If you are thinking about buying some new shades, and you happen to see an ad for silk Roman shades, you should know that the advertised shades are probably relaxed shades. That is one of the three different types of Roman shades.
Relaxed shades are made from a soft fabric, such as silk. Relaxed shades hang on a window in a “relaxed” form. The bottom of the shade assumes the shape of a structured swag. However, they do form folds at the top, when the shade is lifted.
Of course, with a relaxed shade, the lifted shade folds much more gently than the flat, roller shade. Homeowners often prefer to use a relaxed shade because it is much more attractive than a stiff flat shade. Yet a wise homeowner realizes that he or she should consider more than appearance when purchasing window shades.
A homeowner can have a flat shade customized, so that it increases the appeal of a room’s decor. A homeowner can request to have a trim placed along the hem of a flat shade. The homeowner can have that trim match one or more of the accessories in a given room.
In addition, an important adaptation can be placed on a flat shade. It can be given side panels. Those side panels can serve as a type of insulation.
The benefits provided by the hanging of flat shades can not be enjoyed by a homeowner that has chosen to use silk Roman shades. Such shades can not do a good job of keeping hot sun out in the summer, and they can not protect against cold drafts in the winter.
A homeowner can not customize silk shades. Such shades can never receive the distinctive, eye catching trim that can be placed on flat Roman shades. In other words, a homeowner must choose between beauty and practicality when buying Roman styled shades.
