Best Roman Shades for Outside Mount Installation
For outside-mount Roman shades, choose a style that extends beyond the window opening to help cover side gaps and control light. The Madison Park blackout shade is best for reducing incoming light, while CHICOLOGY’s Belgian Flax shade suits buyers who want soft daylight and a cordless lift. For natural texture, consider CHICOLOGY or Arlo bamboo; for more size and fabric choices, SLKWDOBD offers a customizable option. Measure the window carefully and check each shade’s mounting and coverage requirements before ordering.
| Shade | Best For | Light Control |
|---|---|---|
| CHICOLOGY Belgian Flax | Soft daylight and a neutral fabric look | Light filtering |
| CHICOLOGY Bamboo | Natural texture | Light filtering |
| Madison Park Linen-Look | Sleep and glare reduction | Blackout; blocks 90% of outside light |
| SLKWDOBD Custom Roman Shade | Buyers seeking size and style choices | Light filtering or blackout options |
| Arlo Bamboo Roman Shade | Bamboo styling with a finished valance | Light filtering |
CHICOLOGY Belgian Flax Cordless Roman Shade
This 23-inch-wide, 64-inch-high shade is best for buyers who want a neutral fabric appearance and filtered daylight. Its cordless design keeps the front visually simple, while the light-filtering material softens sunlight and provides daytime privacy. It is not a blackout shade.
CHICOLOGY states that the ordered width is the actual shade width, with no deduction. That makes it important to plan the outside-mount overlap yourself: the shade needs to extend beyond the window opening if you want to reduce side gaps. Choose this option for a light, softened look; avoid it if you need full nighttime privacy or a dark room.
CHICOLOGY Cordless Bamboo Roman Shade
This 36-by-64-inch shade is best for rooms where natural texture and gently diffused light matter more than darkness. It uses real woven bamboo fibers, so tonal variation is part of the material’s appearance. The shade is intended to filter light, making it a fit for living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and home offices.
The cordless lift operates by raising or lowering the bottom rail. The product includes brackets and hardware for inside or outside mounting, but installation uses screws and is not tool-free. Because woven bamboo can filter light rather than fully block it, choose another material if you need strong nighttime privacy.
Madison Park Linen-Look Blackout Roman Shade
Best for bedrooms or media spaces, this 35-by-64-inch shade is described as blocking 90% of outside light. Its linen-like slub texture and subtle sheen provide a dressed-up fabric look, while the blackout construction is intended to reduce glare and improve privacy.
The listed sizing guidance calls for an outside-mount shade 3 inches wider than the window. This provides a useful starting point for planning coverage, but measure the opening and account for the space available around it. Select this shade if light control is a priority; avoid it if you want a bright, naturally lit room throughout the day.
SLKWDOBD Custom Cordless Roman Shade
This option is best for buyers who want to choose from different sizes, colors, fabric textures, and light-control styles. The listing describes light-filtering and blackout choices, thermal insulation, UV protection, and a cordless design. It also says mounting accessories and instructions are included for inside and outside installation.
Its range of choices makes it a flexible candidate when a fixed-size shade does not match the window. Confirm the selected size and fabric configuration before purchase, since the listing describes multiple options rather than one specific finished shade. Installation is not described as tool-free, so plan for a standard mounting setup.
Arlo Blinds Bamboo Roman Shade With Valance
This 34-by-60-inch bamboo shade is best for buyers who want a natural finish with a more complete top edge. It is made from bamboo rods and slats and includes a matching 7-inch valance and wood bottom rail. The material filters light and reduces glare, but it may appear sheer in some lighting.
The listed measurement guidance focuses on an inside mount, where a 34-inch shade is intended for a window measuring 34.25 to 35 inches wide. For outside mounting, plan the shade width to extend beyond the opening instead. The shade is for indoor use and is not suitable for outdoor or damp environments.
Buying Guide: How to Choose an Outside-Mount Roman Shade
How much wider should the shade be?
Measure the window opening, then choose a shade wider than the opening if your goal is to cover the sides and reduce light gaps. The Madison Park listing specifies a shade 3 inches wider than the window for outside mounting. Treat that as product-specific guidance rather than a universal rule: check the sizing instructions for the exact shade and confirm that the added width will not interfere with nearby walls, trim, or hardware.
Should you choose blackout or light filtering?
Light-filtering shades soften daylight while keeping rooms brighter. They can work well in common areas where a warm, natural ambiance is preferred. Blackout shades are better for reducing glare and limiting incoming light in bedrooms or home theaters. Light-filtering products may still show silhouettes or glow at night when interior lights are on, so they are not a substitute for full blackout coverage.
Which material fits your room?
Fabric shades offer a softer, more tailored look, while bamboo adds visible natural texture and tonal variation. Bamboo may allow more light through than opaque fabric and can appear sheer depending on conditions. Consider the room’s light needs as well as its décor, and verify whether the selected shade is intended for indoor use only.
What should you check before ordering?
- Measure the window opening and decide how far the shade should overlap each side and the top.
- Check the product’s exact width, length, and outside-mount sizing instructions.
- Confirm whether the shade filters light or is designed to block it.
- Review included hardware and installation instructions; some shades require screw mounting.
- For bamboo, expect natural color variation and consider that woven materials may not provide full privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an outside-mount Roman shade?
It is a shade mounted outside the window frame, typically on the wall or trim around the opening. Mounting it wider than the opening can help cover side gaps.
Are light-filtering Roman shades private at night?
Not always. With interior lights on, silhouettes or a glow may be visible through light-filtering material. Choose a blackout option when stronger privacy and light control are priorities.
Do bamboo Roman shades block sunlight?
Bamboo shades generally filter and soften light rather than fully block it. Their openness and appearance can vary with the weave and lighting conditions.
Does outside mounting require a wider shade?
Often, yes, when the goal is to cover the window opening and reduce side gaps. Follow the specific product’s sizing directions and allow for available mounting space.
Are cordless Roman shades tool-free to install?
Not necessarily. Cordless describes how the shade is raised and lowered, not how it is mounted. Check the listing for hardware and installation requirements; some models use screws.