Custom Insulated Roman Shades Solve Problems

While seemingly a simple issue, this window required light control, insulation, sound control, and it required a window treatment that could accommodate unusual architectural features.  The solution was the Roman Quilt Custom Roman Shade.  Using a decorative fabric that complimented period of the room, the roman shade style could be fabricated to respect the window features and the antique furnishings.  It allowed a contemporary functional treatment to meld with the traditional features.

Insulated roman shades bring back the concept of "form and function" so often lost in other types of window treatments and they can equally be used in traditional, modern, casual and formal settings.

Outside Mount Roman Shades

 The outside mount or OM roman shade is a great product to use when you want to maximize insulation, light control, and provide a  functional and decorative window treatment in one product.  The shade can be attached to the wall or the window molding.  In this example, it is attached to the molding.  One of the benefits of this type of installation is that magnetic strips can easily be fabricated in the shade edges.  These mate with flexible magnetic strips that are attached to the molding with a self adhesive backing.  When the shade is lowered, the magnets makes a good seal between the shade and molding.  Roman Quilt Insulated Shades are fabricated with a 1/2"  footer at the bottom of the shade that sits on the sill and puts the bottom weight bar to use as an insulating bottom seal.  The R value of this treatment is high - about 4.  The result is a substantial reduction in heat transfer through the window.  Good for the environment and good for the pocketbook.

The headrail is in front of the actual shade in this application.  The self-valance covers the headrail nicely and provides a finished, tailored look .  However, the top treatment could have been any other type of valance treatment as dictated by the decor.

Roman shades were once the purview of the custom window treatment designer/fabricator.  Although they are still a wonderful custom product, they can be a do-it-yourself product.  Kits and parts are available from: www.diyinsulatedshades.com.  Free instructions are also available. 

With the customized kits, the shade can be made at home in under 2 hours. 

Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Environmental sustainability means thinking about conservation in all walks of life.  It doesn't mean that we have to resolve ourselves to a mundane existence.  For example,  decorating a window can be a daunting task.  Being environmentally sensitive while decorating can be an even greater effort.  But there are many options available.  Any layer placed over a window will provide a level of insulation.  Some products are designed to optimize the level of insulation.  And given that even today's most efficient windows are major sources of heat loss (or gain), it is no surprise that these treatments are in great demand.

While insulating window treatments will save energy, can they pay for themselves?  The answer is a resounding yes! Saving energy, in addition to the environmental and political benefits,  puts money in your pocket.  What you don't spend on heat or electricity is profit - that is profit once the insulating treatments have paid for themselves.  The best way of accelerating the payoff process is to pay less for the window coverings.  This is most easily accomplished by adding some "sweat equity".  Make them yourself.  There are products, the Roman Quilt Insulated Shade Kit is a great example,  that make this task easy and fun.  Individual components are readily available.

The sky is the limit when it comes to design so let that artist run free, happy decorating and show us some of your creations.  Let us know if you have any questions, comments, or issues that need to be discussed.