Popular Roman Shades Features

The quickest, easiest and cheapest way to increase the value and style of any home or office is to install high quality window coverings. The quickest, easiest and cheapest product to install are roman shades. While there are nearly countless options available in today's window coverings industry...roman shades are one of the most popular options. They're popular for several reasons.

1. Firstly, roman shades offer a simple look. They have a minimalist style that is hard to achieve with a lot of window coverings, They have no difficult installation requirements. They require no especially difficult measurements. They require no especially difficult installation techniques. They're a simple addition with a simple, convenient function.

2. Roman shades rarely overshadow other design elements of a room. They aren't overwhelming. They fulfill their function and accentuate the style already present through the current decorating, etc.

3. Roman shades offer quick and easy control over both privacy and light control. This type of shade is a quick fix for privacy issues as well as light control.

4. Roman shades offer ease of customization. Roman shades manufacturers often offer a massive amount of color and/or print fabric options. In comparison to most other blinds and/or shades options the roman shades are much more versatile when it comes to color and offer an almost unique possibility to incorporate custom fabrics and patterns/designs.

The basic function offered by window coverings in general (blinds, shades, etc.) are all fulfilled by roman shades. They provide privacy. They provide light blocking/control. They are also easy to install. And they also offer a streamlined look that is prized amongst designers looking for window coverings that accent many styles. The ease of the roman shade will continue to make it a popular choice for a large portion of designers and consumers.

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How To Make Your Own Roman Shades

Do it yourself Roman shades are not too difficult or too time consuming. Getting custom made Roman shades can cost you a small fortune. Do it yourself Roman shades are easy to make and look like you have got a professional to do it.

Materials required for do it yourself Roman Shades:
1. fabric
2. lining fabric
3. tape measure
4. scissors
5. scallop template
6. pencil
7. hook and loop tape
8. thin cording
9. small wooden dowel
10. 1?x1? board
11. needle
12. staple gun
13. screw eyes
14. drill
15. screws

How to make do it yourself Roman Shades:

Measure the width of the window. To determine the necessary length, divide the window length by five, and then add that number to the length of the window and add seam allowances. Cut the fabric and lining according to the measurements. Pin the fabrics with right sides together and trace/ cut scallops along the bottom. Sew the two pieces together after leaving about a six-inch opening along the top in the middle for turning. Snip small cuts in the seam allowances along the scallops so they lie flat, and then turn the shade right side out. Iron the edges till they are crisp and sew the opening shut.

Sew one side of hook and loop tape along the lining side on the top edge of the shade. Measure and mark the lining along both sides to the bottom of the shade. Fold and pin the one-inch areas to the back of the shade to create flaps. Sew them and mark along each flap every six to eight inches, depending on the width. Count the number of marks along one flap and cut the same amount of cords at least double the length of the shade plus one shade width. Use a needle to sew the cording through the flaps at the marks, starting at the bottom and working upwards. To keep the shade sturdy and neat you can slip a wooden dowel into the bottom flap.

Attach screw eyes to the adjoining side to line up with the cords on the shade. Then, attach the header to the shade with the hook and loop tape. Feed the cords through the screw eyes and then tie them together at one end. Screw the header board to the frame of the window. If the length of the shade doesnt come out evenly, make the bottom scallops a little bit longer to make up the difference.

Roman shades are easy and convenient to make once you follow these right steps.

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Guide For Making Roman Shades

Here is a step by step description on how to make a Roman shade. These detailed instructions include all of the steps necessary to turn out a perfect Roman shade. If you are able to sew a straight seam, you can make a Roman shade. These directions can be used to make a one-fabric shade, or to turn your fabric art into a pieced Roman shade.

Measuring and Drafting:

Measure your window or windows where you want a Roman shade. Decide on how to mount your shade. Begin your design by determining a finished shade width and a finished shade length for each shade. Use a Hardware Calculator to determine the fold depth and number of lift lines for each shade. Make sure that you do separate calculation for each shade if you will be covering multiple windows that are not of the same size. Sketch a design plan for each shade and prominently mark the finished shade width and finished shade length.

