# I need Roman Shades, top-down-bottom-up; can you help? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 17, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392 "2024-07-17T17:25:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/1 "2024-07-17T17:25:29Z")
Hi, I can sure use some help. I’m in the middle of a remodel and just installed new windows throughout. I now need shades. I’ve been to The Shade Store, and to a Hunter Douglas store. Their typical price is a bit prohibitive, up to about $1,200 per window. I have 25 windows in my house that need shades and I really do not want to spend $30,000+ on these shades. I’m looking for: • Good quality, good value • Roman Shades • Top down bottom up opening • Cordless • Manually operated, not motorized • I want flat shades, a sleek look, not heavy pleated fabric that is bulky when it hangs or when the shade is opened • The fabric needs to be light filtering, not blackout • Inside mounted (my sills are 3” thick) I want nice shades that give a nice appearance. I can install them. Do you have suggestions on where to buy from? Links appreciated if you have that. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/2 "2024-07-17T17:30:43Z")
Have you used a provider that you really like? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/3 "2024-07-17T17:33:25Z")
Roman shades will overlap and look heavy don’t you think? Do you really need td/bu on all the windows? I have pleated actually cellular shades, cordless and just the bedroom windows and patio doors have td/bu. I do like very much those options I too have close to 25 separate shades. These are triple pleated so excellent insulation. Mine are from Hunter Douglas, The Shade Shop. They came out and measured and installed. Now going on 20 years old . I have one busted one that only goes down from the top I can’t lift it from the bottom. I don’t think it can be repaired. And one that is shredded on the corner from the pita cat but still it raises and lowers fine. I did have them professionally cleaned once I took them down and delivered. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/4 "2024-07-17T17:56:00Z")
I have had a lot of luck with products from [Blinds to Go](https://www.blindstogo.com). I’ve purchased dozens of blinds/shades from them over the years. Mostly from their showrooms in the Northeast when I lived there, but I bought at least one online with delivery here in Phoenix. Prices were at least 50% below Hunter Douglas et al. High quality, of the 35-40 shades I purchased I had problems with one or two which they fixed with no issues (one was years after purchase). They have their own factory in Canada. When I ordered from their showroom, I would have the blinds ready to pick up in just a few days. When I go to their website they now say they have shop-at-home service in Phoenix, maybe they also serve your area if you are uncomfortable doing everything online. ---
**Author:** ![Quondam\_Mechanic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quondam_mechanic/32/3404_2.png) [@Quondam\_Mechanic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quondam_Mechanic)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/5 "2024-07-17T17:58:53Z")
Ditto with Blinds to Go. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/6 "2024-07-17T18:01:29Z")
My son used to work for the blinds department of Home Depot in the design department. It’s like a separate company. Just go to the Home Depot website. I haven’t used them, but my son did a good job at sussing out the customer’s needs and providing quotes and such. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/7 "2024-07-17T18:12:38Z")
I’m not sure how much you are looking to spend - but I got mine either from Amazon or the Vermont Country Store. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/8 "2024-07-17T18:14:08Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Roman shades will overlap and look heavy don’t you think? > > Do you really need td/bu on all the windows? > > I have pleated actually cellular shades, cordless and just the bedroom windows and patio doors have td/bu. I do like very much those options I too have close to 25 separate shades. These are triple pleated so excellent insulation. > > Mine are from Hunter Douglas, The Shade Shop. They came out and measured and installed. Now going on 20 years old . I have one busted one that only goes down from the top I can’t lift it from the bottom. I don’t think it can be repaired. And one that is shredded on the corner from the pita cat but still it raises and lowers fine. I did have them professionally cleaned once I took them down and delivered. They make flatter Roman shades, not as bulky as the common ones. My wife prefers that look over the cellular shades, although that might be a possibility it isn’t our top choice. And we don’t have any cats. And our dog died so any damage would come from me. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/9 "2024-07-17T18:14:49Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > I’m not sure how much you are looking to spend - but I got mine either from Amazon or the Vermont Country Store. Thanks. I’ll look there. I hadn’t heard of the Vermont Country Store. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/10 "2024-07-17T18:15:59Z")
> [@Rebo](#): > > My son used to work for the blinds department of Home Depot in the design department. It’s like a separate company. Just go to the Home Depot website. I haven’t used them, but my son did a good job at sussing out the customer’s needs and providing quotes and such. I’ve been there but want too Ken on the quality. Does your son (or you) know how long they last and how well they hold up? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/11 "2024-07-17T18:17:45Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > I have had a lot of luck with products from [Blinds to Go](https://www.blindstogo.com). > [@Quondam\_Mechanic](#): > > Ditto with Blinds to Go. Thanks guys, I’ll look there. Hadn’t heard of them. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/12 "2024-07-17T18:58:34Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Does your son (or you) know how long they last and how well they hold up? I don’t know, unfortunately. I’ll ask him next time I see him. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/13 "2024-07-17T19:13:04Z")
Appreciate it, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-roman-shades-top-down-bottom-up-can-you-help/1004392/14 "2024-07-17T20:18:09Z")
Oh well, Blinds to Go does not have any Roman shades that are TDBU.