(Image credit: Alexis Buryk) Being awoken by the sun is actually good for you, but there are times when darkening a room aids in sleep especially for napping children, shift workers or others with non traditional sleep schedules and for blocking artificial night time light such as from a streetlamp. Blackout curtains also are energy saving (keeping heat from escaping in the winter and the hot sun from heating up your room in the summer) and help block or muffle outdoor noise. Traditional blackout curtains have a liner behind them to block light. You can find blackout curtains in all kinds of colors and patterns, even light-hued ones. Search online for "blackout" or "thermal" curtains. (Image credit: Pottery Barn Kids) If you already have curtains you love, but want to transform them into blackout curtains you can buy liners à la carte and add them to existing curtains with clips, hooks or by using a double curtain hanger (like this). If you're shopping online search for "blackout liner" or "blackout lining".

Here are a few to get you started: (Image credit: West Elm) If it works with your decor, you can buy heavy and/or dark curtains to give the effect of blackout curtains, but without an additional liner. curtains and blinds derehamVelvet, wool or tightly woven cotton, polyester or canvas in dark colors are your best bet. eclipse curtains at kohls Roller shades generally block out more light than many fabrics, but you can also buy blackout versions for even more blockage. pvc strip curtain jakartaTry pairing them with sheer curtains for light when you want it and darkness when you don't.made to measure curtains stroud

(Image credit: I Am Momma Hear Me Roar) You can purchase blackout fabric to make your own blackout curtains if you're so inclined. sells both lining fabric and blackout drape fabric. made to measure curtains derryJoAnn's sells blackout liner fabric as well. montgomery white eyelet curtainsCheck out these sites for instructions, tips and inspiration for making your own blackout curtains:mylo curtainsWith summer approaching, it’s time to put your window treatments to work reducing energy costs. On average, windows account for 25 percent of a home’s annual cooling costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.Shades are probably the simplest and easiest way to reduce heat gain. The key is to install them properly — close to the window and covering the window frame to the walls to create a sealed air space.

On sunny afternoons, be sure to lower the shades in west- and south-facing windows. Motorized shades can be programed to open and close as the sun changes positions, and with an app and a smartphone, these shades can also be opened and closed from anywhere in the world. Voice-controlled shades are now also available, said Scot Dietz, CEO of 3 Blind Mice Window Coverings, Inc. For even greater efficiency, invest in dual shades, which are white on one side and dark on the other. That way they reflect heat in summer with the light side facing out and absorb heat in the winter with the dark side facing out (if you’re part of an HOA, you’ll need to check if this is allowed). Pleated or cellular shades also will increase the insulation against the sun.Drapes not only add the warmth of fabric to a home, but depending on the material, they provide very good insulation from the sun. The DOE states medium colored curtains with a white plastic backing can reduce heat gain by 33 percent. As with the shades, drapes should be hung as close as possible to the window and should reach the floor or windowsill.

A cornice at the top will help seal in the heat. A curtain with a blackout lining and a thermal inner liner will provide the most heat reduction, said Dietz.Dietz also recommends window films, which can reduce heat 40 to 60 percent on average while keeping out 99.9 percent of damaging UV rays. These films are ideal for odd shaped windows that are not easily covered by traditional treatments.“Window films are almost transparent. You can’t tell they’re on there,” said Dietz. Blinds are also very effective at keeping the summer heat at bay. When completely closed, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain by 45 percent, according to Energy Saver, the DOE’s consumer resource.Blinds have the advantage of allowing ventilation while providing shade if they are not completely closed. Exterior blinds are even more efficient since they block the heat outside the home. “Anytime you can put something on the outside the home, it helps to keep the heat from getting trapped inside,” said Dietz.Awnings are one of the best ways to keep the heat away from windows, especially those facing south and west.

The most efficient awnings are made of light-colored, opaque, tightly woven fabric. Awnings also require ventilation, such as grommets, to keep the heat from building up next to the window. Roof overhangs provide a more permanent solution and can be designed with adjustable laths to provide shade and ventilation., a website developed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in partnership with GreenBuilding, Inc., and the DOE, and energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-window-treatments.This summer, close the window covers before cranking up the air conditioner and see the savings add up. Cordless, Top Down Bottom up, Cordless Top Down Bottom up or Cord loop options available. Cornices are now available for this product see cart below. The NEW Auto View motorized is now available. If chosen, this option provides its own small hand held remote with each blind it is added to. You can also get an Autoview hand held made to program multiple shades as well. The standard RTS is still available to order.

