Shades 101: Difference Between Light Controls

It can be confusing when searching for the right window shade. There really are so many options when it comes to shades. There are different materials, colors, sizes, lift styles and so much more to consider. What’s more difficult is actually knowing what the right light control is for you. You may know you want a light filtering shade, but did you know there are also room darkening shades? Blackout shades? Did you also know that it can vary from material too? We’re here to help show you the true difference with Shades 101: Difference between light controls!

As you will see in the images below, the same light control shade can look different depending on the time of day, lighting in the room, color of the wall, and other factors. You’ll find this across different window shade brands. We’ve even seen an Original Paper Blackout shade look purple when the sun was setting or a Room Darkening Gray shade look green when the sun is brightest. This just means the shade is doing what it’s supposed to by blocking or filtering the sun. The color of the shade is most accurate to its name when it’s lightest outside or at night time.

Paper Shade Light Controls

We offer 3 different light controls when it comes to our Original Paper Pleated shades. There is light filtering, room darkening and blackout. We currently have 3 colors in light filtering (white, cafe, and natural), 2 colors in room darkening (gray and chocolate) and 1 color for blackout (black). We compared white for light filtering, gray for room darkening and of course black for blackout. We tested them in the brightest time of the day and the lightest time of the day.

Original Shades during the brightest time of the day VS. lightest time of the day

Light Filtering White

Room Darkening Gray

Blackout Black

Fabric Shade Light Controls

We have a large variety of shades in fabric material including Original Pleated Fabric shades, Easy Lift and Arch shades. To keep this short and simple we decided to show you our Easy Lift shades.

Easy Lift has the options between light filtering, light blocking and blackout. We compared cellular white for light filtering and cellular white for blackout. We tested them in the brightest time of the day and the lightest time of the day.

Easy Lift Shades during the brightest time of the day VS. lightest time of the day

Cellular Light Filtering White

Cellular Blackout White

We hope this helps you get a better idea of what the difference between light controls is, so that it may guide you towards the right one for your home and style.

You can always contact us with any questions through our customer service via phone, email or chat!