The main difference between blackout and room darkening curtains is the level of light blocking. Blackout curtains are designed to completely block all light from entering the room, while room darkening curtains are designed to block most, but not all, of the light that comes into the room.
Room darkening curtains are a type of window treatment that is designed to block out a significant amount of light without being 100% blackout. Most “blackout” curtains are simply room darkening curtains without any certifications toward their blackout fabric capability.
Here's the difference in a nutshell: Blackout shades use a fabric that blocks 100% of all incoming light, while “room darkening” usually refers to almost any shade that uses a fabric that blocks between 95% and 99% of the light that enters your room.
-Can be difficult to clean: Blackout curtains can be more difficult to clean than blackout blinds because they are typically made of a thicker, heavier material. -Less light control: Blackout curtains cannot be raised or lowered to control the amount of light coming into the room.
As the name would imply, blackout curtains block 100 percent of the sun's rays. This gives you total darkness and makes these curtains perfect for bedrooms, nurseries, dark rooms, and media/theater rooms.
Black blinds tend to hold onto heat rather than being a good insulator or barrier against it, so if you're trying to keep a room cooler in summer and are looking for blinds that can help to do this, black blinds aren't the best idea.
Finally, the installation of the curtains can also affect their ability to block out light, as gaps or slits between the curtains and the window frame can allow light to enter the room. The effectiveness of blackout curtains at blocking out light and creating a dark room depends on a few different factors.
Blackout curtains have few health disadvantages. However, manufacturers may produce blackout curtains or roller blinds using polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This material has phthalates, chemicals that can enter and damage the human body through air particles, direct contact, and other methods.
Blackout curtains improve energy efficiency by helping to insulate a room. Blackout curtains are thick, so they also help soften outside noise. Blackout curtains are available in a range of colors and sizes. Since you can't see through blackout curtains at all, they increase privacy better than other curtain types.
Blackout curtains will drastically improve sleep for night shift workers. If your job or lifestyle mean you need to get your rest during daylight hours, blackout curtains are a fantastic way to reduce light exposure and 'trick' your circadian rhythm into producing melatonin.
To achieve complete darkness and a cooler temperature in a room, Jane says the best option is a cellular blackout shade. “These shades are specifically designed to block out light and are a popular choice for bedrooms, nurseries, and home theaters,” she says.
If you want the maximum darkness possible, always opt for blackout shades. Room darkening describes any shades that reduce the amount of light coming into a room. They don't necessarily make your room pitch-black, but they will make it darker.
One: Bedrooms – Every bedroom in your house should have these window coverings added to them. This will help every family member get better sleep every day. Everyone will be able to wake up when they choose to and not when they are forced to because of the sunlight hitting them in the face.
For the best blackout results, fit pencil pleat curtains as close to the wall as you can, and ideally floor to ceiling. Make sure the grommets (or eyelet rings) of eyelet curtains aren't too big for your pole.
Check the Label
Though some window treatments may appear to be blackout curtains, it's always a good idea to take a closer look at the label. If it doesn't list 99.9% light coverage, odds are you're dealing with a room-darkening or light-filtering treatment in disguise.
Do room darkening shades provide privacy at night? Room darkening shades provide similar benefits to blackout shades by increasing privacy during the day and night, provide energy efficiency, thus reducing electric bills, block noise, and protect furniture and floors from sun damage.
The answer is generally yes. The drop length should be to the floor. When in doubt, err on the side of longer curtains. Whether or not you should puddle the curtains at the bottom is really a matter of personal preference, but for the most aesthetically pleasing and appropriate look, curtains should run to the floor.
How to measure for blackout curtains. The first step is to measure. I always recommend hanging your curtains high and wide. That means you want to mount your rod high above your window casing (this often means close to the ceiling) and 8”-12” beyond the window casing on each side.
Black, white, grey, brown, and beige are all neutral colours. Neutral curtain colours as per Vastu are considered the best. You can combine them with colors of your choice to add a pop of color here and there to make it brighter, if needed.
Another benefit of blackout drapery is their ability to reduce your energy costs. In most homes, 10-25% of thermal energy loss is from windows. However, with blackout drapes, your energy bill could be reduced up to 25%. During the winter, blackout drapery will help keep the heat in the room.
By blocking the view into a room from the outside, blackout curtains can prevent nosy neighbors or passersby from seeing into your home. This added layer of privacy can give you peace of mind and allow you to feel more secure in your living space.
TRADITIONAL BLACKOUT BLINDS
Traditional kids blackout blinds are made from PVC, which gives off hundreds of hugely toxic chemicals into the air every second. It's why they come with a warning to “not leave in direct sunlight for long periods of time” because heating up PVC makes it release even more chemicals.
Roller Blinds are a great choice for helping keep rooms cooler. The best fabric for this is a Blackout fabric, as this stops light from penetrating and thus helps keep heat out. However many do not like the idea of blocking natural light.
Dark coloured curtains work very well in spacious interiors or high-ceilinged rooms to visually shrink the space and give it a cozier vibe. Use them to anchor the space without overwhelming the setting; repeat the colour of the curtains somewhere else in the room so they don't look out of place.