What to Know About 5 Popular Types of Window Shades
Experts weigh in on how and where to use Roman, roller, solar, woven wood and cellular shades
Julie Sheer
August 20, 2023
Houzz Contributor; journalist with more than two decades of experience as a graphics editor and writer at the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune; outdoor guidebook author; lover of all things outdoors, nature and wildlife. Follow me at https://westcentric.wordpress.com/
Houzz Contributor; journalist with more than two decades of experience as a graphics... More
When it comes to dressing a window, shades are probably the most versatile covering in terms of being functional as well as decorative. There’s a dizzying array of options for all types of window shades, from colorful roller shades to Roman shades made of designer fabrics. You can elevate a room’s style and decide how much light or privacy a room needs with a variety of sheer, light-filtering and room-darkening patterns and materials.
You should keep in mind that with multiple windows to cover, costs can add up for materials and installation. Make sure you consider how a particular style fits your window, advises Sheri Stouffer, owner of Finishing Touches design studio in Castle Pines, Colorado. “Put a budget together in your brain. You might want to spend more money where people gather, for example,” she says. “Think about your windows — what they look like and the story behind the window. How the window opens can be a factor. So now you can narrow down options on what would work best for your scenario.”
Here’s a guide to five popular shade options and what design professionals have to say about them.
You should keep in mind that with multiple windows to cover, costs can add up for materials and installation. Make sure you consider how a particular style fits your window, advises Sheri Stouffer, owner of Finishing Touches design studio in Castle Pines, Colorado. “Put a budget together in your brain. You might want to spend more money where people gather, for example,” she says. “Think about your windows — what they look like and the story behind the window. How the window opens can be a factor. So now you can narrow down options on what would work best for your scenario.”
Here’s a guide to five popular shade options and what design professionals have to say about them.
How Window Shades Work
Shades are one solid piece and can be raised and lowered on a springed roller or by a cord system that gathers up material in folds, as opposed to blinds, which have individual slats that can open and close. With shades, you can control the amount of light and privacy by raising and lowering them. The thickness, composition and weave of the material, and whether there’s backing, determine how much light filters through.
Manual cord operation. Shades with pull cords open manually by pulling the cord straight down; they close by pulling the cord to the side. Continuous loop cords have a pulley controller mounted to the window frame or wall next to the shade with a looped cord used to raise and lower it.
Cordless shades. Not truly cordless (because there are cords inside the shade), these have a tension system that allows you to push the shade’s bottom rail up by hand into the upper headrail and pull it back down to close it.
Motorized control. Motorized shades are controlled electronically with a built-in battery in the headrail and can be operated through a handheld remote control, Wi-Fi, smart phone or even your voice. They can be set to open and close on a timer and are good for hard-to-reach spots like skylights.
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Shades are one solid piece and can be raised and lowered on a springed roller or by a cord system that gathers up material in folds, as opposed to blinds, which have individual slats that can open and close. With shades, you can control the amount of light and privacy by raising and lowering them. The thickness, composition and weave of the material, and whether there’s backing, determine how much light filters through.
Manual cord operation. Shades with pull cords open manually by pulling the cord straight down; they close by pulling the cord to the side. Continuous loop cords have a pulley controller mounted to the window frame or wall next to the shade with a looped cord used to raise and lower it.
Cordless shades. Not truly cordless (because there are cords inside the shade), these have a tension system that allows you to push the shade’s bottom rail up by hand into the upper headrail and pull it back down to close it.
Motorized control. Motorized shades are controlled electronically with a built-in battery in the headrail and can be operated through a handheld remote control, Wi-Fi, smart phone or even your voice. They can be set to open and close on a timer and are good for hard-to-reach spots like skylights.
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Find Your Window Shade Style
Roman shades. These shades consist of internal cords and one piece of material that gathers in folds as it’s raised. These versatile window treatments come in a variety of materials, such as linen, wool, silk and woven wood, and in sheer, light-filtering and room-darkening thicknesses. You’ll find them in a profusion of patterns and colors, letting you create a look customized to any room.
The different styles of Romans refer to the way they fold when raised. A flat Roman shade remains smooth when all the way down, and when raised it stacks in folds. This style is perfect for patterned fabrics that become a decorative element in a room when the shade is down. Hobbled or waterfall-style Romans (seen in the first photo) maintain horizontal folds cascading the length of the shade when it’s down; when pulled up, the shade stacks in folds similar to a flat Roman. A relaxed Roman shade, such as the one shown here, is loosely stacked at the bottom, for a more casual boho chic look.
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Roman shades. These shades consist of internal cords and one piece of material that gathers in folds as it’s raised. These versatile window treatments come in a variety of materials, such as linen, wool, silk and woven wood, and in sheer, light-filtering and room-darkening thicknesses. You’ll find them in a profusion of patterns and colors, letting you create a look customized to any room.
