Blockout blinds with side tracks
Blockout fabric stops light coming through the blind, but does nothing about the gaps around it. At sunrise you will see a bright beam down each side and a glow above the roller and bottom bar. Coverlight blockout blinds feature side tracks and a headbox enclosing the roller, closing the gaps where ordinary roller blinds leak light.
Each Coverlight blind is made to measure in our Melbourne factory ready to be fitted by you, with delivery available anywhere in Australia.
Where ordinary roller blinds leak light
A standard roller blind has to be narrower than the window frame to be able to roll up and down smoothly without catching. This leaves three gaps:
- The sides: A few millimetres either side of the fabric
- The top: The space above the roller
- The bottom. Below the bottom bar.
A better fabric won't fix this and curtains have the same problem. If you're a shift worker trying to sleep, or a parent with a baby waking at first light, the edges are what you notice.
Coverlight side tracks close the gaps
Coverlight is engineered to not only block light through its fabric, but also light spillage around the edges of the blind. Hereโs how it does it.
- Side tracks: Both sides of the blind run inside an aluminium track, 45 mm wide and 25 mm thick. The fabric edge sits inside the track from top to bottom.
- Headbox: The roller sits inside an aluminium headbox with a square profile of 64 x 64 mm (78mm deep with the front pelmet). An angled profile option is also available.
- Bottom rail: When fully extended, the rail locks into a u-channel at the base, closing the gap at the bottom.
- Fabric: Coverlight features foam-backed blockout fabric. 100% polyester, PVC-free and lead-free.
The sealed tracks and foam-backed fabric also help dampen outside noise, great for theatre rooms and bedrooms. It also assists thermoregulation, saving you money on cooling in summer by reducing indoor temperatures by 4 to 8ยฐC. See blinds that keep heat in and out.
Face fit or recess fit, two ways to mount
The side tracks can be mounted in two ways:
- Face fit: Mounting the headbox and tracks on the architrave around the window. This is ideal when your recess is shallow or there are window winders or handles in the way.
- Recess fit: Mounting the blind inside the window opening. This provides a flush, built-in look. We supply expanding foam with every recess fit. See our note below regarding depth requirements for recess fit.
NOTE: A recess fit requires sufficient depth for โoverrollโ and โunderrollโ options. Overroll needs 65mm clear at the top and 25mm at the bottom. If you're short at the top, the underroll option lets the headbox sit 20 mm out from the recess, which still keeps the blind close to the glass. See our measuring guide for more details.
Manual or motorised, the side tracks are the same
Manual and motorised options feature the same side tracks and headbox, so you get the same coverage and darkness either way.
- Manual: Spring-operated with no chain. Raise and lower the blind by hand, or with the pull stick for high windows. The spring is tensioned in our factory to suit your blind. Available from 300 mm wide.
- Motorised: Use a remote to control the blinds or add the Zigbee hub for the app to use with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. Features a motor with rechargeable battery that takes around four hours to charge, with an estimated six months between charges (based on one โupโ and one โdownโ per day). Available from 525 mm wide and 400 mm high. For big windows, see extra wide blackout blinds. Read more about Motorised Blinds.
Fitting the side tracks yourself
Side tracks are simple to install using a drill and basic hand tools. Simply screw the headbox and tracks to the frame or architrave and fit the roll into the headbox (for a recess fit youโll need to set the foam too as per our guide).
Every blind comes with a step-by-step Installation Guide for each fit type, with short videos to assist. If you have any questions our team is here to support you and we can talk you through it if you get stuck.
Side tracks compared with an ordinary roller blind
In summary, here is a side-by-side comparison between regular roller blinds (no side tracks) and Coverlight (with side tracks).
| Ordinary roller blind | Coverlight with side tracks | |
|---|---|---|
| Light down the sides | Gap on each side | Fabric runs inside the tracks |
| Light at the top | Open above the roller | Roller enclosed in a headbox |
| Light at the bottom | Gap at the sill | Bottom rail locks into a channel |
| Fit | Off the shelf or cut down | Made to measure to your window |
| Made in | Varies | Melbourne, certified Australian Made |
| Warranty | Varies | 5 years |
Side tracks make all the difference
Investing in a quality blackout blind with the right features, can make all the difference.
- Shift workers: Sleep at 10am in a room that feels like 10pm.
- Nurseries: Stop first light waking your baby at 5am.
- Light sleepers: Block streetlights and early summer sunrises.
- Home theatres: Prevent screen glare for optimum viewing anytime.
Blackout roller blinds without side tracks defeats the purpose.
Measure, order, install
- Measure. Follow the measuring guide and write down the smallest width and drop for each window.
- Order. Choose manual or motorised, your fabric colour and track colour, then get your price online.
- Install. We manufacture your blind in Melbourne (up to 10 business days for manufacturing, plus delivery). You fit it with basic tools and our user-friendly guides.
Questions about side tracks
What colours do the tracks come in?
Three standard colours: Monument, Satin White and Satin Black. We can also powder-coat tracks in other colours (for an extra charge).
My window frame isn't square. Will the tracks still seal?
Yes, in most cases. Measure the smallest width and height and we'll make the blind square to those sizes. For recess fits, the expanding foam seals the gaps an uneven frame leaves. Very uneven frames can affect how the blind looks and seals, so send us a photo if you're unsure.
Can I fit side tracks to a window with a winder handle?
Usually. The overroll configuration only needs 25 mm clear at the bottom, which clears most window winder handles. If the handle sticks out further, a face fit clears it. If you are unsure, send us a photo and we'll check before you order.
Are Coverlight blinds made in Australia?
Yes. Every blind is made to measure in our Melbourne factory and is certified Australian Made. The frame and headbox are aluminium, and every blind comes with a five-year warranty.
Turn day to night now, with Coverlight
Measure your windows, choose manual or motorised and see your price in a couple of minutes. Not sure? Order a Free Fabric Sample first.
