When shopping for custom Roman shades, everyone has to think whether they should mount them inside or outside the window frame. Inside mounted shades are perfect for those who want a clean and a custom fit look. Outside mounted shades offer more flexibility for shallow windows with unique shapes, and situations where you need extra coverage. This choice affects the look and functionality of your space. That’s why we will guide you in this blog and help you decide whether inside or outside mounting is the best choice for your space.
Outside Mount Roman Shades
Outside roman shades are installed on the wall or the ceiling that is above the window. This allows you to hang curtains with more flexibility.
Inside Mount Roman Shades
These shades are installed inside the window frame. The top of the shade attaches to the ceiling of the frame. They fit neatly within the window’s recess.
Why Choose Outside Mount Roman Shades?
Below are the reasons you should choose outside mount roman shades along with examples.
Ideal for Shallow Window Frames
Not all windows have deep enough frames to accommodate inside mount shades. For windows with shallow or narrow frames, outside mount shades are an excellent alternative, as they can be mounted directly onto the wall or ceiling.
Extra Coverage and Less Light Inflow
If you need more control over light in a room, outside mounted shades offer additional coverage. When extended slightly beyond the window frame, they block more light, making them a great option for rooms like bedrooms, nurseries, or patios, where you want to minimize outside light.
Maximized Window Exposure
With outside mount shades, you have the option to mount the shade above the window frame, allowing the shade to stack above the window when fully raised. This allows you to enjoy the full height of the window, letting in more natural light and providing a clear view of the outdoors. This makes them ideal for east-facing windows where you can take advantage of the morning sunlight.
Easier to Measure
Inside mount shades require precise measurements for a perfect fit, which can be tricky if you’re not comfortable with measuring tools. Outside mount shades are more forgiving—slightly overshooting or undershooting the measurements is less likely to be noticeable, making the process easier.
Visual Illusion of Larger Windows
For small windows, outside mount shades can help create the illusion of a larger space. By extending the shades a few inches beyond the window frame, you can make the window appear wider. Similarly, mounting the shades higher above the window creates a sense of increased ceiling height.
Perfect for Imperfect Window Frames
If your window frames are uneven, cracked, or have other imperfections, inside mounted shades can highlight those flaws. Outside mount shades are a great way to cover up these imperfections, providing a more polished look.
Ideal for Unconventional Window Shapes
If your windows are unique in shape such as circle, arched, triangular or something like that, choose outside Roman shades. You can mount them above the frame of the window and use them whenever you want.
Spacer Blocks for Added Flexibility
Outside mounted shades offer the option to use spacer blocks or extension brackets to move the shades further away from the wall. This can be helpful if your window has protruding hardware, like cranks, that might interfere with the operation of the shades.
Covering Doors
If you need to cover a door with a shade, such as a glass door, inside mounts might not work well, as they require a deeper frame. Outside mounts provide an easier way to cover doors, especially metal doors, without the need to drill into the door frame.
Layering with Solar Shades
Solar shades are excellent for blocking harmful UV rays but don’t offer much privacy at night. By mounting your roman shades outside the window frame, you can layer them with solar shades inside, offering the best of both worlds—protection from the sun and privacy when needed.
Best For:
- Homes with unattractive window trim you want to hide.
- Small windows that you want to make look bigger.
- Low ceilings that you want to make appear higher.
- Rooms where total light blockage is necessary.
Disadvantages of Outside Mount Roman Shades
Below are some of the pitfalls of installing roman shades outside.
Room Space Limitations
Outside mount shades protrude beyond the window frame, which could be an issue if your room is small or cramped. If space is limited, this extra projection could feel intrusive.
Hiding Decorative Window Trims
If you have intricate or decorative window trims that you want to show off, outside mount shades may obscure these features. In this case, inside mount shades would be a better option since they won’t cover up the trim.
Visile Hardware
Everything is visible from the rod to the dents the wall got when you tried to fix the shades yourself. Even if you hire some professional service to do the work, the hardware of the rod is still visible, which disturbs the appearance of windows if you want a more minimalist look.
Why Choose Inside Mount Roman Shades?
Below are the reasons you should choose inside mount roman shades along with examples.
Minimalist Look
Inside Roman shades give your window a minimalist design. It’s because they stay within the window frame. They provide a sleek and modern look that complements other minimalistic decoration or furniture.
Highlighting Window Trim
Inside mount shades allow your window trim and moldings to take center stage. Since the shades fit inside the frame, they won’t obscure any intricate or ornate trim work, allowing the window’s architecture to shine.
Hidden Hardware
Inside mount shades have the advantage of hiding the hardware, creating a clean, unobtrusive look. Outside Roman shades don’t offer the polished look and minimalistic appearance that the inside mount offers.
Layering with Curtains
If you plan to layer your Roman shades with curtains, inside mounts are the best option. This allows the curtains to hang alongside the shades, adding texture and dimension to the room’s décor.
Practical for Kitchens and Bathrooms
Inside mount shades are a practical choice for kitchens and bathrooms. They stay out of the way of water splashes, and in kitchens, they are less likely to catch fire from cooking. You can use them in narrow hallways or smaller rooms where outside mounted shades might be too bulky.
Better Insulation
Because inside mount shades are positioned closer to the window, they provide better insulation. They help keep rooms cooler in summer by blocking heat from the sun, making them ideal for west-facing windows that receive intense afternoon sun.
Best For:
- Homes with beautiful trim you want to showcase.
- Rooms with large windows where blocking some glass isn’t an issue.
- High ceilings where you don’t mind raising the shade a bit.
Disadvantages of Inside Mount Roman Shades
Below are some of the pitfalls of installing roman shades outside.
Small Window Frames
If your window frame is too shallow (less than 3-4 inches deep), inside mount shades may not be possible. In such cases, outside mount shades are a better alternative.
Irregularly Shaped Windows
Inside mount shades work best on windows with straight edges. If you have arched, round, or triangular windows, inside mounts will not fit properly.
Small Windows
Inside mount shades can overwhelm small windows, making them look even smaller. The shades will not have enough space to stack properly, which may result in a clunky appearance.
Obstructions Like Cranks or Handles
Windows with protruding cranks, handles, or hardware may not work well with inside mount shades, as these elements can interfere with the smooth operation of the shades.
Limited Light Control
Since the shades stack inside the frame, they can block some light from entering the room. If you need more natural light, outside mount shades might be a better option.
3 Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Inside and Outside Mount
These are the most common and important things to consider when you choose between inside and outside mount roman curtains.
- Window Frame Depth: Inside mount Roman Shades require a window frame depth of at least 1 ¼ inches to be properly secured. If your window frame is shallower than that, you’ll need to go with an outside mount, as there are no depth requirements for outside mounting.
- Control Type: The control type (e.g., cordless or motorized) affects the installation needs. Some control systems may be too large for a window box, so an outside mount might be necessary.
- Aesthetic Preference: Inside mount Roman Shades show off your window’s trim, which works well if you have detailed trim you want to highlight. Outside mount Roman Shades cover the trim, which can create a cleaner look if your trim isn’t as appealing or if you want to make the window appear larger and the ceiling higher.
Conclusion
The choice between both depends on your room’s design. Get inside mount shades for smaller rooms or if you want a sleek and minimalistic look. But if you want more light control or for some reason you have a small window frame, get outside mount shades. The bottomline is that your decision between both depends on your room’s architecture, the amount of light you need to block, and the look you’re going for. You can also contact Aura Curtains and we’ll help you pick the best ones for your one by inspecting your home’s design.
