Light-Filtering Shades vs. Blackout Shades

You're standing in your bedroom at 6 am in June, and the sun's already blasting through your windows. You can't sleep through it, but you also don't want your bedroom to feel like a cave during the day. Or maybe you're in your living room trying to watch TV and the afternoon glare makes the screen unwatchable, but you don't want to block your view of the backyard completely. The type of shade fabric you pick makes all the difference between solving these problems and creating new ones.

Light-filtering shades and blackout shades both control light, but they do so in different ways and are more effective in specific rooms. Knowing which one you need depends on how you actually use each space in your Grand Rapids home.

The Shade Shop Inc. serves the Grand Rapids area, including Holland, Grand Haven, and Spring Lake. We carry Hunter Douglas products and offer in-home consultations, allowing you to see fabric samples in your actual lighting rather than relying on a showroom display.

Light-filtering shades soften sunlight without blocking it completely. The fabric diffuses harsh light, so your room stays bright without the direct glare that makes you squint. You can still see shadows and light coming through, but the intensity drops way down.

These work well in living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and home offices where you want natural light and daytime privacy. People outside can't see details inside your house, but you can still see light and general shapes outside.

Hunter Douglas Duette® Cellular Shades are available in light-filtering fabrics with different opacity levels. Hunter Douglas Designer Roller Shades also offer light-filtering options in hundreds of fabrics and colors.

Blackout shades block light almost completely. When they're closed, your room goes dark even in the middle of the day. You might still get a tiny bit of light leaking around the edges where the shade meets the window frame, but it's minimal.

These make the most sense in bedrooms where you need darkness to sleep—especially if you work nights and sleep during the day, or if you're a light sleeper who wakes up at sunrise. They also work in media rooms where you want to watch TV or movies without glare, and in nurseries where you're trying to get babies to nap during the day.

Hunter Douglas Duette® Cellular Shades are available in room-darkening and blackout fabrics. Room-darkening blocks most light, while blackout blocks nearly everything. Hunter Douglas Designer Roller Shades also offer blackout fabrics if you prefer the clean, minimal look of rollers.

Hunter Douglas Silhouette® Sheer Shades land somewhere between light-filtering and sheer curtains. The fabric vanes tilt to control light while maintaining your view of the outside world. They filter light beautifully during the day, but don't provide complete privacy at night.

Hunter Douglas shutters with adjustable louvers give you control over how much light comes through by tilting the slats. Close them completely, and they block most light. Tilt them partway, and they filter light while still giving you airflow and some view.

< Older Post