Why Atlantic bedrooms need more than "room darkening"
On June 21 the sun rises at about 5:29 a.m. in Halifax, 5:03 a.m. in St. John's and 4:34 a.m. in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and it does not set until after 9 p.m. across most of the region, close to 10 p.m. in Labrador City. Light-filtering blinds turn that into a bright room at bedtime and a wide-awake toddler at dawn.
"Room darkening" helps. "Blackout" is what you actually want if you are putting a baby down at 7 p.m. in July, working nights at the hospital, or simply sleep better in the dark.
The truth about blackout: it is the edges
Blackout fabric blocks light completely. The light that still gets in comes around the fabric: thin bright lines down each side, a strip at the top and a glow under the bottom rail. Here is how we deal with each:
- Side channels. Slim tracks along each side of the window that the shade runs inside. They close the side gaps almost completely. The single biggest upgrade for a dark room.
- Outside mount. Mounting the shade on the wall above and around the frame, overlapping by 5 to 8 cm on each side, blocks most edge light without channels.
- Cassette or valance. Covers the top of the roll so light does not spill over it.
- Bottom seal. A weighted bottom rail that sits right on the sill.
The best blackout products
| Product | Darkness | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Blackout roller shade + side channels | The darkest | Clean look, easy to motorize |
| Blackout cellular shade + side channels | Very dark | Also the warmest option. Ideal for cold bedrooms. |
| Roman shade with blackout lining, outside mount | Dark | Soft, tailored look |
| Dual roller: light-filtering front, blackout back | Very dark | Daytime light and nighttime dark from one bracket |
Not true blackout: zebra blinds, sheer shades, and slatted blinds (wood, faux wood, aluminum). They are lovely products, but light gets through the gaps.
Who we fit blackout for most
- Parents of babies and young children. Naps at 1 p.m. and bedtime at 7 p.m. in June.
- Shift workers. Nurses, paramedics, plant and port workers, military, and anyone sleeping through daylight.
- Light sleepers and migraine sufferers.
- Guest rooms and short-term rentals. Guest reviews mention bright rooms more than almost anything else.
- Home theatres and media rooms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between blackout and room darkening?
Blackout fabric blocks essentially all light passing through it. Room-darkening fabric blocks most light, typically 95% to 99%, and leaves a soft glow. For sleeping in long Atlantic summer evenings and early mornings, blackout gives noticeably better results.
Why do blackout blinds still let light in?
Because light gets in around the edges, not through the fabric. A blackout shade mounted inside the window frame leaves small gaps at the sides, top and bottom. Side channels, an outside mount that overlaps the frame, and a cassette at the top close those gaps.
What are the best blackout blinds for a nursery?
Cordless or motorized blackout roller or blackout cellular shades with side channels. They give the darkest room and have no reachable cords, which is the safest choice around babies and young children.
Do blackout blinds help keep a room warm?
Yes. Blackout fabrics are denser than light-filtering fabrics and reduce heat loss somewhat. Blackout cellular shades insulate the best, because they combine a blackout liner with insulating air pockets.
Can I get blackout and still have daylight during the day?
Yes. A dual roller shade carries a light-filtering or solar shade in front and a blackout shade behind on one bracket. Use the light one during the day and the blackout one at night. Day-night cellular shades do the same in one shade.
How much do blackout blinds cost?
Custom blackout roller and cellular shades typically cost about $300 to $800 per window installed, depending on size and product. Side channels add to the price but make the biggest difference to darkness.
Read next: Best blackout blinds for bedrooms · Atlantic Light data