It shouldn’t be difficult to choose a window treatment, but with the option of picking one with light filtering or black shade you’d think it was incredibly complex. Various weights, opaque levels and mounting options all contribute. The great thing about this is that for every room in your house, you’re treated to a different challenge; and there’s no right or wrong answer here.
This guide eliminates the confusion. We explain the exact effect that each shade has, which shades work best in which rooms, and which choice to make in each of the rooms of your home.
What Are Light Filtering Shades?
Light filtering shades are used to diffuse natural light through a room, but do not completely block it out. The fabric disperses the light, creating a level playing field. Less harsh light and glare without making the interior dark.
One of the most flexible window treatment categories, these shades come in a variety of styles, such as light filtering roller shades, Roman shades, cellular shades, and woven wood shades.
Light filtering shades offer adequate privacy during the day, since they don’t allow light to flow through. Depending on the density of the fabric some silhouetting will happen at night when lights are on the inside. They make a great option for rooms where the use of the space will be the primary one during the day.
Benefits include less UV exposure, which helps prevent furniture and floors from fading; a brighter, more open space; and a gentler light level that is easier on your eyes throughout long indoor hours.
What Are Blackout Shades?
Black out shades are made of very dense or coated opaque fabric to block 99% to 100% of the light. Some good blackout roller shades also have a cassette headrail and side channels to eliminate the small stream of light that can often be seen around the edge of a shade.
Blackout shades provide 100% privacy throughout the day and night as opposed to light filtering shades. They work best in places where it’s important to keep light under control, like bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms; and work well in places where it’s not so much a priority as a preference, such as living rooms.
In addition to blocking out light, blackout shades offer a significant amount of insulation. They have a honeycomb pattern that keeps air close to the window, minimizing heat loss during the winter and solar heat gain during the summer, making them one of the more energy efficient window treatments available.
The exchange is ambience. Blackout shades are designed to block out natural light. That’s not necessarily the case in bright, open rooms where brightness and openness are important.
Light Filtering vs Blackout Shades: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Light Filtering Shades | Blackout Shades |
|---|---|---|
| Light Control | Softens and diffuses light | Blocks 99 to 100% of light |
| Daytime Privacy | Good | Excellent |
| Nighttime Privacy | Moderate | Complete |
| Sleep Quality | Moderate | Best for deep, uninterrupted sleep |
| Energy Efficiency | Reduces solar heat gain | Insulates against heat and cold |
| Room Feel | Bright, airy, and open | Dark and enclosed |
| Best Rooms | Living room, kitchen, office, dining | Bedroom, nursery, media room |
| Noise Reduction | Minimal | Moderate (cellular construction) |
Room-by-Room Guide: Choosing the Right Shade
Bedroom
Black out shades are the most important when it comes to the bedroom for most. Early morning light, no matter how bright, can disturb sleep, especially during the summer, when the sun rises early in the morning. Black out window shades provide the darkness necessary for longer and deeper sleep.
Keep an eye out for blackout roller shades that have a cassette headrail to block light at the top of the shade. When your bedroom is used as a space to relax or read, a dual-shade option which combines a blackout shade with a light filtering layer will provide complete flexibility.
Nursery
For a young child’s or nursery room, blackout shades are a definite must have. Daytime naps are very important for infants’ growth, and infants who have even a tiny bit of ambient light will sleep less during their nap. Blackout shades for nurseries are designed to keep your baby’s room dark and quiet, which is ideal for promoting regular sleeping habits.
In any room where young children sleep, use cordless black-out shades for safety. Cordless designs eliminate the danger of hanging cords and provide a cleaner look.
Living Room
Shades that are light filtering are necessary for living rooms. Comfort, openness, and ambience are usually the focus of any shared living area, and this is best achieved with diffused natural light, not darkness.
Light filtering roller shades lower the brightness on TV and computer screens, keep upholstered furniture from fading, and keep the living room looking bright and cheerful all day long. Light filtering Roman shades or woven wood shades add warmth and texture to the room and are perfect for all types of interior design.
Kitchen
Natural light is essential for preparing food in kitchens, and light filtering shades provide just the right amount of natural light. They are helpful when filtering out the sun’s rays, especially the direct sun rays reaching the window in the afternoon on south and west-facing windows, and they will not make the room dark and gloomy.
