What is the difference between opaque, room-darkening, and blackout shades?
Opacity refers to the level of privacy provided by a window shade whereas the term room darkening, and blackout refer to the amount of light the shade allows to pass through or around the shade. Although the terms, room darkening, and blackout are often used interchangeably there is a difference between the two types of shades. Even the heaviest grade room darkening shade will allow some light to be passed around the edges of the shade. True, blackout shades incorporate special trim and hardware to prevent light from seeping around the edges of the shade.
