ArcaMax

A Roman shade, combining a built-in valance with a shade for a window, is a complete package for a window treatment. The shade’s stand-alone style makes it a handsome addition in any room, especially in a finished, tailored decor. It’s a good-looking all-in-one combination of valance with a convenient operating mechanism that allows the shade to easily open for daylight and close for privacy.

There’s a lot of choices to consider with a Roman shade that are sold in a wide range of materials, including fabric, natural woven materials and wood. Other options are light-filtering and room-darkening features, insulation, and cordless lift systems with top down/bottom up operation — a nice safety feature when little ones are in the house.

A Roman shade comes with the hardware and mounting brackets, but you’ll need a few basic tools like a tape measure, a Phillips head screwdriver and an electric drill. The installation requires attaching the brackets to the window frame or wall, then positioning the shade on the brackets, and finally adjusting the shade and cord positions on the tape on the back of the shade.

An installer will charge $325 to hang a 36-inch-wide Roman shade in a medium grade material. You can buy the shade and install it yourself for $208, the cost of the shade, and save 36%.

Pro Cost: $325 — DIY Cost: $208 — Pro time: 1.5
DIY Time: 2.5 — DIY Savings: $117 — Percent Saved: 36%

========

To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2026 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.