We get asked about roman shades at least twice a week. As homeowners move into their third, fourth, fifth home and they’ve hard treatments such as blinds or shutters or cellular shades, they are ready for something, soft and pretty to adorn their windows. While we agree these are very pretty, soft, functional options, there’s some things you need to know.

!. They are not less expensive than blinds or most shades. As a matter of fact, you’re probably going to spend more than most shades, and even shutters. Roman shades are made from cut fabric and sewn by hand, most of the time, onto a headrail, with strings and cords or motors to lift them. Y

2. They need to be dressed, or straightened most times after raising or lowering. Because of how they’re made with a lining attached and the strings and rings on the back toward the center, there is nothing to keep the outer edges from wrinkling or just not falling perfectly into place in their folds.

3. You can see the strings and rings on the back side of most roman shades. This can be unsightly if placing these on your front door or front windows of your home. Some workrooms or manufacturers can conceal these strings, but it does add quite a bit to the cost.

4. You can see pinholes in the fabric, if you get roman shades made with a room darkening lining. There is not way around this as the lining and face fabric have to be stitched together somehow. This alone is one reason to purchase from a well known manufacturer or work room and spend the money to have these made without some of the above mentioned issues.

5. Plan on minimum $600 a window up to $2500.00 for a standard 3’ x 6’ window based on what brand you purchase and what fabric and lifting system you choose. A plantation shutter this size would cost around $450.00-500.00 and a blind $225- 350.00, just to give a perspective.

6. Look up photos on line or with your designer of various styles of roman shades. Many have an idea in their head of what a roman shade is without realizing there are quite a variety of options. Note: if you like the flat roman shade idea because of the way it looks when stacked at the top in the window, remember, when it is all the way down, it is a flat piece of fabric hanging. If you like pleats or folds when it is down, make sure you tell your designer this.

Roman Shades are gorgeous and can add a texture, design and color to a room that not any other shade style can. It is helpful to understand the above mentioned so you have realistic expectations when considering this very custom product!