Roman shades are soft fabric window coverings that fold into neat horizontal pleats when raised and lie flat when lowered. Unlike blinds, they have no slats — the entire face is a single panel of fabric, giving them a clean, tailored look. Custom Roman shades are built to your exact window dimensions and fabric choice, ensuring a precise fit and a cohesive design.

• Flat Roman: The fabric lies smooth and flat when lowered, with no visible folds. The most minimal and modern look — great for showcasing patterned fabrics.
• Hobbled / waterfall Roman: Soft cascading folds are visible even when the shade is fully lowered, adding texture and elegance. A traditional favorite.
• Relaxed Roman: The bottom edge curves gently upward at the sides when lowered, creating a soft, casual drape. Well suited to informal or coastal interiors.
• Looped / European Roman: Similar to hobbled, but the folds loop forward rather than backward, creating a more sculptural effect.

Roman shades can be made from virtually any medium-weight fabric — linen, cotton, polyester, silk blends, jute, and bamboo weaves are all popular choices. The fabric affects light filtration, texture, and drape. Lighter, looser weaves filter light softly; heavier, tighter weaves block more. A blackout lining can be added to any fabric to achieve full room darkening regardless of the face fabric chosen.

• Unlined: The face fabric alone. Light filters through naturally; offers the least privacy and insulation.
• Privacy lining: A white or ivory fabric backing that adds body, protects the face fabric from UV fading, and improves privacy without blocking light.
• Room-darkening lining: Blocks most light. Some light may enter at the edges depending on mount type.
• Blackout lining: A thick opaque interlining that blocks virtually all light. Ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, and media rooms.
• Thermal lining: Adds an insulating layer that helps reduce heat loss and gain through the window, improving energy efficiency.

Measure the inside width of the window opening at the top, middle, and bottom — use the smallest of the three. Measure the height on the left, center, and right — use the largest. Round to the nearest ⅛ inch and enter those exact figures. We apply a small deduction to the width automatically so the shade operates smoothly without rubbing the frame.

Decide how far beyond the window frame you want the shade to extend on each side — at least 2 inches per side is recommended to minimize light gaps. Add those amounts to the opening width for your total width. For height, measure from where the mounting bracket will sit (typically 2–4 inches above the frame) to your desired bottom point. Enter the total finished dimensions; no deductions are applied for outside mount.

A minimum depth of ¾ inch is required from the face of the window frame to the nearest obstruction (crank handles, window locks, sill edge). If the depth is insufficient, outside mount is the recommended alternative. A shallow-mount headrail option is available for some collections if depth is between ½ and ¾ inch.

Yes, for an additional charge, we can pattern-match fabric across multiple shades in the same order so that horizontal stripes or repeating motifs align when the shades are lowered side by side. To enable this, please note the pattern repeat dimensions on your order and indicate which shades should be matched. Vertical pattern matching is not available.

Standard lead time is 3–6 weeks from order confirmation, depending on fabric availability and the complexity of the order. Blackout and thermal lining options may add 1–2 weeks. You will receive tracking information when your order ships. Rush production is available on select fabrics for an additional fee — contact us before ordering to confirm eligibility.

• Cordless lift: Press the bottom rail up or pull it down to operate. The safest option for homes with children or pets and the most popular choice overall.
• Continuous cord loop: A single looped cord raises and lowers the shade smoothly. Good for tall or heavy shades that require more mechanical advantage.
• Motorized: Battery-powered (rechargeable via USB, no wiring required — best for most standard-size shades) or hardwired 120V motor (recommended for very large or heavy shades used frequently) operated by remote control, wall switch, smartphone app, or voice assistant (Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit compatible options available).
• Top-down / bottom-up (TDBU): Two independently operable rails that let you lower from the top for light and raise from the bottom for privacy simultaneously.

Yes. Cordless shades eliminate the strangulation risk associated with exposed cords, which is why Health Canada's Corded Window Coverings Regulations (SOR/2019-97) require most window coverings sold here to be cordless. They're also recommended by the Window Covering Safety Council for all homes with children under 6 or pets and comply with current ANSI/WCMA A100.1 child safety standards. If you require a corded system, it must still meet SOR/2019-97, and enclosed cord loops with safety breakaway connectors are available.

Stack height depends on the fold style, fabric weight, and shade height. As a general rule, allow approximately 10–12% of the total shade height for stack. A 60-inch-tall flat Roman shade will stack roughly 6–7 inches when fully raised. Hobbled styles stack more than flat styles due to the permanent folds. If minimizing stack is a priority, a flat style with a lightweight lining is the best choice.

Roman shade installation is straightforward for most DIY-capable homeowners. Each shade ships with a headrail, mounting brackets, screws, and illustrated instructions. An inside-mount installation typically takes 15–20 minutes per window with a drill and level. Outside-mount installations take slightly longer due to bracket placement. Motorized shades with hardwired motors should be installed by a licensed electrician.

Yes. Custom Roman shades arrive fully assembled and ready to install. The headrail clips into the pre-installed mounting brackets — no additional assembly of the shade itself is required. For cordless and motorized shades, simply snap the headrail into the brackets, and you are done. Corded shades require routing the cord through the cleat, which is described in the included instructions.

For routine maintenance, vacuum gently using the upholstery brush attachment on low suction, moving along the fabric rather than across it. For spot cleaning, blot — do not rub — with a clean, damp cloth and mild detergent, then allow to air dry fully before raising the shade. Dry cleaning is recommended for silk blends and delicate fabrics. Do not machine wash or immerse Roman shades in water, as this can shrink the fabric, distort the folds, and damage the internal hardware.

All fabrics are subject to some fading with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Fabrics with a privacy or blackout lining fade more slowly than unlined shades, as the lining reduces UV transmission through the weave. For south- or west-facing windows with intense sun exposure, we recommend fabrics rated for UV resistance or the addition of a solar shade in front of the Roman shade to protect it.

All custom Roman shades carry a limited lifetime warranty on fabric and construction defects under normal residential use. Operating components — including cordless mechanisms, cord loops, and tracks — are covered for 3 years. Motorized systems carry the motor manufacturer’s separate warranty (typically 3–5 years). Warranty does not cover fading from sun exposure, damage from improper installation or cleaning, or normal wear over time.