These days the manufacturers of blackout window coverings refer to their product as room darkening accessories, as they block light by about 99% only. These coverings are unable to offer 100% darkness as there is always some incoming light through the gaps. But this is quite enough to protect you from the sunlight, car light and other light sources. Blackout window treatments are yours to have, you just need to decide which way to go: blinds, shades or shutters.

There are many options for room darkening coverings:

Poly or Real Wood Plantation Shutters

Plantation Shutters are an ideal choice as they have very small gaps that let the light enter because of the thickness of the frame and louvers. Real wood plantation shutters facilitate better degree of darkness as light gaps here are very small, due the way the shutter is hinged. Modern design of plantation shutters come in many crown decorative frames that really can dress up any window.

Roller Shades

Roller Shades make an effective option for darkening any room, but they need to be installed on the exterior of your window to get better darkening effect. When mounted inside the window, roller shades typically remain a quarter inch away from the window sill, due brackets needed for their installation. The design of bracket for all the companies is almost the same. So, on mounting these on the exteriors of windows, you can eliminate this gap and have total darkness.

Bamboo or Woven Wood Shades

Another option for darkening your room is to have stylish Bamboo shades. These are quite akin to roller shades and would also leave a gap between the window sill and the material thru which light can pass easily. Moreover, some of the manufacturers provide the polyester lining a quarter inch away from the edge, making it rather noticeable when compared to room darkening lining. Here again, it will be desirable to install them outside the window.

Honeycomb Shades

A Mylar film sandwiched in the honeycomb shades makes them a highly effective proposition for darkening of rooms. A good professional can mount in from the inside of a straight window in such a manner that it would block 98% of incoming light.

Roman Shades

Roman Shades are quite like and as effective for darkening effect as bamboo shades. They are usually provided with lining for improved darkening effect. The difference being that the lining on the Roman shades is stretched to the edge of the shade, thus preventing large light gaps on the sides of the shade in its pulled-down position.