Fabric and Lining:

Purchase front fabric and lining and print out the results of the Hardware Calculator so that you have a list of your required hardware and supplies. If you are making multiple shades that are the same size, be sure to multiply your hardware requirements by the number of shades. Cut the front fabric and lining. Join multiple widths of fabric for large shades. Hem both the front fabric and the lining. The length of both your front fabric and your lining should now be about the finished shade length with an extra 2". Join the front fabric and the lining at the side seams and make a "tube". Turn the tube right-side out and measure the width at several locations. This should be the same as the finished shade width. Finish the top of the Roman shade using a Loop Fastener.

Finishing:

Make all final measurements for your hardware to cut the mounting board, battens and weight rod because after sewing the finished shade width and finished shade length may be slightly different from the design plan. Glue Battens inside the shad for a truly professional shade. Make a head rail. Use the head rail to mark the locations of the lift rings. Sew on the rings, string the lift cords through the rings and insert the weight rod into the hem of the lining. Mount your new Roman shade. You can follow these instructions to enjoy your professional window treatment and begin planning your next project.

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Save Money And Keep Cozy With Insulated Roman Shades

Centuries ago, when the Caesar's went to housekeeping, they used insulated roman shades to stay warm and cozy. In todays climate with the highs setting new records and the lows getting lower every year we need insulated roman shades now more than ever.

Comfortable doesn't mean sitting in the center of the room away from the cold window in the winter nor does it mean being next to the fireplace. Comfortable means using that favorite chair your so found of sitting right next to that big window any time of year.

To get your rooms this comfortable, one of the best ways is to use insulated roman shades in your windows. There are three distinct reasons for insulated roman shades.

1. To look Awesome

Every window treatment is meant to look awesome but some do it with extraordinary style while others just hang around and look blah. Roman shades have great style especially when they are lined and interlined which is how insulated roman shades are made.

They take the face fabric, line it with a regular drapery lining and then they sandwich a layer of cotton felt lining, called an interlining. This creates a shade that is heavy but a shade that looks like a million dollars.

The shade takes on an entirely new look with the extra weight and that soft interlining. It's graceful, looks terrific and cascades down your window in style and grandeur.

2. To keep You Comfortable

This is where insulated roman shades pull out of the window treatment crowd and becomes part of the highly purposed elite. Let face it most window treatments give you light control but let the heat and cold come right on in - no comfort control at all.

Insulated Roman shades when made to the right size in width and length keep you down right cozy. They repel the heat and the cold that is trying to come on into you house through your windows. Lets face it most window blinds do nothing to keep the heat and cold out of the house, they look great, but they are not energy saving friendly.

To accomplish this insulating, they need to be mounted inside the window frame where they look their best anyway. Mounting your roman on the outside of your windows lets the heat and cold come right on in and does nothing for you energy bill.

3. To save you a bundle of money

With the cost of fuel and energy rising with no ceiling in sight, coupled with the record setting cold wether in winter and heat in summer insulated roman shades should be awarded a best buy award.

Two dead air spaces are created when you add that center layer of soft cotton lining and dead air spaces are the best insulating factor you can get. That is the secret to saving a bushel of money. It gives you an r-factor of over 5. That's a huge r-factor and the reason they insulate so well.

Insulated roman shades should be right at the top of your list if you are thinking of going green or conserving your money supply.

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What To Look For In Bamboo Roman Shades

One of the most attractive window treatments today are bamboo Roman shades. This is because bamboos have a natural, relaxing look and feel that rightly complements the gentle and elegant style of Roman pleats. Roman bamboo shades are perfect not just for nature or tropical room themes but for nearly any other room design. That is simply because bamboo shades can come in different colors and appearance.

When deciding to go for this kind of shades, it is important to remember that not all Roman bamboo shades are well recommended. If you want to get the best of this type of shade you need to know what to look for.

Energy Efficiency

Being energy efficient is one of the best advantages of modern synthetic shades. These modern shades can help reduce the need for energy because they can insulate a room and diffuse light for maximum daylight use. That means you can cut your extensive use of lights and air conditioning. Some bamboo shades are not as efficient as synthetic shades and blinds. There are however a couple of companies that will give you the option to pair bamboo shades with energy conserving screens.

