Blackout Blinds — A Specialist System for Full Blackout
Not all blackout blinds are the same. Our total blackout blind system is a purpose-designed framed screen — and on qualifying dark grey or black configurations, correctly surveyed and installed, it can achieve full blackout. Designed for bedrooms, nurseries and anywhere strong light exclusion is essential.
Throughout our website, whenever we describe blackout fabrics on roller blinds, roman blinds, pleated blinds or any other window treatment, we include an honest disclaimer — that blackout fabric alone does not deliver complete blackout. Light will always enter around the edges of a standard blind, regardless of how dark or heavy the fabric is.
This page is the exception.
Our total blackout blind system is a fundamentally different product from any standard blind. It is a purpose-designed framed screen system — with frame sections positioned on all sides of the window opening — that houses the blackout fabric to minimise the gaps through which light could otherwise enter. On qualifying configurations using dark grey or black fabric, correctly surveyed and installed, this framed system can achieve full blackout.
If you have been searching for a window treatment that goes significantly further than standard blackout fabric — for a bedroom, a nursery, a home cinema room or for shift work sleep — this specialist framed system is designed to deliver exactly that, with full blackout available on qualifying dark grey and black configurations.
At Blinds Kingdom we supply and fit total blackout blinds across Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton. Every installation begins with a free home visit where we assess your windows and confirm the most appropriate specification.
Why Choose Our Total Blackout Blind System?
A Specialist System for Full Blackout
Standard blinds — however heavy the fabric — will always have some light passing around their edges. Our framed screen system is purpose-designed to minimise those gaps, and on qualifying configurations using dark grey or black fabric, correctly surveyed and installed, it can achieve full blackout.
Thermal Performance
The honeycomb fabric does not just block light — it also provides thermal insulation. The cellular air pockets trap warmth and create a barrier against heat loss, helping to regulate room temperature year-round.
A Clean, Architectural Finish
The slim frame gives a clean, precise finish to the window — particularly striking in a recess setting. Available in white, grey and black to complement your window frames.
Eliminates Ambient Light
If street lights, early morning sun or any ambient light is affecting your room, our total blackout blind system — on qualifying dark grey or black configurations — is designed to eliminate it.
Suited to Home Cinema Rooms
For dedicated home cinema or media rooms where darkness is essential for the best viewing experience — our total blackout system, on qualifying configurations, is designed to provide it.
Know The Difference
Blackout Fabric vs. Total Blackout System
These are two genuinely different products. Knowing which one you actually need matters — most blinds described as "blackout" only reduce light.
StandardBlackout Fabric (any standard blind)
A dense, light-blocking fabric fitted to a normal roller, roman or pleated blind. It significantly reduces light through the fabric itself, but light still enters around the edges of the blind — strong light reduction, not complete darkness.
SpecialistTotal Blackout System (this page)
A purpose-designed framed screen system that positions the blackout fabric within the window opening. On qualifying configurations using dark grey or black fabric, correctly surveyed and installed, this achieves full blackout — not just a darker room.
See the Total Blackout System
Bedroom — Full Blackout
Bedroom — Black
Colour Range — Light Grey
Why Standard Blackout Blinds Are Not Enough
A standard blind with blackout fabric will significantly reduce the amount of light entering a room. But no standard blind — regardless of the fabric, regardless of the price — can prevent light from entering around its edges. Light will always find the gap between the fabric and the window frame on all four sides.
This is not a manufacturing defect. It is simply the nature of how a standard blind works — the fabric hangs within or in front of the window opening, and there will always be a small gap at every edge.
Our total blackout blind system is designed to solve this with a purpose-designed framed screen that positions the fabric within the window recess, minimising gaps at every edge. On qualifying dark grey or black configurations, correctly surveyed and installed, this delivers genuine full blackout.
How Our Total Blackout Blind System Works
The framed screen system — A purpose-designed frame is fitted within the window recess — top, bottom and both sides. The frame sections hold the fabric panel flush against the opening, minimising the gaps through which light would otherwise enter. Remaining gaps around the frame are sealed during installation.
The blackout fabric — A specialist honeycomb blackout fabric sits within the frame, sliding within the frame sections to open and close. The honeycomb construction provides thermal insulation alongside its light blocking properties.
Important — colour and configuration matter for full blackout. Full blackout is only available on qualifying configurations — all single models and the 03 Double Track model — using dark grey or black fabric, correctly surveyed and installed. Other fabric colours and configurations provide strong light reduction but are not guaranteed to deliver complete blackout.
Frame colours — The frame is available in three colours — white, grey and black.
What Is the Difference Between a Blackout Blind and a Total Blackout Blind System?
