Block out the light with a magnetic solution
There are many different solutions for darkening skylights or curtains in the ceiling, but they are often very expensive or not completely light-tight on the sides. We have therefore made a post about how you can make your own solution or modify an existing solution with magnets.
There are 2 types of skylights: a slanted window and a window in the roof. Let's start with the slanted window, which is what we get the most inquiries about.
Darkening a slanted window
Do you have a house with the smart Velux windows - or something similar? And your curtains don't close completely tightly in, for example, the bedroom?
3 solution suggestions for you
1) Magnetic solution with wooden stick
It should not only work but also look nice, so a wooden strip can be a good solution. You will need:
- 2 pcs. wooden sticks (you decide the length - they will press the curtain against the window frame)
- Magnets with glue.
The magnets must be glued to both the wooden stick and the window frame (if your window is 140 cm tall, we recommend 5 magnets on the wooden stick and the same 5 on the window frame). Remember to match the magnets on the wooden stick and window frame, so that they not only sit directly opposite each other but also have opposite poles so that they do not repel each other. All glue magnets are delivered in sets, where they are paired north/south to make it easy.
Remember to let the glue dry for at least 48 hours, as there is a strong indirect pull on the magnets, so the glue must be allowed to dry optimally - if it is very hot in the room, or if the surface is not completely flat, we recommend that you use UHU glue, as the 3M glue on the magnets can otherwise be a bit tricky and will take many days to stick completely.
The wooden rods are placed on each side of the curtain when there is a need to completely block out the light, and then they can stand on the floor or lie on the windowsill when the curtain needs to be rolled up/pulled down.
2) Magnetic tape solution
If you want a permanent solution, we recommend magnetic tape. It is a solution that is better suited for regular curtains and not so much for roller blinds. The magnetic tape can roll up and withstand being bent, but it does not look so pretty, as the rolled up curtain becomes very thick right where the magnetic tape is.
You will need 4 x the length of your window frame:
For each side of the curtain, and
For each side of the window frame
Start by cutting the magnetic roll in half and place the strips together with the magnetic sides facing each other (the side with the groove). Then cut in the middle again. This way you are sure that the magnetic tape attaches exactly as desired - it has something to do with the mixed poles, and it makes sense when you have the magnetic tape in your hands and try to get it to attract itself. And you are now ready to attach the magnetic strips to both curtains and the window frame:
Firstly, remove the foil on the self-adhesive side of one magnetic strip (they should still be attached to each other) and attach the magnet strip to the window frame. Then remove the foil on the other side and press the curtain against the self-adhesive side. It sounds easy - and it is!
You can order magnetic strips with self-adhesive in running meters (up to 30 meters per roll). We recommend 19 mm. - the one most suitable for curtains.
You can also choose to sew the magnetic strip on - however, we still recommend choosing the type with self-adhesive, as it makes it much easier for you to attach it correctly to the curtain and keep track of it during sewing.
You cannot use magnetic strips with a colored surface - it is not strong enough. So you should choose the dark gray type for this magnetic solution.
3) Magnets and metal discs
This is the easiest solution, as you don't have to think about poles - metal and magnets can be combined on all sides.
There are different ways to achieve this solution, but the first step is to glue metal discs to the window frame and let them dry for a couple of days (possibly combined with UHU glue, if the surface is a bit rough or textured) - unless there is metal on the window frame (or e.g. nails with magnetic heads) already, which you can use instead of the metal discs.
If you want to sew magnets to the curtain, press the curtain all the way up to the window frame and place your sew-in magnets on the outside of the curtain: then you can see exactly where you need to sew the magnets; put a pin through the plastic, and then you are ready to sew them to the curtain.
If you want to glue them to the curtain, first attach the magnets to the metal discs. Then remove the adhesive foil if you are using self-adhesive magnets - otherwise, put a small dab of glue on the visible side of the magnet. And then press the curtain firmly against the adhesive side of the magnets. It is important that you do it this way to center the magnets against the metal, unless you are incredibly good at using a tape measure.
You can also have loose, visible magnets - see our solution with visible magnets on curtains here.
Curtains in the ceiling
Of course, we also test magnets ourselves. Just below these product images you can see our own solution for darkening a roof window - just scroll down the page a little further.
Darkening a roof window
We have mostly dealt with consulting for Velux windows. But after we got new premises in 2018, we have also had the opportunity to test solutions for the type of roof windows where there is a dome in the roof; i.e. where the window is part of the roof instead of the sloping wall.
We have used the solution that is also described above: with metal and magnets.
You will need the following:
Metal discs
Magnets
We have chosen to sew magnets onto the curtains. But you can also make a wedge in the curtains and place the magnets loosely in the wedge. Or you can glue the magnets on the outside of the curtains. It is described in detail above with the many different solution suggestions how to do it. See also photos below.
We used 6 magnets and 6 white metal discs (so they are "invisible" on the white window frame) for each of our 80 x 85 cm windows. You may need more for yours - but we only needed to completely close off 2 of the sides and let in some light from the other 2 sides so that the room doesn't become completely dark.
Sew curtains with magnets DIY
When you need to sew some sew-in magnets onto ready-made curtains, you simply sew them to the back of the fabric where they will sit. But you can't hide the stitching - it will be visible on the front of the curtains. So remember to check along the way that it looks nice on the front of the curtains with the stitching along the plastic of the magnets.
If, on the other hand, you're trying to sew curtains yourself from scratch, you can hide the sewing in the magnets completely: sew the magnets to the front of the curtains first, make a fold and sew the edges of the curtain together. Voila!
