A dark, restful environment is essential for quality sleep, focused work, and an immersive home theatre experience. Many people invest in blackout window shades expecting total darkness, only to be disappointed by the light seeping in through the sides. These small gaps might seem insignificant, but they can have a major impact on sleep quality, privacy, and even energy efficiency. The solution? Sidetracks. When paired with blackout shades, sidetracks create a true blackout environment, ensuring that no unwanted light leaks in.
Why Blackout Window Shades Alone Aren’t Enough
Most blackout shades are designed to block light from the main surface of the window, but they don’t completely seal the edges. Even high-quality blackout shades leave small gaps where light seeps through. This issue is especially frustrating for those who work night shifts, have babies who need uninterrupted sleep, or want a glare-free home theatre.
Light pollution from streetlights, car headlights, and the morning sun can disrupt sleep cycles, preventing deep and restful sleep. These gaps also reduce privacy and allow heat and cold to pass through, affecting the room’s energy efficiency.
Understanding Sidetracks and How They Work
Sidetracks are light-blocking strips that attach to the sides of blackout shades, eliminating the gaps where light typically enters. By forming a tight seal between the shade and the window frame, sidetracks create a true blackout effect.
Made from durable and lightweight materials, sidetracks work with various blackout shade styles, including roller shades and cellular shades. They can be installed with self-adhesive backing or magnetic strips, making them an easy and effective solution for anyone looking to enhance their blackout window treatments. Pairing them with a window blind light blocker ensures the highest level of light control for maximum effectiveness.
Benefits of Using Blackout Shades with Sidetracks
- Complete Light Blockage: Sidetracks eliminate side gaps, ensuring a pitch-black environment.
- Improved Sleep Quality: Essential for shift workers, babies, and light-sensitive individuals.
- Better Energy Efficiency: Blocks drafts and improves insulation, reducing energy costs.
- Enhanced Privacy – Prevents people from seeing into bedrooms, nurseries, and home offices.
- Glare-Free Viewing: Perfect for home theaters, gaming setups, and office spaces.
- Added Light Control: When combined with a window blind light blocker, blackout shades, and sidetracks offer the most effective light reduction.
Best Places to Use Blackout Shades with Sidetracks
- Bedrooms: A dark environment promotes better sleep and relaxation.
- Nurseries and Kids’ Rooms: Helps children sleep longer by blocking out early morning light.
- Home Theaters and Gaming Rooms: Eliminates glare and enhances viewing experiences.
- Offices: Reduces distractions and makes screens easier to see.
- Hotels and Vacation Rentals: Creates a comfortable, guest-friendly atmosphere.
Installation and Compatibility Considerations
Sidetracks are designed for easy installation and compatibility with most blackout shades. They work with both inside and outside-mounted window treatments, providing a seamless look. The self-adhesive or magnetic options allow for quick setup, eliminating the need for professional installation. To achieve the best blackout results, consider adding a window blind light blocker to your setup, ensuring that even the smallest light gaps are covered.
Conclusion
For anyone frustrated by the light leaks around their blackout shades, sidetracks are the perfect solution. They ensure total darkness, enhance energy efficiency, and provide greater privacy—all with an easy-to-install design. Whether you’re a light-sensitive sleeper, a night shift worker, or just want a better home theater experience, sidetracks turn ordinary blackout shades into a truly effective light-blocking system.
At Sleepy Time Tracks, we offer high-quality side channels, light gap blocker strips, and top tracks for outside-mounted blackout shades to ensure complete darkness in any space. Upgrade your blackout shades today and experience the difference sidetracks can make!
