Getting the Right Window Covering for Your Needs

If you are shopping for new window treatments, there is probably one question that keeps coming up: how much light do you actually want to block? The answer is rarely the same for every room in your home. While living rooms can benefit from a soft glow of light, bedrooms, on the other hand, can benefit from some serious darkness. In this article, we’ll take a look at the three levels of light blocking for window coverings. Once you understand these differences, choosing the right window treatment becomes simpler and much more intentional.

What is Light Blocking?

Light blocking simply refers to how much natural light passes through a window treatment once installed. Fabric density, weave, and mounting method can all influence the final result. 

The three standard levels of light blocking are:

• Light filtering
• Room darkening
• Blackout

Each level serves a different purpose and fits different rooms and lifestyles. Let’s dive into it.

Light Filtering

Light filtering window treatments offer soft light with daytime privacy. They allow sunlight to pass through while diffusing its intensity. This means the room stays bright, but the harsh glare is softened. Light filtering fabrics typically block less than 50 percent of incoming light. So you’ll still experience daylight, just in a gentler, more controlled way.

The best rooms for light filtering treatments are ones where natural light is a priority:

• Living rooms and family rooms
• Kitchens and breakfast nooks
• Home offices that need reduced screen glare

These window coverings provide daytime privacy, but at night, silhouettes may be visible when interior lights are on.

Room Darkening

Room darkening is the flexible middle ground. These coverings significantly reduce light without fully eliminating it. Room darkening treatments generally block about 85 to 99 percent of light, depending on fabric color, thickness, and how the shade is mounted. Your room will become noticeably dimmer, but not completely dark. You also get improved nighttime privacy over light-filtering options. 

The best rooms for room darkening coverings are spaces that need flexibility:

• Guest bedrooms
• Nurseries and kids’ rooms
• Media rooms where glare reduction matters
• Multi-purpose rooms that are used day and night

Mounting choice plays a big role here, so make sure you check out the section below on inside versus outside mounting. 

Blackout

Blackout window coverings give maximum light control and are designed for near-total darkness. Blackout fabrics block almost all light passing through the material itself (nearly 100 percent of light). Any remaining light usually comes from gaps around the edges, rather than through the fabric. Blackout options also provide complete privacy both day and night. 

The rooms that benefit from blackout window treatments are those where light control is critical:

• Primary bedrooms
• Nurseries and kids’ rooms
• Home theaters

Shift workers and those who are sensitive to light (such as people with lupus) can also benefit greatly from blackout window treatments. Again, mounting here plays a big role, so let’s take a look at that below.

Inside Versus Outside Mounts

When you want a room-darkening or blackout window covering, mounting choice plays a role. 

An inside mount is when the treatment is mounted inside the window frame. While this can protect your treatment from accidental damage, it does have a small gap between the window frame and the edge of the treatment. This can create light leaks. However, opting for custom window treatments can help minimize this gap as much as possible. 

Outside mounts are when the treatment is mounted above the window frame, and the window treatment extends beyond the right and left edge of the window frame. This noticeably reduces side gaps that create light leaks. The only window covering that can’t be mounted like this is interior shutters because interior shutters are mounted directly to the window frame. Custom window treatments are designed to tightly fit your window to help reduce these gaps as much as possible. 

Elevate Your Room with the Right Window Treatment Today!

Elevated Views is dedicated to improving your living and working spaces with beautiful window treatments and shades. We understand the importance of getting the right window treatment for your needs and your budget! Our no-pressure service means you’ll receive excellent service and a window treatment that you’ll love for years to come. We are locally and family-owned and offer a free in-home consultation and quote where we bring the showroom to you. Request a consultation today!