• Cellular Shades & Honeycomb Blinds
  
  
• Wood Blinds
  
  
• Faux Wood Blinds
  
  
• Mini Blinds
  
  
• Vertical Blinds
  
  
• Vertical Blind Alternatives
  
  
• Roller Shades
  
  
• Solar Shades
  
  
• Woven Wood Shades & Bamboo Shades
  
  
• Roman Shades
  
  
• Sheer Horizontal Shades
  
  
• Horizontal Blind Alternatives
  
  
• Motorized Blinds & Shades
  
  
• Pleated Shades
  
  
• Arches & Shapes
  
  
• Skylight Shades
  
  

Roman Shades

Roman Shades offer the elegance of fabric with the soft feel of traditional window treatments. These window treatments offer both privacy and light control while exhibiting the soft appeal of folded fabric.

Traditionally, Roman shades have required additional work to make them fold appropriately when raised or lowered. Recent changes in construction, however, have led to design improvements and most Roman shades are lowered and raised without any problem. Since they come in a variety of light filtering options, consumers have the flexibility of choosing Roman shades that either completely block light or filter it for improved ambiance.

Roman shades usually come in two styles, Flat and Teardrop. With the flat style, the shade lays flat against the window for a traditional look while the teardrop/hobbled style leaves the fabric folded or bunched at regular intervals to create a shuttered or blind effect.

Roman shades also come in two types of control styles:

• Top Down Bottom Up – this allows you to control both the top and bottom edges of the shade. Although the Roman shade remains suspended from outside cords, you can simultaneously lower the top edge of the shade while raising the bottom, giving you full control over direct light and preventing potential glare.
• Continuous Cord Loop – a single loop of cord is used to control the shade and does not shorten or lengthen upon lowering or raising the shade. This is especially important for homes with young children.

Roman Shades come in a variety of privacy ratings depending on their manufacture and fabric. Some manufactures, like Hunter Douglas, rate the privacy of their Roman shades on a level from 0 to 5, 5 being maximum privacy. Comfortex, Bali, and Graber, however use a three tiered system of low, medium, and high to rate their roman shades.

• Lower ratings (near 0 for Hunter Douglas) – These are light filtering fabrics that diffuse the light but still allow a view out the window.
• Medium ratings (around 2 to 3 for Hunter Douglas) – Although these still provide some view and some light filtering capabilities, they provide more shade for rooms and a greater degree of privacy. Darker fabrics with this rating can help darken rooms and save fabrics from fading. Lighter colors, however, will provide better light filtration.
• High ratings (4 and 5 for Hunter Douglas) – Roman shades in this category provide better room darkening and better privacy at night as well as during the day.

Roman shades provide a softer touch to traditional décor and are usually chosen because of the gentle folds of fabric that define this type of window covering. Since they come in a wide variety of fabrics, colors, and privacy options, most consumers find that Roman Blinds are a reliable alternative to conventional models.

Brands that Manufacture Roman Shades:

• Comfortex
• YourBlinds
• Bali
• Graber