Night shifts, pending assignments and sleep disorders like insomnia are the primary reasons for messed up body clocks. Another common reason for broken sleep for many families is having a new baby.
Infants need sleep at more frequent intervals and often tend to sleep through the day. But getting sound sleep during the day can become difficult when you have sunlight pouring into your bedroom or the noise of traffic disturbing your slumber. Blackout blinds and curtains are the answer to the troubles of night owls and infants. These window treatments don’t just mimic a night ambience but also block light in certain environments where darkening the space is necessary.
Our experts at Nicole Draperies have answered the common questions that most buyers ask before buying blackout curtains or blinds.
What are blackout blinds?
A blackout blind is made of blackout fabric that guarantees absolute darkness and maximum noise cancellation. Such blinds are useful for specific environment where maximum light exclusion is a necessity. These blinds too are made by installing the fabric within a cassette at the edge and comes with zip retention system for maximum results.
Are they same as room-darkening or dim-out blinds?
Dim-out blinds are made by installing standard blackout fabric within a cassette at the edges, providing sufficient but not absolute light exclusion. Such blinds usually have a roll-up mechanism.Room-darkening blinds block 95% to 99% of light, while blackout blinds ensure 100% blocking.
Do blackout curtains function the same way as blinds?
As both curtain and blinds made of blackout fabric provide similar benefits, choosing between curtains and blinds can be difficult. However, unlike curtains, blackout blinds when installed properly creates an “air-lock” between the window and the blind, which does not allow any light leakage.
To learn more about the advantages of blackout curtains in case you wish to consider them as an alternative, check out this blog by us!
Where are blackout blinds mostly used?
Blackout blinds and curtains are mostly seen in hotels and offices, but they can be used anywhere shutting out harsh light and reducing noise pollution is essential. The following are some places and situations which calls for such specialized window treatments.
Can blackout blinds improve sleep?
It goes without saying that sound and sufficient sleep influences health immensely. When we do not get the amount of sleep our body demand, the normal biological functioning of our body gets interrupted. It can have adverse effect in terms of mental and physical illnesses. The best way to avoid such adversities is minimizing the light exposure while sleeping. This will make sure that you are able to sleep without any disturbance and get the optimum sleep your body needs. According to an article published in the Daily Mail, UK, experts believe that “cutting out light sources when we sleep could halt damaging interruptions to our body clock”.
Blackout blinds and turning off artificial lights in the bedroom is the solution to creating an ideal and healthy environment for sleeping. If achieving absolute darkness while sleeping is not feasible or you are not comfortable with sleeping in the dark, use red night bulbs instead of blue for creating a healthier ambience.
Do they have other health benefits too?
Some of the health benefits of blackout curtains and blinds are as listed below:
It is a natural hormone that triggers drowsiness and eventually sleep. Fading light induces increased production of this hormone in the body. Light exposure can disrupt this cycle.This can be prevented by using the blackout blinds or blackout pleated curtains in the bedroom. Besides inducing sleep, melatonin is also an antioxidant that prevents certain strains of cancer, regulates the menstrual cycle, and prevents chronic insomnia.
Research shows that inadequate or irregular sleep cycles trigger emotional imbalance and is a symptom of depression. If you are compelled to sleep at irregular hours, at least ensure that you are getting an adequate amount of sleep that your body requires. Using blackout blinds and curtains ensure that you are not disturbed by light or sound.
“Night-owls” are more prone to diabetes, metabolic syndromes and sarcopenia despite getting ample sleep, compared to those who have a sleeping pattern that follows the rising and setting of the sun. The best blackout blinds are of superior quality and preserve the darkness well past dawn, mimicking the night’s ambience.
Blinds are gaining more popularity compared to other window treatments. According to Andrew Hartley, Director of AMA research, sales of blinds represent 25% of the window covering market which has risen to 30%.
How do I know what is the most suitable option for my home?
There are numerous factors that you must consider when choosing the best and most suitable blackout blinds for your home. The quality, design, features of the blind and your requirements together determine the best choice for you. Keeping in mind the following factors will simplify your shopping experience.
A quality blackout blind will have a “zip” retention system in the side panels of the blind. This helps to prevent the fabric from being blown away on a windy day when you leave the windows open. The fabric must be taut against the window so that the light exclusion is maximized.
Blackout blinds and window coverings are usually made from opaque fabric. If the blackout lining is of superior quality, it will sufficiently exclude light irrespective of the fabric colour.
Investing in blackout blinds does not necessarily mean that you will have to discard your existing window treatment. Look for ways in which you can mix and match the blackout window treatment with the existing coverings. Incorporating blackout blinds along with regular translucent or sheer curtains is a very functional way of controlling light exposure according to your requirements.
Custom blackout curtains and blinds not only give light exclusion but will help to reduce noise pollution and are energy efficient. When you have a clear idea about their benefits and use, shopping for an appropriate option will become easy for you. If you are looking for ready-made or custom-made blackout blinds and shades in Toronto, Nicole Draperies experts can guide you suggesting the right choices.
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