And with that system, you DO need to add an RTS hand held remote to operate. Please call us for any motorization questions prior to ordering. PLEASE NOTE- DEDUCTIONS ARE TAKEN ON INSIDE MOUNT SHADES. BECAUSE THESE ARE MADE BY MACHINES, THERE IS A +/- VARIANCE OF 1/8" ON ANY POSTED DEDUCTION! Bali Blinds 3/8" Single Cell Cellular Shades 3/8" Single Cell Cellular Shades provide a refined look and good insulation and sound absorption. The insulating cellular design keeps your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Coordinate with VertiCell™ Vertical Cellular Shades to extend cellular style to a patio door or wide window. Eternity, Sheer Bliss and Textures fabrics are now available up to 144" wide to accommodate your largest windows, and all fabrics are now available with cordless operation for safety in homes with children or pets. Your choice of four opacities makes it easy to find the privacy and light-control levels right for your home. New Sheer Bliss fabric gently diffuses natural light and provides maximum versatility when combined with blackout fabric on a sun up/sun down shade.

New Textures fabric offers touchable spunlace material that adds unique definition to windows. Top Down bottom up For Bottom Up/Top Down corded shades, Right Lift means the right cord lifts the shade from the bottom up, the left cord lowers the top down portion; Left Lift means the left cord lifts the shade from the bottom up, the right cord lowers the top down portion. Option lowers the shade from the top to maintain privacy while allowing natural light to enter the space. Includes the continuous-loop lift system for effortless operation. Get two Cellular Shades in one by combining fabrics of different styles, colors or privacy levels. For example, combine new Sheer Bliss and blackout fabrics to let in light through the day and have absolute privacy when you need it. Bay or Corner Windows Customize your window treatments to fit bay or corner windows. Window treatments are butted together to create an attractive continuity. Controls can be placed on either side of the window treatment (placement opposite the corner is recommended).

Multiple Shades on One Headrail Use multiple shades on one headrail to accommodate wide windows or patio door that can't be covered by a single window treatment. A single headrail makes installation easier and adds a unified look for up to three independently operable window treatments. Cellular and Pleated Shades If the shade becomes soiled with topical dirt (i.e. dirt that is resting on the surface of fabric), we recommend that the shade be spot-cleaned using a soft cloth or sponge, a mild detergent and warm water. Immediately wipe the area with a clean, damp sponge (back and forth gently in the direction parallel to the pleats in the fabric) until the stains are removed. If necessary, the entire shade may be cleaned in this fashion. Pat with a clean, dry towel to remove excess water. Be careful not to crush or wrinkle the fabric. Frequent cleaning may remove fullness and body of the pleated fabric. Make sure shade is fully open and allow to air dry. Extra care should be used when cleaning Cellular blackout material, Midnight, as the fabric could be permanently creased.

Please contact Customer Service for specific cleaning methods and detergents. Comprehensive Bali Cellular Specifications Use a steel measuring tape Round down to the nearest 1/8" for width Round up to the nearest 1/8" for height See Product Specifications for more specific product info. Sizes should always be provided in this format: Width x Height On any measurement given, the factory does have a +/- 1/8 of an inch variance allowance. Measure For Cellular Blinds •    Measure the exact width (left to right) of the inside edge of the window frame in three places (top, middle and bottom). •    Take the smallest of the three measurements to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. •    The factory will take an approximate 3/8 of an inch deduction from the total width (headrail and fabric) to allow for correct installation. •    Measure the exact height (top to bottom) from the top inside edge down to the window sill in three spots across window.

•    Take the largest of the three measurements. •    Measure the exact width (left to right) of the wooden or metal window frame (outer edge) OR how wide you want the product to be. •    Be sure to measure wide enough as to cover the entire window plus offer enough coverage to avoid light or privacy gap. This is especially important if you have no trim and are installing to sheet rock or dry wall surface. 1-2 inches past the opening on EACH side is suggested if you do not have molding/trim. •    French doors-you should have a minimum of 1 inch past the glass on each side added to the glass measurement for coverage. •    Measure the top and bottom edge of window frame/trim. If no trim, be sure you provide the height you want the shade to be from top of the headrail to bottom of the bottom rail. •    Be sure to allot for coverage for light control and mounting hardware if mounting above window opening to wall surface. You will need 2 inches of surface area to mount above opening.