Use light filtering shatter-proof roller blinds that can be wiped clean or are moisture resistant because the kitchen exposes you to humidity, steam and splashes sometimes. Black-out shades are not suggested for the kitchen since they make it feel closed all day long when it’s being used the most.
Home Office
Natural light is the most beneficial for a home office – all the time, and when unobstructed from glare. Light filtering shades work well here as well, especially with 3-5% openness factor that can filter enough sunlight to block screen glare without sacrificing an outside view.
Studies have shown that there is always a correlation between natural lighting in the office and well-being and productivity. When a home office is about managing and diffusing daylight, rather than blocking it out, light filtering shades will do the job.
Media Room and Home Theater
Blackout shades are a must in dedicated media rooms and home theaters. The projector images get washed out by ambient light and the contrast on large format screens is lowered resulting in a poor visual experience, irrespective of the image quality of the display device.
As for blackout roller shades, opt for those with a dark fabric back, with charcoal or black being the top choice for absorbing the most light. Black-out shades with black-out drapes make for a complete black out and ideal for daytime viewing.
Bathroom
Bathrooms should be private, but not completely dark. Shades that filter light in a moisture resistant fabric are the logical solution as they offer sufficient coverage, but still let some light in to avoid the interior feeling stuffy.
Bathrooms are a great place to use top-down, bottom-up shades as they can be lowered down to let in light from the top, and the bottom may be up to offer privacy.
Understanding Room Darkening Shades
Room darkening shades fall in the middle between the light filter and black out shades. Generally, they block 85 to 99 percent of the light, creating a light halo around the image instead of being totally dark.
They are a viable alternative for guest rooms, children’s rooms or anyone seeking substantial light reduction but not total darkness. Room darkening shades can be considered if full blackout is not needed, but shades are not working well.
Do Window Shades Really Improve Energy Efficiency?
Yes – and the difference is measurable. In summer, light filtering shades can help reduce the amount of solar heat gain that goes through the windows, which helps to alleviate the strain on an air conditioning system. Blackout cellular shades take it one step further, providing an insulating layer and blocking the transfer of heat in both directions through the glass.
Black-out honeycomb shades have been proven to cut up to 40% of heat loss from windows during winter. Window shades that are energy-efficient can help save energy and therefore money in extreme seasonal climates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between light filtering and blackout shades?
Diffused light filtering shades scatter light to minimize glare and UV exposure without making a space darker. Blackout shades are opaque fabric that blocks 99 – 100 percent of the light. The option that is available will depend on the function of the room and the desired amount of light control needed.
Are blackout shades worth it for bedrooms?
Yes. Blackout shades are always the best window blind option for a better sleep. They shade early morning light; give total privacy at night; and in cellular formats offer extra insulating qualities.
Can light filtering shades provide privacy at night?
They provide some privacy. Light filtering shades will work best during the day when there is more light outdoors than in. The shade will display silhouettes when the interior light is on at night. For full nighttime privacy, blackout shades are the better option.
What are room darkening shades?
Light darkening shades reduce light by 85-99 percent, more than light filtering shades but less than blackout shades. They make an excellent compromise for rooms that require a considerable amount of darkness without a completely enclosed space.
How do I prevent light from leaking around blackout shades?
Side channels and a blackout shade with a cassette headrail will help reduce light leakage. Also, it will help if it is installed outside and has a shade that hangs several inches over the window on all sides. Cover blackout shades with blackout drapes for full coverage.
Which shades are best for a home office?
Home offices are ideal for light filtering shades, especially shades with a 3 – 5 per cent openness factor. They help to minimize screen glare, lower UV exposure, and keep natural light in while working – aiding concentration and productivity.
The Right Shade for Every Room
Once you are able to identify the function of the room, you should be able to determine what type of shade works best. Blackout shades should be used in areas that are designed for darkness, sleep and privacy. Light filtering shades are for places that are activity, light and life-centers.
BuyHomeBlinds.com stocks an extensive selection of light filtering roller shades, blackout roller shades, room darkening shades, cellular shades, Roman shades, and more, all with custom sizes so they fit your windows perfectly.