3 Main Differences Between Blackout Blinds and Blackout Shades

A lot of people look for blackout blinds when they are really looking for blackout shades, and vice versa. Unless you’re in the industry (or have spent a lot of time researching them) you probably don’t care about the difference. You’re just looking for a solution to block the sunlight from coming in through your windows.

1. Blackout blinds are window blinds. This means they have slats that can tilt 180 degrees horizontally in addition to opening and closing. Blackout shades refer to window shades that can only open or close. Blackout shades block out more light than blackout blinds. However, blackout blinds have more flexibility to let light in when you want to and maintain your privacy (see Difference #1) vs. blackout shades.
2. Design aesthetic. Blackout blinds offer a cleaner look than blackout shades. Blackout shades are made from fabric and offer more color and style choices. You have two options with blackout blinds: routeless, where the strings go around the slats rather than through holes, or cloth tapes, where you have fabric covering the string holes. Blackout shades on the other hand, are made from a thicker fabric that doesn’t allow light to come through.
3. Maintenance. Blackout blinds are far easier to clean since they are made from wood or faux wood and can be easily wiped clean with a duster or a damp cloth. Blackout shades on the other hand, are made from fabric and can be much more delicate and more difficult to clean.

So really, when you’re deciding between blackout blinds and blackout shades, you need to determine how much flexibility you want in letting in / blocking out light, how much privacy you want to maintain (blackout shades, when opened, offer no privacy) and the look you’re trying to achieve. You should also seriously consider how much time you want to spend maintaining your blackout blinds or shades because that plays into how long they will look great and last in your home.