Shades work with a wide range of home styles, from farmhouse to contemporary. Because they’re available in so many colors, textures and patterns, it’s easy to find the right one to complement your décor. Let’s review the differences between two top styles, roller shades and Roman shades, so you can find the right fit for your home.

What Are Roller Shades?

Depending on your taste, you can customize roller shades with sheer or opaque fabric. Some styles include a room-darkening panel to make them blackout roller shades. When up, they wrap around a roller. Depending on the style, the roller may be exposed or hidden within a slim headrail.

What Are Roman Shades?

Whether you want sheer, opaque or somewhere in between, Roman shades can be customized for your rooms. Most of these shades are made from a single piece of fabric, although some are available as blackout Roman shades. Instead of rolling into a headrail, the fabric folds into neat pleats when raised.

Most Customizable

Winner: Tie

Our Hunter Douglas roller shades and Hunter Douglas Roman shades are made to order, so you’ll be able to create just the right window treatment for your home. At Louver Shop, we’re always looking for the latest ways to elevate your home. That means you’ll have access to the most up-to-date materials, colors, patterns and more. You’ll be able to see it all from the comfort of your living room during your free, in-home consultation.

Smart Home Automation

Winner: Tie

Whichever window treatment you choose, make moving them even easier with PowerView®. Having motorized roller shades or Roman shades is especially convenient if they’re on a large or hard-to-reach window.

When away, a tap of your smartphone or web-enabled tablet gives you full control to raise, lower or set a schedule. When home, you can use your voice via Amazon Alexa, Siri® on your Apple device or Google Assistant.

Versatility

Winner: Roman shades

Roller shades can only be adjusted so much. Top-down, bottom-up Roman shades allow you to customize your privacy and light control even more. As the name suggests, this style can be opened at either the top or bottom.

Energy Efficiency

Winner: Tie

Both Roman and roller shades are available in energy-saving honeycomb styles.

Solera® combines everything you love about Roman window shades and honeycomb shades. Your windows are your home’s main source of energy loss, but its large geometric air pockets trap more air at the glass. This helps keep indoor air where it belongs and may even lower your energy bills.

You’ll also enjoy outstanding light-filtering and room darkening capabilities. If you live on a busy street, the extra insulation from these shades naturally reduces outdoor noise.

Roller shades aren’t typically very energy efficient. With Sonnette®, you’ll enjoy honeycomb efficiency in a convenient roller shade. Like Solera, generous inner pockets keep more air inside, which keeps you more comfortable. Its two layers of fabric diffuse harsh sunlight into a warm glow, making your rooms feel cozier and more welcoming.

Most Modern

Winner: Tie

Cords can clutter your view and make your shades look dated. With Vignette® or Sonnette, you’ll enjoy completely cord-free operation.

Free of exposed rear cords, Vignette cordless Roman shades bring a clean, crisp look to your home. You’ll be able to highlight your style through fabric choices like silk, linen, tweed and natural weaves.

Looking for a cordless shade that makes a statement? You can customize Sonnette in the most popular colors. These custom roller shades are available in crisp whites, cool grays or vibrant hues like navy blue, aqua and brick red.

Light Filtering

Winner: Roller Shades

With more than 400 fabric options, you’ll be able to find the right Designer Roller Shade for your needs. Available in the latest patterns, textures and colors, these fabrics range from sheer to opaque. You’ll be able to create just the right light-filtering roller shades without sacrificing your style.

Blackout Capability

Winner: Roman Shades

Whether you need blackout capabilities for better sleep or your movie room, Roman shades deliver. We recommend customizing Vignette with Duolite®. This option creates blackout Roman shades by combining a light-filtering or sheer front shade with a built-in room-darkening panel.

UV Protection

Winner: Roller Shades

Enjoy the view while protecting your home from damaging UV rays with our Designer Screen Shades. When closed, these solar roller shades block 75% of ultraviolet light, which can bleach expensive flooring, furniture and artwork over time.

Designer Screen Shades also feature the patented Custom Clutch operating system, which ensures the smallest possible gap between shade and window. This means less light leaks through the sides of the fabric roller shades.

Start Creating Your Custom Shades Today

We think designing custom shades should be a fun and even enjoyable experience. There might be a lot of styles and fabrics to consider. But your local Louver Shop design consultant will be with you every step of the way, from free consultation to professional installation. Get started by calling us at 888-249-5655 to request your no-obligation, no-pressure consultation today!