Roman shades combine the beauty and style of drapes with the functionality of a custom shade. Their timeless look can complement any decor, from Ancient Rome to 21st century Alabama.
You can easily add an elegant touch to any room, but Roman shades aren’t the be-all, end-all of window coverings. Like most other options on the market, they come with their own pros and cons.
In this article, we’ll do a deep dive into Roman shades – what are they, pros and cons, and are they worth your hard-earned money. Let us begin.
What are Roman shades?
Roman shades began their historical journey in Ancient Rome (hence the name). Romans used to hang wet pieces of fabric as a way to keep dirt, dust, and debris out of their homes, as well as keep their homes cool.
It wasn’t long before they realized they had something truly special on their hands and they began experimenting with different styles. Soon, these fabrics became status symbols and were used by the wealthy to demonstrate their position. Shades, similar to the ones we use today, were used in the Colosseum to keep wealthy Romans cool. It turned out the best places in the Colosseum were also the hottest, so something had to be done.
Fast-forward to the present day, and Roman shades are still a popular choice for their elegance and versatility. They’re made of fabrics and other materials, which gives you essentially limitless options of styles, patterns, and colors.
The technology we use is very similar to what Ancient Romans used—there’s a cord system sewn in the back of the fabric that allows us to lift or pull down the shade as we see fit. As we lift it, the fabric folds onto itself until it reaches the top.
Unlike the Ancient Romans, however, we can motorize these shades and allow you to operate them using a remote control.
Pros of Roman shades
Roman shades are one of the most versatile window treatments, but they’re not just pretty to look at—they come with some real benefits.
Energy-efficient
While they’re not the most energy-efficient window treatment on the market, Roman shades can still shave off a bit of your electricity bill. With proper use, your cooling cost will definitely go down during the summer.
Elegant
Roman shades bring a certain aesthetic element to the table that very few other window treatments can. Their elegance and style are well worth the price tag.
Easy to use
They’re also really easy to use. Simply push or pull until you reach the desired height (this is even easier if they’re motorized—then you do it with the click of a button).
They’re timeless
As we’ve already established, Roman shades have been around for thousands of years, and they’re not going away any time soon. This is not just some fad that will fade away into oblivion like various options before it.
Whether you’re going for a minimalist home, a traditional, or a modern look, you’ll find Roman shades can complement your decor, and they’ll look good for the years to come. This is great, because…
They’re durable
When you buy quality fabrics, you can expect them to cover your windows for years. All you have to do is take good care of them—clean them regularly and try not to spill anything over them.
With a bit of maintenance, you can enjoy your Roman shades for an average lifespan of 5-7 years.
Cons of Roman shades
None of the above means they’re perfect, though. Here are some drawbacks.
No happy medium on natural lighting
Unfortunately, Roman shades offer limited light control. It’s either up or down. Meaning that you can’t moderate the amount of sunlight in your house other than “all of it” or “not much.”
Any easy way to combat this is to assign the shades by what each room will be used for.
For example, blackout shades are perfect for bedrooms and home offices, while you may want something thinner for the living room.
However, if the risk of that concerns you, remember there are other shade designs as well.
They can be unsafe for children and pets
While looking for the right fit of window treatment, it’s important to consider your everyday life.
If you have little ones roaming around, be aware that the cords may loop up and lock, which can be a strangulation hazard to children.
Only install Roman shades in your home once you deem them safe for your kids and pets.
They can retain odor
Like drapes, curtains, and other fabric materials, Roman shades can absorb and retain odors. This means they’re not the best choice for your kitchen or a room where there’s lots of smoking.
Are Roman shades worth it?
The price of custom Roman shades can either be a pro or a con, depending on what you compare them to. There are more affordable alternatives out there, but there are also much more expensive window treatments.
Whether they’re worth it or not will depend entirely on your particular needs. But in our experience, custom shades are worth it in most cases. Clients fall in love with motorized shades, especially.
Roman shades can be a great choice to filter lighting and provide a simple look. It’s important to factor in your preferred design with what fits your family’s lifestyle the best.
Feel free to contact us if you’d like to know more.
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