![\"Double-hung](\"https:\/\/coverlight.au\/diy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/coverlight-blockout-blind-window-open-dusk-576x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/coverlight.au\/diy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/coverlight-blockout-blind-window-closed-dark-576x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere ordinary roller blinds leak light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The sides: A few millimetres either side of the fabric<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The top: The space above the roller<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The bottom. Below the bottom bar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nCoverlight side tracks close the gaps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Black](\"https:\/\/coverlight.au\/diy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/coverlight-theatre-track-detail-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCoverlight is engineered to not only block light through its fabric, but also light spillage around the edges of the blind. Here\u2019s how it does it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Side tracks: <\/strong>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Headbox: <\/strong>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bottom rail: <\/strong>When fully extended, the rail locks into a u-channel at the base, closing the gap at the bottom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fabric: <\/strong>Coverlight features foam-backed blockout fabric. 100% polyester, PVC-free and lead-free.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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 8\u00b0C. See blinds that keep heat in and out<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nFace fit or recess fit, two ways to mount<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Face](\"https:\/\/coverlight.au\/diy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CoverLight_Product-Illustrations-ID4-756x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"Recess](\"https:\/\/coverlight.au\/diy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CoverLight_Product-Illustrations-ID6-1024x959.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe side tracks can be mounted in two ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Face fit: <\/strong>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Recess fit: <\/strong>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
NOTE: <\/strong>A recess fit requires sufficient depth for \u2018overroll\u2019 and \u2018underroll\u2019 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<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nManual or motorised, the side tracks are the same<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Manual and motorised options feature the same side tracks and headbox, so you get the same coverage and darkness either way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Manual<\/strong><\/a>: 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Motorised<\/strong><\/a>: Use a remote to control the blinds or add the Zigbee hub for the app to use with Google Home<\/a> and Amazon Alexa<\/a>. Features a motor with rechargeable battery that takes around four hours to charge, with an estimated six months between charges (based on one \u2018up\u2019 and one \u2018down\u2019 per day). Available from 525 mm wide and 400 mm high. For big windows, see extra wide blackout blinds<\/a>. Read more about Motorised Blinds<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Coverlight](\"https:\/\/coverlight.au\/diy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blackout-Blind-Manual.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCoverlight Blind Manual<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"Coverlight](\"https:\/\/coverlight.au\/diy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Coverlight-Blackout-Blind-Manual.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCoverlight Blind Motorised<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Get your price<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nFitting the side tracks yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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 you\u2019ll need to set the foam too as per our guide).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every blind comes with a step-by-step Installation Guide<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nSide tracks compared with an ordinary roller blind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In summary, here is a side-by-side comparison between regular roller blinds (no side tracks) and Coverlight (with side tracks).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Motorised<\/strong><\/a>: Use a remote to control the blinds or add the Zigbee hub for the app to use with Google Home<\/a> and Amazon Alexa<\/a>. Features a motor with rechargeable battery that takes around four hours to charge, with an estimated six months between charges (based on one \u2018up\u2019 and one \u2018down\u2019 per day). Available from 525 mm wide and 400 mm high. For big windows, see extra wide blackout blinds<\/a>. Read more about Motorised Blinds<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Recess fit: <\/strong>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Headbox: <\/strong>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Side tracks: <\/strong>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n