# Sleeping during day: Blackout Room **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 23, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958 "2015-07-23T15:04:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/1 "2015-07-23T15:04:24Z")
I’m currently working a 7p to 7A shift, 7 on, 7 off… Which means I have to sleep in the middle of the day. The problem I have, is that my bedroom windows are pointed towards the eastern sky. So, when I’m going to sleep, the sun is shining right onto my bed. I’ve been using a blackout mask to sleep so far; while it helps it doesn’t go far enough. At points of the day the sun shines bright enough through the half window that I can feel it and wakes me up. So, I’m looking for an effective way to darken the room. I have a window facing the eastern sky that is a window with an arch above it. I want a way to darken it completely; but with the ability to open (so no painting the windows). The pay differential is worth me paying someone to do this for me, I live in the Atlanta, GA metro area, so if someone knows a company who can do for me, it would be worth my while… ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/2 "2015-07-23T15:09:28Z")
Blackout curtains are cheap and widely available. I was looking at them at WalMart just yesterday. The key to having them work well is to have them hanging very close to the wall, so buy the cheap, low-profile rods to hang them from. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/3 "2015-07-23T15:45:32Z")
Duct tape & aluminum foil. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/4 "2015-07-23T17:16:17Z")
> [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](#): > > I’m currently working a 7p to 7A shift, 7 on, 7 off… > The pay differential is worth me paying someone to do this for me, I live in the Atlanta, GA metro area, so if someone knows a company who can do for me, it would be worth my while… I can’t do better than agree with the above posts that say buy some easy to obtain blackout curtains, or foil & duct tape. The 2nd choice being uglier, but cheaper and more effective. I just came in here to ask what do you do for your job? The 12-hour, 7-on, 7-off schedule sounds like the schedules I worked as a roughneck back in the day in Oklahoma and Texas. Since you’re said you’re from Atlanta I doubt that’s the case. 🙂 (I’m in Atlanta are now too, BTW… Roswell/Alpharetta) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/5 "2015-07-23T17:39:24Z")
I just hung a thick, dark blanket over my window, and secured it to the wall by the simple expedient of leaning something against it. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/6 "2015-07-23T18:23:12Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Duct tape & aluminum foil. That’s what I used, back when. My sister once had an apartment ideally suited to a shift worker - NO windows, solid door. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/7 "2015-07-23T18:30:47Z")
Obtain a large bulldozer, a helicopter and 4 long, heavy duty chains. 1. Back bulldozer up to side door. 2. Run one chain from the blldozer to the wall farthest away from the side door 3. Drive bulldozer forward to pull house inside out 4. Attach one chain to each side of the house, at the base of the foundatioin 5. Attach all 4 chains to bottom of helicopter 6. Take off with enough power to turn house back to inside in Voila! West facing bedroom windows! Of course, your house is upside down… ---
**Author:** ![pendgwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@pendgwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pendgwen)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/8 "2015-07-23T18:41:53Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Duct tape & aluminum foil. This is what it did back when I was broke and working nights. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/9 "2015-07-23T19:10:44Z")
When I owned an interior store I would get several requests per year for blackout window coverings. Sometimes I would use a blackout shade built into a box that overlapped it on all 4 sides with the inside of the box painted black. It did a good job. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/10 "2015-07-23T21:06:52Z")
Howdy! I’ve worked nights and 3rd shift many times, and I think blackout curtains suck. So does aluminum foil and gaff tape (stage hands use gaff tape, not duct tape). My method is to go to the hardware store and get the bubble wrap mylar that is sold as water heater insulation. I cut it larger than the window and then gaff tape the shit outta it to the wall. No light bleed, no heat = a good day’s sleep. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/11 "2015-07-23T22:34:41Z")
Why darken the whole room (which will never get really dark in the daytime anyway.) I use an [eyeshade](http://www.amazon.com/Bucky-Blinks-Mask-Ultralight-Black/dp/B000WNX21Y)and foam rubber earplugs. Like being in the womb, only quieter. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/12 "2015-07-23T22:41:28Z")
