What's the Best Way to Blackout Windows?
Light coming in at the wrong time, early-morning sun, streetlights at night, and afternoon glare can disrupt sleep, drain energy, and make certain rooms downright uncomfortable. If you've been dealing with any of these issues, blackout window treatments may be exactly what you're looking for. This guide can help you understand how blackout window coverings work, where to use them, and how to find the right option for your home from the experts at Blinds Plus.
What Are Blackout Window Treatments?
Blackout window treatments are window coverings specifically designed to block light from entering a room. Unlike light-filtering shades, which soften and diffuse incoming light, blackout shades feature opaque materials that prevent light from passing through the fabric, including ambient light from outside at night.
The word "blackout" describes the fabric's opacity. Most blackout shades achieve that opacity through the material’s tight weave or a coated backing bonded to the facing fabric. That backing prevents light from coming through, so the room stays dark at 6 AM in summer or when a streetlight burns all night outside the window.
How Blackout Shades Block Light
The effectiveness of blackout shades depends on material density and proper fit. A shade with a blackout liner will block light through the fabric itself, but gaps around the edges between the shade and the window frame can still let light seep in. For maximum light control, an inside mount with side channels, or a shade specifically sized for your window dimensions, provides the tightest coverage.
Where Blackout Window Treatments Make the Biggest Difference
Bedrooms are where most homeowners see the biggest difference when installing new blackout window treatments. Options like Duette® Cellular Shades with Duolite® blackout technology keep your bedroom cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter while minimizing light leaks.
Nurseries also benefit when you have roller shades installed to block out light. Infants and toddlers sleep better in consistent darkness, and nap schedules are easier to maintain when the room doesn't brighten up at 2 PM. Blackout shades also block streetlights and headlights at night while providing a boost from added noise-controlling fabric.
Media rooms and home offices are another popular choice. Screen glare is distracting, whether you're watching a movie on a Saturday afternoon or delivering a presentation to a client on a video call. Adding blackout shades makes movies and games more enjoyable, while these window treatments also add a pop of color and texture to your room décor.
Choosing the Right Blackout Style for Your Home
Blackout shades come in a range of styles from sleek roller shades to structured cellular shades and room-darkening Roman shades, so you don't have to sacrifice aesthetics for function. At Blinds Plus, we carry the full range of Hunter Douglas window treatments, from blackout to light filtering, giving you full control over your home's natural lighting.
If you're not sure which style best fits your windows, our team in Springfield is happy to walk you through your options. Ready to get started? Book a free in-home consultation today. We're locally owned and operated, serving homeowners throughout Springfield, Nixa, Ozark, and Branson, MO.