Crisp, lightweight accordion-folded fabrics offering colorful light diffusion at an accessible value. Preview on any window in 30 seconds before placing custom orders.
A pleated shade is a single-layer fabric window covering pressed with permanent, razor-sharp 1-inch horizontal accordion folds supported by vertical ladder cords.
How Does It Operate?
Raising the bottom rail compresses the accordion pleats into an extremely slim, lightweight stack just 2 to 3 inches tall at the headrail.
Best Rooms and Architectural Applications
Small Windows & Powder Rooms (shallow frame depths where bulkier treatments won't fit)
Breakfast Nooks (soft diffused morning daylight with warm color undertones)
Secondary Bedrooms (cost-effective light control and child-safe cordless operation)
Light Filtration and Privacy Control
Provides gentle, even daylight diffusion. While single-layer pleated fabrics don't have the dead-air thermal R-value of cellular shades, they offer vibrant color vibrancy.
Why Visualizing Before Buying Eliminates Costly Mistakes
Showing how tight the shade stacks when raised reassures homeowners with smaller windows that their view will remain completely unobstructed.
How Top Installers Sell Pleated Shades on the Spot
Pleated shades excel in tight window jambs with shallow mounting depths. Render a clean inside mount to show the homeowner how neatly the pleated profile fits.
Industry Pricing Benchmark
Estimated Pleated Shades Costs & Budget Guide
Real-world contractor pricing benchmarks to help window covering estimators and homeowners plan budgets accurately.
Standard Manual$110 – $260Typical cost per standard window
Motorized / Premium$320 – $580Rechargeable wand or smart drive
Fabrication Lead Time1 to 2 weeksCustom made-to-order window specs
Lightweight single-layer fabric construction keeps costs accessible. Top-down / bottom-up and metallized backing options affect final price.
Common Questions About Pleated Shades
Q:What is the difference between pleated shades and honeycomb cellular shades?
Pleated shades are a single layer of accordion fabric, while cellular shades feature hollow double-layer honeycomb cells that trap air for higher thermal insulation.
Q:Do pleated shades lose their pleat shape over time?
Modern pleated fabrics are heat-set and chemically treated to lock in pleat memory, preventing drooping or flattening even in humid environments.
Q:Can pleated shades be made with cordless lift?
Yes, spring-assisted cordless handles allow effortless pushing up and pulling down without any exposed cords.
