Understanding Opacity in Window Treatments
Part of making the right selection of window treatment is choosing the right opacity of fabric. But that can seem daunting to some—what, really, is the “right” level? At Bretz Interiors serving the greater Denver area, we’re happy to help our customers understand their options so they can ultimately have the product that will work the best for them. Read on to learn more about fabric opacity, and be sure to speak with one of our representatives if you have questions about your particular situation.
Defining Opacity
Levels of opacity refer to how much light goes through the fabric. Sheer fabrics are the least opaque—they let the most light through; this quality, however, also means less privacy. Blackout fabrics block the most light while also offering the highest level of privacy. Other factors can determine opacity, including fabric type and color. That said, to help you choose the right fabric, here are the options:
- Sheer. These fabrics allow the most light in the room while giving a soft focus to the view. They can help reduce glare but don’t help much with privacy.
- Semi-sheer. These fabrics let in less light than sheer ones; they don’t give as much view-through as sheers, and privacy is still pretty minimal.
- Semi-opaque. With these fabrics, enough light will come through to brighten the room a little, but you won’t have any view (except, perhaps, shadows). That said, they offer greater privacy.
- Opaque/room-darkening. These fabrics block almost all light from coming through and provide excellent privacy. On the flip side, the only way to get natural light is to open the treatment.
- Blackout. As you might guess, these fabrics block light almost entirely, and they provide complete privacy.
Choosing Opacity for Each Room
As you’re trying to decide which fabric is right for your new window fashion, take into account the room’s privacy and light needs. If you want lots of light and aren’t worried about someone seeing into the room, select sheer or semi-sheer fabrics, which would be best for a living or family room. In spaces where you want more privacy and darkness, like bedrooms, bathrooms, or media rooms, select semi-opaque, opaque, or blackout fabrics. To help ensure you’re making the correct choice, contact one of our consultants, so you can see the fabrics in person.
Various Opacities in Lakewood
Bretz Interiors is a family-owned business located in Lakewood and serving the greater Denver area. In operation since 1959, we focus on delivering high quality products and exceptional service to every client. Our showroom has a wide variety of displays and our sales team is happy to assist you with any questions you may have!
