.9″. Constructed from light-absorbing PVC, these strips are meant to address light leaks caused by narrower blinds or shades relative to the window opening. They function as an L-shaped blocker that can be placed in front of or behind the window treatment to reduce glare and enhance room darkening.
Installation emphasizes customizing length at home and understanding that side gaps often permit light entry. The product suggests careful sizing to avoid rubbing against the window frame when shades move, ensuring consistent darkness and privacy without altering the primary covering.
ZSTARR PVC Light Blockers Side Tracks
ZSTARR Side Tracks use an L-shaped PVC design to minimize light leakage at the edges of blinds and shades. The product aims to address the common issue of side gaps that reduce overall room darkening. By blocking side light, these strips contribute to a darker environment, which can enhance privacy and sleep quality while remaining compatible with a range of window coverings.
Designed to work alongside the existing shades rather than replacing them, ZSTARR emphasizes improving light control in bedrooms, nurseries, and media spaces where darkness is desirable. The materials and form factor focus on durability and ease of installation along window perimeters.
100% Light Blocking Strips With Dual-Side Tracks
DRSART offers a 58.5″ long L-shaped light blocking strip designed for dual-side tracks that block light on both sides of cellular blinds, roller shades, and other window coverings. The strips are crafted to be cut to fit windows, making them adaptable for nurseries, bedrooms, and offices. The product emphasizes full light blocking along the sides to meet needs for undisturbed rest and maximum privacy.
Installation notes highlight trimming with a hacksaw and aligning the strips closely to the window treatment. DRSART also points to the necessity of ensuring the shade is slightly narrower than the window to prevent rubbing, which helps to maintain consistent darkness over time.
Blackout PVC Light Blocking Strips For Side Tracks
This set emphasizes design optimization and robust adhesion. The track interior features black velvet to absorb light and reduce wear on curtain edges. A thickened adhesive strip is included for stronger, more reliable sticking, plus magnets to adjust paste position during installation. The product aims to minimize light leakage and create a dark, private environment while keeping installation straightforward and repeatable.
What makes this option notable is the combination of improved adhesion with adjustable positioning, helping to accommodate walls and window frames that may be uneven. It is positioned as a practical upgrade to existing blackout setups, enhancing darkness without requiring a full replacement window treatment.
Buying Guide: Key Considerations For Side-Track Light Blockers
- Light blocking effectiveness: Look for L-shaped or dual-side tracks that seal the side gaps of blinds or shades. PVC is common and effective at absorbing stray light.
- Compatibility: Confirm the strips fit your window treatment type (cellular, roller, roman, or blackout shades) and that they can be trimmed to size.
- Length and width: Standard lengths around 58″ to 58.5″ fit most windows, but measure precisely. Widths around 0.9″ to 1.6″ are typical for easy installation along the sides.
- Adhesion and mounting: Consider products with strong adhesive backing and optional magnets or adjustable positioning to accommodate wall conditions and avoid damage when removing.
- Installation ease: Some require a hacksaw for cutting; others use pre-cut sizes and simple application. A clear installation guide or video can help reduce installation errors.
- Durability and maintenance: PVC-based strips are generally durable and easy to wipe clean. Check for wear resistance on edges and corners that contact the curtain track.
- Privacy and sleep impact: Side blockers are designed to improve room darkening and privacy, which can contribute to better sleep quality in bedrooms and nurseries.
- Aesthetics: Most options are white to blend with window frames; however, consider color options if your window surrounds require it for a seamless look.
- Removal and reusability: If you move or reconfigure window treatments, assess how easily the strips can be removed without damage to walls or surfaces.
In selecting a product, balance installation effort with expected darkness improvement. For best results, measure your window accurately, trim strips to fit, and align them tightly against the edge of the shade or blind to minimize light leakage. Consider whether you prefer a single-side blocker or dual-side coverage for maximum darkness in challenging light conditions.