It’s no mystery why room darkening and blackout features have always been a popular choice for window coverings. Everyone knows a place in their home that could use a little less light. Maybe it’s a living room with too much glare on the TV, an office where you can’t afford distractions, or a bedroom where you’re trying to sleep in. We know it’s out there. When it comes to creating the perfect atmosphere in your room, light control and privacy are big deals. Though the terms “room darkening” and “blackout” seem similar, they each offer unique benefits.
Is Room Darkening the Same as Blackout?
We get it, they sound like synonyms. The difference between room darkening and blackout shades is easier to see when you can, well, see them. Room darkening shades reduce the amount of light that enters a room, creating a darker environment without completely eliminating light. Perfect for providing privacy and reducing glare. Blackout shades, on the other hand, are specifically designed to block nearly all light. Roughly 99% of incoming light, if we’re talking numbers. If you want to create complete darkness, bet on blackout shades.
What is the Difference Between Blackout and Room Darkening Shades?
The construction of room darkening shades vs blackout shades highlights the key differences. Room darkening fabrics are typically made from a tightly woven material that allows for some light diffusion. Blackout fabrics, however, are constructed with multiple layers, including a dense, opaque layer that ensures minimal light penetration. The process varies for each style of window covering. For example, if you looked at a light-filtering cellular shade next to a blackout cellular shade, you’d notice the blackout cells are lined with a foil or mylar material. Order a sample and see it for yourself! While both options offer unique advantages, their differences can significantly impact your home’s comfort and functionality. It won’t impact your style, though. Both types of fabrics are available in plenty of patterns, prints, and colors.
Benefits of Room Darkening Blinds
- • Privacy: Blocking the view into your home while still allowing a small amount of natural light to filter through. A silhouette may still be visible from outside at night.
- • Glare Reduction: Perfect for reducing glare on the big screen. A crucial addition to media rooms, the office, or anywhere with a TV or a computer.
- • UV Protection: Blocking a significant amount of sunlight helps stop harmful UV rays from entering, protecting your interior or your furniture from fading.
- • Variety of Styles: Almost every style of window treatment can be made with room darkening fabric or include additional liner. Enjoy a limitless range of styles, colors, and materials.
Benefits of Blackout Blinds
- • Total Light Control: Shades designed to block almost all incoming light give you complete privacy and darkness. No one will know you’re home (or not).
- • Enhanced Sleep Quality: Help boost your body’s circadian rhythm with access to better night’s sleep, potentially improving your health and memory.
- • Noise Reduction: The thick, dense materials used in blackout shades can also help reduce outside noise for a quieter, more peaceful environment.
- • Energy Savings: Boost your home’s energy efficiency by keeping rooms cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Oldest trick in the book.
How to Choose Between Room Darkening vs Blackout Shades
It all comes down to purpose. Unless you want to be completely separate from the outside world, room darkening window coverings will probably provide what you’re looking for. When drawn, blackout fabric can be a bit stark. That’s perfect in a bedroom, but maybe not in the living room. Unless you want your living room to look like a movie theater, of course. You can always combine the two to get the best of both worlds. Try using a room darkening fabric on the windows and cover them with optional blackout curtains. It’s hard to go wrong there. Consider the room’s function and your light preferences to make the best choice.
Where to Use Blackout Shades
Blackout shades are ideal for any room where complete darkness is desired. As mentioned, bedrooms and media rooms are the most popular, and noticeable, places to get them installed. Offices or photography studios are also an important place to completely control lighting conditions, even if you’re just looking to block out distractions. One more we didn’t mention? Nurseries. Go ahead and surprise anyone in your life who is expecting with a new pair of blackout curtains. Or roller shades, cellular shades, roman shades – that’s your call. Just help them make sure their baby can sleep undisturbed, regardless of the time of day. This versatility makes blackout shades an excellent choice for boosting comfort and functionality almost anywhere in the house. If you’re a homeowner, you know where you need them!
Room darkening shades offer privacy and light reduction without completely blocking natural light, while blackout shades provide total light blockage in rooms where darkness is crucial. Investing in the right custom shades will transform your living space for the better. You could improve your sleep quality, regulate your home’s temperature, remove glare, defend against UV rays, and enjoy superior privacy. Let blackout or room darkening shades help you get exactly what you want out of your room.