DIY vs. Professional Installation: What’s the best choice for blackout blinds?
DIY vs. Professional Installation
What’s the best choice for blackout blinds?
Blackout blinds are a great addition to any home, offering complete light control, energy efficiency, and improved sleep quality. But when it comes to installation, should you do it yourself or hire a professional?
DIY installation can save money, but even small mistakes—like incorrect measurements or improper mounting—can lead to light leaks and reduced effectiveness. On the other hand, professional installation ensures a precise fit, making the process stress-free and ensuring the best possible results. In this guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each option to help you decide which installation method is right for your home.
What we'll cover:
DIY blackout blind installation: What you need to know
Learn some of the common mistakes to avoid and what it means to deal with light leaks.
Professional installation: Is it worth it?
What are the benefits of professional installation?
When should you opt for professional installation?
Read more about the results you can achieve with professional installation.
Motorisation
What you need to consider when choosing motorised blinds, what is the right decision for you?
DIY blackout blind installation
What you need to know
Installing blackout blinds yourself can be a cost-effective way to control light in your home, but it requires precision. A small miscalculation or improper mounting can lead to gaps, reducing their ability to block out light completely. If you're considering a DIY approach, it’s essential to be aware of potential pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Common mistakes to avoid
Incorrect measurements
Accurate measuring is crucial. Even a small miscalculation can leave gaps at the top, bottom, or sides of the blinds, allowing unwanted light to seep through. Measure twice before cutting or purchasing your blinds to ensure a precise fit.
Improper mounting
There are two main installation methods: inside mount and outside mount.
- Inside mount: The blinds sit within the window frame, creating a sleek look. However, if not measured correctly, small gaps can appear along the edges, reducing blackout effectiveness.
- Outside mount: The blinds are installed over the window frame, covering more surface area and preventing light leaks. If maximum blackout is the goal, outside mounting is often the better option.
Light leaks
Without proper installation, gaps may appear around the edges, especially with inside mounts. Light leaks can be frustrating and may disrupt sleep, especially in bedrooms or media rooms.
Dealing with light leaks in DIY installation
Even if you've installed your blackout blinds yourself, you might notice small areas where light still seeps through. Here are ways to reduce these gaps:
Opt for an outside-mounted blackout blind
This provides greater coverage than an inside mount and is often the best option for complete blackout. Ensure the blinds extend beyond the window frame to prevent light from creeping in.
Blackout curtain overlays
If small gaps remain after installation, pairing blackout blinds with blackout curtains can help create a layered effect that blocks out any remaining light.
Professional installation
Is it worth it?
If you want a flawless, light-blocking result without the hassle of DIY installation, hiring a professional may be the best choice. Professional installation ensures precision and durability, well the option for custom side channels and motorisation.
Benefits of professional installation:
Custom fit
Our experts take exact measurements, your blackout blinds are then made to order for your windows, ensuring a perfect fit with no light leaks. Even tricky window shapes, like bay or arched windows, will be measured and fitted with precision.
Option for side channels
Side channels, which block light from the edges and create a complete blackout effect. An expert ensures they are aligned perfectly and flush against the window frame for the best results.
Motorisation expertise
At Waikato Shutters & Blinds, we use high-quality, proven technology and software to motorise your blackout blinds. Expert installation ensures correct wiring, smooth operation, and seamless integration with home automation systems.
Better sleep quality
If you’re after blackout for the sleep benefits, it’s important to have complete darkness for uninterrupted, high-quality sleep. Professionally installed blackout blinds ensure a precise fit with no gaps, creating the perfect sleep environment. By eliminating light leaks, they help regulate your body’s sleep cycle, making them ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, and shift workers.
Warranty and long-term support
Many professional installers offer warranties on both the blinds and installation, giving you peace of mind that your investment is protected. If any issues arise, you’ll have access to expert support.
Professional installation
When should you opt for professional installation?
While DIY installation works well for some homeowners, certain situations make professional installation the better choice:
If you want the best possible blackout effect
We offer the option of side channels, which are essential for achieving 100% blackout. Side channels block light from the edges of the blinds, creating a flawless light-proof result.
If you have hard-to-reach windows
Skylights, bay windows, and extra-large windows require special mounting techniques, which our experts can handle with ease.
If you want motorised blackout blinds
Our professional installers use high-quality software and technology to motorise your blinds, ensuring seamless integration with your smart home system. They customise the operation to suit your needs, whether you want it through an iPad, mobile app, voice activation, or direct integration with your existing smart home setup. Additionally, they guide you through the setup process, showing you how to easily control your blinds using Google Assistant, Alexa, or other automation devices.
If you’re installing multiple blinds
For homeowners looking for a consistent and polished look throughout multiple rooms, professional installation guarantees uniformity.
If you want high-quality blackout fabrics
We offer a range of premium blackout fabrics that provide complete light blockage, regardless of the blind colour. Fabrics available on the DIY market may not match the longevity and quality that a professional installer can provide.
Motorisation
Motorised blackout blinds provide the ultimate convenience, allowing you to control light with the touch of a button, a smartphone app, or even voice commands.
How a professional can set up motorised blackout blinds for you
A professional installer can set up motorised blackout blinds for you, offering a seamless, high-tech solution for controlling light in your home. With expert handling, they ensure smooth functionality and integration with your preferred smart home system. Here’s what they can do:
Set up smart home integration
Motorised blackout blinds can be connected to home automation systems for effortless control. A professional ensures everything is correctly configured.
Manage wiring and power sources
Whether the blinds are hardwired or battery-operated, an expert will handle installation safely, ensuring they function without interruptions.
Ensure smooth operation
Proper calibration is essential to prevent uneven movement, connectivity issues, or motor strain, especially for large or heavy blinds.
Provide a clean, polished finish
Professionals can hide wiring and ensure the blinds are installed seamlessly within your space, maintaining a sleek look.
Conclusion
While DIY installation may seem like a cost-effective option, achieving a flawless blackout effect requires precision, the right tools, and a deep understanding of installation techniques. Small miscalculations can lead to light leaks, improper mounting, and reduced effectiveness—issues that can be avoided with expert installation.
Professional installation ensures your blackout blinds fit perfectly, with no gaps or misalignment. It also provides access to premium features like side channels for total blackout and motorisation for effortless control—both of which are only available through expert installation. Plus, with professional support, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your blinds are installed correctly and built to last.
For a seamless, hassle-free experience with the best possible results, professional installation is the way to go.
Contact Waikato Shutters & Blinds today for expert advice and installation services.
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FAQs
What are the most common mistakes in DIY installation?
The most common mistakes include incorrect measurements, improper mounting, and leaving gaps that cause light leaks. Using an outside mount and ensuring proper alignment can help reduce these issues, but a professional can provide you with peace of mind of a precise fit with no gaps.
Are side channels necessary for blackout blinds?
Side channels help achieve a complete blackout effect by blocking light from the edges of the blinds. However, they are usually only available with professional installation, as they require custom ordering, to your precise measurements.
When should I hire a professional installer?
Hire a professional if:
- You want 100% blackout with side channels for complete light control.
- You have hard-to-reach windows, like skylights or bay windows.
- You want high-quality blackout fabrics that block light regardless of colour.
- You're installing multiple blinds and want a uniform, polished look.
- You would like to control your blinds at the touch of a button or with voice command.
What are the benefits of professional installation?
Professional installation guarantees precise measurements, proper mounting, and expert handling of motorisation. It also provides the option for side channels, which help achieve total blackout. Additionally, professional installers offer a range of high-quality fabrics in a variety of colours, as well as options like a twin bracket system for daytime privacy or insulated honeycomb blinds to help to control temperature and reduce noise.
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