How to Make A Top Down Bottom Up Insulated Thermal Roman Shade

I wanted to make top down bottom up insulated roman shades in order to be more energy efficient, safe, and decorative at the same time. I searched the internet and came up with how to make insulated roman shades or regular top down bottom up shades. I put the two ideas together and created my own. I figure I get about an insulating R rating of 4, the privacy of being able to lower the top down and a great new look with my shades.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• material
• reflectix bubble insulation
• cord
• washers
• needle and thread
• wood battens
• screw eyes
• cord locks
• scissors
• 1x2 pine
• tape measure
• screw gun or screw driver

1. Measure the window. Decide whether you want the shades to go inside or outside the window. This article explains the inside mount shade.

2. 
   canvas drop cloth material

   Cut the material 1/2" extra for stitching. You'll want to have two pieces for a front and back. I used canvas drop cloths because they were cheaper than regular fabric, can be dyed to a desired color, and have insulating and room darkening value.

3. 
   Leave one side open for next step

   Place the two pieces on top of each other - inside out. Sew three of the sides together - like a pillow case, then turn it right side out. Make sure you use a strong thread and pick a color that will hide in the material.

4. 
   reflectix bubble wrap insulation goes inside

   Cut the reflectix to fit inside your material. Slide the reflectix into the shade.

5. 
   place these battens inside the shade - on the back side of the reflectix

   On the back of the shade, decide how many folds you want. You can space the battens anywhere from 6" to 10" apart across the width of the shade. This stabilizes the folds. Slide the battens inside the material, on the back side of the reflectix.

6. You can then sew the 4th side closed or leave it open if you want.

7. 
   metal washers sewn through the battens and reflectix

   Sew the washers to every other batten. Starting with the first one on top, then skip one. You should also sew the battens that don't have washers just to keep them in place. I would place the washers no more than 8" apart across the width of the shade.

8. Sew washers to the top of the material for the top down portion. Space them also no more than 8" across.

9. 
   masonry cord

   Thread the cord for the bottom up portion through the second set of washers (first batten) to the last set of washers and tie the ends at the bottom. Leave enough cord to adjust the height later.

10. Tie a piece of cord to each of the top washers - this is for the top down part.

11. 
    screw eyes into the pine header

    Cut the 1" x 2" pine to fit your window. Screw in the screw eyes to match the cord placement.

12. Feed the top down cords through the rear set of screw eyes to the right. Feed the bottom up cords through the front set of screw eyes going left.
    
    This can be changed if desired.

13. Add your cord locks.

14. 
    Finished! Showing top down or bottom up

    Mount entire shade up inside the window using at least 3/4" screws.

Tips & Warnings

• These shades provide insulation value to your windows at a fraction of the cost.
• You can substitute other materials

Resources

• How to Lower your heating / cooling bills

[texasparky]

on 11/19/2009 "How to Make A Top Down Bottom Up Insulated Thermal Roman Shade"...Um, a what-what? A who-where? Sounds funny, but after reading the article it makes perfect sense. Great fusion of ideas and what an original eHow article!