Why conference rooms need two shades
A solar shade softens daylight and cuts monitor glare, but it will not make the room dark enough for a good presentation. A blackout shade can darken the room, but it also blocks the glass wall your clients expect to see during normal meetings.
The practical fix is two rollers on one opening: leave the black solar down for work, and drop the blackout for presentations. Raise both when you want the full glass view.
How the two shades mount (important)
Our roller shades are single-tube products with their own fascia. They are not a dual-shade cassette that fits two fabrics inside one inside-mount pocket. If you try to put both inside the same opening, there usually is not enough depth — and the brackets fight each other.
The layout that works: inside-mount the light-filtering / solar shade (black Green 2000) in the window opening, and outside-mount the blackout on the wall or header in front of that opening. The blackout covers the opening when you need it dark; the solar stays in the pocket for everyday glare control.
| Shade | Typical mount | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Black Green 2000 solar | Inside mount | Sits in the opening for daily glare control and a clean glass look |
| Blackout | Outside mount | Needs the face of the wall/header — will not share the same inside pocket |
Do not order both as inside mount
Two inside-mount rollers on one conference window is not a valid install with our shades. Plan inside solar + outside blackout (or ask us before you order if the opening is unusual).
How to use them
| What you need | Which shade is down | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Open glass / client walk-in | Both up | Full view through the glass |
| Normal daytime meeting | Inside solar only | Cuts glare, keeps the view |
| Presentation or private meeting | Outside blackout down | Darkens the room for screens and confidentiality |
Which solar fabric to choose
Use black Green 2000 solar mesh — the same commercial fabric we use on office storefronts. Choose 3% openness for most rooms. Choose 1% if the glass faces harsh sun, west or south, or if screens sit right next to the window.
Black fabric matters: light-colored solar can glow and make screens harder to read.
What “blackout” actually means here
Blackout fabric blocks light through the cloth. Because the blackout is usually outside-mounted, it can cover past the glass and help with edge light better than a tight inside mount — but it still is not a sealed theater pocket unless side channels are added separately.
For many conference rooms a little edge glow is fine so people can take notes. If your AV team needs a near-theater blackout, say so on the quote. Side-channel kits are not a standard online add-on.
Glass walls and hallway privacy
Interior glass conference rooms are visible from every side. During the day, black solar helps when the hallway is brighter than the room. At night with the lights on, people outside can see in more easily — drop the outside-mount blackout for confidential evening meetings.
How to order
- Measure the opening for an inside-mount solar (width and depth in the pocket)
- Separately measure for an outside-mount blackout (add overlap past the glass on each side and above/below as needed)
- Order black Green 2000 (1% or 3%) as inside mount + blackout as outside mount
- Add aluminum fascia on each shade (included on cordless; optional on chain)
- Tell your installer: solar in the pocket, blackout on the face — not two inside mounts
What we sell vs. what we do not
We sell commercial roller fabrics and aluminum fascia as individual shades. We do not sell a dual-fabric inside-mount cassette, motorized meeting-room scenes, or building automation tie-ins as standard products. If your project needs motors, we can still supply the shades and fascia for your automation partner to control.
Shades vs. switchable privacy glass
Switchable glass or film can give instant privacy, but it usually costs more and does not solve glare or presentation darkening by itself. An inside solar + outside blackout pair is usually the better retrofit: lower cost, better glare control, and real blackout when you need it.
Shop & next steps
- Shop roller shades
Green 2000 / 3000 light-filtering and blackout — cut to size.
- Wide-width rollers
Commercial glass up to 144" on a single tube.
- Schedule a DFW measure
On-site measure and install for occupied suites.
- Commercial quote
Multi-window RFQs, TI packages, and nationwide ship.
- Request samples
Compare black 1% vs 3% openness in your light.
- Blackout vs light-filtering
Confirm the second shade is true blackout, not another solar fabric.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best shades for a conference room?
Two rollers on each opening: inside-mount black Green 2000 solar for daytime glare, and outside-mount blackout for presentations and private meetings.
Can both shades be inside-mounted?
No — not with our shades. There is not enough depth for two of our rollers inside the same pocket. Plan inside-mount solar and outside-mount blackout.
Do I need both shades, or is solar enough?
Solar alone is fine for daylight meetings. Add outside-mount blackout if you present on screens, run confidential evening meetings, or need the room darker than solar can provide.
Will blackout make the room completely dark?
It blocks light through the fabric. Outside mount helps cover past the glass, but small edge leaks can remain without side channels. Many rooms prefer a little ambient light for note-taking.
Can you motorize conference shades?
We sell cordless and chain operation. For motors and AV triggers, work with an automation partner — we can still supply the solar and blackout shades with fascia.
Related guides
Ready to outfit the glass?
Configure black solar and blackout rollers online, request samples for openness compare, or get a commercial quote for multi-window floors. DFW teams measure and hang from our Irving shop — including occupied suites after hours.