Blackout Blinds vs Blackout Curtains

When you are trying to block out light in a bedroom to improve sleep at night and reduce heat during the day, choosing between blackout blinds and blackout curtains matters.

Both window furnishings will darken your room but will they perform the same in terms of light blocking, style, maintenance, cost and how well do they suit Singapore homes?

This guide compares blackout blinds and blackout curtains in a practical way so you can choose the better option for your home.

What Are Blackout Blinds?

Blackout blinds are window furnishings made with opaque fabric, sometimes with coated material. It is designed to block out most or all incoming light from the window. These blinds are usually mounted in or around the window frame (wall mounted or ceiling mounted) and rolled up when not in use.

How They Work

Blackout roller blinds have a single fabric panel. This opaque panel of fabric will block out all the light from the window and reduce light leak significantly.

Meanwhile, blackout Korean blinds are alternating panels of opaque and mesh fabric. You can adjust the brightness and privacy you need accordingly.

In Singapore, most people install it in study rooms, living rooms, offices and some in bedrooms – we will talk about why.

Types of Blackout Blinds

• Blackout roller blinds
• Korean blackout blinds
• Motorised roller/Korean blinds

What Are Blackout Curtains?

Blackout curtains are thick fabric curtains sometimes with special lining, that will block out all light and help to reduce heat significantly. It hangs from curtain tracks (not rod, we will explain why) and usually extends beyond the window frame.

How They Work

The fabric from blackout curtains are closely weaved and it creates a thick barrier between the window and the room. This allows it to blockout all the sunlight and creates a layer of insulation, keeping the room cool.

Types of Blackout Curtains

• Single layer blackout curtains
• Double layer day curtains and blackout curtains

Light Blocking Performance

Here, we talk about how does the light blocking performance compare between these two types of window coverings and what are the things you have to look out for.

Blackout Blinds

Light Leak From Perimeter

At Ace Curtains, we typically would say that blackout blinds will only block up to 95% of light and can’t achieve 100% light blocking capability unless you also install accessories.

Even when they are mounted into the window’s opening/edge, blinds will always have gaps from the top, bottom and its sides. And for blackout Korean blinds, because of the alternating panels, there will be a very slight light leak sometimes between the fabric.

Light Leak From Sets

Blinds have a maximum size they can be produced – for durability and safety. Typically, wide set windows will require multiple sets of blinds and small windows can simply have just 1 set of blind.

And in between each set of blinds are spots of potential light leaks.

To counter light leaking issues, you can choose to install:

• Blinds pelmet: A top casing that will reduce light leak at the top and also beautify the blinds
• Side casing for roller blinds: Along with pelmet, it will make sure the blinds are sealed all the way

Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains can block light very effectively because the tracks can be installed wall to wall and fabric can go from ceiling to floor without any gaps.

Some issues you might encounter would be:

• Uneven ceiling or wall leading to slightly skewed curtains
• Window close to the wall leading to light leak at the side

Some things we can do to counter these issues would be:

• Our curtain hooks are adjustable. You can adjust some parts of your curtains higher than the rest and still have it look homogenous
• Request to extend your curtains slightly and install your curtains with velcro to stick on your wall

Blackout Blinds VS Black Curtains Which Blocks Light Better?

For the best light blockage, we suggest blackout curtains especially if you are sensitive to lights when sleeping or a night worker who needs to sleep in the day. Even if you do not need 100% blackout, our dimout night curtains can go up to 98% light blockage.

If you have a smaller window size or if you are willing to spend more for a neat, minimalist look, you can install blackout roller blinds with side casing (cassette) and pelmet for the best 100% light blocking capability.

Heat Control in Singapore

In our hot climate, heat control may be just as important to you as light blocking if you are working from home or spending majority of your day time at home.

Blackout Blinds

Blackout blinds is especially useful for blocking out harsh sunlight and reducing heat immediately in your home. If your home has west-facing windows, particularly in the kitchen, you may want to have a simple roller blinds installed.

