Looking for a window treatment to block out 100% light and get a restful night’s and day’s sleep in your bedroom or kids’ room and a better viewing experience in the media room? Wondering how much blackout shades cost? Blackout shades are affordable and cost-effective window treatments.
You can buy a 5-star rated blackout window covering for as low as $40 (£31.59) for your 36” (3 ft) W x 36” (3 ft) H window. Shipping costs, installation charges, maintenance, and warranties are in addition to it.
Discounted rates for elite blackout shades range from $35 (£27.68) to $230 (£181.63) per window in 2024, depending on the size, type, and quality of the shade. If you add motorization, you’ll need to budget $300 (£236.9) to $1,000 (£789.68) extra per window.
The design and style (e.g., roller, cellular) also affect the average cost of light-blocking or room darkening window coverings. For example, a Blackout Roller Shade Exclusive is a cheaper option, typically costing between $55 to $160 for windows measuring 18” (1.5 ft) W x 24” (2 ft) H to 72” (6 ft) W x 84” (7 ft) H. On the other hand, Blackout Cordless Cellular Shades Nightfall will cost between $83 to $250 for the same sized window.
What You’ll Learn Here
- What are blackout shades?
- How much do blackout shades cost in 2024?
- Factors impacting the cost of blackout shades
- Different types of blackout shades available on the market
- How to choose the right blackout shades for your home, office, or other space
- DIY tips for installing blackout shades for a perfect blackout or nightfall environment
Key Points
- Discounted rates for high-quality blackout window shades range from $35 (£27.68) to $230 (£181.63) per window in 2024, depending on the size, type, and quality of the shade.
- Blackout shades offer improved sleep, reduced energy costs, and protection for your furniture.
- Low-cost blackout shades come in different styles: roller shades, honeycomb shades, and Roman shades.
- When choosing blackout shades for your home, consider window dimensions, the type of shade, and the installation process.
- Ensure accurate window size measurements before ordering the shade; use a level when installing the shade; and carefully follow the DIY installation instructions.
What Are Blackout Shades?
Blackout shades are window treatments that block out external light and provide maximum darkness in your room. They are made from light-blocking fabrics or heavily lined fabric materials that prevent light from passing through. These window blinds are ideal for bedrooms, kids’ rooms, home theaters, etc. Blackout shades not only block out sunlight but also reduce noise and offer insulation against heat and cold.
Different models of cellular shades on the market include roller shades, cellular shades, and Roman shades, so you can choose the shade design that best suits your taste and unique interior design. These window coverings offer a good quality sleep and a comfortable environment for shift workers and individuals who need to sleep during the day.
Factors Impacting the Cost of Blackout Shades
Why are blackout blinds expensive? There are several factors that affect the cost of custom-made Roman window treatments, such as size, style, design, material cost, quality, lift type, and labor cost. Other factors that cause an additional blackout shade cost include blackout lining thickness, fabric grades, and custom sizing.
Window Size
Size is one of the strongest factors affecting the price of blackout window coverings. Larger shades need more fabric, which increases their cost. For example, the price of a small-sized blackout cordless cellular shade, for window measurements 19 x 24 inches in width and height (w x h) is less than $100. If you go for a large size, measuring 72 x 84” in width and height, respectively, you’ll be required to pay over $200!
Tightness of Fabric Weave
The type, design, materials quality, and fabric grades you choose for your blackout shades can significantly influence their pricing. High-quality fabrics tend to be more expensive than standard material choices. So, there is a significant impact of material on your blackout shades.
Level of Complexity
The size of the window and the complexity of the blackout shade design can impact the pricing range. Intricate designs or additional features like multiple folds or motorization can add to the overall price of the room-darkening window treatment.
Custom Options
The level of personalization, such as custom sizing, you need will affect the price of the end product. The features such as blackout lining thickness, front slats, thermal insulation, and decorative trims cause an additional cost for blackout blinds compared to their basic models.
Hardware & Operating Mechanism
The type of operating hardware or lift mechanism you choose for your blackout shades can impact their cost. For example, motorized shades with wireless remote control functionality and app-controlled smart shades are more expensive than manual cord-operated window treatments. The price range of cordless blinds, such as top-down/bottom-up styles, lies somewhere between those of corded and motorized window shades. Various cordless options are safe for homes with children and pets.
Brand & Quality
The reputation and quality of the manufacturer or an online retailer can affect the cost of different blackout shades styles. For better fabric grades, you will need to pay more. Popular brands, like Affordableblinds.com, often offer high-quality products at highly discounted rates.
Cost of Installation
The professional installation charges, if not included in the product package, should also be considered. Hiring a professional installer to mount your blackout window treatments will also add an additional expense of $70 to $100.
Warranty
Warranty is one of the additional factors that can contribute to the price of light-controlling window treatments. However, at Affordableblinds.com, potential buyers can cash in on the free lifetime warranty offered on all types and styles of room-darkening shades.
It’s important to consider these factors and discuss them with the supplier or manufacturer of the product to get an accurate estimate of the cost for your specific custom Roman shades.
Key Benefits of Budget-Friendly Blackout Shades for Windows
Affordable blackout shades for windows block out all light and add to the beauty of your home decor. Here are some of the key benefits of cost-effective blackout window treatments.
Best for Bedrooms
They are often used in bedrooms to help people sleep during the daytime, or in media rooms to create a dark environment for watching movies. However, affordable blackout shades can also be used in other rooms of the house to create a dark environment for watching movies or TV or to control privacy.
Variety of Materials
Low-price blackout shades can be custom-made from a variety of materials, including blackout fabric, foil-coated fabric, faux fabric, and vinyl.