The different styles of Romans refer to the way they fold when raised. A flat Roman shade remains smooth when all the way down, and when raised it stacks in folds. This style is perfect for patterned fabrics that become a decorative element in a room when the shade is down. Hobbled or waterfall-style Romans (seen in the first photo) maintain horizontal folds cascading the length of the shade when it’s down; when pulled up, the shade stacks in folds similar to a flat Roman. A relaxed Roman shade, such as the one shown here, is loosely stacked at the bottom, for a more casual boho chic look.
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Flat Roman shades work particularly well on doors and narrow windows, such as this one in a La Cañada, California, home, designed by Amy Peltier Interior Design & Home. Peltier added edge banding trim along the sides and bottom of the shade to customize the look.
Sheri Stouffer at Finishing Touches had these cordless Hunter Douglas Vignettes installed in a bedroom in Castle Pines, Colorado. “Hunter Douglas Vignette is a cool product that gives you a hobbled look, and the back is perfectly smooth, so there are no rings or strings. You don’t see anything,” Stouffer says. Vignettes come in opacities ranging from sheer to room-darkening, and sheer or light-filtering shades can be backed with a room-darkening panel.
The Roman shades on the sliding glass doors of this bedroom in a Los Angeles bungalow remodeled by Lewis/Schoeplein Architects are an attractive solution for covering oddly shaped windows and doors. They do double duty by offering privacy while letting in some natural light. The fabric is semiopaque, and though this type is often installed with a motor, these are controlled manually with a continuous loop cord. Designer Toni Lewis says they were chosen to complement the modern, airy look of the home and stack neatly out of the way when pulled up. Fabricated and installed by Home Carpet & Window Treatments, the shades raise up in stacking folds.
Roller shades. This classic, straightforward shade raises and lowers for easy privacy and light control and comes in a variety of patterns and materials. The choice of material lets this shade be light-filtering, room-darkening or blackout. Roller shades are operated by a spring mechanism in the top rail. When motorized, the shades can be raised and lowered remotely, including via Wi-Fi.
The shades shown in this Atlanta home are motorized roller shades with Smart Home Integration from Acadia Shutters & Blinds. The fabric is called Bravado Blackout Magnolia.
The shades shown in this Atlanta home are motorized roller shades with Smart Home Integration from Acadia Shutters & Blinds. The fabric is called Bravado Blackout Magnolia.
Roller shades really let you elevate your room’s design with patterns that stand out. This roller shade from The Shade Store is a light-filtering selection called Clementine from the Jonathan Adler collection.
Solar, or screen, shades. These increasingly popular shades are good for filtering sunlight and heat and blocking UV rays, as well as protecting furnishings, while allowing a view through the semitransparent material. Also called screen shades, solar shades are usually made of a vinyl polymer, with varying amounts of UV rays and light allowed through. This is signified as an “openness” percentage, ranging from 1% to more than 10%. A lower percentage means a tighter-weave shade, resulting in less visibility and a smaller amount of light let in. An openness factor over 10% means a looser weave and more light coming in.
Stouffer says solar shades are one of her biggest sellers because they let her Colorado clients maintain their mountain views while blocking the sun’s glare. In this family room in Denver, she used motorized solar roller shades in a black cassette cover to coordinate with the window trim.
Stouffer says solar shades are one of her biggest sellers because they let her Colorado clients maintain their mountain views while blocking the sun’s glare. In this family room in Denver, she used motorized solar roller shades in a black cassette cover to coordinate with the window trim.
Designers like to pair solar shades with drapes or curtains for a functional and clean look in modern and transitional rooms. Shown here are Smith & Noble motorized solar shades in Lush/Vanilla, paired with Classic Wave Fold drapery.
These solar shades from The Shade Store’s Sunbrella Solar collection come in more than 25 colors, provide UV protection and are fade-resistant.
Lighter-colored solar shades reflect heat and light up a room with a hazy view, while dark colors are good at reducing glare and provide a better view, according to the pros at Home Carpet & Window Treatments.
Lighter-colored solar shades reflect heat and light up a room with a hazy view, while dark colors are good at reducing glare and provide a better view, according to the pros at Home Carpet & Window Treatments.
Woven wood shades. These shades are made of natural materials such as jute, bamboo or grasses and give a room an earthy, textured feel. Looser-weave materials provide filtered natural light, while tighter-weave options offer more privacy. These are generally available in cordless and corded versions and usually roll up in a flat or waterfall Roman style. Fabric backing can be added for more light control.
The custom Roman-style woven shades seen here are from Acadia Shutters & Blinds. The fabric is Beachfront Thatch.
The custom Roman-style woven shades seen here are from Acadia Shutters & Blinds. The fabric is Beachfront Thatch.
