Home » Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Unidrape help centre. We understand that investing in bespoke interiors—whether it’s a single roller blind or a full home renovation—can bring up a lot of questions. Below, we have answered the most common queries we receive about our services, products, and installation process.
If you can’t find the answer you are looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact our showroom directly.
General Service & Showroom
Q: Do you have a showroom I can visit?
A: Yes, we have a fully stocked showroom in Welwyn Garden City. We encourage you to visit us to experience the quality of our fabrics, operate our motorised displays, and speak with our design team face-to-face.

Q: Do you offer free design consultations?
A: Absolutely. We offer free, no-obligation consultations. You are welcome to bring rough measurements to the showroom for an initial quote, or we can arrange a home visit where we will measure your windows precisely and bring samples for you to view in your own lighting.

Q: Which areas do you cover?
A: We are based in Welwyn Garden City and serve the surrounding Hertfordshire areas, including St Albans, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hertford, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead and extending into North London.

Q: Do you provide a professional fitting service?
A: Yes. We pride ourselves on a complete “design-to-installation” service. Our experienced, in-house fitters will install your new blinds, curtains, or shutters to the highest standard, ensuring they are safe, secure, and operate perfectly before they leave.
Blinds & Motorisation
Q: Do I need an electrician for motorised blinds?
A: Not necessarily. While we supply mains-powered blinds for new builds or renovations, we also specialise in battery-powered electric blinds. These are wire-free, rechargeable, and can be retrofitted to almost any window without the need for chasing cables into walls.
Q: Can I control my blinds with Alexa or Google Home?
A: Yes. Many of our motorised systems are “Smart Home” compatible. With the addition of a smart hub, you can control your shading via a smartphone app or voice commands, and even set schedules for them to open and close automatically.
Q: What are the best blinds for privacy?
A: If you need privacy during the day but still want light, we recommend “Day and Night” (Vision) blinds or Venetian blinds. These allow you to angle the slats or align sheer panels to let light in while blocking the view from the street.
Curtains & Soft Furnishings
Q: How long does it take to make bespoke curtains?
A: As every pair is hand-finished to your exact specifications, lead times typically range between 3 and 4 weeks, depending on fabric availability.
Q: Do you supply curtain poles and tracks?
A: Yes. We supply and fit a vast range of hardware, from decorative metal and wood poles to discreet, smooth-running tracks. We also specialise in bay window tracks that are custom-bent to fit the exact curve of your bay.
Q: What is the difference between blackout and interlining?
A: These serve two different purposes. Blackout lining is a specialised fabric designed to block light, making it ideal for bedrooms. Interlining is a thick, fleece-like layer sewn between the face fabric and the lining. It adds volume, improves insulation, and gives your curtains a luxurious, heavy drape, but it does not strictly block all light unless paired with a blackout lining.
Q: Can I wash my made-to-measure curtains?
A: We strongly advise against machine washing bespoke curtains. Because the face fabric and lining often shrink at different rates, washing them can cause the curtains to pucker or hang unevenly. We recommend regular dusting with a vacuum attachment or professional dry cleaning by a specialist familiar with delicate soft furnishings.
Plantation Shutters
Q: Are shutters suitable for bathrooms?
A: Yes, but the material matters. For bathrooms, wet rooms, or kitchens, we use a 100% waterproof ABS material. It looks and feels just like premium wood but is guaranteed not to warp, crack, or peel in humid conditions.
Q: What is the lead time for shutters?
A: Because shutters are custom-engineered furniture for your windows, the standard lead time is approximately 10–14 weeks. Express options are available depending on the specific range and finish you choose.
Q: What is the difference between “Full Height” and “Tier-on-Tier”?
A: Full-height panels cover the entire window and open as one unit. Tier-on-Tier panels are split horizontally, allowing you to open the top section for light while keeping the bottom section closed for privacy—a popular choice for street-facing windows.