Getting a bedroom genuinely dark, not nearly dark

Where the light actually gets in

Top of the blind, where the roll sits proud of the recess. Both sides, where the fabric is narrower than the opening so it does not catch. And at the sill, where an unweighted hem lifts on a draught. A cassette handles the first, side channels handle the second and third.

In older Kent properties with deep timber reveals there is often a fourth route: the reveal itself is out of square, so a blind cut to the narrowest point leaves a wedge of daylight at the widest. That is a measuring problem, not a product problem, and it is why we survey twice on blackout work.

• Cassette head box: closes the light gap above the roll.
• Side channels: the single biggest improvement, and often the cheapest.
• Weighted bottom bar: stops the hem lifting and rattling.
• Blackout roller behind a shutter: total darkness at night, dressed window by day.

Nurseries and child safety

Every blind we fit in a child's room is supplied cordless or with a fully compliant breakaway and tensioned safety device, and we will not leave a loose chain hanging in a nursery whatever the customer asks for. Cordless spring systems are our default for cot height windows.

Motorised blackout blinds are increasingly popular in nurseries because there is nothing to reach at all, and a timer can drop the blind before the nap rather than after the argument.

Shift work, coastal light and streetlights

Seafront bedrooms in Hythe, Sandgate and Dymchurch get more reflected light than inland rooms, and a streetlight directly outside a Folkestone terrace will show up any weakness in a blind. If you sleep during the day, tell us at the consultation and we will specify channels as standard rather than as an upgrade.