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BLINDSPEC

Head-to-head · Roman Shades

Roman Shades vs Roller Shades

Soft fabric folds vs a flat rolling panel

Roman shades

Fabric that stacks into folds as it lifts; a soft, drapery-like look with real lining options. Mount depth depends on the lift — a cord-loop roman can sit shallower than a cordless roller.

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Roller shades

A flat panel that rolls onto a tube; less fabric, often shallower depth, lower price, easy motorizing.

The call

Roman shades are the design choice — they read as soft furnishings and take blackout or privacy liners well — but they cost more, can need deeper mounting clearance depending on the lift, and the folds gather dust. Roller shades are the workhorse: cheaper, usually shallower, and simpler, with the openness % doing the light-control work. For a formal room, Roman; for a kitchen, office, or anything you’ll motorize, roller. Quoted per-window prices put a lined Roman well above a comparable roller. Confirm the mount depth and deduction against the seller’s measuring guide — custom shades are made to size and generally not returnable.

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