Why Choose Made to Measure Roman Blinds?

Posted: Jun 07 2024

Roman blinds are very good for showing off large scale patterns, or for when a more architectural feel is required in a room. For example, you want to inset blinds within period window architraving.

They are neat and practical for offices and kids' rooms, and for windows where there is a radiator underneath or seating in front of it.

They can also be the most cost effective way to dress windows if you have set your heart on a very expensive fabric as you don't need as much fabric as for curtains!

Most importantly Made to Measure means the blinds will fit your window perfectly - ideal for non-standard window sizes.

We can help you design the perfect blinds for your home, whether you are in a period property with original features or in a contemporary styled new build.  

We work closely with our clients to make the process as easy and relaxed as possible from design and measure, to make up and fitting. 

 

Roman Blind Finishes

Roman blinds are available in different finishes, and can be unlined, lined, blackout lined and interlined. They can also be trimmed with contrasting fabric borders for a tailored look, or with poms poms and trimmings for children's rooms or for a softer, more traditional feel. 

Roman blinds can be finished in two ways depending on the look required.

A "Stacked" finish is when the folds pull up under themselves so that the least amount of light is lost with the stack. The bottom panel will drop slightly lower than the folds to protect them from fading but the overall effect is a bit like a closed book when pulled up. This is a good finish for plain and striped fabrics or when a tailored look is required.

A "Waterfall" or "Cascade" finish is when the folds of fabric softly cascade under each other covering slightly more of the window when the blind is pulled up. This is a softer look ideal for bedrooms or for more traditional room schemes.

Hand-finished Roman Blinds

Our made to measure roman blinds are hand-finished as standard which means the front fabric is discreetly stab-stitched by hand to secure it to the linings and horizonal rods.

If interlining is required for warmth or to dampen acoustics, or is needed to support and protect more delicate fabrics such as silk & linen, we offer hand-finishing only.

Velvet blinds are hand-finished to avoid bruising the fabric. 

Blinds with borders, trims, braids or pelmets to cover the sides of the headrail are also hand-finished. 

Machine-finished Roman Blinds

Machine-finished blinds are a cheaper option and handy for small windows in halls, kitchens, and bathrooms.

With machine-finished roman blinds the lining and rods are machine-stitched to the front fabric creating horizontal rows of tiny needle holes which are visible when the blind is against the light. For this reason, they are not recommended for east facing bedrooms or for sunny rooms where pinpricks of light will be visible!

We offer machine-finishing on regular lined blinds only, and we do not offer it on delicate fabrics, checks, horizontal stripes, velvets, or on blinds requiring blackout.

Manually Operated Blinds & Child Safety

Child safety is key with all window treatments. All our roman blinds come with manually operated chain mechanism tracks as standard, with child-safe brass or silver chain side winders. The sidewinder length is determined by the blind's installation height, and must meet legislation as to the maximum length. All our blinds are fitted with safety devices that comply with the British Safety Standard BS EN 13120.

  1. Rear Cord Breakaway Devices - These little round fixings on the reverse of a blind spring open to allow the cords to safely detach if undue weight is placed on the blind, or too much force is used when pulling up the blind. It is easy to pop the detached cord back through the little clip should this happen in everyday use.
  2. Sidewinder Chain Breakaway Devices - These are fitted when the blind is 60cm or less from the floor and are designed to split the chain in two should undue weight or force be placed on the chain. The chain can easily be clipped back into the device when this happens. 
  3. Chain/Cord Tension Devices- these are fitted on larger blinds where the chain is 150cm from the floor. A small cog in the headrail keeps the chain under continuous tension but if undue force or weight is applied to the blind or chain it pops out taking the chain with it. The little cog and chain can easily be slotted back into the headrail should this occur in everyday use.

For safety, beds, cots and furniture must be moved away from any window fitted with a blind that has a side control mechanism, even with a safety device in place.

Wireless Motorised Roman Blinds

Motorised roman blinds are becoming increasingly popular for large blinds for windows or rooms requiring multiple blinds. 

We can supply roman blinds fitted with wireless systems from Somfy or QMotion. 

Please note that we do not fit any hard wired systems but can supply blinds to be connected to such systems (Lutron, Silent Gliss etc) by a qualified electrician. 

We can fit Somfy's standard battery remote controlled system to smaller roman blinds up to w1.8m x 1.8m long. These are operated via a hand held or wall mounted lithium battery remote control. 

For larger blinds where a heavy weight system is required we offer Somfy's Premium Rechargeable System on blinds up to w3m x 3m long, and the QMotion System on blinds up to w3m x 2.4m long. Blinds using these systems can be operated individually or in multiples via proprietary smart phone or tablet apps, or through home AI systems such as Amazon Alexa - ideal for enhancing home security.

If you would like help with your next curtain and blinds project, please do get in touch! 

Comments

Leave a comment

All blog comments are checked prior to publishing