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Yes, roller blinds are what we call a true blackout blind; one that when hung in the correct way to negate light leakage around the sides of the blind, will indeed block almost 100% of all external light thanks to its impermeable blackout finish.
Roller blinds are the most popular choice of blackout blinds for bedrooms, but they also have other applications as well, which I’ll mention within this blog post; as well as weighing up how blackout roller blinds compare to other types of blinds in the “keeping the light out” stakes!
Why are roller blinds good for blackout?
Roller blinds are made of one uninterrupted sheet of fabric, and when this fabric is finished with a special blackout coating, the fabric itself becomes impermeable to light. Roller blinds have a narrow profile and small footprint, which is important to enable them to be hung as close as possible to the wall or window and minimise or negate gaps around the sides of the blind that could otherwise let light in.
Roller blinds are also available in the widest range of colour and pattern combinations of any type of blind, making them the blackout blinds with the greatest number of options for their style, appearance, and finish.
Are roller blinds good for blackout bedrooms?
Yes, roller blinds are the most popular blackout blinds chosen for bedrooms overall, which is partially due to how effective they are as blackout blinds and partially due to the fact that whatever the style or design of your bedroom, you will be able to find a blackout roller blind to match it.
Are roller blinds good for blackout compared to other types of blinds?
Yes, when you compare roller blinds to other types of blinds that have slats or louvres, roller blinds come out on top in terms of their blackout prowess. Their single sheet of fabric means there are no joins or gaps to let in light, and a breeze won’t disturb the lie of the fabric and allow light to enter.
Roman blackout blinds are on a par with roller blackout blinds in terms of their efficacy as these too are made of one sheet of fabric (with a blackout lining) and so, no gaps or joins. Roman blinds, however, are several times more costly than roller blinds and can’t be made in waterproof variants, which means that Roman blinds aren’t always suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms.
Are roller blinds good for blackout backdrops for Zoom, Skype etc.?
Yes, the single flat sheet of fabric that makes up a roller blind provides an excellent neutral backdrop for recording videos or taking video calls in a home office, as well as blocking out any external light to prevent screen glare and to allow you to control your internal lighting to best effect for your video call or YouTube short!
Are roller blinds good for blackout on a budget?
Yes, again – roller blinds with a blackout finish are the most economical type of blackout blinds you can buy overall. Also, their blackout lining is thermally efficient, which helps to increase the insulation that the blind provides to the window.
This can stop draughts cold (pardon the pun) and generally insulate the room to help to potentially reduce your heating spend, meaning that thermally efficient blackout roller blinds can even save you money on your ongoing household running costs in the medium to long term too.
How do you hang blackout roller blinds for a full blackout?
I suggest hanging the blind over the window recess (rather than inside of it), and when you’re measuring up to order a blackout roller blind, calculate your measurements with an additional 10cm of coverage around all four sides. Doing this will ensure that light won’t be able to creep around the sides of the blind in the same way that it might otherwise do, and give you the best chance of achieving a full blackout.
