Can Blackout Blinds Let Some Light Come in During the Day?

Blind Type

• Blackout blinds come in many styles, including cellular shades, Roman blinds or natural woven shades with a blackout-blind liner. Most of these fabrics are designed to block out 99 percent of light, even during the day. Light-blocking effectiveness varies by manufacturer. When shopping for blackout blinds, check consumer satisfaction ratings, buy blinds that have a money-back guarantee and measure your windows carefully so the blinds fit well.

Function

• Your best option for letting light come in during the day is raising the blind. Some blackout blinds allow you to lower the blind from the top, which lets light in while maintaining privacy.

Benefits

• Blackout blinds are well suited to nurseries and media rooms. Parents may use them to encourage infants and young children to sleep longer. Swing-shift workers often use these blinds to darken a room for daytime sleeping. Additionally, blackout blinds reduce noise and improve your home's energy efficiency.

Considerations

• If you want some light to filter a room during the day, consider other types blinds that have good room-darkening potential. Tightly closed wooden-slat blinds block out most of the light, but can be opened. Roman shades or woven blinds also do a good job of filtering light. Curtains lined with blackout fabric do an excellent job of blocking light and noise, and conserving energy, but are easily opened during the day.