Roman Shades in general are easy to operate and Pleated Roman are no exception. Our standard control is easy to use and will allow you to operate your shades consistently and with little effort. Our continuous loop option is an excellent choice for larger shades.

Assuming you select a liner (blackout lining or Privacy + interlining are best) your shades will certainly provide and additional layer of insulation. The "double-layer" of fabric which causes the pleated look also helps insulate. For windows with significant draft, consider adding non-closing drapery or "side-panels" which will help keep cold air out.

The short answer is no, however, it can block most natural light from coming in. The level of light blockage and privacy you will get from a PLEATED ROMAN SHADE is mostly the result of the material you select and the lining(s) you choose. Generally speaking, the heavier the material, the less light will come through. By adding a black out liner you will block the majority of light. If you are going to be mounting the shade within the window [inside mount] there will be a deduction we will take on the width to ensure that the shade function properly and this small "gap" will subsequently let some light in the sides. Selecting an outside mount will help alleviate some of the light seepage however then the shade will be projecting off the wall and there will still be some light still coming in.

PLEATED ROMAN SHADES are one of the neatest and easiest shades to maintain. Custom-sewn with uniform, hobbled folds spaced 4"-5" apart, this shade has extra body and produces a dramatic, cascading effect which actually helps it keep a more structured look. The lining you select - which will affect both the light that passes through the shade and the structure it has - also has an influence on appearance. The heavier linings [privacy + interlining and blackout lining] will certainly give a more tailored look and will typically make shades appear a bit "neater" than they would if unlined or privacy lined. Three of the other most tailored and "neat" roman shades styles are the FLAT, AVENTURA and CASCADE. REMEMBER: Your shades will be made to the highest construction standards so treat them kindly and carefully [and ask any guests to do the same] and they will look great for years to come

There's no magic to the photos we show you, just some good taste, careful installation and some amazing interiors that we install them in. Your shades will be made by the exact same people, the exact same way. Lots of things will influence how things "look" in your space: size of shade, material / lining selected and of course the environment it is going in. All of our shades shown in photos have also been steamed.

The reason is simple: no one has the skill to make them properly. The few workrooms that perhaps can manufacture custom hand-made roman shades do so at a price point that is significantly higher than what we offer. Our staff of skilled craftsmen have been making these shades for some of the world's top interior designers for literally decades. The time and effort that goes into each shade is something that larger workrooms simply won't do. Simply put: nobody does it better.

If this is truly a concern we would recommend 2 options: a) consider doing an outside mount and installing the shade high enough above the window so that when up the shade does not block the window. b) consider another style of roman shade as the PLEATED ROMAN actually has the largest "stack" of all meaning that when pulled all the way up it will be longer than another style of the same dimensions.