Blackout compared: fabric, side channels and shutters
Three things get sold as "blackout", and they are not the same. Understanding the difference saves disappointment when a blind that promised darkness still glows around the edges at 5am.
Blackout fabric alone
A blackout fabric blocks light through the material itself. On a roller or roman it darkens the room well, but light still leaks down the sides and, on rollers, around the roll at the top. Fine for most bedrooms; not quite total.
Fabric plus side channels
Add aluminium side channels and the fabric edges are enclosed, removing the halo. This is the closest a blind gets to true blackout, and the usual choice for nurseries, shift workers and home cinemas.
Shutters and layered options
Solid plantation shutters block a lot of light and add insulation and security, though hairlines show between louvres. For absolute darkness with a soft look, a dual roller — a sheer plus a blackout on one bracket — gives flexibility by day and darkness by night.
Common questions
What is the darkest type of blind?
A blackout roller or cellular blind fitted with side channels gets closest to total darkness by sealing the light gap around the fabric.
Do plantation shutters block all light?
They block most of it and add insulation, but thin lines of light show between the louvres — for a fully dark room a channelled blackout blind is better.
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