Blackout Window Treatments for Light Control
Vignette® Modern Roman Shades
Blackout Blinds & Room Darkening Shades
Blackout blinds and room darkening shades give you greater control over unwanted light, glare, and privacy throughout your home. Whether you’re creating a darker bedroom, reducing afternoon sun in a media room, or controlling light in a nursery, our window treatment solutions include fabrics and operating systems for different levels of room darkening.
- Reduce unwanted light and glare
- Create darker bedrooms for better sleep
- Improve privacy day and night
- Control intense sunlight throughout your home
From room-darkening fabrics to blackout shades designed for greater light control, we’ll help you find the right solution for your space. Explore our guide to the best blackout shades to compare options for bedrooms, media rooms, and other light-sensitive spaces.
Blackout vs. Room Darkening Shades: What’s the Difference?
Blackout and room darkening window treatments both reduce incoming light, but they don’t always create the same level of darkness. Room darkening shades block most incoming light, while blackout fabrics are designed to prevent light from passing through the material itself.
However, fabric opacity is only part of the equation. Small light gaps can appear around the edges of a shade depending on the window frame, mounting style, and operating system. That’s why creating an exceptionally dark room often requires choosing the right combination of fabric, window treatment, and installation method. Our designers can help you compare blackout shades, room darkening shades, and layered treatments based on how much light you want to block.
Do Blackout Shades Leave Light Gaps?
Even blackout fabric can allow small slivers of light to enter around the edges of a window treatment. These light gaps can be influenced by the window frame, inside or outside mounting, and the type of shade you choose.
For exceptional room darkening, Duette® Honeycomb Shades are available with the exclusive LightLock™ system. Specially designed U-shaped side channels help prevent light from entering around the edges of the shade, creating a darker environment for bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms, and other spaces where controlling light is especially important. Layering shades with blackout drapery can provide another option for reducing light around the window.
Dual Shades for Light Filtering & Room Darkening
You don’t always have to choose between natural light and room darkening. Dual shade systems combine two fabrics at one window, allowing you to transition between softly filtered daylight and increased privacy or darkness as your needs change throughout the day.
Hunter Douglas Duolite® combines a light-filtering shade with a room-darkening secondary shade in a single window treatment. Enjoy softened natural light and outdoor views during the day, then lower the room-darkening fabric when you want greater privacy or light control. Duolite® is available with select Hunter Douglas collections, giving homeowners greater flexibility in bedrooms, living spaces, media rooms, and other rooms with changing light-control needs.
Blackout & Room Darkening FAQs
Have questions about choosing blackout or room darkening window treatments? Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from Denver-area homeowners.
Are blackout shades good for bedrooms?
Yes. Blackout and room darkening shades are popular choices for bedrooms because they reduce incoming light and create a darker environment for sleep. They can also be helpful in nurseries, media rooms, and spaces that receive intense sunlight. For more ideas, explore our guide to the best bedroom window treatments.
What are the best room darkening shades?
The best room darkening shades depend on how much light you want to block, your window style, and the features you prefer. Many Hunter Douglas shades are available with room-darkening fabrics, while select products offer additional light-blocking features. A custom fit is also important because even opaque fabric can allow light to enter around the edges of a window treatment.
What blackout shades are best for children’s rooms?
For children’s rooms, look for room darkening or blackout shades with cordless or automated operation. These options provide light control without accessible operating cords. Motorized shades can be especially convenient because parents can adjust shades or schedule them to close at bedtime and open in the morning. Learn more about window treatments that can help create a comfortable sleep environment for kids.
Do blackout shades help keep a room cooler?
Blackout and room darkening shades can help reduce solar heat gain by limiting the amount of direct sunlight entering through the window. However, thermal performance also depends on the type and construction of the window treatment. Cellular shades provide an additional insulating layer at the window, making them an excellent option when both room darkening and energy efficiency are priorities.
Room Darkening Products
More Window Solutions
Our room darkening window solutions can be paired with other window covering upgrades to create the perfect environment in your Denver home. In addition to window shades, our custom storage for bedroom spaces ensures you experience a smooth, effortless day.
