Before we go any further it is important to understand that the phrase blackout roller blind actually means a roller blind using a blackout fabric. Not a blind specifically designed for blocking out light.

A common mis conception is that a blackout fabric must be a dark colour, as they are less likely to let light through. In reality blinds are slightly more sophisticated than that, and thanks to special fabric formulations you can get blackout blinds in any colour, even white.

In terms of price blackout roller blinds can be found for a pretty affordable price. Usually they will cost just slightly more than a standard roller blind. Unless you choose an intricate fabric, which you will pay a premium price for.

If you are looking for 100% light blackout then roller blinds are not for you. Blackout roller blinds work well at blocking most of the light out, which is often all that is required, but they will not block 100% of the light out. For more demanding situations like that you will need to look into heavy duty cassette blinds.

Chances are if you are looking at blackout roller blinds you already have a pretty good idea of where you want to use them, but just in case, here are some more ideas:

• Conference Rooms – If you are running a powerpoint presentation the last thing you want is you guests not being able to see the screen because of the light reflecting offf of it.
• Bedrooms – If you have to sleep during the day for some reason or another, maybe you work a night shift, you will appreciate having a blackout blind in your bedroom. We all know how bothersome it is to try and get to sleep with day light shining in your eyes.
• Home Cinemas – Although this situation may require a 100% blackout, you may just about get away with a blackout roller blind.

In conclusion blackout roller blinds are great for rooms where you want to blackout most of the light. The reason they let light in is because the fabric is not secured at the sides or the bottom.

VELUX have created a selection of blinds suitable for most requirements, they offer pretty much every blind type for use with their window system. Here is a look at some of their blind types:

• Blackout Blinds are designed specifically for blocking out natural sun light, the perfect product for those lazy lie-ins and day time naps.

• Roller Blinds are a simple, functional product which will add style to any room of your bedroom or office.

• Flying Pleated Blinds are VELUX’s upgraded version of the standard pleated blind. They are not fixed at either the top or bottom of the window which allows flexible positioning.

• Venetian Blinds suit pretty much any room or style, with their great range of slat materials and colours you will have trouble finding a venetian not to suit!

• Awning Blinds are perfect for stopping the heat before it even touches the glass, this allows you to keep your room cool at all times. They can be easily fitted from inside the room and when not in use it rolls into its top casing.

Instead of measuring your window as you would for conventional window blinds, VELUX windows have a metal plate on them which has a code imprinted on it such as GGL MO4. You can just quote this code when you are speaking with a blinds supplier and they should be able to supply you the blind to suit.

Recently VELUX added a new blind type to their collection, the VELUX duo blind. The duo blind is basically two blinds combined to make one extremely versatile product. For example you could combine a dim out blind and a blackout blind, so in the morning when you don’t want to wake up to a blinding ray of light you can use your blackout blind, then when you are comfortably awake you can use your dim out blind.

Electrically Operated VELUX Blinds

Another great feature VELUX offers are electrically operated remote control blinds. Unfortunately this option is only available on blackout blinds at the moment but hopefully they will expand this feature across the range soon.

VELUX remote control blinds come as a complete kit including the remote, blind and all other required parts. The blind comes complete with a battery which recharges using solar energy from the sun, which is also environmentally friendly and we all know how important the environment is.

Blackout blinds are exactly the same as regular blinds except the fabrics used are much better at blocking out light, similar to the effect of thick curtains. Ironically regular blackout blinds suffer the same fate as curtains, they let the light in round the sides and bottom. Although the more heavy duty blackout blinds are available in 100% complete light blackout.

A common misconception is that blackout blinds are made by using dark fabrics, maybe that was true ten years ago, but nowadays fabric manufactures have the ability to create fabrics in any colour or pattern with the blackout effect.

Roller blinds with a blackout fabric are the most common type of blackout blinds, although there are quite a few others available too. Blackout blinds can be split into two categories, blinds with blackout fabrics and complete blackout blind systems.

Blinds with Blackout Fabrics

Although with a roller blind and a good blackout fabric you can get a good percentage of light exclusion, you will never be able to get 100% as there is nothing restricting the light coming around the sides and bottom of the blind.

• Roller Blinds

As I said before, blackout roller blinds are the most popular type, they are relatively cheap, there is a good range of fabrics, and they do the job. Unless you are in an area which requires 100% blackout then roller blinds should satisfy your needs.

• Roman Blinds

Blackout roman blinds are becoming an increasingly popular option in terms of blackout blinds. Roman blinds are well known for their contemporary look which compliments most décor. Most suppliers now offer blackout lining and stitching on all there roman blinds which is a great addition to an already fantastic product.

• Vertical Blinds

I’ve left these to last for a reason, they’re crap. If you are seriously looking for a blackout blind just ignore verticals completely. Yes, you can get blackout fabrics for use in vertical blinds, or blackout louvres to be more technically correct. But vertical blinds were not made to block out light, louvres blow around with even the slightest breeze rendering them completely useless in most applications.

Complete Blackout Blind Systems

Unlike blinds with blackout fabrics, complete blackout blind systems are designed specifically with light exclusion in mind. These are usually a much more heavy duty product, made specifically for areas such as theatres or home cinemas where 100% blackout is required.

• Cassette Blinds

Cassette blinds are similar to blackout blinds except a lot more heavy duty, they are often used large contract projects, although light weight versions are also available for domestic use. Cassette blinds feature side channels made out of aluminium which allow up to 100% light exclusion depending on the model.

Roundup

If you are looking for a functional blind that blocks out enough light for you to lay in bed all day then a roller or roman with a blackout fabric will do fine, however if you are looking to start your own secret laboratory at home you may need to go the extra distance and purchase cassette blinds.