Style Choices
Roman and other blackout shades are available in a variety of styles and colors and can be custom-made to fit any window.
Average Prices of Different Types of Blackout Shades on the Market
The average cost of blackout blinds varies based on size, fabric options, quality of material, and lift options. For example, you can easily get a basic blackout roller shade for less than $50! On the other hand, if you go for motorized sheer room-darkening shades with zebra elegance, the price may cross the mark of $700. Fortunately, you can bring this price down to less than $250 by cashing in on huge price discounts of up to 70!
Price of Roller Blackout Shades
The most common type of blackout window shade is the roller blackout shade. A roller blackout shade is made from a heavy-duty fabric that can be rolled up or down to block out light. Roller shades usually cost $100 to $700, but at discounted rates, you can get them at less than $40 to a little over $200!
Price of Cellular Blackout Shades
Another popular type of blackout shade is the cellular blackout shade. This type of shade is made from a honeycomb-shaped fabric that helps to trap heat and block out light. These blackout shades usually cost above $200, but you can easily get them at less than $100 by cashing in on the discounted rates.
Price of Blackout Drape – a Heavy-Duty Curtain
Finally, the blackout drape is a heavy-duty curtain that can be used to block out light completely.
When choosing a blackout shade for your window, it’s important to consider the price and the amount of light you want to block out, and the level of privacy control you need.
3 Tips to Choose Budget-Friendly Blackout Shades for Your Home
When it comes to choosing cost-effective blackout window shades for your home, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Type and Quality of Material
First, consider the type and quality of material you want your blackout shades to be made from. Blackout shades are available in a variety of materials, including fabric, vinyl, and aluminum. Some are expensive, while others have low costs.
Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks. For example:
- Fabric shades are typically more expensive than other types of blackout shades, but they offer better insulation and sound absorption.
- Vinyl shades have a low cost. But these blackout window blinds can be more difficult to install.
- Aluminum shades are the most affordable option but they don’t provide as much insulation as other materials. If you are looking for a better decorative appeal like zebra elegance, it will lead to an additional blackout shades cost.
Style That Suits Your Aesthetic Sense
Consider the style of blackout shades you want. There are several different styles of blackout window shades to choose from, including Roman shades, roller shades, and cellular shades.
Each style has its own unique look, feel, and price range, so it’s important to select the one that best compliments your home’s decor.
Custom Sizes to Fit Your Window
Finally, measure the window dimensions before purchasing blackout shades at the given price. Many manufacturers offer custom sizes to ensure a perfect fit. But custom-made window treatments are usually expensive.
Child-Safety in Kids’ Rooms
If you are going to install new blackout shades in your kids’ room, we recommend a shade with a child-safe cordless option, which will eliminate the risk of strangulation.
Quick Tips to Prevent Light Leakage When Installing Blackout Shades
Blackout shades can be quite tricky to install. Here’re 5 easy tips to prevent light leakage along the edges.
- First, make sure that the blackout shade is the correct size for the window.
- Second, use a tape measure to mark the top and bottom of the window frame so that your window treatment will be a perfect fit.
- Third, pull the blackout shade up to the top of the window and clip it into place.
- Finally, adjust the bottom of the blackout shade so that it is flush with the bottom of the window.
Measuring Instructions for Blackout Shades
Here is our DIY step-by-step guide on how to measure windows for blackout shades to get started.
- Measure Width: Measure the width of the windows at top, middle, and bottom. Record the narrowest value.
- Measure Height: Measure the height of the top of the window or other space from the top to bottom in the left, middle, and right. Record the shortest measurement. For example, if the measurements are 84”, 84 ¾”, and 84 ¾”, order blinds measuring 84 inches (7 ft) in length.
Installation Instructions for Maximum Light Control
For a professional, inch-by-inch, edge-to-edge fit, follow DIY step-by-step guide on how to install blackout shades.
- Step 1: Drill holes (using a ⅜-inch drill bit)
- Step 2: Set up the brackets with screws and a screwdriver.
- Step 3: Hang your window covers.
Where to Buy Blackout Shades Online?
We recommend buying a blackout window treatment at Affordableblinds.com. Here you’ll get:
- Up to 70% discounts
- Free Shipping throughout the contiguous United States at no cost to you
- 110% best price guarantee.
- 100% Worry-Free Fit: We’ll take up part of the cost to get your problem resolved, if you mismeasure your window.
- A Free Lifetime Guarantee
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee with 5-star customer care
- Free Consultancy (Measuring, Installing, Choosing Right Product)
FAQs
Are blackout shades worth it?
Yes! Compared to sheer shades, light filtering shades, room darkening shades, and solar roller shades, blackout shades are the best options for 100% light control, privacy, and energy efficiency in your home, office, or other space. These window coverings can very effectively block out ambient light that may cause disruptions to your sleep.
How much should I budget for shades?
In the US, the national average for new window treatments is $350 per window, with the typical price ranging from $105 to $1,000, depending on size, style, quality, and motorization option. This cost includes everything from product price to shipping and installation charges.
You should budget $40 to $200 for blackout roller shades: $50 to $250 for blackout solar shades; $70 to $300 for blackout cellular shades; and $200 to $1,000 for motorized blackout shades.
Are room darkening shades more expensive?
The answer is ‘yes’. Room darkening shades typically cost more than total blackout shades, as they are a more stylish option with zebra-like sheer and opaque slats. Blackout shades come in single-piece roller and cellular fabrics, which are one of the cheapest materials on the market.
Need More Help?
Still unsure which blackout shades are most budget friendly? Contact our professionals using 24/7 live chat or give us a ring at (800) 863-6109 for expert advice and a custom solution.
