Is your home getting too much sun? Not enough privacy? The solution to these issues can be fixed with blinds.
Key takeaways
- Blackout blinds suit bedrooms, nurseries, and TV rooms where you want the room as dark as possible
- Dual roller blinds pair a sheer layer with a blackout layer for flexible daytime and nighttime control
- Side gaps let light leak in, so mounting style and accurate measuring matter as much as fabric
- Choose cordless or motorized options in homes with young children and clean blinds gently every few weeks
Which ones you use depends on the amount of privacy you want and how dark you wish to make your home.
Today we will talk about how to block out the sunlight with blinds, and which one to use to achieve the goal you have in mind.
Blackout Blinds
Blackout blinds are great for the nursery, bedroom, TV room, or any place where you need to block out sunlight for a dark or flat out black room.
They are designed to keep at least 95% of sunlight from filtering through.
Depending on how you have your blackout blinds set up, you can achieve 100% darkening of the room.
As well as blocking light, blackout blinds also provide a filter for outside noise.
These blinds are typically made from an opaque fabric, providing all the darkening magic.
Blackout blinds not only provide light blocking and noise reduction, but also provide energy savings and privacy from prying eyes.
Dual Roller Blinds
Many people praise the amount of control that can be had with dual roller blinds.
Dual roller blinds or day/night blinds allow far more control than most blinds.
You can opt to have two darkening shades, or one shade that is a sunscreen and a blackout shade.
For ultimate control of light, privacy, and your blind’s settings, you can buy dual roller blinds with a motorised control.
New technology also allows you to control these blinds remotely on your phone or using Google or Alexa.
Dual roller blinds come in many colours, prints, styles, and options — making them not only 100% effective, but also 100% customisable.
How to Find the Perfect Set of Blinds
When you decide to upgrade your window coverings to block out more light, you should think about all the features you need and want.
Always measure the window they will go in before you shop.
Be mindful of how the blinds will be hung — inside the frame or outside the frame — measure accordingly.
It is wise to take a picture of the room you are installing the blinds in, or take a colour swatch to match with.
To find the best price and quality, shop around and do some research.
Look at online reviews.
Ask family, friends, and neighbors where they get their blinds.
Talk to the sales clerk if you have any questions or need help? Selecting the right blinds to block out the proper amount of light.
For those who need more control over sunlight and privacy? Choosing between blackout blinds or dual roller blinds is the best option.
Dual roller blinds give you the option to block out only some light, or block all light if you need to.
Some refer to this as day and night blinds.
If you want complete darkness at all times, blackout blinds may be a better option.
Regardless of which you choose, measure your window and head to your local blinds store today to pick out the details of your new-found control over light and privacy.
How to Measure and Mount Blackout Blinds for Maximum Darkness
Even the best blackout fabric will let light sneak in around the edges if the blind is sized or mounted poorly. An inside mount sits within the window recess and looks tidy, but it always leaves a thin gap on each side where light can glow through. An outside mount covers the frame and overlaps the wall, which usually gives a darker result in bedrooms and nurseries.
For an outside mount, many installers suggest adding a few inches of overlap on each side and above the frame. For an inside mount, measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom of the recess and use the narrowest figure. Write every measurement down in inches and note whether it is for the recess or the finished blind so there is no confusion when you order.
Before you order, check the depth of your window recess, especially if you are considering dual roller blinds. Two rollers need more room than one, and a shallow recess may force an outside mount. Also look at where the blind will sit when fully raised, since a bulky roll at the top of a short window can block some of the view and daylight.
- Use a steel tape measure rather than a fabric one
- Check for handles, locks, or tilt mechanisms that could block the blind
- Consider side channels or a cassette headrail to reduce light gaps
- Measure every window separately, even if they look identical
Common Mistakes When Choosing Blinds to Block Sunlight
One of the most frequent mistakes is assuming every dark-colored blind blocks light. Room-darkening and light-filtering fabrics look similar in a showroom but perform very differently at sunrise. Ask specifically whether the fabric is rated as blackout, and if possible hold a sample up to a bright window before you buy.
Another common slip is forgetting how the blind will look from outside. Many blackout fabrics have a white or neutral backing so the street view stays uniform, which some homeowners associations prefer. It is also easy to overlook heat. In sunny rooms, a light-colored backing can reflect more warmth away from the glass, while a very dark fabric may absorb heat and make the window area feel warmer in summer.
When comparing fabrics, ask whether the blind has a separate blackout coating or a woven blackout fabric, as both can work well but may feel and hang a little differently. Choosing a neutral backing color is also a sensible default, because it looks consistent from the street regardless of the color you choose for the room side.
Cleaning, Care, and Child Safety for Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are fairly low maintenance, but dust builds up on the fabric and headrail over time. A soft brush attachment on a vacuum or a microfiber cloth every few weeks keeps them looking fresh. For small marks, dab gently with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, then let the blind dry fully while lowered so it does not roll up damp.
Safety deserves attention in any home with young children or pets. Looped cords and chains can be a strangulation hazard, so cordless, spring-loaded, or motorized blinds are often the safer choice for nurseries and kids’ rooms. If you keep a corded blind, fit a cord tensioner or cleat high on the wall and keep cribs, beds, and climbable furniture well away from the window.
If you rent your home or want a quick fix, temporary blackout options such as tension-mounted or stick-on shades can bridge the gap until you buy permanent blinds. For permanent blinds, keep the fitting instructions and any warranty paperwork together, since many problems with rollers or springs are easy to fix once you know the model and how it was installed.
- Avoid soaking fabric, which can damage blackout coatings
- Check brackets once or twice a year and tighten loose screws
- Replace worn chains or cords rather than knotting them
Frequently Asked Questions
Do blackout blinds really make a room completely dark?
Blackout blinds can make a room very dark, but complete darkness depends on how they are fitted. The fabric itself blocks nearly all light, yet small gaps at the sides and top often let some glow in. An outside mount with generous overlap, side channels, or pairing the blind with curtains usually gets you closest to a truly dark room.
Are dual roller blinds better than blackout blinds?
Dual roller blinds are better if you want flexibility, while plain blackout blinds are simpler if you only need darkness. A dual system lets you use a sheer layer for daytime privacy and softened light, then lower the blackout layer at night. They usually cost more and need a deeper mounting space, so check your window recess first.
Can blackout blinds help keep a room cooler in summer?
Yes, blackout blinds can help reduce heat from direct sun, especially on south and west facing windows. Closing them during the hottest part of the day limits how much sunlight warms the room. A light-colored or reflective backing typically works better than a dark one, and the effect is strongest when the blind fits closely to the window.
What type of blind is safest for a nursery?
Cordless or motorized blinds are generally the safest choice for a nursery because they remove dangling cords and chains. A cordless blackout roller blind also helps babies nap during the day. If you already have corded blinds, secure the cord high on the wall with a cleat or tensioner and keep the crib away from the window.
