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Light-Filtering and Blackout Shades

Are you trying to decide between light-filtering and blackout shades for your bedroom? The big question you need to answer is whether you want any daylight in the room or not. At Amazing Blinds & Shutters, we offer a wide variety of options in all opacities. If you work the third shift and sleep during the day or have children that nap in the afternoon, a blackout shade is likely what you need. However, if you like sunlight in your bedroom but just need a little privacy, there are other options that we suggest.

Hunter Douglas Provenance® Woven Wood Shades, Designer Roller Shades, blackout  bamboo shades near Amarillo, Texas (TX).

First, you need to know about opacity. In window treatments, opacity is the amount of light passing through a window treatment and ranges from sheer to blackout. Designer Roller Shades in a translucent opacity is an easy way to filter light and enjoy privacy. You can also go with Provenance® Woven Wood Shades, complete with a lightweight liner. Having a lined woven wood shade allows you to appreciate the texture of the shade as it won’t be completely washed out by the incoming sun.

A common myth about blackout shades is that they must be a dark color to block the most sunlight. Fortunately, modern blackout window treatments can be any color. What matters is that the liner is of a blackout opacity. You can have Roman shades in a very light color equipped with a blackout liner. Any color of your choosing will work if the liner is adequate.

You may wonder if there is a significant difference in light blockage depending on whether you go with an inside mount or an outside mount. The short answer is - not really. Inside mounts fit tightly to the window frame, but there will still be a bit of backlight depending on how bright it is outside the window. An outside mount can extend further beyond the frame, and this will provide a bit more privacy. Another excellent option is to go with an inside mount paired with Design Studio™ Side Panels. Again, the side panels can be any color and lined with a light-filtering or blackout liner and will also eliminate any backlight seeping in around the edge of a shade.

Another great thing about today’s blackout and light-filtering window treatments is that the fabric itself does not need to be thick or heavy. Years ago, the fabric served as the main source of light control, but now you can go with silk or linen as the base fabric, and still have most of the outside light blocked or gently filtered.

Are you still wondering which option is best for your home? Call us at (806) 418-8385 to schedule a consultation with one of our design specialists. We also offer professional measuring and installation services to ensure your Hunter Douglas window coverings are a perfect fit. Take a look at our online portfolio, and then pay us a visit. Our showroom is located in Amarillo, TX, and we are happy to serve the Texas Panhandle, including Amarillo, Canyon, and beyond.