Which is better, roller or Roman Blinds?

By Polly Kay
31st Jan 2023

Yellow and white willow patterned roller blinds in a country kitchen

In the majority of situations, this is a matter of personal choice and simply down to what sort of look or finished impact you’re trying to achieve. However, functionally, roller blinds and Roman blinds may differ in some cases or depending on the options you choose or look for in your blind, and so I’ll cover every possible angle you might be coming at this question from within this blog post.

Which is better, roller or Roman blinds to insulate a room?

Luxury yellow patterned thermal roman blinds white sitting room

If you just buy a standard version of a roller blind or a Roman blind respectively, the answer to this will be the Roman blind, simply because they’re made from more/thicker fabric than a standard roller blind and so, provide better insulation for the window.

However, if you choose a roller blind with the add-on of a special thermally insulating lining, and you hang your blind of either type with optimising its insulating properties in mind, any difference should be negligible.

For blackout, which is better? Roller or Roman blinds?

Geometric pattern blackout roman blind fitted outside the window recess

Again, if you just took a standard, non-blackout roller blind and the same for a Roman blind, the Roman blind will probably make the room darker because it has the thicker fabric.

However, if you buy a blackout roller blind or a blackout Roman blind and once more, hang the blind with the aim of maximising its blackout potential, there won’t be anything to choose between the two.

Looks-wise which is better? Roller or Roman blinds?

Ikat patterned blackout in a cosy cream and grey bedroom

The answer to this is wholly subjective, because whilst Roman blinds and roller blinds do look different to each other (although not to the same extent that either type of blind compared to a non-fabric blind would) neither one nor the other can be claimed to be better!

Both roller blinds and Roman blinds can be made in an absolutely massive variety of different colour, pattern, design, and finish combinations, although roller blinds probably have the edge there overall.

Roman blinds are generally considered to be the more prestigious/luxurious type of window blinds overall, but then roller blinds in the right design and finish can be very eye-catching too. Roman blinds tend to have a finer quality of finish and detailing, but with the price tag to match!

For bathrooms and kitchens, which is better?

Colourful waterproof vinyl roller blinds above a kitchen sink

Roller or Roman blinds made of polyester or other non-waterproof fabrics aren’t suitable for use in bathrooms and kitchens; but roller blinds made of waterproof PVC or vinyl are fine for rooms where water or humidity may be an issue.

Roman blinds aren’t waterproof and can’t be made of waterproof fabrics, so in this case, roller blinds are better.

If you are working to a tight budget, which is better? Roller or Roman blinds?

Textured dark grey roller blinds in a dining room

This would have to be roller blinds if you’re working to a budget; roller blinds are actually the lowest cost type of window blinds overall, whilst Roman blinds are the highest, so if budget is your main criteria, it’s roller blinds all the way!