When it comes to getting a restful night’s sleep, controlling light in the bedroom or nursery is essential. Whether it’s streetlights, early morning sun, or bright summer evenings, unwanted light can disrupt your sleep and affect your overall wellbeing.

It’s no surprise that homeowners often look for window treatments that provide a blackout effect; blocking light from entering your bedroom is a crucial part of sleep quality. Even if you’re looking for a simple solution to help reduce glare during home movie nights, shutters are a great option to consider.

While blackout blinds and curtains are common, you may be wondering “Are plantation shutters blackout enough for restful sleep?” In this article, we’ll explore whether plantation shutters offer a true blackout effect, how much light they block, and how they compare to other options.

What Are Plantation Shutters?

Plantation shutters are a premium window covering designed with both style and practicality in mind. Made from durable materials like hardwood, EWC (Engineered Wood Composite), or ABS, our shutters are built to last and fit seamlessly in your windows.

Some of the key features of window shutters include adjustable louvres to control light and privacy, tilt rods or silent tilt mechanisms to adjust the louvres, and frames made-to-measure to fit your windows. It’s important that windows are measured with complete accuracy to ensure shutters look seamless and reduce light seepage.

Shutters are well known for their popularity in premium homes with their clean lines, versatility, and insulation properties. But an important question remains – do plantation shutters block out light as effectively as other blackout window treatments?

Do Window Shutters Block Out Light?

Plantation shutters offer excellent light control but are not fully blackout on their own. They are highly effective at dimming a room but won’t completely block all light.

When the louvres are fully closed, plantation shutters block most direct sunlight and streetlight. However, it is completely normal for a small amount of light to bleed through. Light may filter in through tiny gaps between the louvres or around the edges of the frame, depending on the window shape and shutter style.

This effect can be minimised by choosing high-quality shutters and ensuring the shutters are measured with precision. If the original measurements are not accurate, shutters may be more prone to light seepage around the frame.

If you’re wondering, “do plantation shutters make a room dark enough to sleep in?” – the answer is yes for most people, but for complete darkness, additional solutions may be needed.

Comparing Shutters to Blinds and Curtains

Curtains, even blackout styles, tend to leak light around the top and sides unless paired with pelmets or linings.

Roller blinds are a more well-known blackout option, and they do offer good coverage overall, but may still leave gaps around the edges depending on the fit and application.

Plantation shutters block light from the window surface itself better than most blinds or curtains but do not achieve full blackout without enhancements. So, what do these enhancements look like?

Enhancing Plantation Shutters to Block All Light from Windows

If you’re searching for solutions on how to block all light from windows, plantation shutters can be upgraded for maximum room darkening.

• Custom fit: A tight fit is key to reducing light leakage. All Shuttercraft shutters are measured by experienced professionals, and custom-made to fit seamlessly against your window frame.
• Blackout blinds behind shutters: Our Shutter & Shade option pairs classic shutters with an integrated room-darkening blind. This combination blocks even more light from entering your rooms, offering the best blackout solution for bedrooms and nurseries. This helps to guarantee plantation shutters are blackout enough even for light-sensitive sleepers.
• Louvre size: Choose shutters with larger-sized louvres to help minimise light seepage. Since there are less gaps, there are fewer opportunities for light to seep into a room. It’s also key to choose a high-quality shutter retailer to fit shutters, as good-quality shutters are made to a high standard to reduce issues like gaps.

Shutters vs Other Blackout Window Options

If you’ve ever wondered, “do plantation shutters block light as well as blinds?” Standard shutters are excellent for light reduction, but the combination of shutters with a built-in blind outperforms standalone curtains or blinds for blackout.

*Room darkening varies by installation style. For the best result, choose a Honeycomb Blind with SmartFrame.

Are Plantation Shutters Suitable for Bedrooms and Nurseries?

Plantation shutters are a popular choice for both bedrooms and nurseries due to their:

Privacy: fully closed shutters prevent any outside view, as louvres can be adjusted to allow for a good balance of light and privacy.

Thermal insulation: window shutters keep rooms cooler in summer by reflecting heat before it enters rooms, and warmer in winter by keeping the heating inside for longer.

Noise reduction: quality shutters help create a quieter space by adding an extra barrier between your home and the outside world.

Good light control: although not complete blackout on their own, plantation shutters offer complete light control during the day.

Child safety: with no cords or chains, shutters are a safer and more durable option that offer better peace of mind compared to many blinds.

If you’re concerned about how to block light out of windows completely for sleep, pairing shutters with a blackout blind is a highly effective solution.

Choosing the Right Shutters for Light Control

Best Shutter Types

• Full height shutters are best for overall light control due to their full window coverage and adjustable louvres, allowing you to control light levels from day to night.
• Tier-on-tier shutters are great for versatile light control with top and bottom panels opening independently.
• Solid panel shutters are the best choice if you’re after a room darkening effect. Because they have no louvres, there is significantly less light seepage compared to most plantation shutters.

Custom Fit

Achieving a precise fit is one of the most effective ways to reduce gaps and minimise light seepage around your shutters. At Shuttercraft, every shutter is made-to-measure for your exact window dimensions, ensuring a seamless fit that enhances the premium look, and room-darkening effect.

Material Choice

Shuttercraft offers a range of high-quality shutter material options to suit different needs and spaces.

Hardwood is an excellent choice for those seeking strength and versatility for different window types, bringing a premium feel to any room.

EWC (Engineered Wood Composite) is ideal for most main living spaces, and is the most popular option with our customers, thanks to its classic style and durability.

For areas with high moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens, waterproof ABS is the ideal choice. It doesn’t warp, swell, or suffer damage from humidity, making it far more durable and reliable than wooden alternatives in these rooms.

Colour Options

White and light paint colours reflect more light, keeping the space airy and bright. This is particularly beneficial in the winter months when you want to maximise daylight.

Darker tones create a more cocooned, dimmer atmosphere for those wanting to make a room darker visually. This is a great option for cinema rooms or cosy bedrooms, or to blend in as part of a feature wall.

Why Choose Shuttercraft for Light Control?

• Expert guidance: Our local experts help you find the perfect balance between light control and style, maximising blackout where you need it most.
• Made-to-measure: Every shutter is custom-made for your windows, helping to maximise blackout by reducing light seepage.
• Premium quality: We only use the best materials for durability and quality, ensuring your shutters last for many years. Plus, our 10-year warranty gives you peace of mind
• Free home design consultation: Get personalised advice from experienced shutter specialists, with no pressure to buy.

FAQs

Are plantation shutters blackout?

Plantation shutters are not fully blackout but offer excellent light reduction. For an improved blackout effect, pair them with integrated blinds like our Shutter & Shade system.

Do window shutters block out light effectively?

Yes, window shutters block out light better than many standard blinds or curtains, though they don’t achieve complete blackout on their own.

Can I add blackout blinds behind my shutters?

Absolutely. Our Shutter & Shade option includes a sleek honeycomb blind installed behind classic shutters for nearly total darkness.

Do plantation shutters make a room dark enough for sleep?

For most people, yes. Shutters significantly reduce light. However, if you need to block all light from a window, layering window treatments is recommended.

Do wider louvres let in more light?

Wider louvres let more light in when they’re opened, so they’re a great option if you want to maximise daylight. They also slightly improve room darkening, as there are less gaps between louvres, so less light seepage.

Book A Free Home Survey Today

Looking to balance style, privacy, and light control in your home? Whether you want a softer dimming effect or to block out light from your windows, our local experts are ready to help.

Book your free home survey today to get started.