Privacy Features

There are some bamboo shades that do not block the view. This can be a problem if you need some privacy. There is always a chance that some of your things and actions can be partially viewed from outside. Again, there are some shade manufacturers who offer the option to have privacy screens installed. Depending on the shade model you buy, these privacy screens can completely block the view or allow a hazy appearance of objects outside and inside.

Safety

Usually, these home accessory products are designed and made with functionality, aesthetics and safety in mind. Sometimes though there are just some critical features that escape the notice of manufacturers. They only learn after some time that some shade features may not be safe. The main concern about shades and blinds is that some of them may pose strangulation risks. Make sure that before you buy bamboo shades, you take the time to check safety specifications. Confident manufacturers will not think twice about endorsing the safety features of their products.

Durability

Compared to vinyl, bamboo and wood are less durable. This is especially true if you use them in humid places. If you want to be able to use your bamboo shades for a longer period of time, you have to check just how durable it is. Some manufacturers may treat bamboo and wood with special coats to make sure that they do not easily get damaged.

Custom Options

There may be some individual preferences that are not offered as options by some blinds manufacturers. This is why it is a plus factor if a dealer or manufacturer can provide custom options for blinds and shades. Depending on the dealer, some custom options include size adjustment, color specifications and remote control mechanisms. There is nothing like bamboo shades that fit your preferences completely.

Bamboo Roman shades will truly look great in any room be it an office of a living room. Do be sure though to shop carefully for the right kind of bamboos shades.

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Roman Shades By Any Other Name Would Look Just As Sweet

Basically a roman shade is a style of window treatment consisting of a fabric shade with wood slats which are inserted horizontally at intervals down the length of the shade. However, some newer roman shades do not have the slats because of the advent of new sheer, lightweight fabrics. A roman shade can be raised or lowered via a pull cord. But unlike a mini blind, the fabric gathers or folds (like an accordion) as you raise the shade depending on the style: flat fold (gathers) or hobbled fold (folds), also known as teardrop style.

Roman shades are known by many names: fabric shades, pleated shades, Romanesque shades, roman window shades, roman pleated shades, and more. They are also known as Roman blinds but this is mostly a misnomer because blinds technically have slats or louvers like mini blinds and shutters that can be opened to allow in light or closed for privacy. Shades roll-up or fold-up.

Roman Shades come in come in many colors, styles and fabrics including, silk, cotton, linen, weaves and bamboo. And with many features like, pleated, hobbled, flat fold, top down bottom up, blackout liners and even insulated liners. You can choose roman shades that are sheer and will let in a fair amount of light even when closed, to semi opaque all the way to opaque.

Roman Shades can lend a rich, textured and warm look to a room. From an interior design standpoint, roman shades, by their nature, lean towards a more casual look. However, this depends greatly on the materials, colors and features. If you want a more formal look, you may want to consider roman shades with the pleated fold or teardrop style in maybe a silk or linen fabric. An additional benefit to choosing roman shades is that they offer a nice departure from the all-to-common vertical blinds or mini blinds. You can decorate your room in a fashion that not everyone else is using.

Roman shades are kind of a cross between a curtain and a shade, a hybrid if you will. Except that the fabric is horizontally oriented as opposed to vertically. They offer all that rich material and color, like drapes (especially the hobbled fold) with the easy operation of a shade. In my opinion, the flat fold roman shade has an almost oriental or middle-eastern look whereas the hobbled roman shade has a more classical, Grecian-look. If you'd like to see some graphic examples, try Google's or Yahoo's image search. It's nice to see how they look in a room setting.

From a price standpoint, roman shades are on the high-end of the spectrum, comparable to woven wood shades or possibly cellular shades. If you shop around, discount roman shades can be found. I would recommend using on of the shopping engines like Shopzilla or PriceGrabber to compare prices. One should note that the price listed on the shopping engines is usually for the smallest size available, therefore the cheapest, which can be a little misleading. The various online retailers want to get your attention with the lowest cost.

Read more: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Roman-Shades-By-Any-Other-Name-Would-Look-Just-As-Sweet/223344#ixzz0nDIirWSH
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