In this Atlanta bedroom, the pros at Wake + Loom Design wanted a layered look, so they used custom textured woven Roman shades layered with stationary drape panels from Jim Davis Designs.
Here, Wake + Loom also used custom woven shades from Jim Davis Designs to provide light control and privacy, as well as to complement the room’s other textures.
Cellular shades. Also called honeycomb shades, these consist of two pieces of pleated fabric with rows of open cells between them. This makes for greater energy efficiency, as hot and cold air become trapped in the cells. The unique design is also effective for noise reduction. The shade can have pull cords that allow you to raise and lower it, or it can be cordless, in which case the cord is hidden and the shade is raised and lowered from the bottom rail. Motorized versions work well for skylights and other hard-to-reach windows.
The cellular shades shown in this Nashville, Tennessee, bathroom are from Acadia Shutters & Blinds. They operate “top down/bottom up,” a versatile option that allows you to lower the shade from the top as well as raise it from the bottom, adjusting light and privacy in a way that can highlight an attractive window frame and provide a unique look in a room.
The cellular shades shown in this Nashville, Tennessee, bathroom are from Acadia Shutters & Blinds. They operate “top down/bottom up,” a versatile option that allows you to lower the shade from the top as well as raise it from the bottom, adjusting light and privacy in a way that can highlight an attractive window frame and provide a unique look in a room.
Here’s a closeup view of the open pockets of a single-cell cellular shade. The pockets trap air and become a layer of insulation between the window and the room. Double-cell cellular shades have two layers of smaller pockets and offer even more insulation.
Cellular shades can be sheer, light-filtering or room-darkening and come in a variety of colors, with basic white providing a clean, soft look. They stack tightly at the top rail when pulled all the way up, for a neat look that works well in modern as well as traditional settings.
Where to Use Window Shades
When deciding what type of shades to choose for various rooms, consider how much privacy and light you want for the space. Many homeowners opt for room-darkening or blackout shades in bedrooms, especially nurseries. “It all comes down to the space you are designing,” Peltier says. “For example, in a children’s room, I prefer to use blackout curtains and cordless shades. In the family room it’s about balancing function and style. Woven shades add texture and elegance while also being very easy to use — it works in almost every space. For a bathroom my main focus is privacy, for which I love to use a modern roller shade.”
In this Portland, Oregon, bedroom, the pros at Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design layered custom draperies with natural fiber Roman shades from local vendor Cindy’s Window Fashions, giving the room plenty of natural light and views during the day and the ability to close everything at night.
When deciding what type of shades to choose for various rooms, consider how much privacy and light you want for the space. Many homeowners opt for room-darkening or blackout shades in bedrooms, especially nurseries. “It all comes down to the space you are designing,” Peltier says. “For example, in a children’s room, I prefer to use blackout curtains and cordless shades. In the family room it’s about balancing function and style. Woven shades add texture and elegance while also being very easy to use — it works in almost every space. For a bathroom my main focus is privacy, for which I love to use a modern roller shade.”
In this Portland, Oregon, bedroom, the pros at Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design layered custom draperies with natural fiber Roman shades from local vendor Cindy’s Window Fashions, giving the room plenty of natural light and views during the day and the ability to close everything at night.
The light-filtering woven shade that Peltier used in this family room in Pacific Palisades, California, adds natural texture and complements the fresh white and bold blue features of the space.
Using shades in bedrooms, bathrooms and public spaces may seem an obvious choice, but shades also make a lot of sense in a kitchen window where the sun can create glare at certain times of the day. Stouffer says her clients often have an “aha” moment when they realize how helpful a shade in the kitchen can be because “it allows them not having to wear sunglasses when cooking.” She chose a cordless Roman shade with a light-filtering lining for this Denver kitchen.
Peltier used pretty, light-filtering patterned Roman shades in the kitchen of this Pasadena remodeled home. “For this space, privacy wasn’t the main focus — it was strictly for aesthetic purposes,” she says. “These cordless, lined fabric shades added pattern and softness to the kitchen. By lining your shades, they will not only lay better but give a more elevated and sophisticated look.”
Window Shade Mounting Options
After choosing a shade style, the next big decision is how to mount it, which depends on your style of window. ”One of the biggest things I look at is how a window is framed, how much depth they have, or is there no depth and just trim work around the window,” Stouffer says. If the window frame isn’t deep enough, you’ll have to consider an outside mount, where the hardware is drilled onto the trim of the window frame or the wall. Stouffer says you typically need a minimum of three-quarters of an inch to 1.5 inches of window depth for an inside mount. Many designers prefer inside mount if possible because the shade is closer to the window, “kind of hidden and tucked in,” Stouffer says.
Shown here is a flat-fold Roman shade mounted inside a window frame in a renovated home in Gloucester, Massachusetts, designed by Eleven interiors.