Another vote for foil - I use plain old “Scotch” tape (which can be a mess to remove witout a razor scraper). It blocks the light 100% and cools the room as well. Used by college students before dorms all became air conditioned. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/13 "2015-07-24T16:09:34Z")
I’ve always used either foil on a cardboard backer, cut to size, or large black garbage bags folded to size and taped into place. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/14 "2015-07-25T00:26:25Z")
I have [cellular blinds](https://www.google.com.au/search?q=cellular+blinds&rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU503AU503&espv=2&biw=1143&bih=1193&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI8u7an4L1xgIVoyymCh0YJgAW) with a silver backing set inside the windows and I then have a thick curtain that goes across the window. It’s very dark and the blinds take up very little space when retracted. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_a\_Platypus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Not\_a\_Platypus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_a_Platypus)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/15 "2015-07-25T00:30:56Z")
We have some decently thick blackout curtains from Target, and hang them with tension rods so they sit inside the window frames and block more light than hanging them from above like traditional curtain rods. It won’t get the room nighttime dark, but it works very very well. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/16 "2015-07-25T03:40:43Z")
With a dome over the window, you’ll have to install the hardware so they sit outside the widest part of the window, and above the top of the dome. Then put up blackout curtains. Your dome will now look like a rectangle, but at least you will be able to sleep. Make sure you eat before you go to bed and keep the room cool. Also, don’t try to go home and jump right into bed. You wouldn’t do that if you got out at 5pm. Allow a few hours to wind down. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/17 "2015-07-25T05:00:36Z")
I like something like **Snowboarder Bo** ’s idea for the arch, then blinds and heavy duty blackout curtains for the regular portion of the window, so you can open the window if you want. I use this [Tempur-Pedic Eye Mask](http://www.amazon.com/Tempur-Pedic-Sleep-Mask/dp/B0027OUUFW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437800179&sr=8-1&keywords=tempurpedic+eye+mask). It’s the best one I’ve found. By far. Essentially no light leakage. I have chronic migraines. Dark is my friend. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_of\_Words](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f6c823/32.png) [@Jack\_of\_Words](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_of_Words)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/18 "2015-07-25T17:54:59Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I just came in here to ask what do you do for your job? Yeah, me too (or maybe I should ask your age?) I spent 3 years doing 7pm-7am shifts, 4 on, 4 off, at a homeless hostel. No amount of light would keep me awake when I got home - I’d wind down for an hour or so and then crash out and sleep like a baby. I’d revert back to being a ‘day walker’ on the 4 off by the simple expedient of forcing myself to stay awake after the last night shift and going to bed at a more ‘normal’ time. Noise would sometimes disturb me - if the fortnightly garbage collection coincided with a sleep day then that would wake me up. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-during-day-blackout-room/725958/19 "2015-07-26T00:13:11Z")
> [@Jack\_of\_Words](#): > > Yeah, me too (or maybe I should ask your age?) I spent 3 years doing 7pm-7am shifts, 4 on, 4 off, at a homeless hostel. No amount of light would keep me awake when I got home - I’d wind down for an hour or so and then crash out and sleep like a baby. I’d revert back to being a ‘day walker’ on the 4 off by the simple expedient of forcing myself to stay awake after the last night shift and going to bed at a more ‘normal’ time. Noise would sometimes disturb me - if the fortnightly garbage collection coincided with a sleep day then that would wake me up. People have different responses to night shift. I find it very difficult to sleep during the day. On a 7pm - 7am shift I’d be lucky to get three hours sleep when I get home then maybe another hour in the afternoon. There are others like me at work. It is purely psychological, if I know I don’t have to work then I have no trouble having an afternoon nap for a couple of hours. Part of the problem for me is also that I don’t have a set night shift pattern. In a month I might have three weeks of nights and one week of days or I might alternate weeks of days and weeks of nights. In a night shift week I might only be actually working two of the nights and be on call for the other two. As it’s relatively rare to get called in, and it’s usually for a shorter than normal shift, I tend to just treat an on call night like a day off.