Do shutters provide blackout?

One question that we are asked on a regular basis is will my shutters offer complete blackout?

The simple answer is nothing can create true blackout except a room without windows or doors. Light will always find its way in, around or through your window treatments, or between the door and door frame.

Shutters are actually one of the better window dressings for controlling the light in a room and can create a very dark environment when fully closed. Compared to Venetian blinds and curtains, shutters are far more effective at light closure. And shutters are much better than lightweight fabrics such as Roman or Roller blinds.

Even blackout fabrics and specific blackout blinds do actually allow some light to penetrate the room as it will come in around the sides or through cord holes.

Blackout plantation shutters

Plantation shutters will allow light seep between louvres and between the panel and the frame. However, this is often less light than other conventional window dressings and most clients will be pleasantly surprised at the increase in darkness which can be quite dramatic.

For those that do need near darkness, or for those who need to sleep in the day such as shift workers or babies, there is an answer. A combination of treatments can often be very effective indeed and can create the light closure required. If a blackout fabric blind is fitted behind the shutters, or a heavy fabric curtain hung in front, the combined efforts will usually provide the desired result.

The images below are of two rooms, both at the back of a house where we installed shutters.  The pictures were taken at the same time of day – one room has shutters with a blind fitted behind and the other has just curtains.  You will see the dramatic difference in light in the room.

Our shutter supplier does actually offer a built in system with the blind mounted within a specially designed frame behind the shutter. The blind runs in a channel behind the closed shutter panels and the channel acts to stop light going around the blind and maximises the light reduction. This system comes at a price.

Another option, which we would recommend if you would prefer a more cost effective solution or if you are unsure if the shutters alone would suffice, is that we mount the shutters with space to retro fit a blind behind if the light closure is not enough. This is a good idea if you have never had shutters before and are used to Venetian blinds or curtains.