Understanding the Different Roman Shade Systems

So you've made a decision you want a roman shade. Now what?  Next is making the design decisions: Fabric, trim, mount (inside/outside, waterfall/ reverse), style (flat, hobbled, relaxed or straight. See more about those options here.

Whew. That was a lot of decisions.  But relax.  Cozy Giraffe has it from here.  You don't have to worry one iota about how it will function.  We have done the research and can tell you the best options based on your situation.

Option #1: Bead Chain Loop Shade

The most common way to raise and lower a roman shade is with a bead chain loop.  This style is still up to code with the most recent changes to cord safety laws so long as it is held to the wall with a tension device (which cannot be removed). Bead chain loops come in black, white or stainless steel. Inside mounted shades will have the loop run down the inside of the window frame.

Pro: inexpensive compared to other options, ease of use

Con: you could end up rubbing the fabric with your hand or the chain when you raise and lower the shade; can be considered unsightly

Option #2: Spring and Spring Assist

A spring system raises by giving a little tug on the shade. These have been around for a long time and they have definitely improved over time. They are not the spring rolls that you may remember from the 80s. They are much, much more functional now.

A newer option is the spring lift assist mechanisms. These are relatively new to the US market. Their increased prevalence I believe is in response to the new cord safety laws. This type of shade works with a spring as well, but the spring keeps just enough tension on the shade to keep it from moving up or down. When the user pulls on the shade, it lowers until the user stops pulling. When the user pushes the shade up, it raises and stops raising when the user stops pushing. The major benefit to this type of shade is you can raise it exactly how much you want it raised and it will stop any time along the way. So if you only want the shade a quarter of the way open, then just lift the shade a quarter of the way up the window.

Both styles have their limits. You need to reach behind the shade and use a pull tab or bar to operate the shade. You don't want to pull directly on the shade fabric.  These systems can’t be used on a lot of the shades we do simply because most systems do not lift over 5-7 pounds. That may sound like a lot, but fabric and lining are heavy.  A blackout shade made with a medium to heavy weight fabric that is 6' x 5' is going to be too much of a load for a spring system.  That means it will not be able to open all the way.

Pro: Unseen; easy to operate; best on lightweight shades; not too expensive

Cons: Weight limits and size limits make this only available on lighter weight shades. May not be intuitive to know where to grab the shade. 

Option #3: Motorized Shades

With the new cord regulations, motors are an easy choice, but unfortunately not yet an inexpensive choice.  Motors add typically about $500 to a shade.  A motorized shade requires three things: a motor, a way to control that motor, and a way to power that motor.  Once one shade is motorized, then the next shade only needs one thing: the motor, because it can share the charging cord and remote or hub. With a remote you can have them all synchronized too. And an added bonus if you have a hub: you can program it to raise and lower the shades at certain times even if you are not home, adding a layer of security and efficiency to your home.

Pro: Unseen, easy to operate, can be programmed to work with other smart home accessories allowing it to run on a timer.

Con: Price, will need charging once or twice a year

Option #4 Hand Crank

Another option for windows you can reach is a hand crank. This system uses a wand that you attach to the headrail. It bends to make a handle to crank round and round to raise and lower the shade. You don’t have to keep the wand attached to the shade. Most people store it laying in the window sill. If you have multiple shades in a single room, you can use the same wand to operate all of the shades. Here is a link to a video at Workroom Tech showing this system on a top down bottom up shade (TDBU).

Pro: No mode of operation showing when wand is not attached.

Con: Can be a pain to attach and detach the wand each time you want to use it (although you can leave the wand in place). The wand is bulky. It is not intuitive.

Option #5 Twin Pull

In this system one wand operates the raising of the shade and a second wand operates the lowering of the shade. In the video you will see it operated with a chain, but since this video was taken, the safety regulations changed and now they must be controlled with rigid wands. The wands are pretty long but can be cut to a custom length.

Pro: Easy to operate

Con: Must be able to reach the window and the wands to operate the shade. The wands can get in the way of the shade and can be unsightly.

Option #6 Top Down Bottom Up (TDBU Shade)

While still a roman shade, this system allows the user to both raise and lower the shade from the bottom as any other roman shade system does. However, it can also be lowered from the top. These shades will always have a little valence across the top to hide the headrail from sight since the fabric does not waterfall off the board.

Pro: Can uncover the top half of the glass of a window while still keeping the bottom half covered, which can provide a little more privacy than a regular roman shade.

Con: Cannot be motorized.

So which shade system is the best?

All of this information is overwhelming, but Cozy Giraffe has done the research and tried out the systems.  You can sit back and relax knowing that you have the right system for your project. Plus we are here for you if you have any questions.

If you're ready for some help bringing your dream home to life, come talk to us! We can't wait to work with you.

Until next time,