QA

What Is The Difference Between Blackout And Room Darkening Curtains

The room darkening vs blackout curtains is a distinction that has a thin line separating both types of window treatments. However, while room darkening curtains allow a small amount of light to pass through, blackout curtains are so designed to create pitch black darkness when they are drawn shut.

Are blackout and room darkening the same?

A blackout shade is a type of window treatment made from an opaque fabric that is used to eliminate light in a room. Room-darkening shades reduce approximately 95-99 percent of light that enters a room. On the other hand, blackout styles can eliminate brightness by up to 100 percent in some cases.

Are room darkening curtains see through at night?

Since you can’t see through blackout curtains at all, they increase privacy better than other curtain types. Blackout curtains block sun rays and therefore protect surfaces within the room from fading.

Why are blackout curtains bad?

Blackout curtains are made with some chemicals which are infused into the fabric of the curtains. These chemicals contain ‘Volatile Organic Compounds’ or VOC. The curtains that contain VOCs are regarded by some, to be toxic in nature. To be perfectly clear, VOCs have very rarely affected the health of a person.

What does room darkening curtains mean?

Room Darkening means most of the sunlight will be blocked out and dimmed. The key wording here is “most”, as the room darkening feature does allow a slight amount, based on fabric and material selection. Blackout means that light is entirely blacked out, using fabrics that are opaque.

Do room darkening curtains block heat?

Room Darkening Curtains: A Perfect Investment for Reducing Indoor Heat. This type of curtains does not block out the sunlight completely, they let some amount of light to enter your space. But they can still be a great option for reducing heat indoors as they block a majority of the heat from direct sunlight.

Do Ikea blackout curtains work?

IKEA’s Marjun blackout curtains are the least expensive curtains we recommend, they’re nearly as good at blocking light as the Sebastian Insulated curtains, and the fabric and color-blocked design looks better. The color blocking along the bottom adds a little more personality to a room than our solid-color picks too.

Do dark curtains block more light?

Light and dark curtains differ in function, as well. Meanwhile, dark curtains are typically more able to block light. They can, for instance, make a bedroom darker at night, especially in the case of custom made curtains that fit a window perfectly.

What are the different types of blackout curtains?

There are multiple types of curtains, including rod pocket, grommet, pinch pleat, and tailored pleat. The primary blackout curtain types are rod pocket and grommet. Both styles create pleating, though the rod pocket tends to have smaller pleats while the grommet style tends to have thicker pleats.

Do I really need blackout curtains?

Blackout curtains help you sleep better. Our bodies can never fully rest when there’s sunlight coming into the room, which is why you should sleep with the lights off. These opaque curtains can help block 99% of light from entering your room, so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep and wake up energized.

Are blackout curtains bad for waking up?

The Bedroom Too Dark to Wake Up Although you want your bedroom to be dark as you fall asleep, this may make it more difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Blackout curtains and dark walls prevent natural lighting from entering your room, which send signals to your brain to power on for the day.

Do blackout curtains make a difference?

Blackout curtains can trap heat in during the winter and keep light and heat out during the summer. 10-25% of thermal energy loss goes out the windows. Blackout curtains can curtail this loss by a 25%, reducing your utility bills and greenhouse gases.

Can blackout curtains cool a room?

Blackout curtains and shades will reduce the amount of heat which is transferred via your windows by as much as 24 percent, keeping the rooms where they’re installed cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This will allow you to use your heating and cooling system more efficiently and save energy.

What are blackout curtains used for?

The primary purpose of blackout curtains is to keep light from streaming into the home where it is not wanted, but they also can serve to help insulate the home by blocking direct sunlight. Blackout curtains shouldn’t be ironed, bleached or placed in the washing machine because of their often synthetic linings.

Do blackout curtains block UV rays?

Blackout fabrics are much better at blocking light than normal materials. That means no seepage and the ability to block up to 99% of incoming light. Your room remains darker, but it also prevents harmful UV rays from entering through your windows.

Are blackout curtains bad in summer?

Whether you are watching a movie, or simply taking a break from the scorching sun, blackout curtains have an immediate soothing effect on the room. Other than blocking out light, the tightly woven fabric also provides insulation. As a result, the rooms are warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Do blackout curtains block cold?

There’s a lot to love about blackout curtains: They keep the light out so you get a great night’s rest, they help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter (saving you money and helping the environment), and they can even reduce noise if you live in a busy area.

Do blackout curtains block sound?

Blackout curtains are simply thicker fabric with a liner on the back to keep sunlight or artificial light (such as street lights) from coming through. While this type of curtain is not suitable to block sound, they can help to absorb echo.