Roman Shades Explained

The different Roman Shade options available out there can be complicated. Flat, Relaxed, Inside or Outside Mount, what does it all mean?! Don't worry, we're here to help out! Follow our guide below to learn the differences between styles, mounting options, and mechanisms.

The most popular style we offer, Flat Roman Shades have a straight bottom hem, with stacking folds that offer a smooth and sleek design. Ideal for a clean look, trendy and highly functional. Great for any window in the house.

LOOM TIP: This is a Loom Decor go-to shade style for any room in the home. Add privacy lining to protect the fabric over time!

 

With a curved bottom, Relaxed Roman Shades add a touch of softness and style to your window. Our Relaxed Roman Shades add unique design, promising to elevate your space with their irresistible charm.  

LOOM TIP: Great for a single window or multiple windows in a row where you want to add a statement. Please note, this shade style can require restyling after closing/raising the shade until they retain shape overtime.

Coming back in a big way, our Tulip Roman Shades are delightfully poufy with a tailored section on each side. For the perfect touch of poof and charm, a Tulip Roman Shade is always a winning choice.

LOOM TIP: Great for statement windows in a smaller size. Please note, this shade style can require restyling after closing/raising the shade until they retain shape overtime.

The mounting selection is where things can sometimes feel a little tricky, but that’s when we step in and help out!

An Inside Mount means the shade is installed directly within the window frame. To achieve this look, you’ll need at least 1.5" of flat surface depth inside your window for the shade to be properly installed (and for a flush look).

LOOM TIP: Shades within 60" will be mounted on a 1.5" headrail, meaning you only need 1.5" of flat mounting depth for a flush look. Shades over 60" are made on a 2.5" headrail to help support the weight of the shade. Although you only need 1.5" of space for installation purposes, you would need 2.5" of flat mounting depth for a flush look. 

Outside Mount shades are mounted outside (above) the window frame - pretty straightforward! Outside Mount shades are a great choice for smaller windows you’d like to make appear larger, as mounting them above the frame creates the illusion of added height. They’re also perfect for windows with beautiful views, since the shade sits above the opening and preserves as much of the scenery as possible.

LOOM TIP: We recommend installing the shade at least 4" above the window on the drywall to ensure there’s enough room for the brackets. If you're doing blackout lining, we recommend adding 2" - 4" to the width of the shade for more blackout coverage. Outside Mount shades are also the perfect selection for a door mounted shade.

CORDLESS: A Cordless shade is operated with a spring mechanism. You operate the shade by using the control ring to guide the shade up and down - a simple quick tug will get the spring mechanism released so you can open or lower the shade. Please note, no need to pull extra hard as that can lock the mechanism. Our Cordless shades are compatible with windows that are 18" - 98" in width.

CHAIN LOOP: A chain loop mechanism allows you to open and close the shade by pulling on a continuous beaded chain that’s securely attached to the frame. This option is especially convenient for extra-large shades or taller windows, making operation smooth and easy without needing to reach the top of the shade.

As always, please check out our measuring guides for step by step instructions on how to properly measure shades for your windows.

We know this can be pretty complicated when you get into it. If things still feel confusing, feel free to email us a photo of your window and we can advise what style and mount would work best for your space. Email us at hello@loomdecor.com