While all of our shades provide a measure of light control, some room-darkening shades offer more benefits than others. A key consideration is fabric type and color. Sheer fabrics typically soften and filter sunlight, semi-opaque fabrics provide privacy while letting in some sunlight and opaque fabrics almost completely block all light. We say “almost” because these fabrics darken a room but do not entirely eliminate light—so they are not considered blackout shades. Our room-darkening and blackout fabrics prevent all light from passing through the shade material. Depending upon the style and installation of the shade, light gaps (the space between the edge of the shade and the window frame) may allow some sunlight in around the edges of the window.