Blackout Curtains

With blackout curtains, it can create an insulating layer between your window and room which slows down heat transfer. Read more on a guide we previously wrote on how to reduce heat with curtains (https://acecurtains.com.sg/reduce-heat-with-curtains/).

Which Handles Heat Better?

We would say that blackout roller blinds with reflective backing will control heat better than curtains. However, blackout curtains will be better than regular blackout blinds because it can be drawn fully (wall to wall) to create insulation and really blocks out any form of UV leaks into your home.

Space, Style and Interior Look

When we wrote about Curtains VS Blinds In Singapore, we discussed about the differences between curtains vs blinds in terms of space usage, styling and the look it provides to your interior. And since appearance is a major deciding factor for most homeowners, we will summarise it for you below.

Blackout Blinds

When it comes to roller and Korean blinds, they provide a minimalist and modern look. And its flat profile will take up less space around the window area making it easier for you to design your space.

Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains being a soft furnishing, will create softness and warmth to a room. It can also add a luxurious look depending on the fabric style and installation method you choose.

However, because it is fabric and sometimes require double layer, it can take up more physical and visual space.

Which Looks Better?

We would say that picking curtains or blinds depends on the room type and usuage.

Curtains can create a luxurious look in your living room, making it the center piece. But blackout curtains are not required in a living room unless you are an avid movie watcher.

For living rooms, choosing blackout Korean blinds that matches your interior, can give it an elevated posh look.

For bedrooms, we recommend blackout curtains because it will create a soft environment that’s cosy for sleeping.

Meanwhile for study rooms or kitchen, we recommend installing blackout roller blinds for the minimal look so you can focus on work or cooking.

What About Small Homes?

For small homes the same concept applies as above. However, if you are not sensitive to light when sleeping and is looking for space saving and minimalist look, we will recommend installing blackout blinds.

Maintenance and Cleaning

With the increase in construction all over Singapore (MRT or BTO construction) and haze in our neighbouring countries, you would’ve noticed that there’s been an increase in dust in your home.

Therefore, it is important for you to know which window furnishing to choose when it comes to maintenance and cleaning.

Blackout Blinds

Blinds will be the easier to maintain, especially for blackout roller blinds and blackout Korean blinds.

You can simply wipe them down or dust them without dismantling.

Blackout Curtains

Curtains may seem like they collect dust more easily but actually, that’s their role. It is meant to collect dust so it is not all over your home.

In Singapore’s humid climate, you would also need to pay attention to washing them at least once or twice a year.

However, it is much more difficult to wash them because you’d have to bring them down and take out their hooks to put into the washing machine and hang them to dry.

Which Is Easier to Care For?

We find that blinds are easier to care for when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. But a set of curtains when properly cared for can last for more than 5 years. Sometimes blinds might last for 5 years depending on the heat you receive from your home.

Cost Comparison

Many homeowners have price point as a concern. Remember when we talked about having multiple sets of blinds if you have wide set windows?

Blinds will typically cost lesser then or sometimes the same as curtains if you have a smaller set of window.

However, the price point will increase and sometimes can be more expensive if you need multiple sets of blinds for your windows.

Blackout Blinds vs Blackout Curtains: Quick Comparison

Final Recommendations: Blackout Blinds VS Blackout Curtains

Typically, when we are comparing between blackout blinds vs blackout curtains, the answer is simple. 100% Blackout curtains. 

Because if you are looking into blackout curtains, it would mean that you need a fully dark room with zero to very minimal light leak in order to get a good sleep. Blackout blinds will only be able to offer the 100% blackout effect when accessories are included (such as side channels and pelmet) and this will increase the cost for you to install them.

However, if your top priority is neat, minimalist and low maintenance window furnishing, we will recommend blackout blinds. But there will be light leaks that you will have to encounter every night.

For many homeowners, our recommendation would be to install blinds in rooms where you are not sleeping in so as to have the least disruption in your sleep.