What do you think about this? Magnetic privacy.

[mikeandnora]

Ok guys. We are renovating the excella and I think we may have come up with an idea to kill the drapes but keep the privacy.

What do you guys think about replacing the roller vinyl with blackout fabric and sewing in miniature super magnets? Then, use a glue gun to place super magnets up and down the inside of the window frame.

Pull the shade down and it should stick to the frame. We will trim the roller so that its width is within the width of the window adjustment handles.

Skatiero, sorry no picks yet!! I'll try for this week!

[bbqmama]

Now that is a slick idea!

[idroba]

You may find a problem with the magnets being too strong, or too week. Like Goldylocks you will need them "just right" so you are not fighting them. My experience with the supermagnets is that often they just won't let go. But you will never know until you try it. Do some experimenting first with one or two, before you go for the whole shade.

[Skatiero]

Great idea, just watch hose magnets arOund things like cell lines if you all charge yours over by the window using that outlet by the stove like we do!

Yes, yes, post pictures!

[mikeandnora]

Thanks for the input everyone! I can imagine the issue of strength being critical. Especially since the magnetism must go through the aluminum and the width of the fabric. I will see what I can get locally to try and test out the options first.

[Wazbro]

If the magnets are too strong you could use metal washers on one side.

[dscluchfc]

I never thought about the frames being ferrous....

[mikeandnora]

Originally Posted by dscluchfc

I never thought about the frames being ferrous....

It's not. They are definitely aluminum, so we'll have to place something behind them.

Wazbro, that is a fantastic point. Looking at magnets online it appears that I can get tremendous pull strength out of a magnet that would fit behind the frame, so why not just go for the maximum amount of pull that is hidden and "adjust" the force by trying different locally available washers or other ace hardware stuff.

[desertair27]

Great idea using magnets but I wouldn't think you would need that strong of a magnet to hold the material in place.I know our local HD and Lowes carry different sized magnets and one of the two carry the neodymium magnets.
Have you checked these magnets out?
Neodymium Magnets 0.375 inch x 0.125 inch Thick Rare Earth Disc Magnet with 0.25 inch x 0.125 inch 90 degree countersunk hole
http://www.magnet4less.com/product_i...roducts_id=980

[mikeandnora]

That is the site I was looking at. If the local stores carry anything that will fit I will try them in case of return.

Even if the ones at home depot are not the perfect fit behind the frame at least I will get an idea of the pull strength needed prior to ordering a bunch.

[Wazbro]

Another thing to think about I have seen magnetic tape at Home Depot.

[Skatiero]

I am a teacher and use magnetic tape a lot-- it is great.

[mikeandnora]

I was thinking it would need a pretty powerful little magnet to go through the aluminum. I'll try tape as well though.

[Eric H]

You could also use thin steel strips on the inside of the skin. You could paint it to match the skin so it blends in. Use 3m tape to secure it flush with the skin. This would give you a surface that the magnet could stick to at whatever height you like.

[masseyfarm]

All those magnets will surely enhance the preformance of your dash mounted compass.

Dave

[wolf146]

If you have really strong magnets you can cover the ones on the frame with cloth ( like covering on buttons) to match the decor. The thickness of the material will also determine the final strength of the magnets. wolf146

[mikeandnora]

Ok... 100 magnets on the way. 8 per window / 10 windows.

I measured the area available for installation behind the aluminum frames and to sit flush you basically have to stay around 10mm wide and a max of 2mm thick. I ended up getting 1mm thick.


Here is a video of the 8mm magnet working through a 20mm table. I imagine these magnets will be more than enough strength. Assuming they are we will go the route of testing out different washer sizes to end up with the perfect magnetism.

Super-Strong Rare-Earth RE Magnets (8mm 20-Pack)¨C DealExtreme Reviews

Another note, I didn't initially think about it but I don't think you want any magnet in the roller blind itself. If you do, they roller blind will be all stuck together every time you pull it down.

Here are the ones I ordered
Super Strong Rare-Earth RE Magnets (10mm x 1mm / 100-Pack) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme