Blackout curtains when TSHTF

[Sourdough]

I installed Blackout curtains last winter. And I also installed removable bear boards (3/4" CDX)

[Tugaloo]

I have a 25 kW generator, it runs everything in the whole house effortlessly. Although, our power supply is underground; GA Power's lines are above ground. Often after a few days of rain followed by high winds falling trees take the lines down.

[RICHFL]

I use 3/4" plywood over all Windows just like when we get a hurricane. I have also enclosed part off my patio so that my generator can run with less noise.

[Tugaloo]

After SHTF, I doubt we will have electricity.
Blackout curtains will still be quite useful as they will stop any source of light. What will those sources be? To list a few candles, solar power, burning wood for heat and many more.
An inexpensive blackout curtain can be made from a tarp. I have one on the boat that blocks light from a 10,000 lumen flashlight showing through. Staples and duct tape would seal around it.

[grumpygremlin]

blackout curtains are something that is in low supply in the UK, better to use timber or some sort of plastic.

[ljch1210]

Hi, I buy the Blackout Curtains from:https://www.amazon.com/Jarl-home-Thr.../dp/B07HRNFDXZ, and i think it just work, but not like what i think.

[jimLE]

I've often thought of black out curtains where i moved from.now their more important then ever.way way to many ppl in the imedeant area for "me" to allow any amount of light to show through a window.. I have heavy duty and thick spread.it'd be used for the side by side living room windows.i also have 2 blanket's from dollar general.1 for each bedroom window.2 electric blanket's that no longer work.both for breakfast window. Then there's the kitchen bathroom windows.their small enough where I'm sure that i can come up with something for them.

[grumpygremlin]

I would board up the windows. there isn't going to be much light in our place as we will only be using candles and lanterns and only in the room we would be using at that moment in time.

[ZAGran]

You really don't have to sew. There is something called hemming tape. It is a narrow strip of fusible web (a heat activated glue) about 1/4 inch wide that comes in a roll. All you need is the tape and an iron. Once you know how wide you need your rod pocket (say 1 inch) add 1/2 inch and press that 1 1/2 inch down all across the top where the pocket will be. raise up the edge and scoot the tape under until it is just covered by fabric. (be sure it is covered otherwise you will get sticky stuff on your iron) Press according to directions on the package. Works better for me if I do a foot or so at a time. Let cool a minute or so. Done.

Joining 2 pieces is a bit tricky but it works the same way. You just sort of glue them together. neatness counts to some extent because you don"t want gaps where the light can get through and you want it to hang straight... .

[lalakai]

yeah, the wife isn't a fan of them, but she's slowly changing. hard to find the good heavy true black out ones.

[Applejack]

This is an old post but might be good to bring back. With what is going on with N. Korea and Iran, Not being able to trust Russia nor China Black out curtains are a great idea. We have been replacing our blinds as they are so old with black out blinds. We are also going to use black out curtains as at night you really don't want outsiders to see lights on if riots and whatever else might break out. Seeing lights on from outside could be an invitation to try to break in. Where as the opposite could be true when you leave to go some where and it is dark in house in this day and time. That could be when solar lights on the outside of house could help deter things and help you to see what is going on out side your house.

[GOVT1911]

I've used AL foil before and it worked very well, but as others have said, it's not "pretty". BUT, in a SHTF scenario I think security would override looks.

I lived/worked in a secure facility for a year guarding chemical weapons. The guard tower had a gazillion candlepower spotlight that was constantly roving all over the island and without the foil on the windows to my room, it'd be lit up like daylight even through the blinds I had up. It was nice to be blacked out and still have the option to open the windows easily during the day.

Pros to foil:
cost
ease of use
allows windows to be opened easily during the day
enough to do the entire house can be stored in one small drawer
doesn't block quick egress thru the window in an emergency

Cons:
"tacky" looking
reflects light shined on it back out. (can be mitigated by spraypainting the foil before installing)
doesn't allow you to peek out if need be

[monet861]

When I worked rotating shifts for 8 years I used aluminum foil on the bed room windows. It is definitly not pretty(when I got married we bought black out blinds, she was not having any of that). The nice thing about the foil is it is very light, if you tape it directly to the glass you can still open the windows and it lets zero light through. It is also cheap.

[Cowboyup65]

I have thought of the same thing by covering the windows with 1/4 steel plates tight against the windows, inside of the jambs.
1/2 in would be to heavy to lift, but two layers of 1/4 would stop most anything but the highest powered rounds.

I know this isnt black out material, using steel, but it you have a log house or concrete walls, it makes for a solid defensive hold.

Foam insulation panels would make good light window blocks also, and you can number them and store them and use tape for multiple pieces windows, and most foam can be painted.

[Loshali]

Loshali,

My question about blackout cloth is: Does it come in multiple colors or is it like Henry Ford's Model T: "Any color you want, as long as it's black?"

To my knowledge, it only comes in an off-white on one side and stark white on the other. its a fairly thick fabric (dont ask me the mm, lol), with a slightly 'rubbery' feel. Its actually made to be a decorator lining. So if you make it as you would a drapery, over a rod, then from the outside it'll just look like a closed curtain, nothing boarded up or unusual. To me that might be a red flag, if its boarded up then there just might be something in there worth taking. What they wont see from the outside, is light on the inside of the room.