A standard blind with blackout fabric is an excellent product for most purposes — it significantly reduces light and is perfectly adequate for the majority of bedrooms and living spaces.
Our total blackout system is a specialist product for customers who need the strongest possible light exclusion, with full blackout available on qualifying dark grey or black configurations. It uses a purpose-designed framed screen combined with honeycomb blackout fabric and thermal insulation.
Who Is This Product For?
Shift Workers — For rooms where strong daylight exclusion is required during daytime sleep.
Nurseries and Children's Bedrooms — Where parents want greater control over incoming daylight.
Bedrooms — Where external lighting or early morning daylight is disruptive.
Home Cinema and Media Rooms — Where strong light exclusion improves control of the viewing environment.
What to Expect — Our Honest Guidance
Full blackout — available only on qualifying configurations (all single models and the 03 Double Track model) using dark grey or black fabric, correctly surveyed and installed. Other colours and configurations provide strong light reduction rather than guaranteed complete blackout. We will always discuss which configuration is right for you at your home visit.
The technical specification varies by model — width, drop and maximum area limits differ between single and dual configurations. See the specification table below for full details.
The frame will be fitted with a clearance of approximately 50–60mm from any window handles or locks. This means the frame will not sit flush to the very edge of every window recess.
The frame is fixed within your window recess and the gaps are sealed during installation. This is a permanent installation — not a removable system.
This is a recess-only system. It cannot be fitted outside the recess or as a face-fixed installation — a suitable recess is required. Your surveyor will assess recess depth, handles and any obstructions, and confirm suitability during your home visit.
This system is manually operated with no hanging cords or chains. It is inherently child safe.
Specifications
| System | Purpose-designed framed screen system with honeycomb blackout fabric |
| Frame colours | White, grey, black |
| Fabric | Honeycomb blackout |
| Full blackout | Available on qualifying configurations (all single models, 03 Double Track) using Dark Grey or Black fabric, subject to survey |
| Other colours/configurations | Strong light reduction — not guaranteed full blackout |
| Fitting | Recess only — cannot be fitted outside the recess |
| Operation | Manual — no cords, no chains, no motorisation |
| Child safety | Inherently child safe — no cords |
| Thermal insulation | Yes — honeycomb construction |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Lead time | 5–6 weeks |
Technical Specification by Model
| 01 Single | Width 200–1500mm · Drop 200–1500mm · Max area 2.25m² |
| 02 Single | Width 300–4000mm · Drop 300–2800mm · Max area 11.2m² |
| 03 | Width 500–6000mm · Drop 1500–3000mm · Max area 18m² |
| 01 Dual | Width 300–1500mm · Drop 300–1500mm · Max area 2.25m² |
| 02 Dual | Width 300–4000mm · Drop 300–2800mm · Max area 11.2m² |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this genuinely 100% blackout?
On qualifying configurations — all single models and the 03 Double Track model — using dark grey or black fabric, correctly surveyed and installed, this framed system can achieve full blackout. Other fabric colours and configurations provide strong light reduction but should not be treated as guaranteed 100% blackout. Your surveyor will confirm which configuration is right for your windows and whether full blackout is achievable for your specific installation.
Why do other blackout blinds not achieve complete blackout?
Standard blinds — regardless of fabric — hang within or in front of a window opening and there will always be small gaps at every edge where light can enter. This is not a defect — it is simply how a standard blind works. Our total blackout system is designed to minimise this with a purpose-designed framed screen, and on qualifying dark grey or black configurations, correctly installed, it can eliminate it.
Can I have this in white?
White fabric is available but is not part of the configurations that qualify for full blackout — only dark grey and black fabric qualify. White will provide strong light reduction rather than guaranteed complete darkness. If full blackout is your goal, we recommend dark grey or black fabric.
Is this system child safe?
Yes — the system is manually operated with no hanging cords or chains of any kind. It is inherently child safe.
Can this be fitted outside the recess?
No — this is a recess-only system and cannot be fitted outside the recess or as a face-fixed installation. A suitable recess is required. Your surveyor will assess your recess depth, any handles or obstructions, and confirm suitability during your free home visit.
Is the installation permanent?
The frame is fixed within your window recess and the edges are sealed during installation — making this a permanent installation. If you are renting your property or may want to change your window treatment in the future, please discuss this with your surveyor before ordering.
What is the lead time?
Our total blackout blinds are made to measure with a lead time of 5–6 weeks from confirmed order.
A Specialist Solution for Full Blackout
If you have tried standard blackout blinds and found light still gets through, our specialist framed screen system is designed to go further. Book your free home visit today and let our surveyor confirm your recess is suitable and which configuration will work best for you.