What type of fabric is suitable for Roman curtains? BERISSABLINDS teaches you how to choose
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Last year, Emma, a client from San Francisco, reached out to me for help choosing fabric for her Roman shades.
Her living room has a 13-foot ceiling (note: 4 meters converted to 13 feet, the standard unit for ceiling height in the U.S.), and she wanted shades that would add a sense of texture to the space—but she was torn between linen and velvet.
I asked her to send photos of her windows and details about her daily use: she has a Ragdoll cat, and she often opens her floor-to-ceiling windows for ventilation.
In the end, she didn’t go with her favorite velvet; instead, she chose our cotton-linen blend Roman shades from the Linen Blend Collection.
Why?
Today, I’ll break down how to choose the right fabric for Roman shades from three perspectives—fabric specifications, climate suitability, and scenario-specific needs—to help you avoid common fabric-selecting mistakes in North American homes.
First, Understand the "Fabric Selection Principles" for Roman Shades: Looking Good Isn’t Enough
Roman shades create a layered look through fabric folding, so fabric selection is different from that of regular curtains.
Having worked with various fabrics at BERISSABLINDS, I’ve summed up three non-negotiable metrics that many first-time buyers overlook:
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Check weight for drapability: Roman shades need to fold neatly when raised and lie flush against the window without billowing when lowered. Fabrics with a weight under 250g/sqm (grams per square meter)—like lightweight linen-cotton blends—will look lopsided when lowered. The Linen Essence Collection, listed on our website, has a weight of 280g/sqm, a "golden number" refined through repeated testing. For Emma’s 13-foot-tall windows, the drapability was perfect, with no uneven folding. The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) also notes in its drapability standards that Roman shade fabrics should ideally weigh between 260-320g/sqm.
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Check "two rates" for functionality: Balance light-blocking rate and breathability. For bedrooms, choose shades with a light-blocking rate of ≥90%—our Blackout Polyester Collection, for example, has a tested light-blocking rate of 94% (Test Report No. BES-2024-045). It’s ideal for long, cold winters in high-latitude areas like Vancouver, Canada, as it helps trap warmth in the bedroom. Living rooms don’t need full blackout; fabrics with 30%-40% breathability work best, and linen blends fit the bill perfectly—they won’t make the space stuffy even when the AC is on in summer.
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Check abrasion resistance for durability: Many households have pets. Fabrics with an abrasion resistance rating (per Martindale testing) below 15,000 cycles are prone to damage from cat scratches. Pure velvet typically only has a rating of 8,000 cycles, so I don’t recommend it for pet owners—one client ignored this advice and had to replace their shades after just 3 months.
Comparison of 5 Common Fabrics: Which Fits Your Home?
I’ve compiled details on several Roman shade fabrics sold by BERISSABLINDS, along with analysis for different usage scenarios:
| Fabric Type | Weight (g/㎡) | Light-Blocking Rate | Abrasion Resistance | Advantages | Disadvantages | Suitable Scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Linen | 240-260 | 50%-60% | 12,000 cycles | Breathable, upscale appearance | Wrinkle-prone, mold-prone in humidity | Living rooms in the Southern U.S. (Texas, Florida) |
| Cotton-Linen Blend | 270-290 | 65%-75% | 18,000-22,000 cycles | Balances breathability and durability | Hand-wash only | Pet households, bedrooms with good ventilation |
| Polyester (Blackout) | 300-320 | 90%-97% | 25,000 cycles | Excellent light-blocking, mold-resistant, machine-washable | Stiff texture | Bedrooms in cold Canadian regions, home theaters |
| Velvet | 350-380 | 85%-90% | 8,000-10,000 cycles | Luxurious texture, great soundproofing | Dust-prone, scratch-sensitive | Living rooms/studies in pet-free homes (e.g., luxury homes in California) |
| PVC-Coated Polyester | 290-310 | 80%-90% | 30,000 cycles | Waterproof, mold-resistant | Non-breathable, may emit odors in high heat | Kitchens in humid areas (Seattle, Portland) |
Emma lives in San Francisco, where winters are foggy and humid, and summers are hot.
Pure linen would have struggled with the humidity, and velvet would have been at risk of cat scratches—so the cotton-linen blend was the right choice. It holds up to occasional fog and has enough abrasion resistance for her cat.
Later, though, she asked if the shades could be machine-washed. I was honest with her: cotton-linen blend shades can’t be machine-washed. They need to be hand-washed and laid flat to dry, otherwise they’ll shrink.
That’s honesty—we won’t hide drawbacks just to make a sale.
Scenario-Specific Mistakes to Avoid
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Don’t choose pure linen for humid areas: A client in Seattle once sent me photos of their pure linen Roman shades in the kitchen—they developed mold spots after just 2 months. After switching to PVC-coated polyester, they no longer worried about steam from daily cooking: this fabric has a waterproof layer and can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
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Don’t choose heavy-weight velvet for small spaces: Small apartments in Manhattan, New York, often have ceilings under 8.8 feet (2.7 meters). Installing velvet Roman shades (380g/sqm) will make the space feel cramped. I recommend 280g/sqm cotton-linen blends instead—they look lighter visually and let in sunlight to make the space feel larger.
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Don’t choose dark polyester for windows with direct sunlight: The sun in Arizona is extremely intense. Dark polyester shades will absorb heat and feel scalding to the touch in summer. Opt for the same polyester fabric in light gray or beige—they absorb 15% less heat.
3 Steps to Choose the Right Roman Shade Fabric
- Consider your region’s climate: Choose PVC-coated polyester or cotton-linen blends for humid areas; blackout polyester for cold areas; and pure linen or cotton-linen blends for hot areas.
- Consider your space’s needs: Bedrooms need high light-blocking (≥90%); living rooms need good breathability (30%-40%); kitchens need waterproofing.
- Consider your household situation: For pet owners, choose fabrics with an abrasion resistance rating of ≥18,000 cycles; for families with kids, choose machine-washable fabrics for easy cleaning.
If you’re still unsure, reach out to our team via the chat icon in the bottom right corner of the BERISSABLINDS website (www.berissablinds.com)—we’ll provide you with the best recommendations.