After choosing a shade style, the next big decision is how to mount it, which depends on your style of window. ”One of the biggest things I look at is how a window is framed, how much depth they have, or is there no depth and just trim work around the window,” Stouffer says. If the window frame isn’t deep enough, you’ll have to consider an outside mount, where the hardware is drilled onto the trim of the window frame or the wall. Stouffer says you typically need a minimum of three-quarters of an inch to 1.5 inches of window depth for an inside mount. Many designers prefer inside mount if possible because the shade is closer to the window, “kind of hidden and tucked in,” Stouffer says.
Shown here is a flat-fold Roman shade mounted inside a window frame in a renovated home in Gloucester, Massachusetts, designed by Eleven interiors.
Unconventionally shaped windows pose a particular challenge when installing shades. For arched windows with no obvious place to mount the shade, a Palladian shelf is one solution. This wooden piece acts as a top rail for the shade, as in this home in Colorado Springs. The shelf mounted with a Horizons Window Fashions woven wood shade in Glendale Gray with a blackout liner and 7-inch valance.
Here’s a view of the shade when closed.
Here’s a closer look at a Palladian shelf used to hold a woven wood shade on an arched window in a home in Colorado Springs. Stouffer says the shelf is a “nice way to handle that and give it a finished look.”
DIY vs. getting professional help. You can buy shades from a store and try installing them yourself, but going with a pro — especially for measuring and installation — will help you narrow down a style and make sure your shades fit correctly and the hardware is installed properly. Search the Houzz pro directory to find a window coverings specialist or an interior designer to assist you with choosing and installing window shades in your home.
DIY vs. getting professional help. You can buy shades from a store and try installing them yourself, but going with a pro — especially for measuring and installation — will help you narrow down a style and make sure your shades fit correctly and the hardware is installed properly. Search the Houzz pro directory to find a window coverings specialist or an interior designer to assist you with choosing and installing window shades in your home.
How to Clean Shades
Dusting with a feather or microfiber duster, or lightly vacuuming with an upholstery attachment, is usually all it takes to keep your shades tidy. Depending on the material, there are additional ways to make your window treatments look their best. For vinyl roller and solar shades, you can use a damp cloth to wipe the surface on both sides. Using a slightly damp cloth to wipe woven shades horizontally rather than vertically will prevent fibers from snagging. For dust trapped inside cellular shades, use a hair dryer on the cool setting to blow dust out of the cells. Fabric Roman shades can also be lightly vacuumed with an upholstery attachment, but for further cleaning you should contact the shades’ manufacturer. Some are machine washable and others can be dry-cleaned, but it’s best to talk to a pro first.
Dusting with a feather or microfiber duster, or lightly vacuuming with an upholstery attachment, is usually all it takes to keep your shades tidy. Depending on the material, there are additional ways to make your window treatments look their best. For vinyl roller and solar shades, you can use a damp cloth to wipe the surface on both sides. Using a slightly damp cloth to wipe woven shades horizontally rather than vertically will prevent fibers from snagging. For dust trapped inside cellular shades, use a hair dryer on the cool setting to blow dust out of the cells. Fabric Roman shades can also be lightly vacuumed with an upholstery attachment, but for further cleaning you should contact the shades’ manufacturer. Some are machine washable and others can be dry-cleaned, but it’s best to talk to a pro first.
For deeper cleaning, one option for some products is in-home or off-site professional ultrasonic cleaning. This involves a machine that uses water, a cleaning solution and ultrasonic waves to produce bubbles that eliminate dirt. Be sure to check with your shades’ manufacturer before doing spot cleaning or an ultrasonic treatment to make sure it won’t harm your product. Some manufacturers offer cleaning guides for their products on their websites. Hunter Douglas, for example, has a rundown of how to clean its products, as well as a downloadable care and cleaning guide.
Tell us: Share your tips about window shades in the Comments.
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Tell us: Share your tips about window shades in the Comments.
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I wish there were more options for shades. I have never really liked roman shades and this article seems to be focused on them. I have a sun porch I would like to outfit with matchstick blinds but I cannot really find them anywhere. I also don't have a lot of window depth (3/4 inch) for most inset blinds and their hardware. Got any suggestions? I don't want to have to put drapery around three sides of the porch.
I appreciate the earlier comment regarding how shades look from the outside. We are renovating a small house with long double hung windows that will have two horizontal muntins. (We have a water view but also need privacy at night). I would love to hear about a shade choice that will not interfere with the exterior look of the house (Modern Industrial) Should we use one design for all the windows?
@Katherine, we had a beyond nosy neighbor next door at our last home in Colorado. We changed our shades from Hunter Douglas roller shades to Hunter Douglas Silhouettes to allow us to enjoy the Colorado sun and view, while providing daytime privacy. We would shut the louvers (probably not the correct term) at night for total privacy. We have had them in 2 houses and loved them.