Are Roman Shades Energy Efficient?

Roman shades provide many energy efficiency benefits of a cellular shade but with added luxury. After cellular shades, roman shades are the next most energy-efficient window treatment. Roman shades typically include a liner, which provides added protection from the sun and UV rays.

Roman shades come in several styles, including a classic stacking shade and a contemporary rolling shade. In both styles, the fabric is lined with either a sheer liner, light filtering liner or room darkening liner. These liners give the shade an additional layer of material which increases energy efficiency.

Room darkening roman shades provide the most energy efficiency. The shades can include either an attached liner that keeps out light and heat at all times. Hunter Douglas also makes a unique two layered roman system called the Vignette Duolite. This Vignette has a sheer rolling-style roman shade in the front, and a separate blackout roller shade that can be lowered to eliminate light and reduce heat. It turns a sheer roman into an energy efficient room darkening roman shade.

For those who want energy efficiency and prefer an alternative to a cellular or honeycomb shade, a roman shade can also reduce an electric bill.